[PREM14A] TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Preliminary Merger Proxy Statement
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. is asking stockholders to approve a merger in which Industrial F&B Investments III, Inc. will merge into TreeHouse Foods, making the company a wholly owned subsidiary of Industrial F&B Investments II, Inc., an affiliate of Investindustrial. If completed, each share of TreeHouse Foods common stock will be converted into the right to receive $22.50 in cash plus one contractual contingent value right (CVR), in each case without interest and less applicable withholding taxes.
The CVR gives holders a potential cash payment tied to 85% of net proceeds, if any, from ongoing antitrust litigation against Keurig Green Mountain, with the remaining 15% retained by TreeHouse Foods. The board unanimously determined the merger is advisable and fair, received a fairness opinion from Goldman Sachs, and recommends voting “FOR” the merger, the advisory vote on merger-related executive compensation, and the proposal to adjourn the meeting if needed. The merger requires approval by a majority of the voting power of outstanding shares, offers appraisal rights under Delaware law, and is expected to result in delisting from the NYSE and deregistration under the Exchange Act.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
TreeHouse Foods seeks stockholder approval for a cash buyout plus litigation-linked CVR that will take the company private.
The transaction would convert each TreeHouse Foods share into
The CVR structure is notable: holders are entitled to
The deal implies total funding needs of about
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Filed by the Registrant | ☒ | |||||
Filed by a party other than the Registrant | ☐ | |||||
☒ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
☐ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
☐ | Soliciting Material under § 240.14a-12 |
☐ | No fee required. |
☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
☒ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Sincerely, | |||
Kristy N. Waterman | |||
EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary | |||
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1. | to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 10, 2025 (as it may be amended from time to time), which we refer to as the “Merger Agreement” among Industrial F&B Investments II, Inc., which we refer to as “Parent,” Industrial F&B Investments III, Inc., which we refer to as “Merger Sub,” and TreeHouse Foods, pursuant to which Merger Sub will be merged with and into TreeHouse Foods, with TreeHouse Foods surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, which we refer to as the “Merger” (which we refer to as the “Merger Proposal”); |
2. | to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, specified compensation that may be paid or become payable to the Company’s named executive officers in connection with the Merger and contemplated by the Merger Agreement (which we refer to as the “Compensation Proposal”); and |
3. | to approve the adjournment of the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, including to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement (which we refer to as the “Adjournment Proposal”). |
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(i) | “FOR” the Merger Proposal; |
(ii) | “FOR” the Compensation Proposal; and |
(iii) | “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal. |
By Order of the Board of Directors, | |||
Kristy N. Waterman | |||
EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary | |||
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SUMMARY | 1 | |||||
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 12 | |||||
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | 21 | |||||
THE SPECIAL MEETING | 22 | |||||
Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting | 22 | |||||
Purposes of the Special Meeting | 22 | |||||
Record Date and Quorum | 22 | |||||
Required Vote | 22 | |||||
Voting by the Company’s Directors and Executive Officers | 23 | |||||
Voting Agreement | 23 | |||||
Voting; Proxies; Revocation | 23 | |||||
Abstentions | 25 | |||||
Adjournments and Postponements | 25 | |||||
Solicitation of Proxies | 25 | |||||
Householding of Special Meeting Materials | 25 | |||||
Other Information | 25 | |||||
THE MERGER (PROPOSAL 1) | 26 | |||||
Parties Involved in the Merger | 26 | |||||
Certain Effects of the Merger | 26 | |||||
Background of the Merger | 27 | |||||
Recommendation of the TreeHouse Foods Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger | 33 | |||||
Opinion of TreeHouse Foods’ Financial Advisor | 37 | |||||
Projected Financial Information | 44 | |||||
Interests of the Company’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger | 46 | |||||
Financing of the Merger | 53 | |||||
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger | 55 | |||||
Regulatory Clearances | 60 | |||||
Delisting and Deregistration of TreeHouse Foods Common Stock | 60 | |||||
Expenses | 61 | |||||
Specific Performance | 61 | |||||
THE MERGER AGREEMENT | 62 | |||||
Explanatory Note Regarding the Merger Agreement | 62 | |||||
Effect of the Merger; Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws; Directors and Officers | 62 | |||||
Closing and Effective Time; Marketing Period | 62 | |||||
Effect of the Merger on TreeHouse Foods Capital Stock | 63 | |||||
Treatment of Company Equity Awards | 63 | |||||
Exchange and Payment Procedures | 64 | |||||
Representations and Warranties | 64 | |||||
Conduct of Business Pending the Merger | 66 | |||||
Other Covenants and Agreements | 69 | |||||
Conditions to Completion of the Merger | 78 | |||||
Termination | 79 | |||||
Company Termination Fee; Parent Termination Fee | 80 | |||||
Amendment | 81 | |||||
Expenses | 82 | |||||
Jurisdiction | 82 | |||||
Specific Performance | 82 | |||||
FORM OF CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS AGREEMENT | 83 | |||||
Explanatory Note Regarding the Contingent Value Rights Agreement | 83 | |||||
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Litigation Background | 83 | |||||
Purpose | 83 | |||||
Contingent Value Rights | 84 | |||||
Rights of Holders of Contingent Value Rights | 84 | |||||
Funding of Claims Expenses | 84 | |||||
Non-Transferability of Contingent Value Rights | 84 | |||||
CVR Committee Establishment and Authority | 84 | |||||
Actions of the CVR Committee | 86 | |||||
Replacement of Committee Members | 86 | |||||
Cooperation | 87 | |||||
Settlements | 87 | |||||
Payment Procedures | 88 | |||||
Rights Agent | 90 | |||||
Amendments | 90 | |||||
Change of Control | 91 | |||||
Termination | 91 | |||||
Specific Performance | 91 | |||||
Special Purpose Entity | 92 | |||||
Parent Commitment | 92 | |||||
Assignment | 92 | |||||
Third-Party Beneficiaries | 92 | |||||
ADVISORY VOTE ON MERGER-RELATED EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (PROPOSAL 2) | 93 | |||||
ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING (PROPOSAL 3) | 94 | |||||
MARKET PRICES AND DIVIDEND DATA | 95 | |||||
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | 96 | |||||
APPRAISAL RIGHTS | 98 | |||||
Filing Written Demand | 99 | |||||
Notice by the Surviving Corporation | 101 | |||||
Filing a Petition for Appraisal | 101 | |||||
Determination of Fair Value | 101 | |||||
FUTURE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS | 104 | |||||
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 105 | |||||
Annexes | ||||||
Annex A — Agreement and Plan of Merger | A-1 | |||||
Annex B — Form of CVR Agreement | B-1 | |||||
Annex C — Opinion of Goldman Sachs & Co. | C-1 | |||||
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• | the Determination Date (as defined below), if KGM Litigation proceeds are actually received; and |
• | the date on which TreeHouse Foods has paid certain fees to its legal counsel and advisors relating to a non-monetary recovery, as described in the Form of CVR Agreement, and TreeHouse Foods has received an acknowledgment and full release from the recipients thereof. |
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• | Via the internet. You can vote over the internet by following the instructions on the proxy card. |
• | By Telephone. You can vote by telephone by following the instructions on the proxy card. |
• | By Mail. You can vote by mail by signing, dating and mailing the enclosed proxy card. |
• | the receipt of the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock entitled to vote thereon to adopt the Merger Agreement; |
• | no order, judgment, injunction, award, decree or writ adopted or imposed by any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued by such a governmental entity and remain in effect |
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• | the waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, which we refer to as the “HSR Act,” shall have expired or been terminated and clearances or approvals required under the applicable antitrust laws in Canada shall have been obtained; |
• | the accuracy of the representations and warranties of TreeHouse Foods, on the one hand, and Parent and Merger Sub, on the other hand, in the Merger Agreement, subject in some instances to materiality, material adverse effect or other qualifiers, as of the Closing, except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier time, in which case as of such earlier time; |
• | the performance or compliance in all material respects by TreeHouse Foods, on the one hand, and Parent and Merger Sub, on the other hand, of their respective covenants required to be performed or complied with by them under the Merger Agreement at or prior to the Closing; and |
• | the absence of a “Company material adverse effect” since the date of the Merger Agreement. |
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• | each option to purchase shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock, which we refer to as a “Company Option,” that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Effective Time, to the extent unvested, will accelerate and become fully vested and exercisable effective immediately prior to, and contingent upon, the Effective Time and will be canceled and converted into the right to receive (1) a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) the total number of shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock subject to such Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (ii) the excess, if any, of (A) $22.50 over (B) the exercise price per share of TreeHouse Foods common stock applicable to such Company Option and (2) one CVR for each share of TreeHouse Foods common stock subject to such Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, in each case, without interest and subject to any applicable tax withholding, and with respect to (1), to be paid within 10 business days after the Effective Time. Company Options with a per-share exercise price for TreeHouse Foods common stock equal to or greater than $22.50 will be canceled without consideration; |
• | each time-based restricted stock unit award of the Company, which we refer to as a “Company RSU,” that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time will, to the extent unvested, become fully vested effective immediately prior to, and contingent upon, the Effective Time and at the Effective Time, each then-outstanding Company RSU will be canceled in exchange for the right to receive (1) a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of the total number of shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock underlying such Company RSU, multiplied by $22.50 and (2) one CVR for each share of TreeHouse Foods common stock underlying such Company RSU, in each case, without interest and subject to any applicable tax withholding, and with respect to (1), to be paid within 10 business days after the Effective Time; and |
• | each performance share unit of the Company, which we refer to as a “Company PSU,” that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, to the extent unvested, will become fully vested effective immediately prior to, and contingent upon, the Effective Time, in the number of shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock subject to the Company PSU assuming that 130% of target level of performance has been achieved (as determined pursuant to the terms of the applicable grant agreement and in each case, subject to pro-ration with respect to holders of Company PSUs that experienced certain terminations of employment prior to the Effective Time (to the extent provided under the applicable grant agreement)), and such vested portion of the Company PSUs will be canceled and converted into the right to receive (1) a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of the number of shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock underlying such Company PSU, multiplied by $22.50 and (2) one CVR for each share of TreeHouse Foods common stock underlying such Company PSU, without interest and subject to any applicable tax withholding, and with respect to (1), to be paid within 10 business days after the Effective Time. Any unvested portion of the Company PSUs will be canceled without any cash payment or other consideration at the Effective Time. |
• | the accelerated vesting, cancellation and cash-out of outstanding Company Equity Awards; |
• | the payment of a prorated cash annual incentive bonus for the year in which the Closing occurs; |
• | the entitlement of the executive officers to receive severance benefits under the TreeHouse Foods Executive Severance Plan (or under his employment agreement in the case of Steven Oakland) upon a qualifying termination of employment following the completion of the Merger; |
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• | distribution of account balances under the TreeHouse Foods Executive Deferred Compensation Plan; and |
• | continued indemnification and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance to be provided by the surviving corporation. |
• | up to $1.093 billion on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Equity Commitment Letter, as further described in the section entitled “The Merger (Proposal 1) — Financing the Merger — Equity Financing” beginning on page 53; and |
• | debt financing commitments from the Debt Commitment Parties in an aggregate amount of $2.2 billion, as further described in the section entitled “The Merger (Proposal 1) — Financing the Merger — Debt Financing” beginning on page 54. |
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• | by mutual written consent of TreeHouse Foods and Parent; |
• | by either TreeHouse Foods or Parent upon written notice to the other party, if: |
• | the Closing has not occurred on or before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 10, 2026, which we refer to as the “Outside Date”; provided, however, that, the right to terminate the Merger Agreement for failure to close by the Outside Date will not be available to any party whose breach of, or failure to comply with, any provision of the Merger Agreement has been a primary cause of the failure of the Closing to occur before or by the Outside Date (it being understood that a breach or failure of Merger Sub will be deemed to be a breach or failure, as applicable, of Parent, for these purposes); |
• | any legal restraint is in effect and has become final and non-appealable such that the condition to closing regarding lack of legal restraint prohibiting the Closing cannot be satisfied; provided, however, that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement for this reason will not be available to any party whose breach of, or failure to comply with, any provision of the Merger Agreement has been a primary cause of the failure of this condition to be met (it being understood that a breach or failure of Merger Sub will be deemed to be a breach or failure, as applicable, of Parent, for these purposes); or |
• | the stockholders’ meeting will have concluded without the Company Stockholder Approval having been obtained. |
• | by Parent, upon written notice to TreeHouse Foods: |
• | prior to the stockholders’ meeting, a Company Adverse Recommendation Change will have occurred; provided that Parent may not terminate the Merger Agreement for this reason unless it does so prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date that is 10 business days after Parent is notified in writing that the Board has effected a Company Adverse Recommendation Change; or |
• | if TreeHouse Foods materially breached any representation, warranty, covenant in the Merger Agreement which breach or failure to perform (1) would give rise to the failure of the closing conditions with respect to TreeHouse Foods’ representations, warranties or covenants and (2) is incapable of being cured or, if capable of being cured by the Outside Date, has not been cured within 30 days (or such shorter period of time as remains prior to the Outside Date) following receipt by |
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• | by TreeHouse Foods, upon written notice to Parent: |
• | prior to the receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval in order to enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to a Company Superior Proposal (as defined below in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement — Other Covenants and Agreements — Non-Solicitation; Takeover Proposals”); provided that the Company pays the Company Termination Fee (as defined below) in connection therewith; |
• | if either Parent or Merger Sub materially breached any representation, warranty, or covenant in the Merger Agreement which breach or failure to perform (1) would give rise to the failure of the closing conditions with respect to Parent’s or Merger Sub’s representations, warranties or covenants and (2) is incapable of being cured or, if capable of being cured by the Outside Date, has not been cured within 30 days (or such shorter period of time as remains prior to the Outside Date) following receipt by Parent of written notice of such breach or failure to perform from TreeHouse Foods stating TreeHouse Foods’ intention to terminate the Merger Agreement (provided that TreeHouse Foods will not have the right to terminate the Merger Agreement for this reason if TreeHouse Foods is then in material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants hereunder such that the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement with respect to its representations, warranties or covenants would not be satisfied if the Closing were to occur as of such time); or |
• | if (1) the conditions to the obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at closing, but subject to such conditions being capable of being satisfied if closing were to occur on such date) have been satisfied or waived, (2) TreeHouse Foods has confirmed to Parent in writing that TreeHouse Foods is ready, willing and able to consummate the Closing, and (3) Parent and Merger Sub fail to consummate the Closing within three business days after the later of (i) the date the Closing should have occurred pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and (ii) the delivery by TreeHouse Foods to Parent of such notice. |
• | by TreeHouse Foods or Parent because the Closing has not occurred prior to the Outside Date (and a breach or failure to comply with the Merger Agreement by Parent or Merger Sub is not a primary cause of such failure) or the stockholders’ meeting has concluded without the Company Stockholder Approval having been obtained if: (1) a bona fide Company Takeover Proposal will have been publicly made, proposed or communicated by a Third Party after the date of the Merger Agreement and not withdrawn prior to the time the Merger Agreement is terminated and (2) within 12 months after the date of such termination, Treehouse Foods enters into a definitive agreement to consummate a Company Takeover Proposal with the person or group making the Company Takeover Proposal referred to in clause (1) above that is subsequently consummated (provided, that, for purposes of this paragraph, the references in the definition of Company Takeover Proposal to “20% or more” will be deemed to be references to “more than 50%”); |
• | the Merger Agreement is validly terminated (1) by Parent prior to the stockholders’ meeting if a Company Adverse Recommendation Change will have occurred or (2) by TreeHouse Foods prior to the receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval in order to enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to a Company Superior Proposal; or |
• | the Merger Agreement is validly terminated by Parent with respect to a material breach of the no shop covenant which would give rise to the failure of the closing condition with respect to material performance |
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• | in the event that TreeHouse Foods validly terminates the Merger Agreement if (1) the conditions to the obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at closing, but subject to such conditions being capable of being satisfied if closing were to occur on such date) have been satisfied or waived, (2) TreeHouse Foods has confirmed to Parent in writing that TreeHouse Foods is ready, willing and able to consummate the Closing, and (3) Parent and Merger Sub fail to consummate the Closing within three business days after the later of (i) the date the Closing should have occurred pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and (ii) the delivery by TreeHouse Foods to Parent of such notice; or |
• | Parent terminates the Merger Agreement because the Merger has not been consummated by the Outside Date and at such time TreeHouse Foods could have terminated the Merger Agreement for the reason described in the previous bullet. |
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Market Price | ||||||
Quarter | High | Low | ||||
Q1 FY 2023 | $51.00 | $45.65 | ||||
Q2 FY 2023 | $54.26 | $46.90 | ||||
Q3 FY 2023 | $52.32 | $43.29 | ||||
Q4 FY 2023 | $43.53 | $38.12 | ||||
Q1 FY 2024 | $43.49 | $35.39 | ||||
Q2 FY 2024 | $38.70 | $34.58 | ||||
Q3 FY 2024 | $43.22 | $36.15 | ||||
Q4 FY 2024 | $42.19 | $31.59 | ||||
Q1 FY 2025 | $35.54 | $26.20 | ||||
Q2 FY 2025 | $26.99 | $19.42 | ||||
Q3 FY 2025(1) | $23.89 | $15.91 | ||||
(1) | Provided through December 1, 2025. |
• | in favor of (1) the Merger, the execution and delivery by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and the terms thereof, (2) each of the other actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and (3) any proposal in respect of which approval of the Company’s stockholders is requested in furtherance of any of the foregoing; and |
• | against (1) any merger, tender offer, exchange offer, sale of all or substantially all assets, recapitalization, reorganization, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction or series of transactions involving the Company, any of its subsidiaries and any other person, other than the Merger, and (2) other than the Adjournment Proposal, any other action which is intended or would reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, delay, postpone, or adversely affect the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. |
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Q: | Why am I receiving this proxy statement? |
A: | On November 10, 2025, TreeHouse Foods entered into the Merger Agreement providing for the merger of Merger Sub, with and into TreeHouse Foods, with TreeHouse Foods surviving the merger as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. You are receiving this proxy statement in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board in favor of the Merger Proposal and to approve the other proposals to be voted on at the special meeting. |
Q: | What is the proposed transaction? |
A: | The proposed transaction is the acquisition of TreeHouse Foods by Parent through the merger of Merger Sub with and into TreeHouse Foods pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Following the Effective Time, TreeHouse Foods will be privately held as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, and you will no longer own shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock and instead will have only the right to receive the Merger Consideration. |
Q: | What will I receive in the Merger? |
A: | If the Merger is completed, you will be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration, consisting of (1) $22.50 in cash and (2) one CVR, in each case, without interest and less applicable withholding taxes, for each share of TreeHouse Foods common stock you own as of immediately prior to the Effective Time. While no guaranty can be given that any proceeds will be received, each CVR will provide a holder with an opportunity to receive a portion of the net proceeds, if any, from claims arising out of the Company’s ongoing KGM Litigation. For example, if you own 100 shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock, you will be entitled to receive $2,250.00 in cash and 100 CVRs in exchange for your shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock (less any amount that may be withheld with respect to any applicable withholding taxes). You will not be entitled to receive shares in the surviving corporation or in Parent. |
Q: | What is a CVR and how does it work? |
A: | While no guaranty can be given that any proceeds will be received, each CVR will represent the contractual right to receive a portion of the net proceeds, if any, from claims arising out of TreeHouse Foods’ ongoing KGM Litigation. Any such payment will be subject to certain adjustments and deductions as described in the Form of CVR Agreement. |
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Q: | Is it possible that I will not receive any payment under the CVR? |
A: | Yes; there is no guaranty that you will receive any payment in respect of your CVR. Any payment to you as a holder of CVRs is contingent on whether there are any net recoveries in respect of the claims arising from the KGM Litigation, in accordance with the terms of the Form of CVR Agreement. You may not receive any payment in respect of your CVR if (1) no such proceeds are actually recovered or received by TreeHouse Foods or any if its affiliates, or (2) if such proceeds do not exceed the aggregate amount of (i) certain tax costs, (ii) certain claims expenses and (iii) certain additional contingent fees that may be paid by TreeHouse Foods to its legal counsel and advisors. |
Q: | Can I transfer my CVR? |
A: | You may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, encumber or in any other manner transfer or dispose of, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, your CVR, except pursuant to the limited circumstances specified in the Form of CVR Agreement, including (1) a transfer on death by will or intestacy, (2) a transfer to a testamentary trust in which your CVR is to be passed to beneficiaries upon the death of the trustee, (3) a transfer made pursuant to a court order, (4) a transfer made by operation of law or without consideration in connection with the dissolution, liquidation or termination of any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity, (5) a transfer made by a holder that is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity, via a distribution to its stockholders, members or partners, as applicable (provided such transfer is made according the terms of the Form of CVR Agreement), (6) in the case of CVRs held in book-entry or other similar nominee form, a transfer from a nominee to a beneficial owner thereof or (7) a transfer to TreeHouse Foods with or without consideration therefor. |
Q: | What will happen to the Company’s outstanding equity awards? |
A: | The Merger Agreement provides that, at the Effective Time: |
• | each Company Option that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Effective Time, to the extent unvested, will accelerate and become fully vested and exercisable effective immediately prior to, and contingent upon, the Effective Time and will be canceled and converted into the right to receive (1) a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) the total number of shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock subject to such Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (ii) the excess, if any, of (A) $22.50 over (B) the exercise price per share of TreeHouse Foods common stock applicable to such Company Option and (2) one CVR for each share of TreeHouse Foods common stock subject to such Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, in each case, without interest and subject to any applicable tax withholdings, and with respect to (1), to be paid within 10 business days after the Effective Time. Company Options with a per-share exercise price for TreeHouse Foods common stock equal to or greater than $22.50 will be canceled without consideration; |
• | each Company RSU that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time will, to the extent unvested, become fully vested effective immediately prior to, and contingent upon, the Effective Time and each then-outstanding Company RSU will be canceled in exchange for the right to receive (1) a cash amount, equal to the product of the number of shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock underlying such Company RSU, multiplied by $22.50 and (2) one CVR for each share of TreeHouse Foods common stock underlying such Company RSU, in each case, without interest and subject to any applicable tax withholding, and with respect to (1), to be paid within 10 business days after the Effective Time; and |
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Q: | What is included in these materials? |
A: | These materials include: |
• | this proxy statement for the special meeting, |
• | a proxy card or voting instruction form (enclosed with this proxy statement), |
• | a copy of the Merger Agreement (attached as Annex A to this proxy statement), |
• | a copy of the Form of CVR Agreement (attached as Annex B to this proxy statement), and |
• | the written opinion of Goldman Sachs & Co. (attached as Annex C to this proxy statement). |
Q: | Where and when is the special meeting? |
A: | The special meeting will take place virtually on [•], at [•] (CT), or at any adjournment or postponement thereof. You will be able to virtually attend and vote at the special meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/THS2026SM. |
Q: | What proposals will be voted on at the special meeting? |
A: | There are three proposals scheduled to be voted on at the special meeting: |
• | to adopt the Merger Agreement; |
• | to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, specified compensation that may be paid or become payable to the Company’s named executive officers in connection with the Merger and contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and |
• | to approve the adjournment of the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, including to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to adopt the Merger Proposal. |
Q: | What is the TreeHouse Foods board of directors’ voting recommendation? |
A: | The Board recommends that you vote your shares: |
• | “FOR” the Merger Proposal; |
• | “FOR” the Compensation Proposal; and |
• | “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal. |
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Q: | Who is entitled to vote at the special meeting? |
A: | Holders of shares of Company common stock outstanding as of close of business on the Record Date are entitled to be voted at the special meeting. You may cast one vote per share of TreeHouse Foods common stock that you held as of the close of business on the Record Date. These shares include shares that are: |
• | held directly in your name as the stockholder of record; and |
• | held for you as the beneficial owner through a broker, bank or other nominee. |
Q: | What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner? |
A: | Many of our stockholders hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some differences between shares held of record and those owned beneficially. |
• | Stockholder of Record. If your shares are registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, Computershare, Inc., you are considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record, and this proxy statement was sent directly to you by the Company. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to certain officers of TreeHouse Foods or to vote directly at the special meeting. |
• | Beneficial Owner. If your shares are held in an account at a broker, bank or other nominee, like many of our stockholders, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, and this proxy statement was forwarded to you by that organization. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee how to vote your shares, and you are also invited to attend the special meeting, although only your broker, bank or other nominee will have the right to vote your shares at the special meeting, and only to the extent you have previously instructed it to do so. Nevertheless, you may vote your shares at the special meeting to the extent you obtain a signed “legal proxy” from the stockholder of record giving you the right to vote the shares. |
Q: | If I am a stockholder of record of the Company’s shares, how do I vote? |
A: | If you are a stockholder of record, there are four ways you can vote: |
• | by attending the special meeting virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/THS2026SM; |
• | via the internet, at the internet address provided on the proxy card; |
• | by telephone, by using the number listed on the proxy card; or |
• | by mail, by completing, signing and dating the proxy card and returning it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. |
Q: | If I am a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, how do I vote? |
A: | If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you will receive instructions from the holder of record as to how to vote your shares. You must follow the instructions of the holder of record in order for your shares to be voted. Telephone and internet voting also will be offered to stockholders owning shares through certain banks and brokers. Please note that if you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, such broker, bank or other nominee cannot vote your shares unless you have given your nominee specific instructions as to how to vote or unless you have obtained a signed “legal proxy” from your nominee giving you the right to vote the shares. In order for your vote to be counted, please make sure that you submit your vote to your broker, bank or other nominee or that you obtain such “legal proxy.” |
Q: | Will my shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock held in “street name” or another form of record ownership be combined for voting purposes with shares I hold of record? |
A: | No. Because any shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock you may hold in “street name” will be deemed to be held by a different stockholder of record than any shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock you hold of |
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Q: | What is the quorum requirement for the special meeting? |
A: | A quorum is necessary to hold a valid special meeting. A quorum exists if the holders of a majority of the voting power of TreeHouse Foods common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting are present or represented by proxy at the special meeting. If a quorum is not present at the special meeting, the special meeting may be adjourned or postponed from time to time until a quorum is obtained. |
Q: | What happens if I do not give specific voting instructions? |
A: | Stockholder of Record. If you are a stockholder of record and you submit a signed proxy card or submit your proxy by telephone or the internet, but do not specify how you want to vote your shares on a particular proposal, then the proxy holders will vote your shares in accordance with the recommendations of the Board on all matters presented in this proxy statement. |
Q: | What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals? |
A: | Adoption of the Merger Proposal would require Company stockholders holding a majority of the voting power of the shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date and entitled to vote thereon must vote “FOR” the Merger Proposal. A failure to vote your shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock or an abstention from voting will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Merger Proposal. |
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Q: | How do TreeHouse Foods’ directors and executive officers intend to vote? |
A: | We currently expect that the Company’s directors and executive officers will vote their shares in favor of the Merger Proposal and the other proposals to be considered at the special meeting, although they have no obligation to do so. |
Q: | What effects will the Merger have on the Company? |
A: | TreeHouse Foods common stock is currently registered under the Exchange Act, and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “THS.” As a result of the Merger, the Company will cease to be a publicly traded company and will become a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Following the consummation of the Merger, TreeHouse Foods, as the entity surviving the Merger, will use its reasonable best efforts to cause TreeHouse Foods’ common stock to be delisted from the NYSE as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time and deregistered under the Exchange Act as promptly as practicable after such delisting. |
Q: | When is the Merger expected to be completed? |
A: | We and Parent are working toward completing the Merger as quickly as possible. We cannot be certain when or if the conditions to the Merger will be satisfied (or, to the extent permitted, waived). The Merger cannot be completed until the conditions to closing are satisfied (or, to the extent permitted, waived), including the adoption of the Merger Agreement by TreeHouse Foods stockholders and the receipt of certain regulatory clearances. Assuming timely receipt of the required regulatory clearances and satisfaction of other closing conditions, and although there can be no assurance, the parties hope to complete the Merger in the first calendar quarter of 2026. |
Q: | What happens if the Merger is not completed? |
A: | If the Merger Agreement is not adopted by the Company’s stockholders, or if the Merger is not completed for any other reason, the Company stockholders will not receive any payment for their shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock. Instead, the Company will remain a public company, and shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock will continue to be registered under the Exchange Act, as well as listed and traded on the NYSE. In the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated, then, in certain specified circumstances, a termination fee of $40,750,000 will be due and payable by TreeHouse Foods to Parent and in certain other specified circumstances, a termination fee of $81,500,000 will be due and payable by Parent to TreeHouse Foods. See the section entitled “The Merger Agreement — Company Termination Fee; Parent Termination Fee — Company Termination Fee.” |
Q: | What will happen if stockholders do not approve the Compensation Proposal? |
A: | The inclusion of this proposal is required by SEC rules; however, the approval of this proposal is not a condition to the completion of the Merger and the vote on this proposal is an advisory vote and will not be binding on TreeHouse Foods or Parent. If the Merger Agreement is adopted by the Company’s stockholders and the Merger is completed, the Merger-related compensation may be paid to the Company’s named executive officers even if stockholders fail to approve the Compensation Proposal. |
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Q: | Can I revoke my proxy or change my vote? |
A: | Yes. You may revoke or change your proxy for any reason by: |
• | providing a written notice of revocation that is received before the meeting to TreeHouse Foods’ EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Kristy N. Waterman, at TreeHouse Foods, Inc., 2021 Spring Road, Suite 600, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523; |
• | delivering a valid, later-dated proxy either by telephone or online (your last delivery before the meeting begins will be counted); |
• | completing, signing, dating and returning a new proxy card by mail to the Company before the special meeting; or |
• | if you are a registered stockholder (or if you hold your shares in “street name” and have a proper legal proxy from your broker), attending the special meeting and voting. |
Q: | What happens if I do not vote or if I abstain from voting on the proposals? |
A: | The requisite number of shares to adopt the Merger Proposal is based on the total number of shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date, not just the shares that are voted. The requisite number of shares to approve the Adjournment Proposal is based on the total number of shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock present or represented by proxy at the special meeting and entitled to vote thereon, not just the shares that are voted. Abstaining from voting will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Merger Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal. Abstaining from voting will have no impact on the Compensation Proposal. |
Q: | What happens if I sell my shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock before completion of the Merger? |
A: | In order to receive the Merger Consideration, you must hold your shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock through completion of the Merger. Consequently, if you transfer your shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock before completion of the Merger, you will have transferred your right to receive the Merger Consideration in the Merger. |
Q: | Should I send in my stock certificates or other evidence of ownership now? |
A: | No. After the Merger is completed, you will receive a letter of transmittal and related materials from the paying agent for the Merger with detailed written instructions for exchanging your shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock evidenced by stock certificates for the Merger Consideration. If your shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock are held in “street name” by your broker, bank or other nominee, you may receive instructions from your broker, bank or other nominee as to what action, if any, you need to take in order to effect the surrender of your “street name” shares in exchange for the Merger Consideration. Do not send in your certificates now. |
Q: | I do not know where my stock certificates are, how will I get the Merger Consideration for my shares? |
A: | If the Merger is completed, the transmittal materials you will receive after the completion of the Merger will include the procedures that you must follow if you cannot locate your stock certificates. This will include an affidavit that you will need to sign attesting to the loss of your stock certificates. You may also be required to post a bond as indemnity against any potential loss. |
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Q: | Am I entitled to exercise dissenters’ or appraisal rights instead of receiving the Merger Consideration for my shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock? |
A: | Under Section 262 of the DGCL, stockholders who do not vote for the adoption of the Merger Agreement have the right to seek appraisal of the fair value of their shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery, but only if they fully comply with all applicable requirements of the DGCL, which are summarized in this proxy statement. Any appraisal amount determined by the court could be more than, the same as, or less than the value of the Merger Consideration. Any stockholder intending to exercise appraisal rights must, among other things, submit a written demand for appraisal to the Company before the vote on the Merger Proposal and such stockholder must not vote or otherwise submit a proxy in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement. Failure to comply exactly with the procedures and requirements specified under the DGCL will result in the loss of appraisal rights. The discussion of appraisal rights contained in this proxy statement is not a full summary of the law pertaining to appraisal rights under the DGCL and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of Section 262 of the DGCL which may be accessed without subscription or cost at the following publicly available website: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title8/c001/sc09/index.html#262. For additional information, see the section entitled “Appraisal Rights.” Because of the complexity of the DGCL relating to appraisal rights, if you are considering exercising your appraisal rights, we encourage you to seek the advice of your own legal counsel. |
Q: | Will I be subject to U.S. federal income tax upon the exchange of TreeHouse Foods common stock for the Merger Consideration pursuant to the Merger? |
A: | If you are a U.S. holder (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger (Proposal 1) — U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger”), the exchange of TreeHouse Foods common stock for the Merger Consideration pursuant to the Merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The amount of gain or loss that you will recognize, as well as the timing and the character of such gain or loss, depends in part on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the receipt of, and payments (if any) with respect to, the CVRs, with respect to which there is substantial uncertainty. A Non-U.S. holder (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger (Proposal 1) — U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger”) will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to the exchange of TreeHouse Foods common stock for the Merger Consideration pursuant to the Merger unless such Non-U.S. holder has certain connections to the United States. However, in some circumstances, a Non-U.S. holder may be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to all or a portion of a CVR payment. Because particular circumstances may differ, you should consult your tax advisor to determine the particular U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income tax consequences to you of the Merger and the receipt of, and payments (if any) with respect to, the CVRs in light of your particular circumstances. A more complete description of U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger is provided in the section entitled “The Merger (Proposal 1) — U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger.” |
Q: | What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card? |
A: | If your shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock are registered differently or are held in more than one account, you will receive more than one proxy or voting instruction form. Please complete and return all of the proxy cards you receive (or submit each of your proxies by telephone or the internet, if available to you) to ensure that all of your shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock are voted. |
Q: | How many copies should I receive if I share an address with another stockholder? |
A: | Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may participate in the practice of “householding” proxy statements, annual reports and notices of internet availability of proxy materials. This means that a single set of our proxy materials, may have been sent to multiple stockholders in your household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of our proxy materials to you if you call Kristy N. Waterman, EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, by phone, at (708) 483-1300, or write at TreeHouse Foods, Inc., 2021 Spring Road, Suite 600, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523. In addition, stockholders who share a single address, but receive multiple copies of the proxy statement, may request that in the future they receive a single copy by contacting the Company at the address or phone number set forth in the prior sentence. |
Q: | Who will count the vote? |
A: | A representative of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will tabulate the votes. |
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Q: | Who will solicit and bear the cost of soliciting votes for the special meeting? |
A: | TreeHouse Foods will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing and distributing these proxy materials. In addition to the mailing of these proxy materials, the solicitation of proxies or votes may be made in person, by telephone or by electronic and facsimile transmission by our directors, officers and employees, who will not receive any additional compensation for such solicitation activities. TreeHouse Foods has engaged Alliance Advisors, LLC, which we refer to as “Alliance Advisors,” to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the TreeHouse Foods special meeting. TreeHouse Foods estimates that it will pay Alliance Advisors a fee of approximately $40,000, plus reimbursement of certain expenses. In addition, the Company may reimburse its transfer agent, brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock for their expenses in forwarding solicitation material to such beneficial owners. |
Q: | Where can I find the voting results of the special meeting? |
A: | TreeHouse Foods will announce preliminary voting results at the special meeting and publish preliminary, or final results if available, in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC within four business days after the special meeting. |
Q: | Where can I find more information about TreeHouse Foods? |
A: | You can find more information about us from various sources described in the section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” |
Q: | Who can help answer my other questions? |
A: | If you have more questions about the Merger, or require assistance in submitting your proxy or voting your shares or need additional copies of the proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card, please contact Alliance Advisors, which is acting as the proxy solicitation agent and information agent for the Company in connection with the Merger, or the Company. |
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• | the risk that the Merger may not be consummated in a timely manner, if at all; |
• | the risk that no proceeds will be paid to stockholders pursuant to the Form of CVR Agreement; |
• | the risk that the Merger Agreement may be terminated in certain circumstances that require TreeHouse Foods to pay Parent a termination fee of $40,750,000; |
• | risks related to the diversion of management’s attention from the Company’s ongoing business operations; |
• | the effect of the announcement of the Merger on the Company’s business relationships (including, without limitation, customers and suppliers), operating results and business generally; |
• | risks related to obtaining the requisite consents to the Merger, including, without limitation, the receipt of approval from the Company’s stockholders, the timing (including possible delays) and receipt of regulatory clearance from governmental authorities (including any conditions, limitations or restrictions placed on these approvals) and the risk that one or more governmental authority may deny or delay any such approval; |
• | the conditions of the capital markets during the period covered by the forward-looking statements; |
• | risks that the proposed merger disrupts our current plans and operations or affects our ability to retain or recruit key employees; |
• | the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the Merger Agreement and the Merger; |
• | risk that our stock price may decline significantly if the Merger is not completed; |
• | risks related to other business effects, including the effects of industry, market, economic, political or regulatory conditions, future exchange or interest rates or credit ratings, changes in tax laws, regulations, rates and policies or competitive development; |
• | the nature, cost and outcome of pending and future litigation and other legal proceedings, including any such proceedings related to the Merger and instituted against us and others; and |
• | the fact that the Company’s stockholders would forgo the opportunity to realize the potential long-term value of the successful execution of the Company’s current strategy as an independent company. |
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• | in favor of (1) the Merger, the execution and delivery by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and the terms thereof, (2) each of the other actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and (3) any proposal in respect of which approval of the Company’s stockholders is requested in furtherance of any of the foregoing; and |
• | against (1) any merger, tender offer, exchange offer, sale of all or substantially all assets, recapitalization, reorganization, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction or series of transactions involving the Company, any of its subsidiaries and any other person, other than the Merger, and (2) other than the Adjournment Proposal, any other action which is intended or would reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, delay, postpone, or adversely affect the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. |
• | Via the internet. You can vote over the internet by following the instructions on the proxy card. |
• | By Telephone. You can vote by telephone by following the instructions on the proxy card. |
• | By Mail. You can vote by mail by signing, dating and mailing the enclosed proxy card. |
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• | providing a written notice of revocation that is received before the Company special meeting to Kristy N. Waterman, the Company’s EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, at TreeHouse Foods, Inc., 2021 Spring Road, Suite 600, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523; |
• | delivering a valid, later-dated proxy either by telephone or online; |
• | completing, signing, dating and returning a new proxy card by mail to the Company before the special meeting; or |
• | if you are a registered stockholder (or if you hold shares in “street names” and have a proper legal proxy from your broker), attending the special meeting and voting (your virtual attendance at the special meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy; you must also vote online during the special meeting). |
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• | Compelling Value: That in light of its consideration of TreeHouse Foods’ business and operations, historical results of operations, strategic business plans and financial projections, opportunities and risks or uncertainties in executing TreeHouse Foods’ strategic plans, current and historical trading prices of TreeHouse Foods common stock, and multiples of EBITDA represented by the enterprise value of |
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• | The $22.50 per share component of the Merger Consideration represented an equity value of $1.2 billion, a 38% premium to TreeHouse Foods’ closing share price on September 26, 2025, the last full trading day prior to market speculation around a transaction and a 29% premium to TreeHouse Foods’ 30-day volume-weighted average share price on September 26, 2025. |
• | Certainty of Value: The fact that a substantial portion of the proposed Merger Consideration is cash, so that the transaction provides stockholders of TreeHouse Foods certainty of value and liquidity for their shares, while eliminating the effect of long-term business and execution risk to stockholders of TreeHouse Foods. |
• | Contingent Value Right: The fact that (1) the proposed Merger Consideration includes a CVR and that the provisions of the Form of CVR Agreement provide for the pursuit of the ongoing KGM Litigation, thereby providing the opportunity for stockholders of TreeHouse Foods to receive certain net proceeds, if any are recovered, from such litigation and (2) although there is no guaranty that the outcome of the litigation would result in any proceeds, the timing should be adequate to collect what amounts are likely, if any, to be collected. |
• | Best Available Alternative for Maximizing Stockholder Value: The Board believed that (1) the Merger Consideration of $22.50 per share and one CVR (with a potential future value) was more favorable to stockholders of TreeHouse Foods than the continued operation of TreeHouse Foods on a standalone basis, based on the Board’s understanding of TreeHouse Foods’ business and operations, its current and historical results of operations, financial prospects and conditions, and the determination that continued operation of TreeHouse Foods on a standalone basis (including consideration of certain cost cutting measures and operational improvements that were being undertaken by the Board) was not sufficiently likely to produce, on a risk-adjusted basis, values that would create more value for stockholders of TreeHouse Foods than the Merger Consideration offered by Parent, in light of the difficulties of achieving a higher value and share price for TreeHouse Foods, which achievement would be uncertain and would require significant improvements in TreeHouse Foods’ business processes, and would require significant costs and time, (2) taking into account the perspectives provided by its financial advisor and TreeHouse Foods’ senior management, it was not likely that another party would be willing to pursue a transaction at a value in excess of the value offered by Parent and (3) the Merger Consideration of $22.50 per share and one CVR (with a potential future value) was the best value reasonably available to stockholders of TreeHouse Foods. |
• | Appropriate Time to Engage in Sale of TreeHouse Foods: While TreeHouse Foods’ business is strong and continues to present opportunities for growth, there are increasing challenges to maintaining TreeHouse Foods’ historic growth rate and profitability as a standalone company, including slowing category growth, shifting customer trends, continued inflationary pressures and the increased prevalence of GLP-1 products having a negative impact on food consumption; and to achieve a meaningful increase in TreeHouse Foods’ share price, TreeHouse Foods would need to undertake significant cost-cutting and margin expansion initiatives, which would take considerable cost and time to fully realize and there would be no guarantees that such initiatives would be successfully achieved. |
• | Thorough Review of Strategic Alternatives: The Board considered the results of its continued review of strategic alternatives, including the fact that TreeHouse Foods’ financial advisors undertook a pre-signing market check seeking to sell all of TreeHouse Foods, the Snacks Segment and/or the Meals & Beverages Segment in an effort to maximize the price stockholders of TreeHouse Foods would receive as consideration in any such strategic alternative. |
• | Financial Analyses of Goldman Sachs and Receipt of Fairness Opinion: The financial analyses of Goldman Sachs in connection with the Merger and the oral opinion of Goldman Sachs to the Board, subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated November 10, 2025, that, as of such date based upon and subject to the factors, procedures, qualifications, limitations and assumptions set forth in |
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• | Opportunity to Receive Company Takeover Proposals and to Terminate the Transaction in Order to Accept a Superior Company Proposal: TreeHouse Foods’ right, in circumstances specified in the Merger Agreement, to respond to and negotiate unsolicited takeover proposals made before the time stockholders of TreeHouse Foods approve the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement and to terminate the Merger Agreement in specified circumstances relating to a superior proposal subject to payment to Parent of a termination fee of $40,750,000, which amount the Board believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, taking into account the range of such termination fees in similar transactions, and the improbability that a fee of such size would be a meaningful deterrent to Company Takeover Proposals, as defined below in the section “The Merger Agreement.” |
• | Appraisal Rights: The fact that appraisal rights under the DGCL are available to holders of TreeHouse Foods’ common stock who comply with all of the required procedures under the DGCL, which allows such holders to seek appraisal of the fair value of their shares of TreeHouse Foods’ common stock as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery, as more fully described below under the section “Appraisal Rights.” |
• | High Likelihood of Completion: That the Board considered the likelihood of completion of the Merger to be high, particularly in light of the terms of the Merger Agreement and the closing conditions, including: the absence of a financing condition in the Merger Agreement and the representation of Parent in the Merger Agreement that at the closing of the Merger, it will have sufficient available funds necessary to consummate the Merger; and the commitment of Parent to use its reasonable best efforts to take certain actions (subject to agreed limitations) to obtain regulatory clearance for consummation of the Merger. The Board also considered that it had previously engaged in a transaction with Parent that was timely consummated. |
• | Arm’s-Length Terms and Other Factors Related to the Merger Agreement: The Board’s view that the Merger Agreement was the product of arm’s-length negotiation and contained customary terms and conditions, and its consideration of a number of other factors pertaining to the Merger Agreement, including (1) the termination provisions in the Merger Agreement, including the fact that the outside date under the Merger Agreement (which may be extended under specified circumstances to allow for regulatory approvals to be obtained) on or after which either party, subject to specified exceptions, can terminate the Merger Agreement, allows for sufficient time to consummate the Merger, (2) subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, the ability of the Board to (A) make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change or terminate the Merger Agreement in connection with a Company Takeover Proposal and (B) make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change in connection with an Intervening Event, in each case as more fully described in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement — Other Covenants and Agreements — Non-Solicitation; Takeover Proposals,” (3) TreeHouse Foods’ ability to specifically enforce Parent’s obligations under the Merger Agreement, including Parent’s obligations to consummate the Merger and (4) TreeHouse Foods’ ability to seek damages upon any breach by Parent of the Merger Agreement. |
• | The fact that stockholders of TreeHouse Foods will have no equity participation in TreeHouse Foods following the Merger, will not participate in any future earnings or growth or increase in value of TreeHouse Foods and will not participate in any potential future sale of TreeHouse Foods to a third party. |
• | The fact that the announcement and pendency of the Merger, or the failure to complete the Merger, may cause substantial harm to TreeHouse Foods’ relationships with its employees (including making it more difficult to attract and retain key personnel and the possible loss of key management, sales and other personnel), suppliers and customers. The Board recognized that such factors could cause TreeHouse Foods’ business, sales, operations and financial results to suffer during the executory period or in the event the Merger was not consummated. |
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• | The risk that the Merger might not be completed and the possible adverse effect of the resulting public announcement of termination of the Merger Agreement on the trading price of TreeHouse Foods common stock. |
• | The requirement that under certain circumstances TreeHouse Foods could be required to pay Parent a termination fee of $40,750,000 (including if the Board recommends a superior proposal and Parent terminates the Merger Agreement). |
• | The fact that, in the event the Merger Agreement is terminated, the liability of Parent to TreeHouse Foods will be capped at $81,500,000 (subject to the payment of enforcement costs, if applicable, Parent’s reimbursement of TreeHouse Foods for financing cooperation and the payment of regulatory filing fees). |
• | The fact that there is no guaranty of recovering any net proceeds from the ongoing KGM Litigation. |
• | The provisions of the Form of CVR Agreement that provide, among other matters, holders of CVRs will be entitled to an amount of cash (if positive) equal to 85% of the aggregate of (1) the KGM Litigation proceeds actually recovered or received by TreeHouse Foods or any of its affiliates, (2) minus certain tax costs, (3) minus certain claims expenses and (4) minus certain additional contingent fees that may be paid by TreeHouse Foods to its legal counsel and advisors. |
• | The restrictions on the conduct of TreeHouse Foods’ business prior to the consummation of the Merger, including the requirement that TreeHouse Foods conduct its business in the ordinary course, subject to specific limitations, which may delay or prevent TreeHouse Foods from undertaking business opportunities that may arise before the completion of the Merger and that, absent the Merger Agreement, TreeHouse Foods might have pursued. |
• | The fact that the Merger would be a taxable transaction to stockholders of TreeHouse Foods for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the fact that the tax treatment of the CVRs is not certain. |
• | The fact that under the terms of the Merger Agreement, TreeHouse Foods is unable to solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage or facilitate other takeover proposals during the pendency of the Merger. |
• | The fact that stockholders of TreeHouse Foods may vote down the Merger Agreement at the meeting of stockholders of TreeHouse Foods held for such purpose. |
• | The significant costs involved in connection with entering into the Merger Agreement and completing the Merger and the substantial time and effort of TreeHouse Foods’ senior management required to complete the Merger, which may disrupt TreeHouse Foods’ business operations and divert employees’ attention away from TreeHouse Foods’ day-to-day business operations. |
• | The possibility that the Debt Financing contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter will not be obtained, resulting in Parent not having sufficient funds to complete the Merger, notwithstanding the absence of a financing condition in the Merger Agreement. |
• | The fact that the completion of the Merger will require antitrust clearance in the United States and Canada. |
• | The risk of litigation arising from stockholders in respect of the Merger Agreement or transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. |
• | The possibility that, although the Merger provides stockholders of TreeHouse Foods with the opportunity to realize a premium to the price at which shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock traded immediately prior to market speculation around a transaction, the price for shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock might have increased in the future to a price greater than $22.50. |
• | The possible alternatives to the acquisition of TreeHouse Foods by Parent, the range of potential benefits to stockholders of these alternatives and the timing and the likelihood of accomplishing the goals of such alternatives, as well as the Board’s assessment that none of these alternatives were reasonably likely to create greater value for stockholders. |
• | The fact that the Board and executive officers of TreeHouse Foods have interests in the Merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of stockholders of TreeHouse Foods generally (see in the section entitled “The Merger (Proposal 1) — Interests of the Company’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger”). |
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• | the Merger Agreement; |
• | the Form of CVR Agreement; |
• | annual reports to stockholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K of TreeHouse Foods for the five fiscal years ended December 31, 2024; |
• | certain interim reports to stockholders and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of TreeHouse Foods; |
• | certain other communications from TreeHouse Foods to its stockholders; |
• | certain publicly available research analyst reports for TreeHouse Foods; |
• | the Forecasts (as defined below); and |
• | estimates as to the amounts and timing of the Litigation Proceeds, Tax Costs and Claims Expenses (as each is defined in the Form of CVR Agreement) prepared by the management of TreeHouse Foods and approved for Goldman Sachs’ use by TreeHouse Foods (which we refer to as the “Estimates”). |
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Selected Transactions | |||||||||
Announcement Date | Acquiror | Target | Multiple | ||||||
December 2009 | TreeHouse Foods, Inc. | Sturm Foods, Inc. | 7.5x | ||||||
February 2010 | CSM N.V. | Best Brands Incorporated | 8.5x | ||||||
June 2010 | Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. | American Italian Pasta Company | 7.8x | ||||||
November 2012 | ConAgra Foods, Inc. | Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. | 12.0x | ||||||
September 2013 | Post Holdings, Inc. | Dakota Growers Pasta Company | 8.4x | ||||||
April 2014 | Post Holdings, Inc. | Michael Foods, Inc. | 9.3x | ||||||
November 2016 | Greencore Group plc | Peacock Foods, LLC | 10.4x | ||||||
July 2017 | Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V. | East Balt Bakeries Company | 9.3x | ||||||
December 2024 | TreeHouse Foods, Inc. | Harris, Freeman & Co, Inc. | 8.5x | ||||||
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Projected Fiscal Quarter (1) | Projected Fiscal Year (1) | |||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | Q4 2025E | 2025E | 2026E | 2027E | 2028E | 2029E | ||||||||||||
Revenue | $955 | $3,394 | $3,311 | $3,378 | $3,467 | $3,502 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(2) | $137 | $360 | $360 | $383 | $405 | $410 | ||||||||||||
EBIT(3) | $99 | $— | $205 | $228 | $250 | $255 | ||||||||||||
NOPAT (4) | $81 | $— | $152 | $170 | $187 | $191 | ||||||||||||
Unlevered Free Cash Flow(5) | $120 | $— | $139 | $209 | $220 | $221 | ||||||||||||
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(1) | This table reflects selected measures from the TreeHouse Foods Forecasts from 2025E through 2029E as provided to Goldman Sachs in connection with its financial analyses summarized under “— Opinion of TreeHouse Foods’ Financial Advisor.” As described above, Forecasts exclude KGM Litigation proceeds, annual litigation fees and contingency legal fees and taxes associated with KGM Litigation proceeds for 2026E through 2029E. The version of the Forecasts made available to Investindustrial on November 1, 2025 did not exclude annual litigation fees associated with the KGM Litigation. |
(2) | Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) is defined for purposes of the Forecasts as non-GAAP net income available to common stockholders before interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization. 2026E and onwards EBITDA amounts in the version of the Forecasts made available to Investindustrial on November 1, 2025 were $5 million lower each year because they did not exclude annual litigation fees associated with the KGM Litigation. |
(3) | EBIT (Earnings before interest and tax) is defined for purposes of the Forecasts as Adjusted EBITDA minus depreciation and amortization. EBIT is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or net income as a measure of operating performance or cash flow or as a measure of liquidity. |
(4) | NOPAT (Net operating profit after tax at an estimated 24% marginal tax rate) is defined for purposes of the Forecasts as earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) adjusted for the impact of taxes and certain other income and expenses. NOPAT is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or net income as a measure of operating performance or cash flow or as a measure of liquidity. |
(5) | Unlevered Free Cash Flow is defined for purposes of the Forecasts as “NOPAT” plus depreciation and amortization and proceeds from fixed asset sale, less restructuring and other costs, capital expenditures and changes in net working capital. Q4 2025E change in net working capital is net of increase related to factored receivables. Unlevered Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or net income as a measure of operating performance or cash flow or as a measure of liquidity. |
• | The Effective Time occurs on November 30, 2025, which is the assumed date solely for purposes of the disclosure in this section; |
• | The relevant per share value of the Merger Consideration is $22.50 (the value of any CVRs payable with respect to any Company Equity Award held by each executive officer or non-employee director is not included because the payments, if any, that may become payable pursuant to the terms of the Form of CVR Agreement, are speculative and not currently determinable). |
• | Each executive officer of TreeHouse Foods experiences a termination without “cause” or resigns for “good reason,” as such terms are defined in the relevant plans and agreements as in effect on the date hereof, immediately following the Effective Time. |
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• | a cash payment equal to three times the amount of his base salary; |
• | a cash payment equal to three times his target bonus; and |
• | continued participation in medical (including prescription drug), dental, hospitalization and life insurance coverage in which he was participating on the termination date until the earliest of the last day of the third full taxable year following the date of termination, his death, or the date he receives equivalent coverage from a subsequent employer. If Mr. Oakland’s coverage terminates earlier than the previously specified date, Mr. Oakland will receive a lump sum payment equal to the number of remaining months of coverage to which he is entitled times an amount equal to then applicable premium for the relevant benefit plan in which Mr. Oakland participated. |
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• | a cash payment equal to two times the sum of their base salary and target bonus; and |
• | the continuation of medical (including prescription drug), dental and hospitalization benefits at the applicable employee rate until the earliest of the 24-month anniversary of the Qualifying Termination, death or the date the participant receives equivalent coverage from a subsequent employer. If a participant’s coverage terminates earlier than the previously specified date, the participant will receive a lump sum payment equal to the number of remaining months of coverage to which the participant is entitled times the then-applicable TreeHouse Foods portion of the premium for the relevant benefit plan in which the participant participated. |
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• | the Effective Time occurs on November 30, 2025, which is the assumed date solely for purposes of this section; |
• | the relevant per share value of the Merger Consideration is $22.50 (the value of any CVRs payable with respect to any Company Equity Award held by each named executive officer is not included because the payments, if any, that may become payable pursuant to the terms of the Form of CVR Agreement, are speculative and not currently determinable); |
• | each current named executive officer’s employment is terminated by TreeHouse Foods or its successor without “cause” or by the officer for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the relevant plans and agreements), in each case, immediately following the Effective Time (each, we refer to as a “Qualifying Termination” for purposes of this section); |
• | quantification of Company Equity Awards is calculated based on the unvested Company Equity Awards held by each current named executive officer as of November 30, 2025, the latest practicable date before the filing of this proxy statement and assumes that such awards remain unvested as of the Effective Time; |
• | quantification of severance entitlements is based on each current named executive officer’s compensation (including base salary and target annual cash incentive opportunity) and benefit levels in effect on November 30, 2025, the latest practicable date before the filing of this proxy statement; and |
• | for purposes of calculating each named executive officer’s accrued but unused and unpaid vacation, each named executive officer has accrued the maximum amount of vacation time possible, and that such vacation time remains unused and unpaid as of November 30, 2025, the latest practicable date before the filing of this proxy statement. |
Name | Cash ($)(1) | Equity ($)(2) | Perquisites/ Benefits ($)(3) | Total ($) | ||||||||
Steven Oakland | 9,001,786 | 9,884,970 | 55,826 | 18,942,582 | ||||||||
Patrick O’Donnell | 2,582,002 | 1,723,456 | 50,522 | 4,355,980 | ||||||||
Kristy N. Waterman | 2,638,232 | 2,124,855 | 0 | 4,763,087 | ||||||||
Amit R. Philip | 2,388,077 | 1,077,368 | 50,522 | 3,515,967 | ||||||||
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Name | Cash ($)(1) | Equity ($)(2) | Perquisites/ Benefits ($)(3) | Total ($) | ||||||||
Scott Tassani* | — | 262,035 | — | 262,035 | ||||||||
Sean Lewis* | — | 94,680 | — | 94,680 | ||||||||
* | Mr. Lewis and Mr. Tassani departed TreeHouse Foods in 2024 and 2025, respectively, and are not entitled to any payments in connection with the Merger (other than the receipt of Merger Consideration related to any unvested PSU awards they hold following their respective terminations of employment pursuant to the terms of such award agreements and in their capacities as TreeHouse Foods stockholders, to the extent applicable). |
(1) | Cash. The estimated amounts listed in this column include (1) the aggregate value of cash severance each current named executive officer would be entitled to receive under his or her severance arrangement in connection with a Qualifying Termination within 24 months after the Closing, including a lump sum cash severance payment based on a multiple of the named executive officer’s base salary and target annual incentive bonus and subject to the named executive officer signing a release of claims; (2) the Pro-Rata Bonus, paid in a lump sum pursuant to the Merger Agreement, for the performance period in which the Closing occurs based on target level of performance; and (3) accrued but unused and unpaid vacation paid in a lump sum, each as set forth in more detail in the table below. Severance payments and accrued but unpaid vacation under each current named executive officer’s severance arrangements are “double-trigger” in that they would be paid to the named executive officer only if such named executive officer experiences a Qualifying Termination within the time period specified above. The payment of the Pro-Rata Bonus under the Merger Agreement is “single-trigger” in that it would be triggered and paid solely due to the Closing. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, TreeHouse Foods is permitted to amend the Oakland Agreement and Executive Severance Plan such that the arrangements provide the severance payments for a Qualifying Termination within 36 months following the Effective Time. For additional information see “—Steven Oakland Employment Agreement,” “—Executive Severance Plan” and “—Bonus Payments” above. The table below provides further information regarding the amounts included in this column for each named executive officer: |
Name | Lump Sum Cash Severance ($) | Pro-Rata Bonus ($) | Unused and Unpaid Vacation ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||
Steven Oakland | 7,603,800 | 1,313,217 | 84,769 | 9,001,786 | ||||||||
Patrick O’Donnell | 2,119,163 | 416,264 | 46,575 | 2,582,002 | ||||||||
Kristy N. Waterman | 2,165,313 | 425,329 | 47,589 | 2,638,232 | ||||||||
Amit R. Philip | 1,960,000 | 385,000 | 43,077 | 2,388,077 | ||||||||
Scott Tassani | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
Sean Lewis | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
(2) | Equity. The estimated amounts listed in this column represent the aggregate value in respect of each named executive officer’s unvested Company Equity Awards (including unvested Company RSUs and unvested Company PSUs) that will vest and generally settle in a lump sum within 10 business days of the Effective Time, based on the Merger Consideration, as set forth in more detail in the table below. No value is included with respect to Company Options, because the exercise prices for all of the Company Options equal or exceed $22.50, which will result in the Company Options terminating without payment under the Merger Agreement. Vesting of Company Equity Awards is a “single-trigger” benefit in that it would occur pursuant to the Merger Agreement upon the Closing. For additional information, please see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Treatment of Company Equity Awards.” |
Name | Aggregate Value of Unvested TreeHouse Foods RSUs ($) | Aggregate Value of Unvested TreeHouse Foods PSUs ($) | Aggregate Value of Unvested TreeHouse Foods Options ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||
Steven Oakland | 3,549,015 | 6,335,955 | 0 | 9,884,970 | ||||||||
Patrick O’Donnell | 677,543 | 1,045,913 | 0 | 1,723,456 | ||||||||
Kristy N. Waterman | 765,900 | 1,358,955 | 0 | 2,124,855 | ||||||||
Amit R. Philip | 388,373 | 688,995 | 0 | 1,077,368 | ||||||||
Scott Tassani | — | 262,035 | — | 262,035 | ||||||||
Sean Lewis | — | 94,680 | — | 94,680 | ||||||||
(3) | Perquisites/Benefits. The estimated amounts listed in this column represent the value of the continued coverage each named executive officer would be entitled to receive under his or her severance arrangement with respect to continued participation in all medical (including prescription drug), dental, hospitalization benefits and, for Steven Oakland, the value of continued life insurance in connection with a Qualifying Termination within two years after the Closing, subject to the named executive officer signing a release of claims. The estimated amount listed for Steven Oakland is comprised of $51,965 for medical (including prescription drug), dental and hospitalization benefits and $3,861 for life insurance benefits. Such coverage would continue up to three years following a Qualifying Termination for Steven Oakland and up to two years for the named executive officers other than Steven Oakland. Such payments under each current named executive officer’s severance arrangements are “double-trigger” in that they would be paid to the named executive officer only if such named executive officer experiences a Qualifying Termination within 24 months following the Effective Time. The values were determined using the full COBRA premiums as in effect on November 30, 2025 and, as applicable, the life insurance premium in effect on November 30, |
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• | up to $1.093 billion on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Equity Commitment Letter, as further described in the section entitled “—Equity Financing” beginning on page 52; and |
• | debt financing commitments from the Debt Commitment Parties in an aggregate amount of $2.2 billion, as further described in the section entitled “—Debt Financing” beginning on page 54. |
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• | the substantially concurrent consummation of the Merger in accordance with the Merger Agreement without giving effect to certain material amendments or waivers absent the consent of the applicable Debt Commitment Parties; |
• | the delivery of certain customary closing deliverables (including, but not limited to, a solvency certificate in agreed form); |
• | the delivery of the “Required Financial Information” (as defined in the Merger Agreement), including certain audited, unaudited and pro forma financial statements; |
• | that there has not been any development, fact, change, event, effect, occurrence or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a “Company Material Adverse Effect” (as defined in the Merger Agreement); |
• | that the specified representations and certain representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement material to the interests of the lenders will be true and correct to the extent required by the Debt Commitment Letter; |
• | the consummation of the Refinancing prior to, or substantially simultaneously with, the initial borrowings under the debt facilities set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter; |
• | payment of all applicable invoiced fees and expenses; |
• | the execution of certain definitive debt documentation consistent with the applicable debt commitment letters, including definitive documentation to perfect the administrative agent’s security interest in the collateral as provided in the Debt Commitment Letter; |
• | solely with respect to the senior bridge facility, the completion of the required marketing period; and |
• | the receipt of documentation and other information about the borrowers and guarantors required under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations (including the PATRIOT Act and regulations pertaining to beneficial ownership of legal entity customers). |
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• | banks and other financial institutions; |
• | insurance companies; |
• | brokers, dealers or traders in securities, currencies or notional principal contracts, or other persons that generally mark their securities to market for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
• | tax-exempt entities (including private foundations) and pension funds; |
• | individual retirement accounts; |
• | persons that hold shares as part of a “hedging” or “conversion” transaction or as a position in a “straddle” or as part of a “synthetic security” or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
• | regulated investment companies; |
• | real estate investment trusts; |
• | U.S. holders that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; |
• | stockholders who exercise appraisal rights; |
• | stockholders that acquired (or will acquire) shares through exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation; |
• | persons that own or have owned within the past five years (or are deemed to own or to have owned within the past five years) 5% or more of the outstanding Company shares (by vote or value); |
• | persons required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement; |
• | U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States; and |
• | controlled foreign corporations and passive foreign investment companies. |
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• | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
• | a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation) that is created in, or organized under the law of, the United States or any state or political subdivision thereof; |
• | an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or |
• | a trust, (1) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and all substantial decisions of which are subject to the control of one or more United States persons or (2) that has otherwise validly elected to be treated as United States person under the Code. |
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• | the Non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year that includes the consummation of the Merger, and certain other conditions are met, in which case, the Non-U.S. holder may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such gain (net of certain U.S. source losses) at a rate of 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate); or |
• | such gain is effectively connected with such Non-U.S. holder’s trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States), in which case the Non-U.S. holder will generally be subject to tax in the same manner as a U.S. holder, except that if the Non-U.S. holder is a foreign corporation, an additional branch profits tax may apply at a rate of 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate). |
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• | organization, good standing and qualification to do business; |
• | capital structure; |
• | subsidiaries; |
• | TreeHouse Foods’ requisite corporate authority to enter into the Merger Agreement and the enforceability of the Merger Agreement; |
• | the requisite vote of TreeHouse Foods’ stockholders in connection with the Merger Agreement; |
• | the rendering of Goldman Sachs’ fairness opinion to the Board; |
• | required notices, consents and approvals relating to the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement; |
• | the absence of any conflict or violation of any organizational documents of TreeHouse Foods, certain contracts of TreeHouse Foods and applicable law in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement; |
• | the accuracy and completeness of TreeHouse Foods’ SEC filings and establishment and maintenance of certain disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; |
• | TreeHouse Foods’ financial statements and the absence of certain liabilities; |
• | absence of certain events or changes in the business of TreeHouse Foods since June 30, 2025, including the absence of any Company Material Adverse Effect; |
• | compliance with applicable laws (including anti-corruption laws) and permits; |
• | litigation; |
• | employee benefits matters; |
• | environmental matters; |
• | tax matters; |
• | labor and employment matters; |
• | intellectual property matters; |
• | insurance matters; |
• | real estate matters; |
• | TreeHouse Foods’ material contracts; |
• | brokers or finders entitled to a fee in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; |
• | to the absence of anti-takeover statutes or anti-takeover agreements or plans; |
• | data privacy and security matters; |
• | food regulatory matters; and |
• | certain details pertaining to related-person transactions. |
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• | organization, good standing and qualification to do business; |
• | Parent and Merger Sub’s corporate authority to enter into the Merger Agreement and the enforceability of the Merger Agreement; |
• | required notices, consents and approvals relating to the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement; |
• | the absence of any conflict or violation of any organizational documents of Parent or Merger Sub, certain contracts of Parent and Merger Sub and applicable law in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement; |
• | ownership of equity in TreeHouse Foods; |
• | litigation; |
• | matters with respect to financing and the availability of funds; |
• | solvency of Parent and Merger Sub after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and |
• | broker’s fees and expenses. |
• | establish a record date for, declare, accrue, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other distribution in respect of any shares of capital stock (other than dividends paid by a wholly owned subsidiary to TreeHouse Foods or another wholly owned subsidiary of TreeHouse Foods) or repurchase, redeem or otherwise reacquire any shares of capital stock or other equity or voting interests or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any shares of capital stock or other equity or voting interests, other than to satisfy the exercise price and/or tax obligations with respect to company equity awards outstanding on the date hereof or subsequently granted in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement upon exercise, vesting or settlement, in each case, in accordance with the Company Equity Awards and the applicable grant agreement; |
• | adjust, split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock or other equity or voting interests of TreeHouse Foods; |
• | sell, issue, grant, deliver, pledge, transfer, encumber or authorize the issuance, sale, delivery, pledge, transfer, encumbrance or grant by any TreeHouse Foods or any of its subsidiaries (other than pursuant to |
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• | except as required by any benefit plan in effect as of the date of the Merger Agreement or a collective bargaining agreement: |
○ | increase the compensation or benefits payable to or provided to any current or former employees, directors, executive officers or other individual service providers of TreeHouse Foods or its subsidiaries, other than increases in base salary or base wages in the ordinary course of business with respect to employees with an annual base compensation of less than $150,000; |
○ | increase, grant, provide, promise or otherwise agree to any change of control, severance, termination, retention bonus, transaction bonus, equity or equity-based award, retention agreement or other similar payments or benefits to any current or former employees, directors, executive officers or other individual service providers of TreeHouse Foods or its subsidiaries; |
○ | establish, adopt, enter into or amend any benefit plan, other than amendments to benefit plans that are health and welfare plans in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice provided that such amendments do not materially increase the cost to TreeHouse Foods or its subsidiaries; |
○ | take any action to accelerate the vesting or payment or lapsing of restrictions, or fund a rabbi trust to secure the payment, of compensation or benefits under any benefit plan (including accelerating the vesting of any equity awards); |
○ | make grants under the Amended and Restated TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity and Incentive Plan, or amend, change, vary the payout level or any other requirements of any existing incentive program; or |
○ | grant to any current or former employees, directors, executive officers or other individual service providers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries any right to reimbursement, indemnification or payment for taxes; |
• | hire any employees, directors, executive officers or other individual service providers (including independent contractors) of TreeHouse Foods or any of its subsidiaries, other than: (i) employees with an annual base compensation less than $150,000; provided that, the costs of hiring and compensating such employees is substantially similar to the costs for similarly situated employees of TreeHouse Foods and such newly hired employees are provided with standard severance benefits, and (ii) employees who are hired to fill open positions or backfill positions listed on the Company disclosure letter; |
• | terminate (other than for cause) employees/service providers with annual base compensation over $150,000, or implement or announce layoffs, facility closings, reductions in force, furloughs, temporary layoffs, salary or wage reductions, work schedule changes, or similar actions that could trigger WARN or implicate labor protection payments; |
• | enter into, amend, extend, negotiate, or terminate any collective bargaining or similar labor agreements or recognize a labor organization as bargaining representative (except any effects bargaining obligations); |
• | waive, release or amend the restrictive covenant obligations of any current or former employee or individual service provider of TreeHouse Foods or any of its subsidiaries; |
• | other than in the ordinary course of business or as contemplated by the budget set forth in the Company disclosure letter, make any capital expenditures that exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate; |
• | amend or permit the adoption of any amendment to the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws of TreeHouse Foods (or the comparable organizational documents of any of TreeHouse Foods’ subsidiaries); |
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• | acquire, lease, license, sublicense, pledge, sell, transfer, assign or subject to any material lien (other than permitted liens), or otherwise dispose of, abandon, let lapse or expire (other than at the end of the applicable statutory term) any intellectual property, assets, or other property material to the Company and its subsidiaries, except in the ordinary course (including non-exclusive customer licenses), under existing/permitted contracts, for obsolete/surplus/worn-out assets, or intra-group transactions; |
• | disclose any material confidential information or trade secrets to any third party (other than (i) in the ordinary course of business in circumstances in which it has imposed reasonable and customary confidentiality restrictions or (ii) as required by applicable law or judicial process); |
• | lend money or make capital contributions or advances to or make investments in, any person, or incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money (including any indebtedness evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, mortgages or other similar debt instruments or securities and in respect of letters of credit, banker’s acceptances, bank guarantees, performance bonds, surety bonds or similar facilities, instruments to the extent drawn; amounts under any interest rate or currency protection agreement or similar hedging agreement and any amounts owed by TreeHouse Foods and its subsidiaries in connection with any factoring receivables or securitization programs) (except for (i) loans, capital contributions, advances or investments solely between TreeHouse Foods and any wholly owned subsidiary of TreeHouse Foods or solely between wholly owned subsidiaries of TreeHouse Foods, (ii) advances to employees and consultants for travel and other business-related expenses in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business); |
• | except in the ordinary course of business, (i) amend or modify in any manner that is materially adverse to TreeHouse Foods or any of its subsidiaries, as applicable, any material contract with a term longer than one year which cannot be terminated without cause by TreeHouse Foods or a subsidiary of TreeHouse Foods, as applicable, on fewer than 90 days’ notice without penalty (other than payments for services rendered prior to the date of termination), or otherwise waive any material right thereunder, (ii) enter into any contract which if entered into prior to the date hereof would have been a material contract under the terms of the Merger Agreement, or (iii) terminate a material contract; |
• | (i) sell, assign, transfer, lease, sublease, license, permit the use or otherwise dispose of any material real property or any material portion thereof or interest therein, (ii) purchase or otherwise acquire any material real property or any interest therein, including enter into any material new lease, license, sublease or other occupancy agreement for any real property, or (iii) amend, modify, supplement, waive any material rights under, or terminate any lease (except for renewals or expirations in accordance with the terms of any such lease); |
• | fail in any material respect to maintain the material insurance policies or comparable replacement insurance policies with respect to the material assets, operations and activities of TreeHouse Foods or its subsidiaries; |
• | grant any material refunds, credits, rebates or other allowances to any customer, vendor or delivery service provider, in each case, other than in the ordinary course of business; |
• | settle, release, waive or compromise any action or threatened action, other than any settlement, release, waiver or compromise that either (i) results solely in a monetary obligation (and not any equitable relief) involving only the payment of money by TreeHouse Foods and of its subsidiaries of not more than $2,000,000 in the aggregate (after the application of insurance proceeds and/or an indemnity from a third person) or (ii) results in a payment to TreeHouse Foods or any of its subsidiaries; |
• | except in the ordinary course of business, make any material change to any of the accounting methods, principles or practices used by it unless required by a change in GAAP or applicable law; |
• | adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of TreeHouse Foods or any of its subsidiaries; adopt a shareholder rights plan or “poison pill;” enter into any associated party arrangements; acquire or divest any business, assets or capital stock of or to, or make any investment in, any person or division thereof, whether in whole or in part (and whether by purchase or sale of stock, purchase or sale of assets, merger, consolidation, or otherwise), other than (i) acquisitions in the ordinary course of business of inventory, supplies, intellectual property assets (which such intellectual property assets would not be material to TreeHouse Foods and its subsidiaries as a |
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• | enter into any new lines of business or terminate any existing lines of business; |
• | (i) change or revoke any material election relating to taxes or tax matters, (ii) change any method of tax accounting or tax accounting period, which such change relates to a material amount of taxes, (iii) settle any action in respect of a material amount of taxes or consent to any extension or waiver of the statute of limitations applicable to any such action, (iv) enter into any “closing agreement” or similar arrangement with any tax authority with respect to a material amount of taxes, (v) file any amended tax returns (other than in the ordinary course of business), or (vi) surrender or compromise any right to claim a material tax refund; or |
• | authorize, commit or agree to do any of the foregoing. |
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• | the substantially concurrent consummation of the Merger in accordance with the Merger Agreement without giving effect to certain material amendments or waivers absent the consent of the applicable Debt Commitment Parties; |
• | the delivery of certain customary closing deliverables (including, but not limited to, a solvency certificate in agreed form); |
• | the delivery of the “Required Financial Information” (as defined in the Merger Agreement), including certain audited, unaudited and pro forma financial statements; |
• | that there has not been any development, fact, change, event, effect, occurrence or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a “Company Material Adverse Effect” (as defined in the Merger Agreement); |
• | that the specified representations and certain representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement material to the interests of the lenders will be true and correct to the extent required by the Debt Commitment Letter; |
• | the consummation of the Refinancing prior to, or substantially simultaneously with, the initial borrowings under the debt facilities set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter; |
• | payment of all applicable invoiced fees and expenses; |
• | the execution of certain definitive debt documentation consistent with the applicable debt commitment letters, including definitive documentation to perfect the administrative agent’s security interest in the collateral as provided in the Debt Commitment Letter; |
• | solely with respect to the senior bridge facility, the completion of the required marketing period; and |
• | the receipt of documentation and other information about the borrowers and guarantors required under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations (including the PATRIOT Act and regulations pertaining to beneficial ownership of legal entity customers). |
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• | the receipt of the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock entitled to vote thereon to adopt the Merger Agreement; |
• | no order, judgment, injunction, award, decree or writ adopted or imposed by any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued by such a governmental entity and remain in effect preventing consummation of the Merger, and no law shall have been enacted or promulgated by any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction which prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of the Merger (other than orders or laws in jurisdictions that are immaterial to the business and operations of Parent and TreeHouse Foods and that would have an immaterial effect thereon); and |
• | the waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, which we refer to as the “HSR Act,” shall have expired or been terminated and clearances or approvals required under the applicable antitrust laws in Canada shall have been obtained. |
• | with respect to the representations and warranties of TreeHouse Foods: |
○ | the representations and warranties of Treehouse Foods with respect to certain capitalization aspects of TreeHouse Foods being true and correct in all respects as of the Closing, as if made as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier time) except for any de minimis inaccuracies; |
○ | the representation and warranty with respect to the absence of any Company Material Adverse Effect since June 30, 2025 being true and correct in all respects as of the Closing as if made as of such time; |
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○ | the representations and warranties of TreeHouse Foods with respect to organization, due standing and qualification, certain capitalization aspects of TreeHouse Foods, the required stockholder approval, Board approval, brokers and rights agreements being true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing, as if made as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier time, in which case as of such earlier time); and |
○ | all other representations and warranties of TreeHouse Foods (other than those summarized above) being true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any materiality or Company Material Adverse Effect qualifications contained therein) as of the Closing, as if made as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier time, in which case as of such earlier time), except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct does not constitute, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. |
• | TreeHouse Foods having performed or complied in all material respects with all covenants required by the Merger Agreement to be performed or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing; |
• | TreeHouse Foods having furnished Parent and Merger Sub with a certificate dated as of the Closing Date signed on its behalf by a duly authorized officer to the effect that the conditions set forth in Merger Agreement with respect to its representations, warranties and covenants shall have been satisfied. |
• | with respect to the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub: |
○ | the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub with respect to due organization and valid existence, corporate authority, ownership of TreeHouse Foods interests and brokers being true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing, as if made as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier time, in which case as of such earlier time); |
○ | all other representations Parent and Merger Sub (other than those summarized above) being true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any materiality or Parent Material Adverse Effect qualifications contained therein) as of the Closing, as if made as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier time, in which case as of such earlier time), except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct does not constitute, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect; |
• | Parent and Merger Sub having performed or complied in all material respects with all covenants required by the Merger Agreement to be performed or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing; and |
• | Parent and Merger Sub having furnished TreeHouse Foods with a certificate dated as of the Closing Date signed on its behalf by a duly authorized officer to the effect that the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement with respect to its representations, warranties and covenants shall have been satisfied. |
• | by mutual written consent of Parent and TreeHouse Foods at any time prior to the Effective Time; |
• | by either TreeHouse Foods or Parent upon written notice to the other party, if: |
○ | the Closing has not occurred on or before the Outside Date; provided, however, that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement for failure to close by the Outside Date will not be available to any party whose breach of, or failure to comply with, any provision of the Merger Agreement has been a primary cause of the failure of the Closing to occur before or by the Outside Date (it being understood that a breach or failure of Merger Sub will be deemed to be a breach or failure, as applicable, of Parent, for these purposes); |
○ | any legal restraint is in effect and has become final and non-appealable such that the condition to closing regarding lack of legal restraint prohibiting the Closing cannot be satisfied; provided, however, that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement for this reason will not be available to any |
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○ | the stockholders’ meeting will have concluded without the Company Stockholder Approval having been obtained. |
• | by Parent upon written notice to TreeHouse Foods: |
○ | prior to the stockholders’ meeting, a Company Adverse Recommendation Change will have occurred; provided that Parent may not terminate the Merger Agreement for this reason unless it does so prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date that is 10 business days after Parent is notified in writing that the Board has effected a Company Adverse Recommendation Change; or |
○ | if TreeHouse Foods materially breached any representation, warranty, covenant in the Merger Agreement which breach or failure to perform (1) would give rise to the failure of the closing conditions with respect to TreeHouse Foods’ representations, warranties or covenants and (2) is incapable of being cured or, if capable of being cured by the outside date, has not been cured within 30 days (or such shorter period of time as remains prior to the outside date) following receipt by TreeHouse Foods of written notice of such breach or failure to perform from Parent stating Parent’s intention to terminate the Merger Agreement (provided that Parent will not have the right to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant for this reason if Parent or Merger Sub is then in material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants hereunder such that the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement with respect to their representations, warranties or covenants would not be satisfied if the Closing were to occur as of such time). |
• | By TreeHouse Foods, upon written notice to Parent: |
○ | prior to the receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval in order to enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to a Company Superior Proposal; provided that the Company pays the Company Termination Fee in connection therewith; |
○ | if either Parent or Merger Sub materially breached any representation, warranty, covenant in the Merger Agreement which breach or failure to perform (1) would give rise to the failure of the closing conditions with respect to Parent’s or Merger Sub’s representations, warranties or covenants and (2) is incapable of being cured or, if capable of being cured by the outside date, has not been cured within 30 days (or such shorter period of time as remains prior to the outside date) following receipt by Parent of written notice of such breach or failure to perform from TreeHouse Foods stating TreeHouse Foods’ intention to terminate the Merger Agreement (provided that TreeHouse Foods will not have the right to terminate the Merger Agreement for this reason if TreeHouse Foods is then in material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants hereunder such that the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement with respect to its representations, warranties or covenants would not be satisfied if the Closing were to occur as of such time); or |
○ | if (1) the conditions to the obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at closing, but subject to such conditions being capable of being satisfied if closing were to occur on such date) have been satisfied or waived, (2) TreeHouse Foods has confirmed to Parent in writing that TreeHouse Foods is ready, willing and able to consummate the Closing, and (3) Parent and Merger Sub fail to consummate the Closing within three business days after the later of (i) the date the Closing should have occurred pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and (ii) the delivery by TreeHouse Foods to Parent of such notice. |
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• | by TreeHouse Foods or Parent because the Closing has not occurred prior to the outside date (and a breach or failure to comply with the Merger Agreement by Parent or Merger Sub is not a primary cause of such failure) or the stockholders’ meeting will have concluded without the Company Stockholder Approval having been obtained if: (1) a bona fide Company Takeover Proposal will have been publicly made, proposed or communicated by a Third Party after the date of the Merger Agreement and not withdrawn prior to the time the Merger Agreement is terminated and (2) within 12 months after the date of such termination, Treehouse Foods enters into a definitive agreement to consummate a Company Takeover Proposal with the person or group making the Company Takeover Proposal referred to in clause (1) above that is subsequently consummated (provided, that, for purposes of this paragraph, the references in the definition of Company Takeover Proposal to “20% or more” will be deemed to be references to “more than 50%”); |
• | the Merger Agreement is validly terminated (A) by Parent prior to the stockholders’ meeting if a Company Adverse Recommendation Change will have occurred or (B) by TreeHouse Foods prior to the receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval in order to enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to a Company Superior Proposal; or |
• | the Merger Agreement is validly terminated by Parent with respect to a material breach of the no shop covenant which would give rise to the failure of the satisfaction of the closing condition with respect to material performance of TreeHouse Foods’ covenants and (2) is incapable of being cured or, if capable of being cured by the outside date, has not been cured within 30 days (or such shorter period of time as remains prior to the outside date) following receipt by TreeHouse Foods of written notice of such breach or failure to perform from Parent stating Parent’s intention to terminate the Merger Agreement. |
• | In the event that TreeHouse Foods validly terminates the Merger Agreement if (1) the conditions to the obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at closing, but subject to such conditions being capable of being satisfied if closing were to occur on such date) have been satisfied or waived, (2) TreeHouse Foods has confirmed to Parent in writing that TreeHouse Foods is ready, willing and able to consummate the Closing, and (3) Parent and Merger Sub fail to consummate the Closing within three business days after the later of (i) the date the Closing should have occurred pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and (ii) the delivery by TreeHouse Foods to Parent of such notice; or |
• | Parent terminates the Merger Agreement because the Merger has not been consummated by the outside date and at such time TreeHouse Foods could have terminated the Merger Agreement for the reason described in the bullet above. |
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• | incurring a total aggregate amount of Claims expenses in excess of the Aggregate Cap; |
• | amending any terms and conditions related to the engagement of legal counsel in connection with the KGM Litigation; |
• | withdrawing all or part of any Claims; and |
• | in the event of an assignment of Claims to an special purpose entity, initiating or pursuing any such Claims in the name of TreeHouse Foods. |
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• | “tax costs” means, with respect to the receipt of KGM Litigation proceeds, the product of (1) 20% and (2) the excess of (i) the KGM Litigation proceeds, to the extent currently includible in the gross income of TreeHouse Foods or any of its affiliates for U.S. federal income tax purposes, over (ii) the sum of (A) for the tax year in which the KGM Litigation proceeds are received, any deductions or losses reasonably expected to be available under Section 186 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or otherwise attributable to the receipt of the KGM Litigation proceeds or the payment of the CVR payment amount and (B) for any tax year or portion thereof beginning after the Closing Date of the Merger (and without duplication of clause (A)), any deductions or losses attributable to claims expenses to the extent taken into account as a reduction of the CVR payment amount under clause (3) of the definition thereof; |
• | “Claims expenses” means, without duplication, the sum of (1) all documented out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses (including certain annual litigation fees, monetary recovery fees and other attorneys’ fees and litigation-related expenses) incurred or accrued after the Effective Time by TreeHouse Foods and its affiliates in commencing, defending, prosecuting, settling and, if applicable, withdrawing the Claims (including defending against any counterclaims), and (2) any amounts paid or payable in settlement or in |
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• | “non-monetary recovery fees” means (1) certain royalty fees that may be paid by TreeHouse Foods to Winston & Strawn for legal services in connection with the KGM Litigation, equal to 33.3% of the incremental contribution to TreeHouse Foods’ net income attributable to its entering the commercial/office markets by virtue of the resolution of the KGM Litigation for the 20 fiscal quarters commencing after TreeHouse Foods enters such markets (the “Winston & Strawn non-monetary recovery fee”) and (2) contingency fees that may be paid by TreeHouse Foods to Thomas E. O’Neill for advisory services in connection with the KGM Litigation, equal to 1.2% of the Winston & Strawn non-monetary recovery fee, if the gross cash proceeds related to the KGM Litigation, if any, are less than $250 million until the sum of the gross cash proceeds related to the KGM Litigation, if any, and the Winston & Strawn non-monetary recovery fee equals $250 million and 0.8% of the Winston & Strawn non-monetary recovery fee thereafter. The Winston & Strawn non-monetary recovery fee, if any, would be due if, and only to the extent that, the sum of the cumulative recovery fees that may be paid by TreeHouse Foods to Winston & Strawn is less than five times the fee investment (unpaid fees) of Winston & Strawn in connection with the KGM Litigation. If payable, the Winston & Strawn non-monetary recovery fee would be payable quarterly in arrears. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Winston & Strawn monetary recovery fee is reasonably projected to be less than three times the fee investment (unpaid fees) of Winston & Strawn in connection with the KGM Litigation, then TreeHouse Foods and Winston & Strawn will enter into good faith negotiations in an effort to agree on a present value of the additional contingent fees that may be paid by TreeHouse Foods to Winston & Strawn, which, following reaching any such agreement, would then be promptly payable in lieu of the quarterly royalty payments described above. |
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• | the Determination Date, if KGM Litigation proceeds are actually received; and |
• | the date on which TreeHouse Foods has paid certain fees to its legal counsel and advisors relating to a non-monetary recovery, as described in the Form of CVR Agreement, and TreeHouse Foods has received an acknowledgment and full release from the recipients thereof. |
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• | to evidence the succession of another person to TreeHouse Foods and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants and obligations of TreeHouse Foods in the Form of CVR Agreement; provided that such succession and assumption is in accordance with the terms of the Form of CVR Agreement; |
• | to evidence the succession of another person as a successor rights agent and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants and obligations of such rights agent; provided that such succession and assumption is in accordance with the terms of the Form of CVR Agreement; |
• | to add to the covenants of TreeHouse Foods such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as TreeHouse Foods and the committee consider to be for the protection of CVR holders; provided that, in each case, such addition will not adversely affect the rights of any committee member or any CVR holder; |
• | to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in the Form of CVR Agreement that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision in the Form of CVR Agreement or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under Form of CVR Agreement; provided that, in each case, such cured, corrected, supplemented or other provision will not adversely affect the rights of any committee member or any CVR holder; |
• | as may be necessary or appropriate, to ensure that the CVRs are not subject to registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; provided that, in each case, such amendments do not adversely affect the rights of the CVR holders; or |
• | for the purpose of otherwise adding, eliminating or changing any provisions of the Form of CVR Agreement, unless such addition, elimination or change is adverse to the rights of the CVR holders. |
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• | the person that is the relevant transferee, assignee, acquiror, delegate or other successor in such change of control, which we refer to as the “Surviving Person,” expressly assumes the performance of every covenant and obligation under the Form of CVR Agreement, subject to the conditions in the Form of CVR Agreement, on the part of TreeHouse Foods or Parent, as applicable, to be performed or observed in the manner prescribed in the Form of CVR Agreement (1) by entering into a supplemental contingent value rights agreement or other acknowledgment or (2) pursuant to a provision in an agreement between TreeHouse Foods or Parent, as applicable, and the Surviving Person to which the committee is a third-party beneficiary; |
• | TreeHouse Foods or Parent, as applicable, has delivered to the committee (with a copy to the rights agent) an officers’ certificate, stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease complies with the applicable terms of the Form of CVR Agreement and that all conditions precedent in the Form of CVR Agreement provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with; and |
• | TreeHouse Foods or Parent, as applicable, provides the Holder Committee Member with sufficient information to reasonably demonstrate that the Surviving Person has the assets and creditworthiness to fulfill the obligations in the Form of CVR Agreement. |
• | “change of control” means (1) a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of TreeHouse Foods or Parent, (2) a merger or consolidation involving TreeHouse Foods or Parent in which neither TreeHouse Foods nor Parent is the surviving entity, (3) any other transaction involving TreeHouse Foods or Parent in which TreeHouse Foods or Parent is the surviving or continuing entity but in which the stockholders of TreeHouse Foods or Parent immediately prior to such transaction own less than 50% of their voting power immediately after the transaction. |
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Market Price | ||||||
Quarter | High | Low | ||||
Q1 FY 2023 | $51.00 | $45.65 | ||||
Q2 FY 2023 | $54.26 | $46.90 | ||||
Q3 FY 2023 | $52.32 | $43.29 | ||||
Q4 FY 2023 | $43.53 | $38.12 | ||||
Q1 FY 2024 | $43.49 | $35.39 | ||||
Q2 FY 2024 | $38.70 | $34.58 | ||||
Q3 FY 2024 | $43.22 | $36.15 | ||||
Q4 FY 2024 | $42.19 | $31.59 | ||||
Q1 FY 2025 | $35.54 | $26.20 | ||||
Q2 FY 2025 | $26.99 | $19.42 | ||||
Q3 FY 2025(1) | $23.89 | $15.91 | ||||
(1) | Provided through December 1, 2025. |
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (#) | Percent of Class (%) | ||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers:(1) | ||||||
Adam J. DeWitt | 4,761 | * | ||||
Linda K. Massman | 31,374 | * | ||||
Steven Oakland | 369,521 | * | ||||
Scott D. Ostfeld(2) | — | * | ||||
Jill A. Rahman | 19,367 | * | ||||
Joseph E. Scalzo | 14,031 | * | ||||
Jean E. Spence(3) | 25,156 | * | ||||
Jason J. Tyler(4) | 23,134 | * | ||||
Patrick M. O’Donnell | 15,812 | * | ||||
Amit R. Philip | 36,646 | * | ||||
Scott Tassani | 9,193 | * | ||||
Kristy N. Waterman | 32,324 | * | ||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons)(5)(6) | 6,416,480 | 12.7 | ||||
5% Stockholders: | ||||||
BlackRock, Inc.(7) 50 Hudson Yards New York, New York 10001 | 7,091,140 | 14.0 | ||||
JANA Management Partners, LP(8) 767 Fifth Avenue 8th Floor New York, New York 10153 | 5,829,064 | 11.5 | ||||
The Vanguard Group(9) 100 Vanguard Blvd Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355 | 5,142,029 | 10.2 | ||||
Sessa Capital (Master), L.P.(10) Sessa Capital GP, LLC Sessa Capital IM, L.P. Sessa Capital IM GP, LLC John Petry 888 Seventh Avenue 30th Floor, New York, NY 10019 | 4,200,000 | 8.3 | ||||
FMR, LLC(11) 245 Summer Street Boston, Massachusetts 02210 | 3,722,853 | 7.4 | ||||
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(12) 6300 Bee Cave Road Building One Austin, Texas 78746 | 2,712,370 | 5.4 | ||||
* | Less than 1.0% |
(1) | The address of the directors and officers listed above is c/o TreeHouse Foods, Inc., 2021 Spring Road, Suite 600, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523. |
(2) | Scott Ostfeld assigns all of his RSUs that he receives as a Partner and co-Portfolio Manager to JANA. JANA may be deemed to be a director by deputization by virtue of the fact that Mr. Ostfeld currently serves on the Board. JANA’s common stock ownership is included within the table. |
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(3) | Includes 23,134 vested RSUs, deferred until termination of service from the Board. |
(4) | Includes 14,942 vested RSUs, deferred until termination of service from the Board. |
(5) | This group includes, in addition to those individuals named in the table, Steve Landry. |
(6) | The total includes the shares beneficially owned by JANA. |
(7) | Pursuant to the Form 13F filed with the SEC on November 12, 2025 by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) that (1) BlackRock beneficially owns 7,091,140 shares of our common stock; (2) BlackRock has (i) sole voting power as to 6,962,532 shares, (ii) no shared voting power, (iii) sole dispositive power as to 7,091,140 shares, and (iv) no shared dispositive power. |
(8) | Pursuant to the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on November 13, 2025 by JANA, JANA (1) is the beneficial owner of 5,829,064 shares of our common stock (including 7,727 RSUs that Scott Ostfeld has assigned to JANA); and (2) JANA has (i) sole voting power as to 5,829,064 shares, (ii) no shared voting power, (iii) sole dispositive power as to 5,829,064 shares, and (iv) no shared dispositive power. Pursuant to Forms 4 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2024, December 5, 2023, and November 9, 2023, JANA has also entered derivative agreements in the form of cash settled swaps relating to 655,602 shares of our common stock. As a Partner and co-Portfolio Manager of JANA, Scott Ostfeld may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held by JANA. |
(9) | Pursuant to the Form 13F filed with the SEC on November 7, 2025 by The Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”) that (1) Vanguard is the beneficial owner of 5,142,029 shares of our common stock; (2) Vanguard has (i) no sole voting power, (ii) shared voting power as to 367,591 shares, (iii) sole dispositive power as to 4,727,272 shares, and (iv) shared dispositive power as to 414,757 shares. |
(10) | Pursuant to the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on May 15, 2025 by Sessa Capital (Master), L.P., Sessa Capital GP, LLC, Sessa Capital IM, L.P., Sessa Capital IM GP, LLC, and John Petry (“Sessa”) that (1) Sessa beneficially owns 4,200,000 shares of our common stock; and (2) Sessa Capital (Master), L.P. has (i) no sole voting power, (ii) shared voting power as to 4,200,000 shares, (iii) no sole dispositive power, and (iv) shared dispositive power as to 4,200,000 shares. All other Sessa entities have (A) sole voting power as to 4,200,000 shares, (B) no shared voting power, (C) sole dispositive power as to 4,200,000 shares, and (D) no shared dispositive power. |
(11) | Pursuant to the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on August 6, 2025 by FMR, LLC (“FMR”) that (1) FMR is the beneficial owner of 3,722,853 shares of our common stock; (2) FMR has (i) sole voting power as to 3,658,967 shares, (ii) no shared voting power, (iii) sole dispositive power as to 3,722,853 shares, and (iv) no shared dispositive power. |
(12) | Pursuant to the Form 13F filed with the SEC on November 12, 2025 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (“Dimensional”) that (1) Dimensional beneficially owns 2,712,370 shares of our common stock; and (2) Dimensional has (i) sole voting power as to 2,528,333 shares, (ii) shared voting power as to 110,975 shares, (iii) sole dispositive power as to 2,599,207 shares, and (iv) shared dispositive power as to 113,163 shares. |
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• | the stockholder or beneficial owner must NOT vote in favor of the Merger Proposal. Because a proxy that is signed and submitted but does not otherwise contain voting instructions will, unless revoked, be voted in favor of the Merger Proposal, a stockholder or beneficial owner who votes by proxy and who wishes to exercise appraisal rights must vote against the Merger Proposal, abstain or not vote its shares; |
• | the stockholder or beneficial owner must deliver to TreeHouse Foods a written demand for appraisal before the vote on the Merger Proposal at the special meeting. Such demand must reasonably inform TreeHouse Foods of the identity of the holder or owner, as applicable, and that the holder or owner, as applicable, intends thereby to demand appraisal of such shares. In the case of a demand made by a beneficial owner, the demand must reasonably identify the holder of record of the shares for which the demand is made, be accompanied by documentary evidence of the beneficial owner’s beneficial ownership of the shares for which appraisal is demanded, include a statement that such documentary evidence is a true and correct copy of what it purports to be and provide an address at which the beneficial owner consents to receive notices given by the Surviving Corporation and to be set forth on the verified list required by subsection (f) of Section 262; |
• | the stockholder must continuously hold or the beneficial must continuously own the shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock from the date of making the demand through the effective date of the Merger. A stockholder will lose appraisal rights if the stockholder transfers the shares before the effective date of the Merger; |
• | the stockholder or beneficial owner (or the Surviving Corporation) must file a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery requesting a determination of the fair value of the shares within 120 days after the effective date of the Merger. The Surviving Corporation is under no obligation to file any such petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery and has no present intention of doing so. Accordingly, it is the obligation of stockholders and beneficial owners of shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock to take all necessary action to perfect their appraisal rights in respect of shares of TreeHouse Foods common stock within the time prescribed in Section 262; and |
• | the stockholder or beneficial owner must otherwise comply with Section 262. |
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• | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024, filed February 14, 2025; |
• | Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, filed May 6, 2025, for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, filed July 31, 2025, and for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed November 10, 2025; |
• | Definitive Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, filed March 13, 2025 (other than portions that are not required to be incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024); and |
• | Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed January 21, 2025, April 10, 2025, April 30, 2025, November 10, 2025 (the first report filed on such date only) and November 12, 2025 (in each case, excluding any information furnished rather than filed). |
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I. THE MERGER | A-6 | ||||||||
1.1 | The Merger | A-6 | |||||||
1.2 | Closing | A-6 | |||||||
1.3 | Effective Time | A-6 | |||||||
1.4 | Effects of the Merger | A-6 | |||||||
1.5 | Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws | A-6 | |||||||
1.6 | Directors and Officers | A-6 | |||||||
1.7 | CVR Agreement | A-6 | |||||||
II. EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK; PAYMENT; TREATMENT OF COMPANY EQUITY AWARDS | A-7 | ||||||||
2.1 | Effect on Capital Stock | A-7 | |||||||
2.2 | Adjustments | A-7 | |||||||
2.3 | Dissenting Shares | A-7 | |||||||
2.4 | Payment | A-8 | |||||||
2.5 | Treatment of Company Equity Awards | A-10 | |||||||
2.6 | Withholding | A-11 | |||||||
III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY | A-11 | ||||||||
3.1 | Organization, Good Standing and Qualification | A-12 | |||||||
3.2 | Capital Structure; Subsidiaries | A-12 | |||||||
3.3 | Corporate Authority; Approvals; Fairness Opinion | A-13 | |||||||
3.4 | Governmental Filings; No Violations | A-14 | |||||||
3.5 | SEC Filings | A-14 | |||||||
3.6 | Financial Statements; Liabilities | A-16 | |||||||
3.7 | Absence of Certain Changes | A-16 | |||||||
3.8 | Compliance with Law | A-16 | |||||||
3.9 | Litigation | A-17 | |||||||
3.10 | Employee Benefits | A-17 | |||||||
3.11 | Environmental Matters | A-18 | |||||||
3.12 | Taxes | A-19 | |||||||
3.13 | Labor Matters | A-20 | |||||||
3.14 | Intellectual Property | A-21 | |||||||
3.15 | Insurance | A-22 | |||||||
3.16 | Properties | A-23 | |||||||
3.17 | Material Contracts | A-24 | |||||||
3.18 | Brokers and Finders | A-26 | |||||||
3.19 | No Rights Agreement; Anti-Takeover Provisions | A-26 | |||||||
3.20 | Data Privacy and Security | A-26 | |||||||
3.21 | Food Regulatory Matters. | A-26 | |||||||
3.22 | Related-Person Transactions | A-28 | |||||||
3.23 | No Other Representations and Warranties; Non-Reliance | A-28 | |||||||
IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB | A-28 | ||||||||
4.1 | Organization, Good Standing and Qualification | A-28 | |||||||
4.2 | Corporate Authority; Approvals | A-28 | |||||||
4.3 | Governmental Filings; No Violations | A-29 | |||||||
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4.4 | Ownership of Equity of the Company | A-29 | |||||||
4.5 | Litigation | A-29 | |||||||
4.6 | Financing | A-29 | |||||||
4.7 | Solvency | A-31 | |||||||
4.8 | Brokers and Finders | A-31 | |||||||
4.9 | Information Supplied | A-31 | |||||||
4.10 | Absence of Certain Arrangements | A-31 | |||||||
4.11 | No Other Representations and Warranties; Non-Reliance | A-31 | |||||||
V. COVENANTS | A-32 | ||||||||
5.1 | Interim Operations | A-32 | |||||||
5.2 | No Solicitation by the Company | A-35 | |||||||
5.3 | Preparation of Proxy Statement | A-38 | |||||||
5.4 | Stockholders’ Meeting | A-39 | |||||||
5.5 | Reasonable Best Efforts; Regulatory Approval Matters | A-40 | |||||||
5.6 | Third Party Consents | A-41 | |||||||
5.7 | Pre-Closing Period Access | A-41 | |||||||
5.8 | Publicity; Confidentiality | A-42 | |||||||
5.9 | Employee Matters. | A-42 | |||||||
5.10 | Stock Exchange Delisting; Deregistration | A-44 | |||||||
5.11 | Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance | A-44 | |||||||
5.12 | Takeover Laws | A-45 | |||||||
5.13 | Section 16 Matters | A-46 | |||||||
5.14 | Merger Sub Approval | A-46 | |||||||
5.15 | Financing Cooperation | A-46 | |||||||
5.16 | Parent Financing | A-48 | |||||||
5.17 | Stockholder Litigation | A-50 | |||||||
5.18 | Notes | A-50 | |||||||
5.19 | Payoff Documentation | A-50 | |||||||
5.20 | Nonregistrable CVRs | A-51 | |||||||
5.21 | FIRPTA Certificate | A-51 | |||||||
VI. CONDITIONS | A-51 | ||||||||
6.1 | Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger | A-51 | |||||||
6.2 | Conditions to the Obligation of Parent and Merger Sub to Effect the Merger | A-51 | |||||||
6.3 | Conditions to the Obligation of the Company to Effect the Merger | A-52 | |||||||
6.4 | Frustration of Closing Conditions | A-52 | |||||||
VII. TERMINATION | A-52 | ||||||||
7.1 | Termination | A-52 | |||||||
7.2 | Effect of Termination | A-53 | |||||||
7.3 | Termination Fees | A-54 | |||||||
VIII. MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL | A-55 | ||||||||
8.1 | Survival | A-55 | |||||||
8.2 | Modification or Amendment | A-55 | |||||||
8.3 | Waiver | A-55 | |||||||
8.4 | Counterparts; Effectiveness | A-56 | |||||||
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8.5 | Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial | A-56 | |||||||
8.6 | Specific Performance | A-56 | |||||||
8.7 | Notices | A-57 | |||||||
8.8 | Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries | A-58 | |||||||
8.9 | Company Professional Advisors | A-58 | |||||||
8.10 | Expenses | A-58 | |||||||
8.11 | Severability | A-58 | |||||||
8.12 | Interpretation; Construction | A-58 | |||||||
8.13 | Assignment; Delegation | A-59 | |||||||
8.14 | Non-Recourse | A-59 | |||||||
8.15 | Parent Guarantee of Obligations | A-60 | |||||||
8.16 | Debt Financing Sources | A-60 | |||||||
Exhibit A | Form of CVR Agreement | ||
Exhibit B | Form of Surviving Corporation Certificate of Incorporation | ||
Annex A | Definitions | ||
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(a) | If to Parent, Merger Sub or the Surviving Corporation, to: | |||||||||||
Industrial F&B Investments II, Inc. | ||||||||||||
c/o Investindustrial | ||||||||||||
375 Park Avenue, Suite 2607, 26th Floor | ||||||||||||
New York, NY 10152 | ||||||||||||
Attention: Board of Directors | ||||||||||||
Email: legal@investindustrial.com | ||||||||||||
with a copy to: | ||||||||||||
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP | ||||||||||||
One Manhattan West | ||||||||||||
New York, NY 10001 | ||||||||||||
Attention: Sandro de Bernardini; Peter D. Serating; Maxim Mayer-Cesiano | ||||||||||||
Email: sandro.debernardini@skadden.com; peter.serating@skadden.com; maxim.mayercesiano@skadden.com | ||||||||||||
(b) | If to the Company, to: | |||||||||||
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. | ||||||||||||
2021 Spring Road, Suite 600 | ||||||||||||
Oak Brook, IL 60523 | ||||||||||||
Attention: Kristy Waterman | ||||||||||||
Email: Kristy.Waterman@treehousefoods.com | ||||||||||||
with a copy to: | ||||||||||||
Jones Day | ||||||||||||
250 Vesey Street | ||||||||||||
New York, NY 10281 | ||||||||||||
Attention: | Randi C. Lesnick Benjamin L. Stulberg Julia V.S. Feldman | |||||||||||
Email: | rclesnick@jonesday.com blstulberg@jonesday.com jfeldman@jonesday.com | |||||||||||
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COMPANY | ||||||
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Steven Oakland | |||||
Name: Steven Oakland | ||||||
Title: Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President | ||||||
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PARENT | ||||||
Industrial F&B Investments II, Inc. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey Everhart | |||||
Name: Jeffrey Everhart | ||||||
Title: Authorized Signatory | ||||||
MERGER SUB | ||||||
Industrial F&B Investments III, Inc. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey Everhart | |||||
Name: Jeffrey Everhart | ||||||
Title: Authorized Signatory | ||||||
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Terms Not Defined in this Annex A | Section | ||
Agreement | Preamble | ||
Alternative Financing | 5.15(c) | ||
Associated Party Arrangements | 3.22 | ||
Bonus Amounts | 5.9(c) | ||
Book-Entry Share | 2.1(a)(i) | ||
Certificate | 2.1(a)(i) | ||
Certificate of Merger | 1.3 | ||
Chosen Courts | 8.5(b) | ||
Closing | 1.2 | ||
Closing Date | 1.2 | ||
Commitment Letters | 4.6(a) | ||
Company | Preamble | ||
Company Acquisition Agreement | 5.2(d) | ||
Company Adverse Recommendation Change | 5.2(d) | ||
Company Balance Sheet | 3.6(b) | ||
Company Balance Sheet Date | 3.6(b) | ||
Company Board | Recitals | ||
Company Board Recommendation | Recitals | ||
Company Collective Bargaining Agreement | 3.13(a) | ||
Company Common Stock | Recitals | ||
Company Disclosure Letter | Article III | ||
Company Financial Advisor | 3.3(d) | ||
Company Material Contract | 3.17(a) | ||
Company Permits | 3.8(a) | ||
Company SEC Documents | Article III | ||
Company Stockholder Approval | 3.3(a) | ||
Company Termination Fee | 7.3(a) | ||
Continuation Period | 5.9(a) | ||
Continuing Employee | 5.9(a) | ||
CVR | 2.1(a) | ||
CVR Agreement | Recitals | ||
Debt Documents | 5.15(a) | ||
Debt Financing | Annex A | ||
Debt Financing Adverse Impact | 4.6(a) | ||
DGCL | Recitals | ||
Dissenting Shares | 2.3(a) | ||
DTC | 2.4(c) | ||
Effective Time | 1.3 | ||
Engagement Letters | 3.17(d) | ||
Environmental Permits | 3.10(h) | ||
Equity Commitment Letter | Recitals | ||
Equity Financing | Recitals | ||
FDA | 3.21 | ||
FDCA | 3.21 | ||
Fee Letter | 4.6(a) | ||
Financing Uses | 4.6(d) | ||
Food Authorities | 3.21 | ||
Food Safety Laws | 3.21(a) | ||
GAAP | 3.6(a) | ||
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Terms Not Defined in this Annex A | Section | ||
Government Contract | 3.17(a)(xiii) | ||
HHS | 3.21 | ||
HSR Act | 3.4(a) | ||
Improvements | 3.16(f) | ||
Indemnified Parties | 5.11(a) | ||
Insurance Arrangements | 3.15 | ||
IT Systems | 3.14(g) | ||
Material Leased Real Property | 3.16(c) | ||
Leases | 3.16(c) | ||
Letter of Transmittal | 2.4(c) | ||
Maximum Amount | 5.11(b) | ||
Measurement Time | 3.2(a) | ||
Merger | Recitals | ||
Merger Consideration | 2.1(a)(i) | ||
Merger Sub | Preamble | ||
Merger Sub Board | Recitals | ||
Multiemployer Plan | 3.10(c) | ||
New Plans | 5.9(b) | ||
Non-GMO | 3.21(d) | ||
NYSE | 3.4(a) | ||
Outside Date | 7.1(b)(i) | ||
Owned Real Property | 3.16(b) | ||
Owned Software | 3.14(f) | ||
Parent | Preamble | ||
Parent Board | Recitals | ||
Parent Termination Fee | 7.3(b) | ||
Parties | Preamble | ||
Patents | Annex A | ||
Paying Agent | 2.4(a) | ||
Payment Fund | 2.4(a) | ||
Payoff Letters | 5.19 | ||
Per Share Amount | 2.1(a) | ||
Pre-Closing Period | 5.1(a) | ||
Products | 3.21 | ||
Proxy Statement | 5.3(a) | ||
Registered IP List | 3.14(a) | ||
Required Governmental Approvals | 3.4(a) | ||
Restraint | 6.1(c) | ||
Stockholders’ Meeting | 5.4(a) | ||
Subject Courts | 8.16 | ||
Support Agreement | Recitals | ||
Surviving Corporation | 1.1(a) | ||
Third Parties | 5.2(a) | ||
Top Customers | 3.17(a)(viii) | ||
Top Vendors | 3.17(a)(ix) | ||
Trademarks | Annex A | ||
Transaction Documents | 8.8(a) | ||
Transaction Litigation | 5.17 | ||
U.S. grown | 3.21(d) | ||
USDA | 3.21(a) | ||
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ARTICLE I CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS | ||||||
Section 1.01 | CVRs | B-1 | ||||
Section 1.02 | No Certificates | B-1 | ||||
Section 1.03 | Registration by the Rights Agent | B-1 | ||||
Section 1.04 | Rights of CVR Holder | B-2 | ||||
Section 1.05 | Non-transferability | B-3 | ||||
Section 1.06 | Ability to Renounce and Abandon CVR | B-3 | ||||
Section 1.07 | Tax Treatment | B-3 | ||||
ARTICLE II CVR COMMITTEE | ||||||
Section 2.01 | Establishment | B-4 | ||||
Section 2.02 | Authority | B-4 | ||||
Section 2.03 | Actions | B-6 | ||||
Section 2.04 | Compensation | B-6 | ||||
Section 2.05 | Replacement of Committee Members | B-6 | ||||
Section 2.06 | Liability; Indemnification | B-7 | ||||
ARTICLE III CERTAIN COVENANTS | ||||||
Section 3.01 | Cooperation | B-8 | ||||
Section 3.02 | Powers-of-Attorney | B-8 | ||||
Section 3.03 | Non Disclosure Undertaking | B-9 | ||||
Section 3.04 | Settlements | B-9 | ||||
Section 3.05 | Information | B-9 | ||||
Section 3.06 | Discretion and Decision-Making Authority | B-10 | ||||
Section 3.07 | List of Holders | B-10 | ||||
ARTICLE IV PAYMENT PROCEDURES | ||||||
Section 4.01 | Payment of CVR Payment Amount | B-10 | ||||
Section 4.02 | Procedure for determining CVR Payment Amount | B-10 | ||||
Section 4.03 | Tax matters | B-12 | ||||
ARTICLE V AMENDMENTS; CONSOLIDATION | ||||||
Section 5.01 | Amendments | B-13 | ||||
Section 5.02 | Change of Control | B-14 | ||||
ARTICLE VI RIGHTS AGENT | ||||||
Section 6.01 | Appointment of Rights Agent | B-14 | ||||
Section 6.02 | Certain Rights of the Rights Agent | B-14 | ||||
Section 6.03 | Designation; Removal; Successor Rights Agent | B-16 | ||||
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS | ||||||
Section 7.01 | Termination | B-17 | ||||
Section 7.02 | Certain Definitions | B-18 | ||||
Section 7.03 | Notices | B-22 | ||||
Section 7.04 | Notice to Holders | B-23 | ||||
Section 7.05 | Assignment | B-23 | ||||
Section 7.06 | Interpretation; Construction | B-23 | ||||
Section 7.07 | Severability | B-24 | ||||
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Section 7.08 | Counterparts; Effectiveness | B-24 | ||||
Section 7.09 | Third-Party Beneficiaries | B-24 | ||||
Section 7.10 | Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Venue | B-24 | ||||
Section 7.11 | Waiver of Jury Trial | B-25 | ||||
Section 7.12 | Entire Agreement | B-25 | ||||
Section 7.13 | Special Purpose Entity | B-25 | ||||
Section 7.14 | Parent Obligations | B-25 | ||||
Section 7.15 | Merger or Consolidation of Rights Agent | B-25 | ||||
Section 7.16 | Force Majeure | B-25 | ||||
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If to the Company prior to the Effective Time: | |||||||||
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. | |||||||||
2021 Spring Road, Suite 600 | |||||||||
Oak Brook, IL 60523 | |||||||||
Attention: | Kristy Waterman | ||||||||
Email: | Kristy.Waterman@treehousefoods.com | ||||||||
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: | |||||||||
Jones Day | |||||||||
250 Vesey Street | |||||||||
New York, NY 10281 | |||||||||
Attention: | Randi C. Lesnick | ||||||||
Benjamin L. Stulberg | |||||||||
Julia V.S. Feldman | |||||||||
Email: | rclesnick@jonesday.com | ||||||||
blstulberg@jonesday.com | |||||||||
jfeldman@jonesday.com | |||||||||
If to the Company after the Effective Time: | |||||||||
Industrial F&B Investments II, Inc. | |||||||||
c/o Investindustrial | |||||||||
375 Park Avenue, Suite 2607, 26th Floor | |||||||||
New York, NY 10152 | |||||||||
Attention: | Board of Directors | ||||||||
Email: | legal@investindustrial.com | ||||||||
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: | |||||||||
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP | |||||||||
One Manhattan West | |||||||||
New York, NY 10001 | |||||||||
Attention: | Sandro de Bernardini; Peter D. Serating; Maxim Mayer-Cesiano | ||||||||
Email: | sandro.debernardini@skadden.com; peter.serating@skadden.com; maxim.mayercesiano@skadden.com | ||||||||
If to the Committee or any Committee Member, to it, him or her, initially at: | |||||||||
[Committee Member No. 1] | |||||||||
[•] | |||||||||
[•] | |||||||||
Email: | [•] | ||||||||
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[Committee Member No. 2] | |||||||||
[•] | |||||||||
[•] | |||||||||
Email: | [•] | ||||||||
[Committee Member No. 3] | |||||||||
[•] | |||||||||
[•] | |||||||||
Email: | [•] | ||||||||
If to the Rights Agent: | |||||||||
Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. | |||||||||
150 Royall St. | |||||||||
Canton, MA 02021 | |||||||||
Attention: Relationship Manager | |||||||||
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TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC., | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
[Committee Member No. 1], as an initial Committee Member | ||||||
[Committee Member No. 2], as an initial Committee Member | ||||||
[Committee Member No. 3], as an initial Committee Member | ||||||
COMPUTERSHARE INC. and COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., jointly as Rights Agent | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
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By: | ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
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Mailing Address: | ||||||
Email Address: | ||||||
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