| DEBT AND FINANCING OBLIGATIONS |
7. DEBT AND FINANCING OBLIGATIONS The components of our debt, including financing obligations, were as follows: | | | | | | | | | May 29, | | May 30, | (in millions) | | 2022 | | 2021 | Long-term debt: | | | | | | | Term A-1 loan facility, due June 2024 | | $ | 258.7 | | $ | 273.8 | Term A-2 loan facility, due April 2025 | | | 296.6 | | | 312.8 | RMB loan facility, due February 2027 | | | 19.7 | | | — | 4.625% senior notes, due November 2024 | | | — | | | 833.0 | 4.875% senior notes, due November 2026 | | | — | | | 833.0 | 4.875% senior notes, due May 2028 | | | 500.0 | | | 500.0 | 4.125% senior notes, due January 2030 | | | 970.0 | | | — | 4.375% senior notes, due January 2032 | | | 700.0 | | | — | | | | 2,745.0 | | | 2,752.6 | Financing obligations: | | | | | | | Lease financing obligations due on various dates through 2040 (a) | | | 7.0 | | | 7.3 | | | | | | | | Total debt and financing obligations | | | 2,752.0 | | | 2,759.9 | Debt issuance costs (b) | | | (24.0) | | | (22.5) | Current portion of long-term debt and financing obligations | | | (32.2) | | | (32.0) | Long-term debt and financing obligations, excluding current portion | | $ | 2,695.8 | | $ | 2,705.4 |
| (a) | The interest rates on our lease financing obligations ranged from 2.08% to 3.32% at May 29, 2022 and 2.49% to 4.10% at May 30, 2021, respectively. For more information on our lease financing obligations, see Note 8, Leases. |
| (b) | Excludes debt issuance costs of $3.3 million and $2.1 million as of May 29, 2022 and May 30, 2021, respectively, related to our Amended Revolving Credit Facility, which are recorded in “Other assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, we recorded $4.8 million, $6.1 million, and $6.2 million, respectively, of amortization expense in “Interest expense” in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Fiscal 2022 also included a $13.7 million write-off of debt issuance costs associated with our senior notes due 2024 and 2026 which were redeemed. |
Revolving Credit Facility We are party to a senior secured credit agreement, dated as of November 9, 2016, with a syndicate of lenders. On August 11, 2021, we amended the credit agreement to, among other things, increase the aggregate principal amount of available revolving credit facility borrowings to $1.0 billion and extend the maturity date to August 11, 2026 (“Amended Revolving Credit Facility”). In addition, we may add incremental term loan facilities, increase commitments and/or add new revolving commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $650.0 million or greater based on conditions described in the agreement. Borrowings under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at LIBOR, the Base Rate, the Alternative Currency Daily Rate, or the Alternative Currency Term Rate (each as defined in the Amended Revolving Credit Facility) plus an applicable rate ranging from 1.125% to 1.75% for LIBOR-based loans, Alternative Currency Daily Rate-based loans, and Alternative Currency Term Rate-based loans and from 0.125% to 0.75% for Base Rate-based loans, depending upon our consolidated net leverage ratio. In addition to paying interest, we pay an annual commitment fee for undrawn amounts at a rate of 0.15% to 0.25%, depending on our consolidated net leverage ratio. The Amended Revolving Credit Facility requires us to maintain a consolidated net leverage ratio no greater than 5.00 to 1.00, decreasing to 4.75 to 1.00 on February 23, 2025 through maturity; and an interest coverage ratio no less than 2.75 to 1.00. The Amended Revolving Credit Facility also contains covenants that, subject to exceptions, limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things, incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness, pay distributions on, redeem or repurchase capital stock or redeem or repurchase subordinated debt, make loans and investments, incur or suffer to exist liens, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of assets, enter into agreements that restrict distributions or other payments from restricted subsidiaries to us, engage in transactions with affiliates, designate subsidiaries as unrestricted or restricted, and consolidate, merge, amalgamate or transfer all or substantially all of our assets. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, among other things, amounts outstanding under the credit facility may be accelerated and the commitments may be terminated. Our obligations under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility are unconditionally guaranteed by certain of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries on the terms set forth in the credit agreement. The credit agreement is secured by security interests and liens on substantially all of our and each of our subsidiary guarantor’s assets, unless Lamb Weston is rated investment grade by at least two of Fitch Ratings, Inc., Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. At May 29, 2022, we had no borrowings outstanding under our Amended Revolving Credit Facility. At May 29, 2022, we had $994.6 million of availability under the facility, which is net of outstanding letters of credit of $5.4 million. During the fifty-two weeks ended May 29, 2022, we had no borrowings under our revolving credit facility. For the period from June 1, 2020 through May 30, 2021, the weighted average interest rate for our outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility was 1.68%. Term A-1 and A-2 Loan Facilities On June 28, 2019, we entered into a credit agreement, among Lamb Weston, certain of our subsidiaries as guarantors, certain lenders, and Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA, as administrative agent for the lenders, providing for a $300.0 million term loan facility and, under certain circumstances, the ability to add incremental facilities in an aggregate amount of up to $100.0 million (collectively, “Term A-1 Loan Facility”). Borrowings on the Term A-1 Loan Facility amortize in equal quarterly installments for a total of 5% annually, with the balance payable in June 2024. Borrowings under the Term A-1 Loan Facility bear interest, before anticipated patronage dividends, at LIBOR or the Base Rate (as defined in the Term A-1 Loan Facility agreement) plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.625% to 2.375% for LIBOR-based loans and from 0.625% to 1.375% for Base Rate-based loans, depending upon our consolidated net leverage ratio. During the years ended May 29, 2022 and May 30, 2021, the average interest rate on the Term A-1 Loan Facility was approximately 1.86% and 1.77%, respectively. We have received and expect to continue receiving patronage dividends under the Term A-1 Loan Facility. After giving effect to expected patronage dividends, the effective average interest rate on the Term A-1 Loan Facility was approximately 0.98% and 0.95%, for the years ended May 29, 2022 and May 30, 2021, respectively. On April 20, 2020, we amended the Term A-1 Loan Facility agreement to, among other things, provide for a new $325.0 million term loan facility (“Term A-2 Loan Facility”). Borrowings under the Term A-2 Loan Facility bear interest, before anticipated patronage dividends, at LIBOR or the Base Rate (as defined in the Term A-2 Loan Facility agreement) plus an applicable rate ranging from 1.850% to 2.600% for LIBOR-based loans and from 0.850% to 1.600% for Base Rate-based loans, depending on our consolidated net leverage ratio. Borrowings on the Term A-2 Loan Facility amortize in equal quarterly installments for a total of 5% annually, with the balance payable in April 2025. During the years ended May 29, 2022 and May 30, 2021, the average interest rate on the Term A-2 Loan Facility was approximately 2.15% and 2.34%, respectively. We have received and expect to continue receiving patronage dividends under the Term A-2 Loan Facility. After giving effect to expected patronage dividends, the effective average interest rate on the Term A-2 Loan Facility was approximately 1.33% and 1.53%, for the years ended May 29, 2022 and May 30, 2021, respectively. The Term A-1 and A-2 Loan Facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by the same subsidiaries as the Amended Revolving Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Term A-1 and A-2 Loan Facilities may be prepaid without premium or penalty and once repaid, cannot be reborrowed. On August 11, 2021, in connection with the Amended Revolving Credit Facility, we amended the credit agreement relating to our Term A-1 and A-2 Loan Facilities, to, among other things, modify the term loan facilities to make conforming changes to the covenants under the agreement. Under the amended Term A-1 and A-2 Loan Facilities, we are required to maintain a consolidated net leverage ratio no greater than 5.00 to 1.00, decreasing to 4.75 to 1.00 on February 23, 2025 through maturity; and an interest coverage ratio no less than 2.75 to 1.00. RMB Loan Facility On February 18, 2022, our wholly owned subsidiary, Ulanqab Lamb Weston Food Co., Ltd., entered into a facility agreement with certain lenders and HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited, Shanghai Branch, as the facility agent, providing for a RMB 1,079.0 million (approximately $161 million based on prevailing interest exchange rates on May 29, 2022) term loan facility (the “RMB Loan Facility”). Borrowings under the RMB Loan Facility bear interest at the prime rate for five-year loans published by the PRC National Interbank Funding Center plus 0.30%. The RMB Loan Facility matures on February 18, 2027. The RMB Loan Facility contains covenants that are standard for credit facilities originated in the People’s Republic of China, including, among others, covenants with regards to mergers and consolidations and asset sales, and is subject to acceleration upon various events of default. Payment obligations under the RMB Loan Facility are unconditionally guaranteed by Lamb Weston. The effective average interest rate on this facility was 4.75% for the year ended May 29, 2022. 4.875% Senior Notes due 2028 In May 2020, we issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due in 2028 (“2028 Notes”) pursuant to an indenture, dated as of May 12, 2020, among Lamb Weston, certain of our subsidiaries as guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Our obligations under the 2028 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of our subsidiaries that guarantee our obligations under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility and Term A-1 and A-2 Loan Facilities. The 2028 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.875% per year and mature on May 15, 2028, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased. We capitalized approximately $6.2 million of debt issuance costs associated with this offering. The 2028 Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equally with all of our current and future senior indebtedness (including the 2030 and 2032 Notes), rank senior to all our current and future subordinated indebtedness and are subordinated to all of our current and future secured indebtedness (including all borrowings with respect to the Amended Revolving Credit Facility and Term A-1 and A-2 Loan Facilities to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness). Interest on the 2028 Notes is due semiannually. Upon a change of control (as defined in the indenture governing the 2028 Notes), we must offer to repurchase the 2028 Notes at 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Prior to November 15, 2027, we may redeem the 2028 Notes, in whole at any time or in part, from time to time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus a make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest. On and after November 15, 2027, we may redeem all or any portion of the 2028 Notes, at once or over time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The indenture governing the 2028 Notes contain covenants that, subject to exceptions, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness; pay distributions on, redeem or repurchase capital stock or redeem or repurchase subordinated debt; make loans and investments; incur or suffer to exist liens; sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of assets; enter into agreements that restrict distributions or other payments from restricted subsidiaries to us; engage in transactions with affiliates; designate subsidiaries as unrestricted or restricted; and consolidate, merge, amalgamate or transfer all or substantially all of our assets. If in the future the 2028 Notes have an investment grade credit rating by both Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, and no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, certain of these covenants will, thereafter, no longer apply to the 2028 Notes for so long as the 2028 Notes are rated investment grade by the two rating agencies. The indenture contains customary events of default that are substantially similar to the 2030 Notes and 2032 Notes discussed below. 4.125% Senior Notes due 2030 and 4.375% Senior Notes due 2032 On November 8, 2021, we issued (i) $970.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due 2030 (“2030 Notes”) and (ii) $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.375% senior notes due 2032 (“2032 Notes” and, together with the 2030 Notes, the “Notes”) pursuant to indentures, dated as of November 8, 2021 (together, the “Indentures”), among Lamb Weston, as issuer, certain of our subsidiaries named therein as guarantors and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Our obligations under the Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of our subsidiaries that guarantee our obligations under our existing credit facilities. Interest payments on the Notes are due semi-annually each January 31 and July 31, with the first interest payment due on July 31, 2022. The 2030 Notes and 2032 Notes will mature on January 31, 2030 and 2032, respectively, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased, and are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Indenture. We may redeem some or all of the Notes at the redemption prices and on the terms specified in the applicable Indenture. If we experience specific kinds of changes in control and certain negative actions are taken with respect to the ratings of the Notes of a series, we must offer to repurchase such Notes on the terms set forth in the applicable Indenture. The Notes are effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured debt, rank equally with all of our existing and future senior debt and rank senior to all of our existing and future subordinated debt. The guarantees of the Notes are effectively subordinated to all of the guarantors’ existing and future secured debt, rank equally with all of their existing and future senior debt and rank senior to all of their existing and future subordinated debt. The Notes are structurally subordinated to all of the liabilities of our non-guarantor subsidiaries. The Indentures limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things, incur or suffer to exist liens and consolidate, merge, amalgamate or transfer all or substantially all of our assets. The Indentures contain customary events of default that include, among other things (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods): non-payment of principal, interest or premium; failure to perform or observe covenants; cross-acceleration with certain other indebtedness; certain judgments; and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. Generally, if an event of default occurs (subject to certain exceptions), the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. In connection with the 2030 Notes and 2032 Notes issuance, we capitalized $17.5 million of debt issuance costs within long-term debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. 4.625% Senior Notes due 2024 and 4.875% Senior Notes due 2026 On November 18, 2021, we used the net proceeds of the issuance of the 2030 Notes and 2032 Notes, together with cash on hand, to redeem all of our outstanding $833.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.625% senior notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes”) and $833.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”). The 2024 Notes were redeemed at a price of 102.313% of the principal amount and the 2026 Notes were redeemed at a price of 102.438% of the principal amount. The call premium for the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes was $39.6 million (included in the redemption prices noted above) and in connection with these redemptions, we also wrote off $13.7 million of previously unamortized debt issuance costs. Both of these amounts are included as “Interest Expense, net” in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the fifty-two weeks ended May 29, 2022. Other Credit Facilities At May 29, 2022 and May 30, 2021, one of our subsidiaries had $53.7 million and $56.5 million, respectively, of availability under an overdraft line of credit facility with a financial institution with no borrowings outstanding. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at an effective rate of 3.915% as of both May 29, 2022 and May 30, 2021, and may be prepaid without penalty. We guarantee the full amount of our subsidiary’s obligations to the financial institution up to the maximum amount of borrowings under the credit facility. Debt Maturities The aggregate minimum principal maturities of our long-term debt, including current portion, for the next five fiscal years and thereafter, are as follows: | | | | | | | (in millions) | | Debt (a) | 2023 | | $ | 31.3 | 2024 | | | 31.3 | 2025 | | | 493.5 | 2026 | | | 1.6 | 2027 | | | 17.3 | Thereafter | | | 2,170.0 | | | $ | 2,745.0 |
| (a) | See Note 8, Leases, for maturities of our lease financing obligations. |
Other During fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, we paid $80.6 million, $120.6 million, and $105.7 million, respectively, of interest on debt.
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