CONAGRA BRANDS, INC.
$500,000,000 5.000% Senior Notes due 2030
$500,000,000 5.750% Senior Notes due 2035
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
July 15, 2025
BofA Securities, Inc.
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
Mizuho Securities USA LLC
Underwriting Agreement
July 15, 2025
BofA SECURITIES, INC.
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC
MIZUHO SECURITIES USA LLC
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o BofA SECURITIES, INC.
One Bryant Park
New York, New York 10036
c/o GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
c/o MIZUHO SECURITIES USA LLC
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Introductory. Conagra Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule A (the “Underwriters”), acting severally and not jointly, the respective amounts set forth in such Schedule A of $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.000% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes” and $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.750% Senior Notes due 2035 (the “2035 Notes” and together with the 2030 Notes, the “Notes”). BofA Securities, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Mizuho Securities USA LLC have agreed to act as representatives of the several Underwriters (in such capacity, the “Representatives”) in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes.
The Notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of August 12, 2021 (the “Base Indenture”), entered into between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor trustee (the “Trustee”). Certain terms of the Notes will be established pursuant to a Third Supplemental Indenture, to be executed and delivered pursuant to the Base Indenture as of the Closing Date (as defined below) (the “Third Supplemental Indenture,” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”). The Notes will be issued in book-entry form in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”), pursuant to a Blanket Letter of Representations, dated October 3, 2017 (the “DTC Agreement”), delivered by the Company to the Depositary.
The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-280760), which contains a base prospectus (the “Base Prospectus”), to be used in connection with the public offering and sale of debt securities, including the Notes, and other securities of the Company under the Securities Act
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of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Securities Act”), in accordance with Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Such registration statement, including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto, in the form in which it became effective under the Securities Act, including any required information deemed to be a part thereof at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, is called the “Registration Statement.” The term “Prospectus” shall mean the final prospectus supplement relating to the Notes, together with the Base Prospectus, that is first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act after the date and time that this Agreement is executed (the “Execution Time”) by the parties hereto. The term “Preliminary Prospectus” shall mean any preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the Notes, together with the Base Prospectus, that is first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act. Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents that are incorporated by reference therein or are deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act prior to 3:40 p.m., New York City time, on July 15, 2025 (the “Initial Sale Time”). All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, shall include any copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”).
All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included” or “stated” (or other references of like import) in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Preliminary Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Preliminary Prospectus, as the case may be, prior to the Initial Sale Time; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Preliminary Prospectus shall be deemed to include the filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”), which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Preliminary Prospectus, as the case may be, after the Initial Sale Time.
The Company hereby confirms its agreements with the Underwriters as follows: SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties of the Company.
The Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants to each Underwriter as follows:
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The Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto have been declared effective and as of the Initial Sale Time and at the Closing Date, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (i) complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act, and (ii) did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. At the date of the Prospectus and at the Closing Date, neither the Prospectus (including any applicable prospectus wrapper) nor any amendments or supplements thereto included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment or the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto (i) made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by any of the Underwriters through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter through the Representatives consists of the information described as such in Section 8(b) hereof or (ii) relating to that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility and Qualifications (Form T-1) of the Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act.
Each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and any amendments or supplements thereto, at the time of filing with the Commission, complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act, and the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Notes will, at the time of such delivery, be identical to any electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
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(aa)No Price Stabilization or Manipulation. The Company has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Notes.
(bb) No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments. None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, has made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment or is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the FCPA (as defined below), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA, and the Company, its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
“FCPA” means Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(cc) No Conflict with Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, including the FCPA and the UK Bribery Act 2010, the rules and regulations
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thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened. The Company and its subsidiaries have instituted and maintained policies and procedures intended to promote and achieve compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering Laws.
(dd) No Conflict with OFAC Laws. (i) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee, agent, or controlled or controlling affiliate acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a “Sanctioned Person.” “Sanctioned Person” means an individual or entity that is: (A) designated on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, His Majesty’s Treasury’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority with jurisdiction over the Company, (B) located, organized or ordinarily resident in any country, region or territory subject to comprehensive economic sanctions (as of the date of this Agreement, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine), each a “Sanctioned Territory,” (C) the government, including any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, of Venezuela, or (D) a party 50% owned or controlled by, any of the parties listed in (A)-(C); (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with applicable Sanctions in all material respects; and (iii) the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity for the purpose of financing the activities of or business involving any Sanctioned Territory or Sanctioned Person (except to the extent permitted by valid and effective licenses issued by the relevant sanctions authorities).
(ee) Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation, order, permit or other legal requirement relating to pollution or protection of human health (with respect to exposure to Materials of Environmental Concern, as hereinafter defined) or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including without limitation, laws and regulations relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of regulated chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum and petroleum products (collectively, “Materials of Environmental Concern”), or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Materials of Environmental Concern (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), which violation includes, but is not limited to, noncompliance with any permits or other governmental authorizations required for the operation of the business of the Company or its subsidiaries under applicable Environmental Laws, or noncompliance with the terms and conditions thereof, nor has the Company or any of its subsidiaries received any written communication, whether from a governmental authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges that the Company or any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any Environmental Law, except in each case above as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in Material Adverse Change; (ii) there is no claim, action or cause of action filed with a court or governmental authority, no investigation with respect to which the Company has received written notice, and no written notice by any person or entity alleging potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response costs,
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natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, attorneys’ fees or penalties arising out of, based on or resulting from the presence, or release into the environment, of any Material of Environmental Concern at any location owned, leased or operated by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, now or in the past (collectively, “Environmental Claims”), pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, the Company’s knowledge, any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any of its subsidiaries has retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of law, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; (iii) to the Company’s knowledge, there has been no release, emission, discharge, presence or disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern in connection with the operation of Company or any of its subsidiaries, that reasonably could be expected to result in a violation of any Environmental Law or require expenditures to be incurred pursuant to Environmental Law, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; and (iv) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to any pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened proceeding under Environmental Law to which a governmental authority is a party and which is reasonably likely to result in monetary sanctions of $300,000 or more.
(ff) ERISA Compliance. The Company and its ERISA Affiliates (as defined below) and each “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, “ERISA”)) established or maintained by the Company or its ERISA Affiliates are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA. “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company or a subsidiary, any member of any group of organizations described in Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), of which the Company or such subsidiary is a member. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates, no “reportable event” (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates. No “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, or any of its ERISA Affiliates, if such “employee benefit plan” were terminated, would have any material “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (as defined under ERISA). Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates, none of the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates has incurred or, to the knowledge of the Company, reasonably expects to incur any liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “employee benefit plan,” (ii) Sections 412, 4971 or 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, or (iii) Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the excise tax imposed thereunder. Each “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable opinion or determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service and nothing has occurred, to the knowledge of the Company, whether by action or failure to act, which is reasonably likely to cause disqualification of any such employee benefit plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(gg) Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance. The Company is in compliance, and will comply, in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.
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(hh) Company’s Accounting System. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (i) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (ii) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
(jj) Accuracy of Exhibits. There are no franchises, contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been so described and filed as required.
(kk) Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters set forth therein.
Section 2. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Notes.
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It is understood that the Representatives have been authorized, for their own accounts and for the accounts of the several Underwriters, to accept delivery of and receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Notes that the Underwriters have agreed to purchase. The Representatives may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment for any Notes to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds shall not have been received by the Representatives by the Closing Date for the account of such Underwriter, but any such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from any of its obligations under this Agreement.
Section 3. Covenants of the Company.
The Company covenants and agrees with each Underwriter as follows:
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The Representatives, on behalf of the several Underwriters, may, in their sole discretion, waive in writing the performance by the Company of any one or more of the foregoing covenants or extend the time for their performance.
SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses. The Company agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the Notes (including all printing and engraving costs), (ii) all necessary transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, (iii) all fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors to the Company, (iv) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and certificates of experts), each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and all amendments and supplements thereto, and this Agreement, the Indenture, the DTC Agreement and the Notes, (v) all filing fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the Underwriters in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Notes for offer and sale under the state securities or blue sky laws, and, if requested by the Representatives, preparing a “Blue Sky Survey” or memorandum, and any supplements thereto, advising the Underwriters of such qualifications, registrations and exemptions (provided that the amount for such survey or memorandum shall not exceed $5,000), (vi) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review, if any, by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Notes (provided that any fees of such counsel shall not exceed $5,000), (vii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the Indenture and the Notes, (viii) any fees payable in connection with the rating of the Notes with the ratings agencies, (ix) all fees and expenses
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(including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of the Company in connection with approval of the Notes by the Depositary for “book-entry” transfer, (x) all other fees, costs and expenses referred to in Item 14 of Part II of the Registration Statement, and (xi) all other fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. Except as provided in this Section 4 and Sections 6, 8 and 9 hereof, the Underwriters shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel.
SECTION 5. Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Notes as provided herein on a several and not joint basis on the Closing Date shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company set forth in Section 1 hereof as of the date hereof, as of the Initial Sale Time and as of the Closing Date as though then made and to the timely performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional conditions:
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If any condition specified in this Section 5 is not satisfied when and as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any other party, except that Sections 4, 6, 8, 9 and 17 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.
SECTION 6. Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses. If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives pursuant to Section 5 or 11, or if the sale to the Underwriters of the Notes on the Closing Date is not consummated because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or to comply with any provision hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse the Representatives and the other Underwriters (or such Underwriters as have terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves) severally, upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses that shall have been reasonably incurred by the Representatives and the Underwriters in connection with the proposed purchase and the offering and sale of the Notes,
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including but not limited to reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, printing expenses, travel expenses, postage, facsimile and telephone charges.
SECTION 7. Effectiveness of this Agreement. This Agreement shall not become effective until the execution of this Agreement by the parties hereto.
Section 8. Indemnification.
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SECTION 9. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 8 is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, and the total underwriting commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the front cover page of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Notes as set forth on such cover. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Underwriters, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
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The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8(c), any reasonable legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.
The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 9.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting commissions received by such Underwriter in connection with the Notes underwritten by it and distributed to the public. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several, and not joint, in proportion to their respective underwriting commitments as set forth opposite their names in Schedule A. For purposes of this Section 9, each director, officer, employee and agent of an Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.
SECTION 10. Default of One or More of the Several Underwriters. If, on the Closing Date, any one or more of the several Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Notes that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate principal amount of Notes, which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated, severally, in the proportion to the aggregate principal amounts of such Notes set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A bears to the aggregate principal amount of such Notes set forth opposite the names of all such non- defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as may be specified by the Representatives with the consent of the non-defaulting Underwriters, to purchase such Notes which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date. If, on the Closing Date, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase such Notes and the aggregate principal amount of such Notes with respect to which such default occurs exceeds 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company for the purchase of such Notes are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Sections 4, 8, 9 and 17 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination. In any such case, either the Representatives or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, to the Registration Statement, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or any other documents or arrangements may be effected.
As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” shall be deemed to include any person
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substituted for a defaulting Underwriter under this Section 10. Any action taken under this Section 10 shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.
SECTION 11. Termination of this Agreement. Prior to the Closing Date, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by notice given to the Company if at any time (a) trading or quotation in any of the Company’s securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, or trading in securities generally on either the Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on any of such stock exchanges by the Commission or FINRA; (b) a general banking moratorium shall have been declared by any of federal or New York authorities; (c) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of national or international hostilities or any crisis or calamity involving the United States, or any change in the United States or international financial markets, as in the judgment of the Representatives is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to market the Notes in the manner and on the terms described in the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or to enforce contracts for the sale of securities; (d) in the judgment of the Representatives, there shall have occurred any Material Adverse Change; or (e) there shall have occurred a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services. Any termination pursuant to this Section 11 shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Sections 4 and 6 hereof, and provided further that Sections 4, 6, 8, 9 and 17 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 12. No Fiduciary Duty. The Company acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the purchase and sale of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price of the Notes and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other hand, and the Company is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(b) in connection with each transaction contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction, each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary of the Company or its affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other party; (c) no Underwriter has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement; (d) the several Underwriters and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company and that the several Underwriters have no obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship; and (e) the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and the Company has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.
This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company and the several Underwriters with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the several Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged
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breach of agency or fiduciary duty.
SECTION 13. Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company and of the several Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement (a) will remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any (i) investigation, or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, the officers or employees of any Underwriter, or any person controlling the Underwriter, the Company, the officers or employees of the Company, or any person controlling the Company, as the case may be, or (ii) acceptance of the Notes and payment for them hereunder and (b) will survive delivery of and payment for the Notes sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 14. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered, emailed or telecopied and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:
If to the Representatives:
BofA Securities, Inc.
114 West 47th Street
NY8-114-07-01
New York, New York 10036
Attention: High Grade Transaction Management/Legal
Facsimile: (212) 901-7881
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
Attention: Registration Department
Facsimile: (212) 902-9316
Mizuho Securities USA LLC
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Attention: Debt Capital Markets
Facsimile: (212) 205-7812
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Michael P. Heinz
Email: mheinz@sidley.com
If to the Company: Conagra Brands, Inc.
222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1300
25
Chicago, Illinois 60654
Attention: General Counsel
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Mayer Brown LLP
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Attention: David S. Bakst
Email: dbakst@mayerbrown.com
Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others.
SECTION 15. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, including any substitute Underwriters pursuant to Section 10 hereof, and to the benefit of the directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons referred to in Sections 8 and 9, and in each case their respective successors, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder. The term “successors” shall not include any purchaser of the Notes as such from any of the Underwriters merely by reason of such purchase.
SECTION 16. Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.
SECTION 17. Governing Law Provisions and Waiver of Jury Trial; Venue. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THAT STATE. THE COMPANY AND EACH OF THE UNDERWRITERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City and County of New York, Borough of Manhattan, or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City and County of New York, Borough of Manhattan (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court, as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
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SECTION 18. General Provisions. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or other electronic transmission and in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Agreement shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf”, “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code. This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit. The Section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that it is a sophisticated business person who was adequately represented by counsel during negotiations regarding the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, the indemnification provisions of Section 8 and the contribution provisions of Section 9, and is fully informed regarding said provisions. Each of the parties hereto further acknowledges that the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 hereto fairly allocate the risks in light of the ability of the parties to investigate the Company, its affairs and its business in order to assure that adequate disclosure has been made in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (and any amendments and supplements thereto), as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
SECTION 19. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.
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(2) | a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or |
[Signatures follow on next page]
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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours,
CONAGRA BRANDS, INC.
By: /s/ Dan Murgatroyd
Name: Dan Murgatroyd
Title: Vice President, Treasurer
The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Representatives as of the date first above written.
BofA SECURITIES, INC.
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC
MIZUHO SECURITIES USA LLC
Acting as Representatives of the several Underwriters named in the attached Schedule A.
BofA Securities, Inc.
By: /s/ Christopher Cote
Name: Christopher Cote
Title: Managing Director
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
By: /s/ Karim Saleh
Name: Karim Saleh
Title: Managing Director
Mizuho Securities USA LLC
By: /s/ Joseph Santaniello
Name: Joseph Santaniello
Title: Managing Director
SCHEDULE A
Underwriters | | Aggregate Principal Amount of 2030 Notes to be Purchased | Aggregate Principal Amount of 2035 Notes to be Purchased |
BofA Securities, Inc. | $ 100,000,000 | $ 100,000,000 | |
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | |
Mizuho Securities USA LLC | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | |
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC | 60,000,000 | 60,000,000 | |
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. | 40,000,000 | 40,000,000 | |
BMO Capital Markets Corp. | 18,750,000 | 18,750,000 | |
PNC Capital Markets LLC | 18,750,000 | 18,750,000 | |
Rabo Securities USA, Inc. | 18,750,000 | 18,750,000 | |
Truist Securities, Inc. | 18,750,000 | 18,750,000 | |
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. | 12,500,000 | 12,500,000 | |
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. | 12,500,000 | 12,500,000 | |
Total | $ 500,000,000 | $ 500,000,000 |
Annex 1
ANNEX I
Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses
Final Term Sheet dated July 15, 2025 for the 5.000% Notes due 2030 and the 5.750% Notes due 2035
Annex 1
EXHIBIT A
CONAGRA BRANDS, INC.
Pricing Term Sheet
$500,000,000 5.000% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”)
$500,000,000 5.750% Senior Notes due 2035 (the “2035 Notes”)
Issuer: | Conagra Brands, Inc. | |
Ratings (Moody’s / S&P / Fitch)*: | | |
Distribution: | SEC Registered | |
Trade Date: | July 15, 2025 | |
Settlement Date: | July 22, 2025 (T+5) | |
Joint Book-Running Managers: | BofA Securities, Inc. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC Mizuho Securities USA LLC Wells Fargo Securities, LLC | |
Senior Co-Manager: Co-Managers: | U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. BMO Capital Markets Corp. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. PNC Capital Markets LLC Rabo Securities USA, Inc. Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. Truist Securities, Inc. | |
| 2030 Notes | 2035 Notes |
Principal Amount: | $500,000,000 | $500,000,000 |
Maturity: | August 1, 2030 | August 1, 2035 |
Coupon (Interest Rate): | 5.000% | 5.750% |
Yield to Maturity: | 5.074% | 5.761% |
Spread to Benchmark Treasury: | +102 bps | +127 bps |
Benchmark Treasury: | UST 3.875% due June 30, 2030 | UST 4.250% due May 15, 2035 |
Benchmark Treasury Price / Yield: | 99-06+ / 4.054% | 98-03 / 4.491% |
Make-Whole Call: | T + 20 bps | T + 20 bps |
Exh. A
Par Call: | On or after July 1, 2030 | On or after May 1, 2035 |
Interest Payment Dates: | February 1 and August 1, beginning February 1, 2026 | February 1 and August 1, beginning February 1, 2026 |
Record Dates: | January 15 and July 15 | January 15 and July 15 |
Price to Public: | 99.674% of the aggregate principal amount | 99.915% of the aggregate principal amount |
Net Proceeds to Issuer After Gross Spread: | $496,620,000 | $497,325,000 |
CUSIP / ISIN: | 205887 CK6 / US205887CK64 | 205887 CL4 / US205887CL48 |
Use of Proceeds: Denomination: Change of Control Offer: | Conagra Brands, Inc. intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of a portion of its outstanding 4.600% Senior Notes due November 2025. $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof If Conagra Brands, Inc. experiences a Change of Control Triggering Event, it will be required to offer to repurchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of repurchase. |
*Note: A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time.
We expect to deliver the notes against payment for the notes on or about July 22, 2025, which is the fifth business day following the date of the pricing of the notes. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to the trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes before the business day prior to July 22, 2025 will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement (as supplemented) and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by contacting the issuer at 1-312-549-5000 or by contacting BofA Securities, Inc. by calling 1-800-294-1322 or by emailing dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com; Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC by calling 1-866-471-2526 or emailing Prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com or Mizuho Securities USA LLC by calling 1-866-271-7403.
Any disclaimers or other notices that may appear below are not applicable to this communication and should be disregarded. Such disclaimers were automatically generated as a result of this communication being sent via email or another communication system.
Exh. A