As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2009

Registration No. 333-      

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form S-3

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Certain co-registrants are identified in the “Table of Additional Registrants” listed on the next page.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

James L. Baldwin, Jr.

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

5301 Legacy Drive

Plano, Texas 75024

(972) 673-7000

 

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  o

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  þ

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  þ

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Guarantees of Debt Securities

Warrants

 

 

We may offer from time to time common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants. Certain of our subsidiaries may guarantee the debt securities offered under this prospectus. Specific terms of these securities will be provided in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest. No person may use this prospectus to offer and sell our securities unless a prospectus supplement accompanies this prospectus.

 

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “DPS”.

 

We may offer and sell the securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continued or delayed basis. The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the terms of the arrangements with such entities will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Investing in these securities involves certain risks. Please read carefully the information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase these securities, including the discussion of risks incorporated as described under “Risk Factors” on page 4 of this prospectus.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined whether this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is December 14, 2009.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

We have not authorized anyone to give any information or to make any representations concerning the securities offered hereunder except those which are in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement that is delivered with this prospectus or any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. If anyone gives any other information or representation, you should not rely on it. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities in any circumstances in which the offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should not interpret the delivery of this prospectus, or any offer or sale of these securities, as an indication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus.

 

Neither this prospectus nor any accompanying prospectus supplement contains all of the information included in the registration statement. We have omitted parts of the registration statement as permitted by the SEC’s rules and regulations. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC on December 14, 2009, which can be read at the SEC web site or at the SEC office referenced under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” The registration statement also includes exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus or a prospectus supplement, about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. If SEC rules and regulations require that any agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement and we file the agreement or document, you should refer to that agreement or document for a complete description of these matters.

 

You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” herein.

 

As used in this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, “DPS,” “our company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, except in each case where otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires.

 

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. is a leading integrated brand owner, manufacturer and distributor of non-alcoholic beverages in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with a diverse portfolio of flavored (non-cola) carbonated soft drinks (“CSD”) and non-carbonated beverages (“NCB”), including ready-to-drink teas, juices, juice drinks and mixers. Our brand portfolio includes popular CSD brands such as Dr Pepper, 7UP, Sunkist soda, A&W, Canada Dry, Crush, Schweppes, Squirt, RC, Diet Rite, Sundrop, Welch’s, Vernors, Country Time and Peñafiel, and NCB brands such as Snapple, Mott’s, Hawaiian Punch, Clamato, Nantucket Nectars, Venom Energy, Yoo-Hoo, Mr & Mrs T, Margaritaville and Rose’s. We have some of the most recognized beverage brands in North America, with significant consumer awareness levels and long histories that evoke strong emotional connections with consumers.

 

We are a Delaware corporation with our principal executive offices located at 5301 Legacy Drive, Plano, Texas 75024. Our telephone number at such address is (972) 673-7000, and our website is www.drpeppersnapplegroup.com. Information contained on our website is not intended to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and you should not consider that information a part of this prospectus.

 

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including, in particular, statements about future events, future financial performance, plans, strategies, expectations, prospects, competitive environment, regulation and availability of raw materials.

Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intend” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Our actual financial performance could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of estimates, forecasts and projections, and our financial performance may be better or worse than anticipated. Given these uncertainties, you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date that they were made. We do not undertake any duty to update the forward-looking statements, and the estimates and assumptions associated with them, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed in Item 1A under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as amended by our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2009, and our other filings with the SEC. These risk factors may not be exhaustive as we operate in a continually changing business environment with new risks emerging from time to time that we are unable to predict or that we currently do not expect to have a material adverse effect on our business. You should carefully read those reports in their entirety as they contain important information about our business and the risks we face. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” herein.

 

Before you invest in the securities covered by this prospectus, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Item 1A under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as amended by our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2009, the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2009, and the applicable prospectus supplement and cautionary notes regarding forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” herein.

 

If any of the risks described in these reports or other documents were to materialize, our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, our ability to make distributions to our stockholders or to pay interest on, or principal of, any debt securities issued by us, may be reduced, the trading prices of any of our publicly traded securities could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

The following table sets forth our ratio of consolidated earnings to consolidated fixed charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the five years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004.

 

 

 

 

We had no preferred stock outstanding for any period presented, and accordingly, the ratio of consolidated earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is the same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes.

 

The following description of the material terms of our capital stock is based on the provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (“Certificate of Incorporation”), our Amended and Restated By-Laws (“By-Laws”) and provisions of applicable law. We have summarized certain portions of the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws below. The summary is not complete. The Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. For more information as to how you can obtain a current copy of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, see “Where You Can Find More Information” herein.

 

General

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 800,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Our board of directors may establish the rights and preferences of the preferred stock from time to time. As of December 9, 2009, 254,109,047 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and held of record by approximately 31,000 holders; and no shares of our preferred stock were issued or outstanding.

 

Common Stock

 

Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters to be voted upon by the common stockholders and there are no cumulative voting rights. Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably the dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of funds legally available. If there is a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, holders of our common stock will be entitled to share in our assets remaining after the payment of liabilities and any preferential rights of any outstanding preferred stock.

 

Holders of our common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock which we may designate and issue in the future.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Under the terms of our Certificate of Incorporation, our board of directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), and by our Certificate of Incorporation, to issue preferred stock in one or more series without stockholder approval. Our board of directors has the discretion, subject to limitations prescribed by the DGCL and by our Certificate of Incorporation, to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Various Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws

 

Provisions of the DGCL and our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, would be expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and takeover bids our board of directors may consider inadequate and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with us. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us will outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

 

Composition of the Board

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws provide that the directors will be classified with respect to the time for which they hold office into three classes. One class of directors was originally elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in 2009, another class was originally elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2010 and a third class was originally elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2011, with each director to hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. Commencing with the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders, directors elected to succeed directors whose terms then expire will be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election, with each director to hold office until such person’s successor is duly elected and qualified.

 

Board Vacancies to be Filled by Remaining Directors and Not Stockholders

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws provide that any vacancies, including any newly created directorships, on the board of directors, will be filled by the affirmative vote of the majority of the remaining directors then in office, even if such directors constitute less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.

 

Removal of Directors by Stockholders

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws provide that directors may be removed by stockholders only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the votes which all stockholders would be entitled to cast in any annual election of directors.

 

Stockholder Action

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws preclude stockholders from calling special meetings and taking action or passing resolutions by written consent.

 

Advance Notice of Director Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

 

Our By-Laws contain advance notice procedures for stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before the annual meeting of stockholders. As specified in our By-Laws, director nominations and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only pursuant to a notice of meeting, at the direction of the board of directors or by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures that are provided in our By-Laws.

 

To be timely, a nomination of a director by a stockholder or notice for business to be brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder must be delivered to the secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of an annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from such anniversary date, for notice by the stockholder to be timely, it must be delivered not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of

business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and (ii) the 10th day following the day on which notice of such annual meeting was mailed or public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made, whichever first occurs.

 

In the event a special meeting of stockholders is called for the purpose of electing one or more directors, any stockholder entitled to vote may nominate a person or persons as specified in our By-Laws, but only if the stockholder notice is delivered to the secretary at our principal executive offices not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to such special meeting and (y) the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of such special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of such special meeting was made, whichever first occurs.

 

Amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting power of the outstanding shares to amend certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws, including the ability of stockholders to call special meetings or act by written consent, the size of the board, the director removal provisions, filling vacancies on the board, indemnification of directors and officers, advance notice provisions and supermajority voting requirements.

 

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

 

We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover statute. In general, Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own) 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The existence of this provision would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the board of directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.

 

No Cumulative Voting

 

The DGCL provides that stockholders are denied the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless our Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise. Our Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.

 

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

 

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties as directors. Our Certificate of Incorporation includes provisions that indemnify, to the fullest extent allowable under the DGCL, the personal liability of directors or officers for monetary damages for actions taken as a director or officer of our company, or for serving at our request as a director or officer or another position at another corporation or enterprise, as the case may be. Our Certificate of Incorporation also provides that we must indemnify and advance reasonable expenses to our directors and officers, subject to our receipt of an undertaking from the indemnified party as may be required under the DGCL. We are also expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ insurance to protect our company, our directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities.

 

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and

officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. However, these provisions do not limit or eliminate our rights, or those of any stockholder, to seek non-monetary relief such as injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care. Moreover, the provisions do not alter the liability of directors under the federal securities laws. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent that, in a class action or direct suit, we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

 

There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding against any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.

 

Authorized but Unissued Shares

 

Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without your approval. We may use additional shares for a variety of purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, to fund acquisitions and as employee compensation. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

 

Stock Exchange Listing

 

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “DPS”.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

 

Direct Registration System

 

Our common stock is registered in book-entry form through the direct registration system. Under this system, ownership of our common stock is reflected in account statements periodically distributed to stockholders by Computershare, our transfer agent, who holds the book-entry shares on behalf of our common stockholders.

 

The following is a general description of the debt securities that we may offer from time to time. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by us and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions described below may apply to those securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. As you read this section, please remember that the specific terms of a debt security as described in the applicable prospectus supplement will supplement and may modify or replace the general terms described in this section. If there are any differences between the applicable prospectus supplement and this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement will control. As a result, the statements we make in this section may not apply to the debt security you purchase.

 

Our debt securities, consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness, may be issued from time to time in one or more series pursuant to, in the case of senior debt securities, a senior indenture to be entered into between us and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, and in the case of subordinated debt securities, a subordinated indenture to be entered into between us and a trustee to be named therein. To the extent any of the debt securities will be guaranteed (the “Subsidiary Guarantees”) by one or more of our subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), the Subsidiary Guarantors guaranteeing such debt securities will enter into a supplemental indenture to the applicable indenture with us and the applicable trustee.

 

Because the following is only a summary of selected provisions of the indentures and the debt securities, it does not contain all information that may be important to you. This summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the base indentures and any supplemental indentures thereto or officer’s certificate or board resolution related thereto. We urge you to read the indentures because the indentures, not

this description, define the rights of the holders of the debt securities. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture will be substantially in the forms included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The terms of our debt securities will include those set forth in the indentures and those made a part of the indentures by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

 

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, “Senior Debt” will mean all of our indebtedness, including guarantees, unless the indebtedness states that it is not senior to the subordinated debt securities

 

In this summary description of the debt securities, unless we state otherwise or the context clearly indicates otherwise, all references to “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. only and not to any of its subsidiaries.

 

General

 

Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities that may be issued under that indenture, and neither indenture limits the amount of other unsecured debt or securities that we may issue. We may issue debt securities under the indentures from time to time in one or more series.

 

We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of that series, for the issuance of additional debt securities of that series. Additional debt securities of a particular series will have the same terms and conditions as outstanding debt securities of such series, except for the date of original issuance and the offering price, and will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, such outstanding debt securities.

 

When we refer to “debt securities” or a “series of debt securities,” we mean, respectively, debt securities or a series of debt securities issued under the applicable indenture. When we refer to a prospectus supplement, we mean the prospectus supplement describing the specific terms of the applicable debt security. The terms used in a prospectus supplement will have the meanings described in this prospectus, unless otherwise specified.

 

The senior debt securities will constitute our senior unsecured indebtedness and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness and senior in right of payment with all of our subordinated indebtedness outstanding from time to time. The senior debt securities will be effectively subordinated to, and thus have a junior position to, any secured indebtedness we may have with respect to the assets securing that indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities will constitute our unsecured and subordinated obligations and will rank junior to all of our senior indebtedness and may rank equally with or senior to other subordinated indebtedness we may issue from time to time.

 

The debt securities will be obligations of Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., which is a holding company with no material operating assets, other than the stock of its subsidiaries and loans to subsidiaries. All of Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.’s revenue and cash flow is generated through its subsidiaries. Accordingly, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.’s ability to make payments on its indebtedness, including the debt securities, and to fund its other obligations is dependent not only on the ability of its subsidiaries to generate cash, but also on the ability of its subsidiaries to distribute cash to it in the form of interest and principal payments on loans due to us, dividends, fees, interest, loans or otherwise. In addition, any debt securities will effectively rank junior to all liabilities of Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the debt securities (excluding any amounts owed by such subsidiaries to us). Claims of creditors of Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the debt securities generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such subsidiaries over the claims of Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.’s creditors, including holders of any debt securities. Accordingly, any debt securities will be effectively subordinated to creditors, including trade creditors and preferred stockholders, if any, of such subsidiaries.

 

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, neither indenture will contain any covenants or other provisions designed to protect holders of the debt securities in the event we participate in a

highly leveraged transaction or upon a change of control. In addition, unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the indentures will not contain provisions that give holders of the debt securities the right to require us to repurchase their securities in the event of a decline in our credit rating for any reason, including as a result of a takeover, recapitalization or similar restructuring or otherwise.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

 

We may sell the debt securities at a discount, which may be substantial, below their stated principal amount. These debt securities may bear no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below

market rates. If we sell these debt securities, we will describe in the prospectus supplement any material United States (“U.S.”) federal income tax consequences and other special considerations.

 

If we sell any of the debt securities for any foreign currency or if payments on the debt securities are payable in any foreign currency, we will describe in the prospectus supplement the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information relating to those debt securities and the foreign currency.

 

Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets

 

We will not consolidate or combine with or merge with or into or, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, convey, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to any person or persons in a single transaction or through a series of transactions, unless:

 

 

If any consolidation or merger or any sale, assignment, conveyance, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets occurs in accordance with the applicable indenture, the surviving entity will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of DPS under the applicable indenture with the same effect as if such surviving entity had been named as DPS. We will (except in the case of a lease) be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the applicable indenture and any debt securities issued thereunder.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may merge or consolidate into or with any of our subsidiaries.

 

Subsidiary Guarantees

 

If specified in the prospectus supplement, one or more Subsidiary Guarantors will guarantee the debt securities of a series. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to the Subsidiary Guarantee of the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to that series of debt securities.

 

Subject to the limitations described below and in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Subsidiary Guarantors will, jointly and severally, fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the full and punctual payment when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of the principal of, premium, if any, interest and additional amounts, if any, on the debt securities and all of our other monetary obligations under the indentures.

 

The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that Subsidiary Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law.

 

In the case of subordinated debt securities, a Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee will be subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Debt of such Subsidiary Guarantor on the same basis as the subordinated debt securities are subordinated to our Senior Debt. No payment will be made by any Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee during any period in which payments by us on the subordinated debt securities are suspended by the subordination provisions of the subordinated indenture.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under the indenture to contribution from each other Subsidiary

Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Subsidiary Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Subsidiary Guarantors at the time of such payment.

 

If a Subsidiary Guarantee were rendered voidable, it could be subordinated by a court to all other indebtedness (including guarantees and other contingent liabilities) of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, and, depending on the amount of such indebtedness, a Subsidiary Guarantor’s liability on its Subsidiary Guarantee could be reduced to zero.

 

The Subsidiary Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, without the consent of the holders of our debt securities, and no further action by us, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the trustee shall be required for such release (unless we shall notify the Trustee that no release and discharge shall occur as a result thereof) upon:

 

 

If specified in the prospectus supplement, we will cause any of our subsidiaries that guarantees, directly or indirectly, any of our indebtedness (including any indebtedness under any Credit Agreement) to at the same time, execute and deliver to the trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such subsidiary will guarantee payment of the debt securities of such series on the same terms and conditions as those set forth in the indenture. Thereafter, such subsidiary shall be a Subsidiary Guarantor for all purposes of such series until such Subsidiary Guarantee is released in accordance with the provisions of the applicable indenture.

 

“Credit Agreements” means the Existing Credit Agreements as such agreements may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and any agreement, indenture or other documentation relating to extensions, refinancings, replacements or restructuring of the credit facilities governed by the Existing Credit Agreements, whether the same or any other agent, agents, lenders or group of lenders is or are parties thereto.

 

“Existing Credit Agreements” means (1) the credit agreement dated as of March 10, 2008 and amended and restated on April 11, 2008 among DPS, the lenders and issuing banks party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Bank of America, N.A., as syndication agent, and Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and UBS Securities LLC, as documentation agents and (2) the 364-day bridge credit agreement dated as of March 10, 2008 and amended and restated on April 11, 2008 among DPS, the lenders and issuing banks party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Bank of America, N.A., as syndication agent, and Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and UBS Securities LLC, as documentation agents.

 

Events of Default

 

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the following are events of default with respect to a series of debt securities:

 

 

 

We may change, eliminate or add to the events of default with respect to any particular series or any particular debt security or debt securities within a series, as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. A default under one series of debt securities will not necessarily be a default under any other series.

 

If an event of default relating to certain events of our bankruptcy or insolvency occurs, all then outstanding debt securities of that series will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the trustee may and, at the direction of the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series shall, declare all of those debt securities to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to us and, in case of a notice by holders, also to the trustee specifying the respective event of default and that it is a notice of acceleration.

 

Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the trustee in its exercise of any trust or power with respect to that series. The trustee may withhold from holders of the debt securities of any series notice of any continuing default or event of default for such series if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest, except a default or event of default relating to the payment of principal, interest, premium or additional amounts, if any.

 

Subject to the provisions of the applicable indenture relating to the duties of the trustee, in case an event of default for any series occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any holders of debt securities of that series unless such holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium or additional amounts, if any, or interest when due, no holder of debt securities of a series may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the debt securities unless:

 

 

 

Holders of a debt security are entitled at any time, however, to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on a debt security on or after its stated maturity (or, if a debt security is redeemable, on or after its redemption date).

 

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series by notice to the trustee may, on behalf of the holders of all of the debt securities of that series, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing default or event of default for such series and its consequences under the indenture except a continuing default or event of default in the payment of interest, additional amounts or premium on, or the principal of, the debt securities.

 

With respect to subordinated debt securities, all the remedies available upon the occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated debt indenture will be subject to the restrictions on the subordinated debt securities described below under “— Subordination.”

 

Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request for the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration of the maturity.

 

We are required to deliver to the trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the indenture. Upon becoming aware of any default or event of default, we are required within five business days to deliver to the trustee a statement specifying such default or event of default.

 

Subordination

 

Under the subordinated indenture, payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the subordinated debt securities will generally be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we may not make any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on the subordinated debt securities if:

 

 

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, a non-payment default will prevent us from paying the subordinated debt securities only for up to 179 days after holders of the designated Senior Debt give the trustee for the subordinated debt securities notice of the non-payment default.

 

The subordination will not affect our obligation, which will be absolute and unconditional, to pay, when due, the principal of and any premium and interest on the subordinated debt securities. In addition, the subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any default under the subordinated indenture.

 

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the subordinated indenture will not limit the amount of Senior Debt that we may incur. As a result of the subordination of the subordinated debt securities, if we become insolvent, holders of subordinated debt securities may receive less on a proportionate basis than other creditors.

 

Modification and Waiver

 

Except as provided in the next four succeeding paragraphs, each indenture and the debt securities issued under each indenture may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each series affected by the change, voting as separate classes for this purpose, and any existing default or event of default or compliance with any provision of the indenture or the debt securities may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the waiver, voting as

separate classes for this purpose, in each case, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to such indenture for all or any particular debt securities of any series.

 

Without the consent of each holder of debt securities of the series affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any debt securities of such series held by a non-consenting holder):

 

 

in each case, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to such indenture for all or any particular debt securities of any series.

 

We may not amend the subordinated indenture to alter the subordination of any outstanding subordinated debt securities without the written consent of each holder of Senior Debt then outstanding who would be adversely affected (or the group or representative thereof authorized or required to consent thereto pursuant to the instrument creating or evidencing, or pursuant to which there is outstanding, such Senior Debt), except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to such indenture for all or any particular debt securities of any series. In addition, we may not modify the subordination provisions of the indenture related to subordinated debt securities in a manner that would adversely affect the subordinated debt securities of any one or more series then outstanding in any material respect, without the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of each affected series then outstanding, voting as separate classes, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to such indenture for all or any particular debt securities of any series.

 

Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change an indenture or any debt securities or request a waiver.

 

We and the trustee may supplement or amend each indenture or the debt securities without notice to or the consent of any holders of debt securities issued under that indenture in certain circumstances, including:

 

 

 

in each case, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to such indenture for all or any particular debt securities of any series.

 

Special Rules for Action by Holders

 

Only holders of outstanding debt securities of the applicable series will be eligible to take any action under the applicable indenture, such as giving a notice of default, declaring an acceleration, approving any change or waiver or giving the trustee an instruction with respect to debt securities of that series. Also, we will count only outstanding debt securities in determining whether the various percentage requirements for taking action have been met. Any debt securities owned by us or any of our affiliates or surrendered for cancellation or for payment or redemption of which money has been set aside in trust are not deemed to be outstanding. Any required approval or waiver must be given by written consent.

 

In some situations, we may follow special rules in calculating the principal amount of debt securities that are to be treated as outstanding for the purposes described above. This may happen, for example, if the principal amount is payable in a non-U.S. dollar currency, increases over time or is not to be fixed until maturity.

 

We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders that are entitled to take action under either indenture. In certain limited circumstances, only the trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If we or the trustee sets a record date for an approval or

other action to be taken by holders, that vote or action may be taken only by persons or entities who are holders on the record date and must be taken during the period that we specify for this purpose, or that the trustee specifies if it sets the record date. We or the trustee, as applicable, may shorten or lengthen this period from time to time. This period, however, may not extend beyond the 180th day after the record date for the action. In addition, record dates for any global debt security may be set in accordance with procedures established by the depositary from time to time. Accordingly, record dates for global debt securities may differ from those for other debt securities.

 

Defeasance and Discharge

 

Defeasance

 

When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under an indenture. If we deposit with the trustee under an indenture any combination of money or government securities sufficient to make payments on the debt securities of a series issued under that indenture on the dates those payments are due, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:

 

 

If a series of debt securities is defeased, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not be entitled to the benefits of the applicable indenture, except for obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, maintain paying agencies and hold money for payment in trust. In the case of covenant defeasance, our obligation to pay principal, premium and interest on the debt securities will also survive.

 

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the debt securities to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes and that the holders would be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related defeasance had not occurred. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

 

Satisfaction and Discharge

 

An indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect with respect to the debt securities of a series issued under that indenture, except for our obligation to register the transfer of and exchange debt securities of that series, when:

 

 

 

 

In addition, we must deliver an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

 

Governing Law

 

New York law will govern the indentures and the debt securities.

 

The Trustee

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. will be the trustee under the senior indenture. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. serves as trustee under an indenture related to other senior securities that we have issued. We may have normal banking relationships with the trustee under the subordinated indenture in the ordinary course of business.

 

If the trustee becomes a creditor of DPS or any Subsidiary Guarantor, the applicable indenture will limit the right of the trustee to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act) after a default has occurred and is continuing, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee (if the indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act) or resign.

 

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of a particular series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee with respect to that series, subject to certain exceptions. The indenture will provide that in case an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities, unless such holder has offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

Payments and Paying Agents

 

Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will make payments on the debt securities in U.S. dollars at the office of the trustee and any paying agent. At our option, however, payments may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the payment as it appears in the security register. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest payment.

 

We will make payments on a global debt security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will pay directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect owners who own beneficial interests in the global debt security. An indirect owner’s right to receive payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants.

Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the trustee under the applicable indenture will be designated as the paying agent for payments on debt securities issued under that indenture. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.

 

If the principal of or any premium or interest on debt securities of a series is payable on a day that is not a business day, the payment will be made on the following business day with the same force and effect as if made on such interest payment date, and no additional interest will accrue solely as a result of such delayed payment. For these purposes, unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, a “business day” is any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or another place of payment on the debt securities of that series are authorized or required by law to close.

 

Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.

 

Regardless of who acts as paying agent, all money paid by us to a paying agent that remains unclaimed at the end of one year after the amount is due to a holder will be repaid to us. After that one-year period, the holder may look only to us for payment and not to the trustee, any other paying agent or anyone else.

 

Redemption or Repayment

 

If there are any provisions regarding redemption or repayment applicable to a debt security, we will describe them in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

We or our affiliates may purchase debt securities from investors who are willing to sell from time to time, either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Debt securities that we or they purchase may, at our discretion, be held, resold or canceled.

 

Notices

 

Notices to be given to holders of a global debt security will be given only to the depositary, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time. Notices to be given to holders of debt securities not in global form will be sent by mail to the respective addresses of the holders as they appear in the trustee’s records, and will be deemed given when mailed. Neither the failure to give any notice to a particular holder, nor any defect in a notice given to a particular holder, will affect the sufficiency of any notice given to another holder.

 

Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive notices.

 

Book-Entry; Delivery and Form

 

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any debt securities will be issued in registered, global form (“global debt securities”).

 

The global debt securities will be deposited upon issuance with the trustee as custodian for DTC, in New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case, for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below.

 

Except as set forth below, the global debt securities may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the global debt securities may not be exchanged for definitive debt securities in registered certificated form (“certificated debt securities”) except in the limited circumstances.

 

Transfers of beneficial interests in the global debt securities will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to time.

 

We may issue warrants to purchase our debt or equity securities or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

 

We may sell the offered securities in and outside the United States (1) through underwriters or dealers, (2) directly to purchasers, including our affiliates, (3) through agents or (4) through a combination of any of these methods. The prospectus supplement will include the following information:

 

 

Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers

 

If we use underwriters in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

 

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.

 

If we use dealers in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The dealers participating in any sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, with respect to any sale of those securities. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

 

Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents

 

We may sell the securities directly. In that event, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents we designate from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable by us to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.

 

Remarketing

 

We may offer and sell any of the offered securities in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment by their terms or otherwise by one or more remarketing firms acting as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. We will identify any remarketing firm, the terms of any remarketing agreement and the compensation to be paid to the remarketing firm in the prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act.

 

Derivative Transactions

 

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in these sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

General Information

 

We may have agreements with the remarketing firms, agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Such firms, agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

 

Each series of offered securities, other than the common stock, which is listed on the NYSE, will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of offered securities. However, they will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you that a liquid trading market for any of our offered securities will develop.

 

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information we file with the SEC at its public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the worldwide web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. You may also inspect those reports, proxy statements and other information concerning us at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which shares of our common stock are currently listed.

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all the information in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to a contract or other document of ours or one of our subsidiaries, the reference is only a summary and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statement and all of its exhibits at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C., as well as through the SEC’s web site.

 

The SEC allows information to be “incorporated by reference” into this prospectus, which means that important information can be disclosed to you by referring you to another document filed separately by us with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information in this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. This prospectus incorporates by reference the following documents (other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

 

 

In addition, all documents that we file with the SEC on or after the date hereof under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K) will be incorporated by reference until the offering or offerings to which this prospectus relates are completed.

 

You may obtain without charge a copy of documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus by requesting them in writing at the following address: Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., 5301 Legacy Drive, Plano, Texas 75024, Attn: Investor Relations. Our telephone number at such address is (972) 673-7000. These documents may also be accessed through our website at www.drpeppersnapplegroup.com or as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” above. Information contained on our website is not intended to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and you should not consider that information a part of this prospectus.

 

Baker Botts L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, will pass on the legality of the securities offered through this prospectus. Any underwriters, dealers or agents will be advised about legal matters relating to any offering by Mayer Brown LLP, Chicago, Illinois.

 

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2009, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference (which report expresses an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the allocation of certain general corporate overhead costs through May 7, 2008 from Cadbury Schweppes plc and Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.’s change in method of accounting for uncertainties in income taxes as of January 1, 2007). Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

 

The following table sets forth expenses payable by us in connection with the offering of the securities being registered, other than discounts and commissions.

 

 

 

 

 

Set forth below is a description of certain provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) of Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (the “Company”) and the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). This description is intended as a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL.

 

Delaware General Corporation Law

 

Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership or other enterprise, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if he or she had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. Section 145 further provides that a corporation similarly may indemnify any such person serving in any such capacity who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification may be made against expenses in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

Certificate of Incorporation

 

Limitation on Liability of Directors

 

Pursuant to authority conferred by Section 102 of the DGCL, Article Seventh of the Certificate of Incorporation eliminates the personal liability of directors to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty, including, without limitation, directors serving on committees of our board of directors, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL.

 

Indemnification and Insurance

 

In accordance with Section 145 of the DGCL, Article Eighth of the Certificate of Incorporation grants our directors and officers a right to indemnification for all expenses, liabilities and losses relating to civil, criminal, administrative or investigative actions, suits or proceedings to which they are a party (other than an action or suit by us or in our right, in which case our directors and officers have a right to indemnification for all expenses, except in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such officer or director is adjudged to be liable to us) (1) by reason of the fact that they are or were our directors or officers, (2) by reason of the fact that, while they are or were our directors or officers, they are or were serving at our request as directors or officers of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or entity or (3) by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such person’s capacity as our director or officer or in any other capacity while serving at our request as directors or officers of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or entity.

 

Article Eighth of the Certificate of Incorporation further provides for the mandatory advancement of expenses incurred by officers and directors in defending such proceedings in advance of their final disposition upon delivery to us by the indemnitee of an undertaking to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under Article Eighth. We may not indemnify or make advance payments to any person in connection with proceedings initiated against us by such person without the authorization of our board of directors.

 

In addition, Article Eighth of the Certificate of Incorporation provides that directors and officers therein described shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, and if the DGCL is subsequently amended to expand further the indemnification or advancements permitted, then we shall indemnify such directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

 

Article Eighth of the Certificate of Incorporation allows the indemnification to continue after an indemnitee has ceased to be our director or officer and to inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

Article Eighth of the Certificate of Incorporation further provides that the right to indemnification is not exclusive of any other right that any indemnitee may be entitled under any law, any agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

The Certificate of Incorporation authorizes us to purchase insurance for our directors and officers and persons who serve at our request as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or entity against any liability incurred in such capacity, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such persons against such expense or liability under the DGCL. We intend to maintain insurance coverage for our officers and directors as well as insurance coverage to reimburse us for potential costs of our corporate indemnification of directors and officers.

 

 

The Exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed as part hereof, or incorporated by reference into, this registration statement.

 

(a) Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes:

 

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrants pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

(i) Each prospectus filed by a registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser

with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: Each of the undersigned registrants undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, such undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of such undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of such undersigned registrant or used or referred to by such undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about such undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of such undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by such undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of a registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, each registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of any registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, such registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(d) Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on December 14, 2009.

 

DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP, INC.

 

James L. Baldwin, Jr.

Executive Vice President & General Counsel

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Larry D. Young and James L. Baldwin and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all further amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one Power of Attorney.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on the 14^th day of December, 2009.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each of the following registrants certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on December 14, 2009.

 

234DP AVIATION, LLC

A&W CONCENTRATE COMPANY

AMERICAS BEVERAGES MANAGEMENT GP

AMTRANS, INC.

BERKELEY SQUARE U.S., INC.

BEVERAGE INVESTMENTS LLC

BEVERAGES DELAWARE INC.

DP BEVERAGES INC.

DPS AMERICAS BEVERAGES INVESTMENTS, INC.

DPS AMERICAS BEVERAGES, LLC

DPS BEVERAGES, INC.

DPS BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

DPS FINANCE II, INC.

DPS HOLDINGS INC.

DPS HOLDINGS U.S.

DR PEPPER COMPANY

DR PEPPER/SEVEN-UP BEVERAGE SALES COMPANY

DR PEPPER/SEVEN UP MANUFACTURING COMPANY

DR PEPPER/SEVEN UP, INC.

HIGH RIDGE INVESTMENTS US, INC.

INTERNATIONAL BEVERAGE INVESTMENTS GP

INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS MANAGEMENT LLC

MOTT’S GENERAL PARTNERSHIP

MOTT’S LLP

MSSI LLC

NANTUCKET ALLSERVE, INC.

NUTHATCH TRADING US, INC.

PACIFIC SNAPPLE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

ROYAL CROWN COMPANY, INC.

SNAPPLE BEVERAGE CORP.

SNAPPLE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

THE AMERICAN BOTTLING COMPANY

 

Larry D. Young

President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Larry D. Young and James L. Baldwin and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all further amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement on behalf of the additional registrants listed on the previous page, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one Power of Attorney.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the additional registrants listed on the previous page in the capacities indicated and on the 14^th day of December, 2009.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on December 14, 2009.

 

SPLASH TRANSPORT, INC.

 

Derry Hobson

President

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Larry D. Young and James L. Baldwin and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all further amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one Power of Attorney.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on the 14^th day of December, 2009.

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS