EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of July 8, 2008,
between Chanticleer Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and
Salvatore Mellili (“Executive”).

WHEREAS, Wise Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, the Company, Hooters,
Inc., a Florida corporation (the “HI”), and certain other entities and selling
stockholders have entered into that certain Stock Purchase Agreement (the
“SPA”), dated March 7, 2008, pursuant to which the Company will acquire,
directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of HI and
certain of its affiliates;

WHEREAS, Owl Acquisition Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation, the Company,
certain related entities that have executed and delivered a joinder thereto,
and Texas Wings Incorporated, a Texas corporation ("TW"), have entered into that
certain Asset Purchase Agreement (the “APA”), dated as of the date hereof,
pursuant to which the Company will indirectly acquire, certain Hooters
restaurants or rights related thereto of TW and certain of its affiliates as set
forth in the APA;

WHEREAS, it is contemplated that the closing of the transactions contemplated by
the SPA will occur immediately prior to the closing of the transactions
contemplated by the APA  (collectively, the “Closings”), and upon the Closings
the Company and Executive desire that, immediately at the effective time of the
Closings (the “Effective Time”), the Company shall employ Executive, and
Executive shall accept such employment, on the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein; and
 
WHEREAS, this Agreement will become effective only if the Closings occurs and
only if Exhibit A has been agreed to by July 14, 2008;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements set forth herein and
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. Employment Period. Subject to earlier termination as hereinafter provided,
Executive’s employment hereunder shall be for a period (the “Employment Period”)
commencing at the Effective Time and ending on the third anniversary of the date
of the Closings (the “Initial Termination Date”). If not previously terminated,
the Employment Period shall automatically be extended for one additional year on
the Initial Termination Date and on each subsequent anniversary of the Initial
Termination Date, unless either Executive or the Company elects not to so extend
the Employment Period by notifying the other party, in writing, of such election
not less than ninety (90) days prior to the last day of the then-current
Employment Period.
 
 
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2. Position, Duties and Responsibilities.
 
(a) Position. Effective at the Effective Time, the Company shall employ
Executive, and Executive hereby agrees to serve the Company, as Co-Chief
Operating Officer, East of the Company reporting to the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer. Executive shall perform such employment duties as are usual
and customary for such position. At the Company’s request, Executive shall serve
the Company and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates in such other offices and
capacities in addition to the foregoing (consistent with Executive’s position
with the Company) as the Company shall designate. In the event that Executive
serves in any one or more of such additional capacities, Executive’s
compensation will not be increased on account of such additional service beyond
that specified in this Agreement.

(b) Place of Employment. During the Employment Period, Executive shall perform
the services required by this Agreement at the Company’s offices in Chicago, IL.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may from time to time require
Executive to travel temporarily to other locations for the Company’s business.

(c) Exclusivity. Except (i) with the prior written approval of the Company’s
Board of Directors (the “Board”) (which the Board may grant or withhold in its
sole discretion), or (ii) to the extent expressly required under the terms of
that certain Transition Services Agreement by and between Hooters Management
Corporation and the Serviced Companies (as defined therein) in the form attached
as Exhibit G, Executive, during the Employment Period, shall devote his entire
working time, attention and energies to the business of the Company and will not
(A) accept any other employment or consultancy, (B) serve on the board of
directors or similar body of any other for-profit entity (other than the Company
or any subsidiary of the Company), or (C) engage, directly or indirectly, in any
other business activity (whether or not pursued for pecuniary advantage) that is
or may be competitive with, or that might place him in a competing position to,
that of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

3.  
Cash Compensation.

(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay Executive
an annual base salary of $325,000 per year, which shall be paid to Executive in
accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices, as in effect from time
to time (such base salary, as may be increased pursuant to the following
sentence, the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary shall be reviewed annually for
increase as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee thereof in its
sole discretion.

(b) Bonuses.

 
i.
Quarterly Bonuses. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to
participate in the Company’s incentive bonus plan applicable to the Company’s
senior executives and to earn a target bonus of 58% of Base Salary paid during
each quarter of a fiscal year (the “Target Bonus”), based on the attainment of
Company budgeted EBITDA for each such quarter, as contained in the annual budget
presented by executive management of the Company and approved by the Board or
the Compensation Committee thereof (and for the remainder of 2008, to be agreed
to and set forth on Exhibit A hereto no later than July 14, 2008). The amount of
each Target Bonus will be increased or decreased by the same percentage that
actual EBITDA is greater or less than budgeted EBITDA for a given fiscal
quarter, provided that if actual EBITDA is less than 50% of budgeted EBITDA, no
Target Bonus will be payable for such quarter. Any quarterly bonus shall be paid
by the Company to Executive as soon as practicable following the quarter-end
determination of such bonus, but in any event within thirty (30) days after the
end of the fiscal quarter in which such bonus is earned, subject to and
conditioned upon Executive’s continued employment with the Company through the
date on which such bonus is paid (the “Bonus Payment Date”).

 
 
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ii.
Discretionary Bonuses. In addition to the quarterly bonus, during the Employment
Period, Executive shall be eligible to receive additional discretionary cash
and/or equity incentive bonus awards based on significant acquisitions,
significant corporate achievements and/or the attainment of other objectives.
The award of any bonus under this Section 3(b)(ii) (if any) shall be made in the
sole discretion of the Board and shall be paid, if at all, at such time or times
and in such form as the Board determines.

4. Equity Grants.

(a) General. Subject to adoption by the Board and approval by Company’s
shareholders of the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) in
substantially the form attached as Exhibit B hereto, the Company shall grant to
Executive (i) an option (“Option”) to purchase shares of common stock, par value
$0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Shares”), and (ii) restricted Shares (the
“Restricted Stock”), each as provided below in this Section 4. To the greatest
extent permitted under applicable law, the Option shall constitute an “incentive
stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the “Code”). If approval of the Plan is not obtained by the
time any portion of the Option or Restricted Stock are scheduled to vest, the
Company will instead grant awards that substantially replicate the terms and
economics of the Option and Restricted Stock award, payable in cash or other
awards that do not require the approval of the Company’s shareholders.

(b)  Option. Subject to Section 4(a) above and Section 4(g) below, as soon as
practicable following the Effective Time, the Company shall grant to Executive
an Option to purchase 195,546 Shares (subject to adjustment for stock splits and
similar changes in share capital between the date hereof and the Effective
Date). The Option shall, subject to Sections 4(d) and 7(a) hereof, vest and
become exercisable as to one-third of the Shares subject thereto on the first
anniversary of the date of grant (the “Grant Date”) of such Option and as to
one-twelfth of the Shares subject thereto on each quarterly anniversary of the
Grant Date thereafter, subject to Executive’s continued employment with the
Company through each such vesting date. The Option shall be granted at an
exercise price per share equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan)
of a Share on the Grant Date. Consistent with the applicable provisions of this
Section 4, the terms and conditions of the Option, including without limitation
any applicable vesting and forfeiture conditions, shall be set forth in a Stock
Option Agreement to be entered into by the Company and Executive in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Option Agreement”).
The Option shall be governed in all respects by the terms of the Plan and the
Option Agreement.
 
 
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(c) Restricted Stock. Subject to Section 4(a) above and Section 4(g) below, as
soon as practicable following the Effective Time, the Company shall grant to
Executive 48,886 Shares of Restricted Stock (the “Restricted Stock”) (subject to
adjustment for stock splits and similar changes in share capital between the
date hereof and the Effective Date). The Restricted Stock shall vest and the
restrictions thereon shall lapse, subject to Sections 4(d) and 7(a) hereof, with
respect to one-third of the Shares subject thereto on the first anniversary of
the Grant Date of such Restricted Stock and as to one-twelfth of the Shares
subject thereto on each quarterly anniversary of such Grant Date thereafter,
subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through each such
vesting date. Consistent with the applicable provisions of this Section 4, the
terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock shall be set forth in a Restricted
Stock Agreement to be entered into by the Company and Executive in substantially
the form attached hereto as Exhibit D which shall evidence the grant of the
Restricted Stock (the “Restricted Stock Agreement”). The Restricted Stock shall
be governed in all respects by the terms of the Plan and the Restricted Stock
Agreement.
 
(d) Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the
event that a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) occurs and Executive
remains employed until at least immediately prior to the closing of the Change
in Control, then, immediately prior to such Change in Control, 50% of the
then-unvested Shares subject to each of the Option and the Restricted Stock
award shall vest.

(e) Additional Terms. The Option shall terminate immediately upon Executive’s
termination of employment for Cause (as defined below), without regard to the
vested status of such Option at the time of such a termination. In the event of
any other termination of employment, the Option, to the extent vested, shall
remain outstanding and exercisable for a period of up to (i) 180 days following
Executive’s termination of employment for any reason other than Cause or due to
death or Disability (as defined below), and (ii) one year following Executive’s
termination of employment due to death or Disability (but in no event beyond the
stated expiration date of the Option).

(f) Additional Discretionary Equity Grants. During the Employment Period,
Executive shall be eligible as a senior executive of the Company to receive
future grants of equity-based awards, including, without limitation, upon
authorization of additional Shares for grant under the Plan. The award of
additional equity-based awards (if any) pursuant to this Section 4(f) shall be
made in the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee thereof
and shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Board or the
Compensation Committee may determine.
 
 
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(g) Equity Grant Allocation. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 4(b) and
4(c) above, if, on the Grant Date, the Fair Market Value of a Share is greater
than $7 per Share, then the parties agree to cooperate and work together in good
faith to adjust the number of Shares subject to the Option and/or Restricted
Stock grants described in Sections 4(b) and 4(c) above to reflect the value
intended to be provided to Executive under the Options and Restricted Stock had
such awards been granted in the amounts stated in Sections 4(b) and 4(c) above
with the Options having an exercise price equal to $7 per Share.

5. Benefits and Vacation. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
eligible to participate in such group life, health, accident, disability and/or
hospitalization insurance and retirement plans as the Company may make available
generally to its senior executives as a group, which plans shall be no less
favorable in the aggregate than those maintained for the benefit of Executive
immediately prior to the Effective Time, without regard to sale participation
and retirement bonus arrangements pursuant to agreements between Executive and
Hooters Management Corporation, subject to the terms and conditions of any such
plans. In addition, Executive shall be eligible for such other benefits,
perquisites, paid vacation and holidays, to the extent applicable generally to
other senior executives of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of
the applicable policies. In addition, the Company agrees to consider the
implementation of a nonqualified deferred compensation plan and an executive
supplemental life insurance program. Nothing contained herein shall, or shall be
construed so as to, obligate the Company to adopt, maintain or continue any
particular plans, policies or programs at any time.

6. Expenses. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to
receive prompt reimbursement of all reasonable business expenses incurred by
Executive in accordance with the expense reimbursement policy applicable to the
Company’s senior executives, as in effect from time to time.

7. Termination of Employment.
 
(a) Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason. The Company may terminate
Executive’s employment without Cause (as defined below) at any time during the
Employment Period upon ten (10) days’ written notice provided to Executive in
accordance with Section 8 below or, in the Company’s sole discretion, payment of
Executive’s Base Salary for such period in lieu of notice. In addition,
Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason (as defined below) at any
time during the Employment Period in accordance with the terms of Section
7(i)(ii) hereof. If Executive experiences a “separation from service” (within
the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code, and Treasury Regulation
Section 1.409A-1(h)) (“Separation from Service”) due to a termination by the
Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, the Company shall
promptly or, in the case of obligations described in clause (iv) below, as such
obligations become due, pay or provide to Executive, (i) Executive’s earned but
unpaid Base Salary accrued through the date of such Separation from Service (the
“Termination Date”), (ii) accrued but unpaid vacation time through the
Termination Date, (iii) reimbursement of any unreimbursed business expenses
incurred by Executive prior to the Termination Date that are reimbursable under
Section 6 above, (iv) any vested benefits and other amounts due to Executive
under any plan, program or policy of the Company, (v) if the Termination Date
occurs after the end of a fiscal quarter but before the Bonus Payment Date in
respect of such quarter, the quarterly bonus that would have been paid pursuant
to Section 3(b)(i) had Executive remained employed until the Bonus Payment Date,
and (vi) any payment in lieu of notice of termination under this Section 7(a)
(together, the “Accrued Obligations”). In addition, subject to Section 7(f)
below and Executive’s execution and non-revocation of a binding release in
accordance with Section 7(g) below, in the event of a termination of Executive’s
employment by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, the
Company shall pay or provide to Executive the following (the “Severance”):
 
 
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(x) a lump-sum payment equal to the greater of (A) the Base Salary that would
have been payable over the remainder of the Employment Period (without regard to
any subsequent extensions thereof) had Executive not incurred a Separation from
Service at the rate in effect as of the Termination Date, or (B) 200% of the
Base Salary in effect as of the Termination Date; provided that 200% shall be
replaced by 250% if such termination occurs within the one year period after
either of (I) a Change in Control or (II) the consummation of an Excluded
Acquisition (as defined in the Plan) that, but for the Change in Control
Exceptions (as defined in the Plan), would constitute a Change in Control;
provided further, that if within the six month period following such
termination, an event described in clause (I) or (II) occurs, Executive shall be
entitled to an additional payment on the six month anniversary of such
termination so that the total payments received pursuant to this Section 7(a)(x)
equals 250% of the Base Salary in effect as of the Termination Date; and

(y) 50% of the then-unvested Shares subject to each of the Option and the
Restricted Stock award shall vest immediately prior to such termination,
provided, that if such termination occurs within the one year period after
either of (A) a Change in Control or (B) the consummation of an Excluded
Acquisition (as defined in the Plan) that, but for the Change in Control
Exceptions (as defined in the Plan), would constitute a Change in Control, in
either case, then all of the then-unvested Shares subject to each of the Option
and the Restricted Stock award shall vest immediately prior to such termination;
provided further, if the preceding proviso is not applicable, then the portion
of the Option and Restricted Stock award that did not vest immediately prior to
such termination shall conditionally remain outstanding and unvested, and if
within the six month period following such termination, an event described in
clause (A) or (B) occurs, such unvested portion shall vest upon such event, and
as to the Option, shall remain exercisable for at least 30 days thereafter
(unless canceled in connection with such Change in Control), and if within the
six month period following such termination, an event described in clause (A) or
(B) does not occur, such unvested portion shall be forfeited on the six-month
anniversary of the Termination Date; notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event
shall any portion of any such award remain outstanding beyond its stated
expiration date; and
 
 
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(z) at the Company’s expense, continuation of group healthcare coverage for
Executive and his legal dependents until the earlier of (i) eighteen months
after the Termination Date, or (ii) such time as Executive becomes eligible to
receive comparable benefits under another employer’s group health plan,
provided, in any case, that Executive properly elects continuation healthcare
coverage under COBRA; following such continuation period, any further
continuation of coverage under applicable law shall be at Executive’s sole
expense.

Subject to Section 7(g) below and except as expressly provided in Section
7(a)(x) above, the Severance amounts described in Section 7(a)(x) above shall be
paid to Executive no later than fifteen calendar days following the Termination
Date. In no event shall an election not to extend the Employment Period in
accordance with Section 1 hereof constitute a termination of employment without
Cause or for Good Reason.
 
(b) Resignation without Good Reason. Executive may terminate his employment at
any time without Good Reason upon thirty (30) days’ written notice provided to
the Company in accordance with Section 8 hereof, provided, that the Company may,
in its sole discretion, waive such notice period without payment in lieu
thereof. If Executive so resigns his employment, Executive shall be entitled to
receive the Accrued Obligations promptly or, in the case of benefits described
in Section 7(a)(iv) above, as such obligations become due, provided the
Executive shall not be entitled to any payment described in Section 7(a)(v)
above.

(c) Death; Disability. If Executive dies during the Employment Period or his
employment is terminated due to his total and permanent disability (as
determined by the Board), Executive or his estate, as applicable, shall be
entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations promptly or, in the case of benefits
described in Section 7(a)(iv) above, as such obligations become due. 

(d) Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment for Cause by
providing notice to Executive in accordance with Section 8 hereof. If the
Company terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, Executive shall be entitled
to receive the Accrued Obligations promptly or, in the case of benefits
described in Section 7(a)(iv) above, as such obligations become due, provided
the Executive shall not be entitled to any payment described in Section 7(a)(v)
above.

(e) Non-Renewal. Either party may terminate Executive’s employment by electing
not to renew the Employment Period in accordance with Section 1 hereof. Upon
Executive’s Separation from Service in connection with any such election,
Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations promptly or, in
the case of benefits described in Section 7(a)(iv) above, as such obligations
become due. In addition, if the Company elects not to renew the Employment
Period and (i) Executive is willing and able to renew the Employment Period on
substantially similar terms to those in effect at the time of such Company
non-renewal, and (ii) Executive remains employed through the last day of the
Term (other than due to an involuntary termination without Cause, resignation by
Executive for Good Reason, or due to Executive’s death or Disability), then
subject to Section 7(f) below and Executive’s execution and non-revocation of a
binding release in accordance with Section 7(g) below, the Company shall pay or
provide to Executive (the “Non-Renewal Benefits”) (x) a lump-sum payment equal
to 75% of the Base Salary in effect as of the Termination Date, and (y) at the
Company’s expense, continuation of group healthcare coverage for Executive and
his legal dependents until the earlier of (A) twelve months after the
Termination Date, (B) such time as Executive becomes eligible to receive
comparable benefits under another employer’s group health plan, provided, in any
case, that Executive properly elects continuation healthcare coverage under
COBRA; following such continuation period, any further continuation of coverage
under applicable law shall be at Executive’s sole expense. Subject to Section
7(g) below, the lump-sum payments described in this Section 7(e) shall be paid
(if payable) to Executive no later than fifteen calendar days following the
Termination Date.
 
 
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(f) Potential Six-Month Delay. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, no compensation or benefits, including without limitation any
Severance or Non-Renewal Payment, shall be paid to Executive during the 6-month
period following his Separation from Service to the extent that the Company
determines that Executive is a “specified employee” at the time of such
Separation from Service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) and
that that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this Agreement
would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(b)(i) of the Code.
If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous
sentence, then on the first business day following the end of such 6-month
period (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section
409A of the Code without being subject to such additional taxes, including as a
result of Executive’s death), the Company shall pay to Executive a lump-sum
amount equal to the cumulative amount that would have otherwise been payable to
Executive during such 6-month period.

(g) Release. Executive’s right to receive any of the Severance payments and
benefits, accelerated vesting or Non-Renewal Benefits set forth in this Section
7 is conditioned on and subject to the execution and non-revocation by Executive
of a general release of claims against the Company, substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit E, as may be amended to reflect changes in applicable
law.

(h) Termination of Offices and Directorships. Upon termination of Executive’s
employment for any reason, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all
offices and directorships, if any, then held with the Company or any affiliate,
and shall take all actions reasonably requested by the Company to effectuate the
foregoing.

(i) Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

(i)  “Cause” shall mean: (A) any willful and material failure by Executive to
perform his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement (other than due to
Executive’s disability); (B) any material act of fraud, embezzlement, theft or
misappropriation by Executive relating to the Company or its business or assets,
(C) Executive’s commission of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; (D)
any gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Executive in the
conduct of his duties and responsibilities with the Company or which has a
materially adverse economic impact on the Company or its affiliates; or (E) any
willful and material breach by Executive of this Agreement, provided, that no
termination for Cause shall be effective unless and until (1) the Company has
first provided Executive with written notice specifically identifying the acts
or omissions constituting the grounds for “Cause” within thirty (30) days after
the Company has knowledge of the occurrence thereof, and (2) if capable of cure,
Executive has not cured such acts or omissions within fifteen (15) days of his
actual receipt of such notice. For purposes of the foregoing, no act or failure
to act shall be deemed willful unless done in bad faith, and a failure to meet
performance expectations, after a good faith effort to do so, shall not in of
itself constitute Cause.
 
 
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(ii)  “Good Reason” shall mean the Company’s material breach of this Agreement,
including: (A) a material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus,
(B) a material reduction in Executive’s job duties and responsibilities or the
assignment to Executive of any duties inconsistent in any material respect with
Executive’s position with the Company, or (C) a relocation of Executive’s
principal work location to a location that is more than 50 miles from
Executive’s principal work location as of the date of the Closing, provided,
that no resignation for Good Reason shall be effective unless and until
(1) Executive has first provided the Company with written notice specifically
identifying the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason”
within thirty (30) days after Executive has or should reasonably be expected to
have had knowledge of the occurrence thereof, (2) the Company has not cured such
acts or omissions within thirty (30) days of its actual receipt of such notice,
and (3) the effective date of Executive’s termination for Good Reason occurs no
later than ninety (90) days after the initial existence of the facts or
circumstances constituting Good Reason.

8. Notice. Any notice or other communication required or permitted under this
Agreement shall be effective only if it is in writing and delivered personally
or sent by fax, email or registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows (or if it is sent through any other method agreed upon by
the parties):
 
If to the Company:
 
Chanticleer Holdings, Inc.
4201 Congress Street, Suite 145
Charlotte, NC 28209
Fax: (704) 366-5122
Attention: Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel
 
If to Executive: to Executive’s most current home address on file with the
Company’s Human Resources Department, or to such other address as any party
hereto may designate by notice to the other in accordance with this Section 8,
and shall be deemed to have been given upon receipt.
 
 
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9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.  

(a) Gross-Up Payment. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding
and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any
Payment (as defined below) would be subject to the Excise Tax (as defined
below), then Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (the
“Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that, after payment by
Executive of all taxes (and any interest or penalties imposed with respect to
such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest
and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the
Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of the Excise Tax
Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(a), if it shall be
determined that Executive is entitled to the Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment, but
that the Parachute Value (as defined below) of all Payments does not exceed 110%
of the Safe Harbor Amount (as defined below), then no Excise Tax Gross-Up
Payment shall be made to Executive and the amounts payable under this Agreement
shall instead be reduced so that the Parachute Value of all Payments, in the
aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount. The reduction of the amounts payable
hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by first reducing the payments under
Section 7(a)(x) hereof, unless an alternative method of reduction is elected by
Executive, and in any event shall be made in such a manner as to maximize the
Value (as defined below) of all Payments actually made to Executive. The
Company’s obligation to make Excise Tax Gross-Up Payments under this Section 9
shall not be conditioned upon Executive’s termination of employment or
Executive’s Separation from Service. For purposes of determining the amount of
any Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment, Executive shall be considered to pay federal
income tax at Executive’s actual marginal rate of federal income taxation in the
calendar year in which the Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state
and local income taxes at Executive’s actual marginal rate of taxation in the
state and locality of Executive’s residence on the date on which the Excise Tax
Gross-Up Payment is calculated for purposes of this Section 9, net of
Executive’s actual reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained
from deduction of such state and local taxes, and taking into consideration the
phase-out of Executive’s itemized deductions under federal income tax law.

(b) Determinations. Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c) below, all
determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and
when an Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such Excise Tax
Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such
determination, shall be made by such nationally recognized accounting firm as
may be selected by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”); provided, that the
Accounting Firm’s determination shall be made based upon “substantial authority”
within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code. The Accounting Firm shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Executive
within fifteen business days of the receipt of notice from Executive that there
has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. All fees
and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any
Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be
paid by the Company to Executive within five days of the receipt of the
Accounting Firm’s determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall
be binding upon the Company and Executive, unless the Company obtains an opinion
of outside legal counsel, based upon at least “substantial authority” within the
meaning of Section 6662 of the Code, reaching a different determination, in
which event such legal opinion shall be binding upon the Company and Executive.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall any Excise
Tax Gross-Up Payment or any payment of any income or other taxes to be paid by
the Company under this Section 9 be made later than the end of Executive’s
taxable year next following Executive’s taxable year in which Executive remits
the related taxes. Any costs and expenses incurred by the Company on behalf of
Executive under this Section 9 due to any tax contest, audit or litigation will
be paid by the Company promptly upon the date the Excise Tax (or any related
penalties and interest) is due, and in no event later than by the end of
Executive’s taxable year following Executive’s taxable year in which the taxes
that are the subject of the tax contest, audit or litigation are remitted to the
taxing authority, or where as a result of such tax contest, audit or litigation
no taxes are remitted, the end of Executive’s taxable year following Executive’s
taxable year in which the audit is completed or there is a final and
non-appealable settlement or other resolution of the contest or litigation.
 
 
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(c) Notification; Contest. Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of the Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment. Such notification
shall be given as soon as practicable, but no later than 15 business days after
Executive is informed in writing of such claim. Executive shall apprise the
Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is
requested to be paid. Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration
of the 30-day period following the date on which Executive gives such notice to
the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes
with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies Executive in writing
prior to the expiration of such period that the Company desires to contest such
claim, Executive shall:
 
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company
relating to such claim,
 
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company
shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without
limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an
attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
 
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest
such claim, and
 
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such
claim;
 
provided, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses
(including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such
contest, and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis,
for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties) imposed as a
result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without
limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall
control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest, and, at its sole
discretion, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings,
hearings and conferences with the applicable taxing authority in respect of such
claim and may, at its sole discretion, either direct Executive to pay the tax
claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and
Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any
administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more
appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, that any extension
of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year
of Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is
limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of
the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which the Excise Tax
Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder, and Executive shall be entitled to
settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal
Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
 
 
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(d) Refund. If, after the receipt by Executive of an Excise Tax Gross-Up
Payment, Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to the
Excise Tax to which such Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment relates, Executive shall
(subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)
hereof, if applicable) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund
(together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable
thereto).
 
(e) Excise Tax Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section
9, the Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold and pay over to the
Internal Revenue Service or any other applicable taxing authority, for the
benefit of Executive, all or any portion of any Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment, and
Executive hereby consents to such withholding. Any other liability for unpaid or
unwithheld Excise Taxes shall be borne exclusively by the Company, in accordance
with Section 3403 of the Code. The foregoing sentence shall not in any manner
relieve the Company of any of its obligations under this Employment Agreement.
 
(f) Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings for
purposes of this Section 9:
 
(i) “Excise Tax” shall mean the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code,
together with any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such excise tax.

(ii) “Parachute Value” of a Payment shall mean the present value as of the date
of the change of control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code of the portion
of such Payment that constitutes a “parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(2)
of the Code, as determined by the Accounting Firm for purposes of determining
whether and to what extent the Excise Tax will apply to such Payment.

(iii) “Payment” shall mean any payment or distribution in the nature of
compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for
the benefit of Executive, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement or
otherwise.
 
 
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(iv) “Safe Harbor Amount” shall mean 2.99 times Executive’s “base amount,”
within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code.

(v)  “Value” of a Payment shall mean the economic present value of a Payment as
of the date of the change of control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code,
as determined by the Accounting Firm using the discount rate required by Section
280G(d)(4) of the Code.

10. Restrictive Covenants.
 
(a)  Non-Competition. During the Restricted Period, Executive will not (except
as an officer, director, stockholder, member, manager, employee, agent or
consultant of the Company) directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, join,
or have a financial interest in, control or participate in the ownership,
management, operation or control of, or be employed as an employee, agent or
consultant, or in any other individual or representative capacity whatsoever, or
use or permit his name to be used in connection with, or be otherwise connected
in any manner with any Competitive Enterprise; provided that the foregoing
restriction shall not be construed to prohibit the ownership by Executive
together with his affiliates and associates, as the case may be, of not more
than five percent (5%) of any class of securities of any corporation which is
engaged in any Competitive Business, provided further, that such ownership
represents a passive investment and that Executive together with his affiliates
and associates, either directly or indirectly, do not manage or exercise control
of any such corporation, guarantee any of its financial obligations, otherwise
take part in its business other than exercising Executive’s rights as a
shareholder, or seek to do any of the foregoing.

(b)  Non-Solicitation. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not,
directly or indirectly, solicit or influence any individual who is an employee
or consultant of the Company to terminate his or her employment or consulting
relationship with the Company or to apply for or accept employment with a
Competitive Enterprise.

(c)  Trade Secrets and Confidential Information. Executive recognizes that it is
in the legitimate business interest of the Company to restrict his disclosure or
use of Trade Secrets or other Confidential Information relating to the Company
for any purpose other than in connection with Executive’s performance of his
duties to the Company, and to limit any potential appropriation of such Trade
Secrets or other Confidential Information. Executive therefore agrees that all
Trade Secrets or other Confidential Information relating to the Company
heretofore or in the future obtained by Executive shall be considered
confidential and the proprietary information of the Company. Executive shall not
use or disclose, or authorize any other person or entity to use or disclose, any
Trade Secrets or other Confidential Information.

(d)  Remedies. Executive agrees that the Company’s remedies at law for any
breach or threat of breach by Executive of any of the provisions of this Section
10 will be inadequate, and that, in addition to any other remedy to which the
Company may be entitled at law or in equity, the Company shall be entitled to a
temporary or permanent injunction or injunctions or temporary restraining order
or orders to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Section 10 and to
enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, in each case without the
need to post any security or bond and without the requirement to prove that
monetary damages would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would
be inadequate. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting the
Company from pursuing, in addition, any other remedies available to the Company
for such breach or threatened breach.
 
 
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(e)  Enforceability. It is expressly understood and agreed that although the
parties consider the restrictions contained in this Section 10 hereof to be
reasonable for the purpose of preserving the goodwill, proprietary rights and
going concern value of the Company, if a final determination is made by an
arbitrator or court, as the case may be, having jurisdiction that the time or
territory or any other restriction contained in this Section 10 is an
unenforceable restriction on Executive’s activities, the provisions of this
Section 10 shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed amended to apply as to
such maximum time and territory and to such other extent as such arbitrator or
court, as the case may be, may determine or indicate to be reasonable.
Alternatively, if the arbitrator or court, as the case may be, referred to above
finds that any restriction contained in this Section 10 or any remedy provided
herein is unenforceable, and such restriction or remedy cannot be amended so as
to make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect the enforceability of any
of the other restrictions contained therein or the availability of any other
remedy.

(f)  Definitions. For purposes of this Section 10:

(i) “Competitive Enterprise” means any business that owns or operates a
restaurant chain with at least 10 stores, and either (A) operates under the
Hooters brand name, (B) derived more than 25% of total food revenue in the
preceding 12 month period from sales of chicken wings or related buffalo style
chicken items and more than 15% of total food and beverage revenue in the
preceding 12 month period from the sale of alcoholic beverages, or (C) features
female sex appeal in a casual dining setting. 
 
(ii) “Restricted Period” shall mean the period commencing on the Effective Date
and ending on the first anniversary following the termination of Executive’s
employment, provided that if such termination occurs by reason of a nonrenewal
of the Employment Period, Restricted Period shall end nine months following such
termination.
 
(iii) “Trade Secrets or other Confidential Information” by way of example and
without limitation, and in whatever medium, includes the whole or any portion or
phase of any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure,
formula, machine, invention, improvement, manufacturing or sales technique,
manufacturing, sales or test data, reimbursement information, business or
financial information, listing of names, addresses, or telephone numbers, or
other information relating to any business or profession which is of value.
 
 
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11. Indemnification. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement,
Executive and the Company shall enter into an Indemnification Agreement
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F.

12. Arbitration. Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating
to this Agreement or the breach of this Agreement shall be resolved by binding
arbitration in Clearwater, Florida administered by the American Arbitration
Association (“AAA”) or, if administration by AAA is unavailable for any reason,
then by J.A.M.S. and, in any case, judgment on the award rendered by the
arbitrator may be entered in and fully enforced by any court having jurisdiction
thereof. All fees and expenses of the arbitrators and all other expenses of the
arbitration, except for attorneys’ fees and witness expenses, which shall be
borne by each party as incurred by such party, shall be shared equally by
Executive and the Company. However, if in any arbitration proceeding or
injunctive action, Executive is the prevailing party on any material claim, the
Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable attorneys’ fees actually
incurred by Executive in connection with such proceeding or action.

13. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective at the Effective Time.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in the event that the SPA or APA is
terminated in accordance with its terms or that either Closing otherwise does
not occur for any reason, or if Exhibit A is not agreed to by July 14, 2008,
this Agreement shall automatically, and without notice, terminate without any
obligation due to the other party and the provisions of this Agreement shall be
of no force or effect.

14. Representations. Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company
that (a) Executive is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that the
performance of his obligations hereunder will not violate any agreement between
Executive and any other person, firm, organization or other entity, and (b)
Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer
or other party to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the
business of such previous employer or other party that would be violated by his
entering into this Agreement and/or providing services to the Company pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement.

15. Section 409A. To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted
in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and any applicable exemptions
therefrom. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if
at any time the Company determines that any payments or benefits payable
hereunder may be subject to Section 409A of the Code or may not comply with
Section 409A of the Code, the Company may adopt such amendments to this
Agreement or take such other actions that the Company determines are necessary
or appropriate to (i) exempt such payments and benefits from Section 409A of the
Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of such payments or benefits, or
(ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. To the extent
that any reimbursable expenses are deemed to constitute compensation to
Executive, such expenses shall be reimbursed by December 31 of the year
following the year in which the expense was incurred, provided that the
foregoing shall not be construed so as to extend the time by which
reimbursements are to be made under Section 6 above. The amount of any expense
reimbursements that constitute compensation in one year shall not affect the
amount of expense reimbursements constituting compensation that are eligible for
reimbursement in any subsequent year, and Executive’s right to reimbursement of
any such expenses shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other
benefit.
 
 
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16. Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

17. Entire Agreement. As of the Effective Date, this Agreement, together with
the agreements contained in the exhibits hereto, constitutes the final, complete
and exclusive agreement between Executive and the Company with respect to the
subject matter hereof and replaces and supersedes any and all other agreements,
offers or promises, whether oral or written, made to Executive by the Company or
any representative thereof. Executive agrees that any such agreement, offer or
promise is hereby terminated and will be of no further force or effect, and that
upon his execution of this Agreement, Executive will have no right or interest
in or with respect to any such agreement, offer or promise.

18. Amendment. The terms of this Agreement may not be amended or modified other
than by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto or their respective
successors.

19. Acknowledgement. Executive hereby acknowledges (a) that Executive has
consulted with or has had the opportunity to consult with independent counsel of
his own choice concerning this Agreement, and has been advised to do so by the
Company, and (b) that Executive has read and understands this Agreement, is
fully aware of its legal effect, and has entered into it freely based on his own
judgment.

20. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts
of laws principles thereof.

21. No Waiver. Failure by either party hereto to insist upon strict compliance
with any provision of this Agreement or to assert any right such party may have
hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any
other provision or right of this Agreement.

22. Assignment. This Agreement is binding on and for the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors, heirs, executors, administrators and
other legal representatives. Neither this Agreement nor any right or obligation
hereunder may be assigned by Executive.

23. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
 
 
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24. Construction. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each party has
reviewed and negotiated the terms and provisions of this Agreement and has had
the opportunity to contribute to its revision. Accordingly, the rule of
construction to the effect that ambiguities are resolved against the drafting
party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. Rather, the
terms of this Agreement shall be construed fairly as to all parties hereto and
not in favor or against any party by the rule of construction abovementioned.

25. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and
the same instrument.

26. Captions. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions
hereof, rather they are included for convenience only and shall have no force or
effect.

[Signature page follows]
 
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date and
year first above written.

        CHANTICLEER HOLDINGS, INC.  
   
   
  By:   /s/ Michael Pruitt    

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Name: Michael Pruitt
 
Title: Chairman, Chief Executive Office and
President

        EXECUTIVE  
   
   
  By:   /s/ Salvatore Mellili  

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