Exhibit 10.1
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Employment and Compensation Agreement
PURPOSE
This document sets forth the terms of an agreement (the Agreement) between
EZCORP, Inc. (the Company) and Joseph L. Rotunda. Its purpose is to confirm the
terms of employment and compensation of Mr. Rotunda and to further the interests
of the Company and its shareholders by encouraging Mr. Rotunda:

  1.   To remain with the Company and continue to lead its growth plans for the
foreseeable future.     2.   To assist in the development and implementation of
a comprehensive senior executive succession plan in order to insure continued
strong leadership for the Company.     3.   To continue to serve the Company and
its shareholders, following retirement, in an active consulting capacity.

This Agreement supersedes all prior employment and compensation agreements
between the parties except for the two Restricted Stock Award agreements between
the Company and Mr. Rotunda, dated January 15, 2004 and October 2, 2006, the
terms and conditions of which shall remain in force without modification.
TERM OF THE AGREEMENT
This Agreement will be effective for the period January 1, 2009, through
October 8, 2010. At the end of this initial term, the Agreement may be extended
for additional periods of 12 months by mutual consent of both parties. Each
party will provide the other with 12 months advance notice of a desire and
intent to extend the original term of this Agreement.
GENERAL TERMS OF COMPENSATION
The parties agree and acknowledge that Mr. Rotunda’s employment is and will
continue to be solely with Texas EZPAWN, L.P., an affiliate of the Company, and
that he is not an employee of EZCORP, Inc. The Company agrees that it will cause
and direct Texas EZPAWN, L.P., as Mr. Rotunda’s employer, to comply and adhere
to the applicable provisions of this Agreement related to Mr. Rotunda’s
employment. Mr. Rotunda’s title will continue to be President and Chief
Executive Officer of EZCORP, Inc., and he will continue to report to the
Chairman of the Board of Directors.
For fiscal 2009, Mr. Rotunda’s base salary will be $975,000, paid in accordance
with the Company’s standard payroll practices. His salary will be reviewed and
considered for merit increases prior to the beginning of each fiscal year of
active employment; however, there is no guarantee that his base salary will
increase every year.

      SBB          /s/ SBB            JLR          /s/ JLR         

 

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Mr. Rotunda will be eligible for a bonus in fiscal 2009 and each fiscal year of
active employment, subject to the terms of the Company’s then-current Incentive
Compensation Program. His Bonus Target amount for fiscal years 2009 and 2010
will be 150% of base salary. Mr. Rotunda’s individual award will be determined
by actual results achieved against previously established objectives. While it
is possible that he may fail to earn a bonus in any given year, it is also
possible for him to earn up to I50% of the Bonus Target amount for outstanding
performance.
Based upon his years of service, Mr. Rotunda will be eligible for 4 weeks paid
vacation and 5 paid personal days, annually. Unused vacation days and personal
days cannot be carried over from one year to another.
As President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rotunda will continue to be
eligible for participation in all Company benefit programs, including medical,
dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability insurance and accidental
death & disability insurance, in accordance with the applicable terms and
conditions of those respective plans. He will continue to be eligible for
participation in the Company’s 401(k) Plan, subject to that plan’s terms and
conditions, and he will be eligible to participate, at the highest level, in the
Company’s Executive Medical Supplement Plan and Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan, in accordance with the terms and conditions of those plans.
POST-EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS

  A.   RESIGNATION FROM THE COMPANY

  1.   Voluntary Resignation or Retirement Prior to Expiration of this
Agreement: In the event of Mr. Rotunda’s voluntary resignation, or his
retirement from the Company, prior to the expiration of this Agreement, he will
receive his accrued base salary through the effective date of his resignation or
retirement. In addition, he will receive a sum equal to a prorated portion of
his current-year Bonus Target amount, payable as a lump sum within 30 days of
such resignation or retirement, and he will receive no other termination
benefits.

  2.   Resignation for Good Reason: Mr. Rotunda shall provide written notice to
the Company of the existence of a condition or reason he believes constitutes
Good Reason, as defined below. This written notice must be provided within 90
days of discovery of such condition or reason; it must also provide sufficient
detail to allow the Company an opportunity to respond and, if required, to cure
the specified condition or reason within 30 days of receiving such notice. If
the Company cures the condition, or if the reason does not constitute Good
Reason as defined below, Mr. Rotunda will withdraw his notice.         For
purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” will be defined as any action, without
Mr. Rotunda’s written consent, which results in one or more of the following:

  a)   Material diminution of, or material change to, his job title; reporting
relationship, or responsibilities, authorities and duties from his current role
as President

      SBB          /s/ SBB            JLR          /s/ JLR         

 

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      and Chief Executive Officer of EZCORP.     b)   Reduction of his annual
base salary below $975,000.     c)   Removal of his principal work location from
the Austin metropolitan area to a municipality more than 50 miles distant from
Austin.     d)   Failure to re-elect him as a member of the EZCORP, Inc. Board
of Directors.     e)   A change of control as defined in the EZCORP, Inc. 2006
Incentive Plan, including any amendments to that plan.     f)   A requirement
that he perform an unlawful, dishonest or unethical act.

      If the condition or reason cited by Mr. Rotunda, in fact, constitutes Good
Reason as defined above, and if the Company does not cure the specified
condition or reason within the 30 day notice period, Mr. Rotunda may resign and
the following compensation and benefits will be provided to him:

  a)   Continuation of his base salary through the effective date of his
resignation for Good Reason.     b)   Payment of a sum equal to a prorated
portion of his current-year Target Bonus amount, payable as a lump sum within
30 days of such resignation.     c)   Payment of an amount equal to one year of
his then-current base salary plus his most recent annual bonus award, payable as
a lump sum within 30 days of his resignation.     d)   Continuation of his
Company healthcare plan under COBRA and at the COBRA rate for a period of one
year, during which time the Company will reimburse him for COBRA costs,
including the gross-up of such payments for federal taxes.

  B.   TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY

  1.   Termination for Cause: In the event of a termination of Mr. Rotunda’s
employment by the Company for Cause, as defined below, he will receive his base
salary through the effective date of such termination, paid according to the
regular payroll schedule of the Company, and he will receive no other
termination benefits. The Company will provide Mr. Rotunda with written notice
of the existence of any reason it believes constitutes Cause within 90 days of
discovery of such reason. If the reason cited is such that Mr. Rotunda is able
to cure the Cause within 30 days, the Company will provide that period for cure
prior to any termination.         For purposes of this Agreement, ''Cause” is
defined as any intentional and material misapplication of Company funds; any
material act of dishonesty; any conviction of a felony involving moral
turpitude; any conviction for the unlawful possession of a controlled substance;
any action involving willful and material malfeasance or gross negligence in the
performance of duties, or any on-going refusal to perform the lawful and
reasonable business directives of the Board of Directors. Unsatisfactory job
performance, without the existence of any of the other reasons set forth in this
paragraph, shall not constitute Cause under this Agreement.

      SBB          /s/ SBB            JLR          /s/ JLR         

 

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  2.   Termination without Cause: In the event that Mr. Rotunda is terminated
without cause, he will receive the following compensation and benefits:

  a)   Continuation of his base salary through the effective date of his
termination without cause.     b)   Payment of a sum equal to a prorated portion
of his current-year Target Bonus amount, payable as a lump sum within 30 days of
such termination.     c)   Payment of an amount equal to three years of his
then-current base salary, plus an amount equal to his most recent annual bonus
award, payable as a lump sum within 30 days of his termination.     d)  
Continuation of his Company healthcare plan under COBRA and at the COBRA rate
for a period of one year, during which time the Company will reimburse him for
COBRA costs, including the gross-up of such payments for federal taxes.

  C.   TERMINATION DUE TO DEATH OR DISABILITY

  1.   Death: In the event of Mr. Rotunda’s death during his active employment
with the Company his employment will terminate immediately and the following
compensation and benefits will be paid:

  a)   Continuation of his base salary through the effective date of his
termination due to death.     b)   Payment to his estate of a sum equal to a
prorated portion of his current-year Target Bonus amount, payable as a lump sum
within 30 days of such termination.     c)   Payment to his estate of an amount
equal to one year of his then-current base salary plus his most recent annual
bonus award, payable as a lump sum within 30 days of his termination.     d)  
Continuation of coverage in the Company’s healthcare plan under COBRA and at the
COBRA rate for his spouse for a period of one year, during which time the
Company will reimburse her for COBRA costs, including the gross-up of such
payments for federal taxes.

  2.   Disability: During his active employment with the Company, should
Mr. Rotunda become totally disabled or unable to perform the essential functions
of his position (with reasonable accommodation) for a period of at least
6 months, the Company may elect to terminate his employment at any time
thereafter. If the Company elects to terminate his employment due to disability
and Mr. Rotunda is unable to fulfill the duties as outlined below in Section D.,
Mutually Agreed Retirement, he will receive the following compensation and
benefits:

      SBB          /s/ SBB            JLR          /s/ JLR         

 

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  a)   Continuation of his base salary through the effective date of his
termination due to disability.     b)   Payment of a sum equal to a prorated
portion of his current-year Target Bonus amount, payable as a lump sum within
30 days of such termination.     c)   Payment of an amount equal to one year of
his then-current base salary plus his most recent annual bonus award, payable as
a lump sum within 30 days of his termination.     d)   Continuation of his
Company healthcare plan under COBRA and at the COBRA rate for a period of one
year, during which time the Company will reimburse him for COBRA costs,
including the gross-up of such payments for federal taxes.

  D.   MUTUALLY AGREED RETIREMENT         Mr. Rotunda has the right to elect to
retire from the Company at any time in accordance with existing Company
policies. Nevertheless, it is in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders to insure the establishment and effective implementation of a plan
for the seamless transition of a successor to Mr. Rotunda’s key position; to
encourage Mr. Rotunda’s co-operation and assistance with that plan, and to
promote Mr. Rotunda’s continued association with the Company after his
retirement. Therefore, this section of the Agreement defines an augmented
retirement plan and a future role for Mr. Rotunda with the Company. Accordingly,
if Mr. Rotunda remains with the Company for the full term of this Agreement (or
other such date as mutually agreed by the parties), he will receive the
following compensation and benefits:

  a)   Continuation of his base salary through the last day of his active
employment with the Company.     b)   Payment of an amount equal to one year of
his then-current base salary plus his most recent annual bonus award, payable as
a lump sum on January 7, 2011.     c)   Continuation of his Company healthcare
plan under COBRA and at the COBRA rate for a period of one year, during which
time the Company will reimburse him for COBRA costs, including the gross-up of
such payments for federal taxes.     d)   A consulting agreement to perform
business-related activities for the Company, consistent with his experience and
stature. Under this consulting agreement, Mr. Rotunda will be employed as an
independent contractor during an initial contract term of 5 years. The annual
fee for his services will be $500,000, payable in equal monthly installments. In
addition, the consulting agreement will provide for an annual bonus plan, based
upon achievement of specific, quantifiable objectives set by the Company, with a
target bonus range of 50% to 100% of the annual fee. The consulting arrangement
will also provide for reimbursement of reasonable business and travel expense,
including expense for an offsite office, furniture and administrative support.
After its initial term of 5 years, the consulting agreement may be extended for
additional 12 month periods by mutual

      SBB          /s/ SBB            JLR          /s/ JLR         

 

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      consent of both parties, and each party agrees to provide the other with a
minimum of 12 months advance notice of intent for such initial extension and 6
months advance notice of intent for any extensions thereafter. Should Mr.
Rotunda’s consulting arrangement with the Company be prematurely terminated by
his death or disability, a sum equal to one year of the annual consulting fee,
plus one year of the target bonus amount, will be paid to his estate.

NON-SOLICITATION, NON-COMPETITION AND NON-DISPARAGEMENT
The Company agrees to provide Mr. Rotunda with access to confidential
information during his employment under this Agreement. Confidential information
means information not generally known and proprietary to the Company or to a
third party for which the Company is performing work.
In exchange for being provided with access to this information, Mr. Rotunda
agrees that, except as specifically required in the performance of his duties
for the Company, he will not, during the course of his employment by or
consulting with the Company, and after termination of his employment by or
consulting with the Company, directly or indirectly use, disclose or disseminate
to any other person, organization or entity or otherwise employ any confidential
information. Mr. Rotunda agrees to deliver to the Company upon the cessation of
his employment or consulting, and at any other time upon the Company’s request,
all such confidential information and not retain any copies.
Given Mr. Rotunda’s position with the Company, if he engages in any business
which is directly or indirectly competitive with the Company in the pawn, payday
loan, secondhand sales, or similar types of business (“Competing Business”),
such action will inevitably result in the disclosure of confidential information
in violation of this Agreement. Mr. Rotunda therefore agrees that, for
consideration provided in this Agreement, while he is employed by or consulting
with the Company, and for a period of 24 months after the termination date of
such employment or consulting, he will not directly or indirectly be employed
by, have ownership in, consult with, serve as an advisor to or, in any way, be
associated with a Competing Business within the Restricted Territory, without
the written approval by the Board of Directors of EZCORP. The term “Restricted
Territory” for purposes of this Agreement shall mean those states or provinces
in which the Company is doing business, or has committed to do business, as of
the time of his termination of employment or consulting.
Mr. Rotunda further agrees that, for consideration provided in this Agreement,
while he is employed by or consulting with the Company, and for 24 months after
the termination date of such employment or consulting, he will not directly or
indirectly solicit, contact or call upon any customer or business contact of the
Company with whom he had business dealings while employed by, or consulting
with, the Company with the intent to entice them to reduce or stop doing
business with the Company or in any other way harm their business relationship
with the Company.
Mr. Rotunda further agrees that, for consideration provided in this Agreement,
while he is employed by or consulting with the Company, and for 24 months after
the termination date

      SBB          /s/ SBB            JLR          /s/ JLR         

 

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of such employment or consulting, he will not recruit, hire or attempt to
recruit or hire, directly or by assisting others, any employee of the Company
with whom he had contact during his employment with the Company.
Mr. Rotunda agrees that the covenants contained in this Agreement are reasonable
and necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests in its
Confidential Information and its relationships with customers and contacts.
Further, the Company’s
obligation to pay the separation payments and provide the separation benefits
outlined in the various sections of this Agreement are conditioned upon
compliance with all of the provisions in this section of the Agreement, as
written.
Any questions concerning the provisions of this Agreement will be settled using
Texas law. Good faith disputes or controversy arising under, or in connection
with, this Agreement will be settled by arbitration. If arbitration is
necessary, such proceeding shall be conducted by final and binding arbitration
before an independent arbitrator, selected in accordance with Texas laws and
under the administration of the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Rotunda
agrees that no particular tax consequences are represented or guaranteed by the
provisions of this agreement and that he has been advised to review this
agreement with his tax advisor and attorney.
The undersigned agree to this Employment and Compensation Agreement and the
individual terms herein.

             
/s/ Sterling B. Brinkley
 
Sterling B. Brinkley,
      /s/ Joseph L. Rotunda
 
Joseph L. Rotunda,    
Chairman of the Board
      President & CEO    
EZCORP
      EZCORP    
 
           
January 22, 2009
      January 20, 2009    
 
           
Date
      Date    

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