EX-10.3



 Exhibit 10.3 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made as of March 14, 2016 between Wheeler Real Estate Investment
Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”) on its behalf and on behalf of its subsidiaries, including Wheeler REIT, L.P., a Virginia limited partnership, and Robin Hanisch (the “Executive”). 

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ the Executive to serve as its Secretary (“Secretary”), and the Executive is
willing to undertake such employment in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and 
 NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, it is agreed as follows: 
 1. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.
Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Company will employ the Executive as its Secretary beginning on March 14, 2016, and ending on March 13, 2019 (the “Term”). 

2. DUTIES. During the Term, the Executive will devote his best efforts to the business and affairs of the Company, perform such
services consistent with his position as are designated by the Company, and use his best efforts to promote the interest of the Company. In the role of Secretary, the Executive will perform duties consistent with a person in this capacity, and shall
also perform such other functions and undertake such other responsibilities as are customarily associated with such capacity. The Executive pledges that during the Term, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in any other business
that could reasonably be expected to detract from the Executive’s ability to apply his best efforts to the performance of his duties hereunder but may perform other duties in support of and be compensated by one or more companies affiliated
with the Company when reasonably requested to do so. The Executive further agrees to comply with all rules, regulations and policies established or issued by and made applicable to the Company’s executives generally. 

3. COMPENSATION. 
 3.1
The Company will pay the Executive a regular base salary commensurate with his position and performance, such salary to be determined from time to time by the Company, but to be not less than $125,000 per annum. Such salary will be payable in
periodic installments on the same basis as that of other executives of the Company. The Executive is eligible to participate in any current or future bonus, incentive, and other compensation plans available to the Company’s executives.
Adjustments to base salary and other amounts paid or granted under these plans are at the discretion of the Board of Directors, based on recommendations of its Compensation Committee. 

3.2 The Company shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable and necessary business expenses in accordance with the Company’s policies,
as adopted from time to time. 
 4. BENEFITS. The Executive and his family shall be entitled to participate in, and receive benefits
from, on a basis comparable to other senior executives, any insurance, medical, disability, or other executive benefit plans of the Company. 







 5. DEATH. If the Executive should die (a) after June 30, 2016 and
(b) during the Term, the Company will, in lieu of any other payments due under other provisions of this Agreement, pay to the Executive’s estate an amount equal to the sum of: (a) the Executive’s regular base salary (determined
on the date of death) for a period of twelve months following death; (b) the amount of cash bonus paid by the Company to the Executive for its last fiscal year; and (c) any accrued and unpaid bonus for the year in which the death occurs.
Thereafter, the Company will have no further obligation to the Executive or his estate under this Agreement. 
 6. DISABILITY. In the
event that the Executive, by reason of physical or mental incapacity is unable, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement for 120 consecutive days or longer on or after June 30,
2016 (“Disability”), then the Company will pay to the Executive his regular base salary for a twelve month period following the date on which the Disability first begins, net of any benefits received by the Executive under any
disability policy obtained by the Company or the Executive, the premiums for which are paid by the Company. Thereafter, the Company will have no obligation to pay the Executive any compensation under this Agreement. 

7. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. 

7.1 The Executive’s employment may be terminated at any time by the Company for “Cause.” As used in this Agreement, the
term Cause means (i) disloyalty or dishonesty towards the Company; (ii) gross or intentional neglect in performance of duties; (iii) incompetence or willful misconduct in performance of duties; (iv) substance abuse affecting the
Executive’s performance of duties; (v) willful violation of any law, rule, or regulation (other than minor traffic violations) related to the Executive’s duties; (vi) material breach of any provision of this Agreement or the
Company’s Code of Ethics, which shall not be cured within 10 days after written notice, or if the breach is not of a nature that can be completely cured within the 10 day period, if the Executive has failed to commence to cure the breach within
the 10 day period and has failed to pursue the cure of the breach diligently thereafter; or (vii) any other act or omission which harms or may reasonably be expected to harm the reputation and/or business interests of the Company. If the
employment is so terminated, the Executive will be entitled to receive any base salary earned and employee benefits accrued through the date of such termination, but the Company will have no further obligation to the Executive hereunder from and
after such date. 
 8. TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR BY THE EXECUTIVE WITH OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. 

8.1 At any point during the Term, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment immediately and without Cause. Additionally, the
Executive may resign from the employment of the Company at any time upon 60 days’ prior written notice with or without “Good Reason.” “Good Reason” shall mean any of the following: (i) a material breach of
this agreement by the Company which shall not be cured within 30 days after written notice; (ii) a material reduction in the Executive’s duties or responsibilities without the Executive’s consent; (iii) a relocation of the
Executive’s office to a location more than 30 miles from Virginia Beach, Virginia without the Executive’s consent; or (iv) a “Change in Control” (as defined below). The Company shall have 30 days after receipt of the
Executive’s notice of “Resignation with Good Reason” (as defined below) in which to cure the failure, breach or infraction described in the notice of resignation. If the failure, breach or infraction is timely cured by the
Company, the notices of Resignation with Good Reason shall become null and void. As used herein, a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur if: (i) there shall be consummated (a) any consolidation or merger of the
Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which the stock of the Company would be converted into cash, securities or 

  
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other property, other than a merger or consolidation of the Company in which the holders of the Company’s stock immediately prior to the merger or consolidation hold more than fifty percent
(50%) of the stock or other forms of equity of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger, or (b) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially
all, the assets of the Company; (ii) the Company’s Board of Directors approves any plan or proposal for liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or (iii) any person acquires more than 50% of the issued and outstanding common stock
of the Company. As used herein, “Resignation with Good Reason” shall mean a resignation by the Executive with Good Reason. 

8.2 If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause, then the Company shall: 

(a) pay to the Executive, as severance pay, a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (i) the Applicable Percentage (as such term is
defined below) of the Executive’s annual base salary for the last completed fiscal year and (ii) any earned but unpaid cash bonus for the year in which termination occurs. As used herein, the term Applicable Percentage shall equal 50% plus
2.5% per three months of employment by the Company or its predecessors in excess of three years. For example, if the Executive has been employed by the Company or its predecessors for 6 years and three months, the Applicable Percentage would be
82.5% (50% plus three 10% additions plus a single 2.5% addition). In no event shall the Applicable Percentage exceed 100%; and 
 (b)
arrange to provide the Executive, for a 12 month period (or such shorter period as the Executive may elect), with disability, accident and health insurance substantially similar to those insurance benefits which the Executive is receiving
immediately prior to the date of termination to the extent obtainable upon reasonable terms; provided, however, if it is not so obtainable the Company shall pay the Executive in cash the annual amount paid by the Company for such benefits during the
previous year of the Executive’s employment. Benefits otherwise due to the Executive pursuant to this Section shall be reduced to the extent comparable benefits are actually received by the Executive during such 12 month period following the
Executive’s termination (or such shorter period elected by the Executive), and any such benefits actually received by the Executive shall be reported by the Executive to the Company within ten (10) days of receiving such benefits. 

8.3 If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Executive without Good Reason, the Executive will be entitled to
receive any base salary earned and employee benefits accrued as of the date of such termination, but the Company will have no further obligation to the Executive hereunder from and after such date. 

8.4 If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Executive with Good Reason, then the Company shall: 

(a) pay to the Executive, as severance pay, a lump sum payment equal to 100% of the sum of the Executive’s annual base salary for the
last completed fiscal year, plus any earned but unpaid cash bonus for the year in which the termination occurs; and 
 (b) arrange to
provide the Executive, for a 12 month period (or such shorter period as the Executive may elect), with disability, accident and health insurance substantially similar to those insurance benefits which the Executive is receiving immediately prior to
the date of termination to the extent obtainable upon reasonable terms; provided, however, if it is not so obtainable the Company shall pay the Executive in cash the annual amount paid by the Company for such benefits during the previous year of the
Executive’s employment. Benefits otherwise due to the Executive pursuant to this 

  
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Section shall be reduced to the extent comparable benefits are actually received by the Executive during such 12 month period following the Executive’s termination (or such shorter period
elected by the Executive), and nay such benefits actually received by the Executive shall be reported by the Executive to the Company within ten (10) days of receiving such benefits. 

9. NONDISCLOSURE. 
 9.1
The Executive agrees to hold and safeguard any information about the Company and/or its shareholders and investors gained by the Executive during the course of the Executive’s employment. The Executive shall not, without the prior written
consent of the Company, disclose or make available to anyone for use outside the Company’s organization at any time, either during his employment or subsequent to any termination of his employment, however such termination is effected, whether
by the Executive or the Company, with or without cause or Good Reason, or expiration or nonrenewal of this Agreement, any information about the Company or its shareholders or investors, whether or not such information was developed by the Executive,
except as required in the performance of the Executive’s duties for the Company or required by law. 
 9.2 The Executive understands
and agrees that any information about the Company is the property of the Company and is essential to the protection of the Company’s goodwill and to the maintenance of the Company’s competitive position and accordingly should be kept
secret. Such information shall include, but not be limited to, information containing the Company’s business plans, investment strategies, investors, and prospective investors, key elements of specific properties, computer programs, system
documentation, manuals, ideas, or any other records or information belonging to the Company or relating to the Company’s business. 

9.3 Notwithstanding anything in paragraph 9.1 or paragraph 9.2 to the contrary, the Company agrees that the obligations of the Executive set
forth in paragraphs 9.1 and 9.2 shall not apply to any information which: (i) becomes known generally to the public through no fault of the Executive; (ii) is required by applicable law, legal process or any order or mandate of a court or
other governmental authority to be disclosed; or (iii) is reasonably believed by the Executive, based upon the advice of legal counsel, to be required to be disclosed in defense of a lawsuit or other legal or administrative action brought
against Executive; provided, that in the case of clauses (ii) or (iii) the Executive shall give the Company reasonable advance written notice of the information intended to be disclosed and the reasons and circumstances surrounding such
disclosure in order to permit the Company to seek a protective order or other appropriate request for confidential treatment of the applicable information. 

10. NON-SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES. The Executive agrees that during his employment
with the Company and for a period of eighteen months following the last day of the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall not, directly, or indirectly through another, solicit or induce, or attempt to solicit or induce, any employee of the
Company to leave the Company to go to work for, or to consult or contract work with a competitor of the Company, or recommend to a competitor of the Company the hiring of any individual employed by the Company on the Executive’s last day of
employment or at any time during the six-month period immediately prior thereto. 
 11. OPPORTUNITY FOR REVIEW. The
Executive understands the nature of the burdens imposed by the restrictive covenants contained in this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that he is entering into this Agreement on his own volition, and that he has been given the opportunity to
have this Agreement reviewed by the person(s) of his choosing. The Executive represents that upon careful review, he knows of no reason why any restrictive covenant contained in this Agreement is not reasonable and enforceable. 

  
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 12. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS OF THE ESSENCE. The restrictive covenants
upon the Executive set forth herein are of the essence of this Agreement; they shall be construed as independent of any other provision in this Agreement. The existence of any claim or cause of action of the Executive against the Company, whether
predicated on this Agreement or not, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the restrictive covenants contained herein. 

13. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. 

13.1 The Company and the Executive agree that irreparable injury will result to the Company in the event the Executive violates any
restrictive covenant or affirmative obligation contained in paragraphs 9 and 10 of this Agreement, and the Executive acknowledges that the remedies at law for any breach by the Executive of such provisions will be inadequate and that the Company
shall be entitled to injunctive relief against the Executive, in addition to any other remedy that is available, at law or in equity. 

13.2 The Executive agrees that unless this Agreement is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive as a Resignation with Good
Reason, the non-competition, non-solicitation of or hiring by customers, non-disclosure, and non-solicitation of the
Executive’s obligations contained herein shall survive the end of the employment created herein and shall be extended by the length of time which the Executive shall have been in breach of any of said provisions. Accordingly, the Executive
recognizes that the time periods included in the restrictive covenants contained herein shall begin on the date a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order enjoining the Executive from violating such provisions unless good cause can be shown
as to why the periods described should not begin at that time. 
 14. SUCCESSION AND ASSIGNABILITY. The obligations of the Executive
under paragraphs 9 and 10 of this Agreement shall continue after the termination of his employment and shall be binding on the Executive’s heirs, executors, legal representatives and assigns. Such obligations shall inure to the benefit of any
successors or assigns of the Company. The Executive specifically acknowledges that in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets or stock of the Company, or any other event or transaction resulting in a change of ownership or
control of the Company’s business, the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall inure to the benefit of any transferee, purchaser, or future owner of the Company’s business. This Agreement may be assigned only by the Company.

 15. SEVERABILITY. It is the intention of the parties that the provisions of the restrictive covenants herein shall be enforceable
to the fullest extent permissible under the applicable law. If any clause or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term hereof, then the remainder of this
Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and in lieu of each clause or provision of this Agreement which is illegal, invalid or unenforceable, there shall be added, as part of this Agreement, a clause or provision as similar in terms to such
illegal, invalid or unenforceable clause or provision as may be possible and as may be legal, valid and enforceable. 
 16.
ATTORNEYS’ FEES. The Executive shall pay, indemnify and hold the Company harmless against all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Company with respect to successful enforcement of its
rights under this Agreement. However, the Company shall pay, indemnify and hold the Executive harmless against all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred by the Executive with successful enforcement of the
Executive’s rights under this Agreement. 
 17. EQUITABLE RELIEF, JURISDICTION AND VENUE. The Executive hereby irrevocably
submits to the jurisdiction and venue of the Circuit Court of the City of Norfolk, Virginia, in any action or proceeding brought by the Company arising out of, or relating to, the restrictive covenants in


  
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paragraphs 9 and 10 of this Agreement. The Executive hereby irrevocably agrees that any such action or proceeding shall, at the Company’s option, be heard and determined in such Court. The
Executive agrees that a final order or judgment in any such action or proceeding shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the order or judgment, or in any other manner
provided by applicable law related to the enforcement of judgments. 
 18. INDEMNIFICATION. During this Agreement and thereafter, the
Company shall indemnify the Executive to the fullest extent permitted by law against any judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) in connection with any claim, action or proceeding
(whether civil or criminal) against the Executive as a result of the Executive serving as an officer or director of the Company, in or with regard to any other equity, employee benefit plan or enterprise (other than arising out of the
Executive’s act of willful misconduct, gross negligence, misappropriation of funds, fraud or breach of this Agreement). This indemnification shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other indemnification the Executive shall be entitled
to pursuant to the Company’s Charter, Bylaws, or otherwise. Following the Executive’s termination of employment, the Company shall continue to cover the Executive under the then existing directors’ and officers’ insurance, if
any, for the period during which the Executive may be subject to potential liability for any claim, action or proceeding (whether civil or criminal) as a result of the Executive’s service as an officer or director of the Company or in any
capacity at the request of the Company, in or with regard to any other entity, employee benefit plan or enterprise on the same terms such coverage was provided during this Agreement, at the highest level then maintained for any then current or
former officer or director. 
 19. SECTION 409A. 

19.1 It is the intention of the Company that all payments and benefits under this Agreement shall be made and provided in a manner that is
either exempt from or intended to avoid taxation under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”), to the extent applicable. Any ambiguity in this Agreement shall be interpreted to comply
with the above. The Executive acknowledges that the Company has made no representations as to the treatment of the compensation and benefits provided in this Agreement and the Executive has been advised to obtain their own tax advice. 

19.2 Each amount or benefit payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. 

19.3 For all purposes under this Agreement, any iteration of the word “termination” (e.g. “terminated”) with respect to
the Executive’s employment, shall mean a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A. 
 19.4 Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event the stock of the Company is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise and the Executive is a “specified employee” (in accordance with Section 409A) at the
time of the Executive’s termination of employment, any payments under this Agreement that are deemed to be deferred compensation subject to Section 409A shall not be paid or begin payment until the earlier of (i) the Executive’s
death or (ii) the first payroll date following the six (6) month anniversary of the Executive’s date of termination of employment; provided, however, that the Company if so requested by the Executive agrees to contribute any such
payments required to be made to the Executive to a rabbi trust established by the Company for the benefit of the Executive. 

  
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 19.5 Any reimbursement provided under this Agreement shall be made no later than the
December 31st following the year in which such expenses are incurred, or such earlier date as provided under any plan of the Company, as applicable. 

20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties hereto
with respect to the employment of the Executive by the Company and contains all agreements between the parties with respect to such employment. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises or agreements,
orally or otherwise, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein, and that no other agreement, statement or promise not contained in this Agreement will be valid or binding. Any modification of
this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing signed by the party to be charged. 
 21. BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement
will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties and their successors, heirs or assigns. 
 22. LAW GOVERNING
AGREEMENT. This Agreement will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. 
 23. PARTIAL
INVALIDITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will nevertheless continue in full force and effect. 

24. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, together, which shall constitute one and the same instrument. 

[Signature Page to Follow] 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and
behalf by its proper officer, thereunto duly authorized, and the Executive has set his hand as of the date first above written. 
  

			
	ROBIN HANISCH
	
	 /s/ Robin Hanisch

	Signature
	
	 Robin Hanisch

	Printed Name
		
	Date:	 	 March 14, 2016

	
	WHEELER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Jon S. Wheeler

		
	Its:	 	 CEO and Chairman

		
	Date:	 	 March 14, 2016



  
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