exv10w1






EXHIBIT 10.1




HAWKINS, INC.




EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE PLAN



(Effective August 2, 2011)



     Hawkins, Inc. has established this Hawkins, Inc. Executive Severance Plan (the “Plan”)
effective August 2, 2011 (the “Effective Date”).



     The purpose of this Plan is to provide certain executive employees of Hawkins with severance
benefits in the event that the executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated under
circumstances entitling the executive to such benefits.



     The Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan for a select group of management or highly
compensated employees that is intended to qualify for the exemptions provided in sections 201, 301
and 401 of ERISA, and for the alternative reporting method provided in DOL Reg. § 2520.104-23.



     The Plan shall continue until such time as it is amended or terminated.



ARTICLE 1




DEFINITIONS



     1.1 “Affiliate” means any entity with which Hawkins would be considered a single
employer under Code § 414(b) or 414(c).



     1.2 “Base Salary” means the Covered Executive’s annualized rate of base salary as paid
on each regularly scheduled payday for the Covered Executive’s regular work schedule as of his or
her Date of Termination; provided, however, that if such rate is reduced during the 90-day period
preceding the Covered Executive’s Date of Termination, the Covered Executive’s annualized rate of
base salary shall be based upon the highest rate in effect for the Covered Executive during such
90-day period.



     1.3 “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” have the same meaning as in
Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any successor rule thereto).



     1.4 “Board” means the Board of Directors of Hawkins.



     1.5 “Cause” means:




	 	(a)	 	the Covered Executive’s willful and material failure or refusal during his or
her employment to carry out any reasonable directive of the Board;
	 
	 	(b)	 	any willful and material failure by the Covered Executive during his or her
employment to comply with any material policy, rule or code of conduct generally
applicable to employees of Hawkins or to management employees of Hawkins, which failure
is materially and demonstratively injurious to the financial condition or business
reputation of Hawkins;
	 
	 	(c)	 	the Covered Executive’s embezzlement or misappropriation of funds of Hawkins or
any other willful act or omission by the Covered Executive which is materially
injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of Hawkins; or
	 
	 	(d)	 	the Covered Executive’s conviction or confession of an act or acts constituting
a felony under the














 






	 	 	 	laws of the United States or any state thereof related to the business of Hawkins or
which is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of
Hawkins.





     1.6 “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following
events:




	 	(a)	 	the consummation of a Corporate Transaction unless, immediately following such
Corporate Transaction, all or substantially all of the persons who were the Beneficial
Owners of Voting Securities of Hawkins immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of
the then outstanding Voting Securities (or comparable equity interests) of the
surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent) resulting from such Corporate Transaction
in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Voting Securities of
Hawkins immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction; or
	 
	 	(b)	 	any person or group, other than (i) one or more Subsidiaries, or (ii) any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by Hawkins or any
Affiliate, becomes the Beneficial Owner of equity securities of Hawkins representing
more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Securities of
Hawkins, except that (A) any acquisition of equity securities of Hawkins directly from
Hawkins for the purpose of providing financing to Hawkins, any formation of a group
consisting solely of Beneficial Owners of Voting Securities of Hawkins as of the
Effective Date, or any repurchase or other acquisition by Hawkins of its equity
securities that causes any person to become the beneficial owner of more than 50% of
the combined voting power of the Voting Securities of Hawkins, will not be considered a
Change in Control unless and until, in either case, such person acquires Beneficial
Ownership of additional Voting Securities of Hawkins after the person initially became
the Beneficial Owner of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Voting
Securities of Hawkins by one of the means described in this clause (A); and (B) a
Change in Control will occur if a person or group becomes the Beneficial Owner of more
than 50% of Voting Securities of Hawkins as the result of a Corporate Transaction only
if the Corporate Transaction is itself a Change in Control pursuant to subsection (a)
of this section; or
	 
	 	(c)	 	individuals who are Continuing Directors cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the members of the Board.





     1.7 “COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as
amended.



     1.8 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations
and guidance issued thereunder.



     1.9 “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee
of the Board (including, without limitation, the full Board) to which the Board has delegated power
to act under or pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.



     1.10 “Continuing Director” means an individual (a) who is, as of the Effective Date, a
director of Hawkins, or (b) who becomes a director of Hawkins after the Effective Date and whose
initial election, or nomination for election by Hawkins’ stockholders, was approved by at least a
majority of the then Continuing Directors, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual
whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest
with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of
proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board.



     1.11 “Corporate Transaction” means a dissolution or liquidation of Hawkins, a sale of
substantially all of the assets of Hawkins, a merger or consolidation of Hawkins with or into any
other corporation, regardless of whether Hawkins is the surviving corporation, or a statutory share
exchange involving capital stock of Hawkins.



     1.12 “Covered Executive” means any Employee who is specifically designated by the
Compensation Committee to participate in the Plan.



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     1.13 “Date of Termination” means the effective date of a Termination of Employment.



     1.14 “Disability” means any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that
can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less
than six months, where such impairment causes the Covered Executive to be unable to perform the
duties of the Covered Executive’s position of employment or any substantially similar position of
employment.



     1.15 “Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, which is August 2, 2011.



     1.16 “Employee” means any common-law employee of Hawkins or an Affiliate (while it is
an Affiliate).



     1.17 “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
and the regulations and guidance issued.



     1.18 “Good Reason” means any of the following conditions arising without the consent
of the Covered Executive:




	 	(a)	 	a material decrease in the Covered Executive’s base compensation;
	 
	 	(b)	 	a material diminution in the Covered Executive’s authority, duties, or
responsibilities;
	 
	 	(c)	 	relocation of Covered Executive’s principal office more than 50 miles from its
current location; or
	 
	 	(d)	 	any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by Hawkins of
any terms or conditions of any agreement between Hawkins and the Covered Executive,
which breach has not been caused by the Covered Executive.





     1.19 “Hawkins” means Hawkins, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, or any successor to all
or substantially all of its businesses by merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or otherwise.



     1.20 “Profit Sharing Plan” means the Hawkins, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan.



     1.21 “Release” means a written agreement and release of claims in a form furnished by
Hawkins. In such release, the Covered Executive will be asked to release Hawkins and its
directors, officer, employees and agents from any and all claims the Covered Executive may have
against them, including but not limited to any contract, tort, or wage and hour claims, and any
claims under Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, ERISA, and other federal, state, local or foreign laws.
Under the Release, the Covered Executive must also agree not to solicit business similar to any
business offered by Hawkins from any Hawkins customer, not to advise any entity to cancel or limit
its business with Hawkins, not to recruit, solicit or encourage any employee to leave their
employment with Hawkins, not to disclose any of Hawkins’ trade secrets or confidential information,
and not to disparage Hawkins or its employees in any way. These obligations are in addition to any
other non-solicitation, noncompete, nondisclosure, or confidentiality agreements the Covered
Executive may have executed while employed by Hawkins. The Release shall not diminish or terminate
the Covered Executive’s rights under this Plan.



     1.22 “Salary Continuation Period” means the relevant period (which shall depend upon
the Covered Executive’s Tier on his or her Date of Termination and whether the Covered Executive’s
Termination of Employment is a Termination Due to a Change in Control) as described in Appendix
A for determining the Severance Benefits payable to a Covered Executive.



     1.23 “Separation Pay Plan Amount” means an amount payable pursuant to an arrangement
that constitutes a “separation pay plan due to involuntary separation from service” under Treas.
Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) (or a successor rule thereto), and which, with respect to a Covered
Executive, shall be equal to two times the lesser of (a) the maximum amount that may be taken into
account under a qualified pension plan under Code § 401(a)(17) for the year in which the Effective
Date occurs; or (b) the Covered Executive’s annualized compensation



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for the calendar year prior to the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs (adjusted
for any increase during that year that was expected to continue indefinitely if the Covered
Executive had not separated from service).




     1.24 “Severance Benefits” means the benefits payable under this Plan as described in
Article 3.



     1.25 “Target Annual Bonus” means the target annual bonus established under Hawkins’
annual incentive bonus program and approved by the Committee, as applicable, for the fiscal year in
which the Covered Executive’s Date of Termination occurs, or if such target annual bonus has not
been established for such fiscal year by the Employee’s Date of Termination, the target annual
bonus for the prior fiscal year.



     1.26 “Termination Due to Change in Control” means a Termination for Good Reason or a
Termination Without Cause that occurs during the 30-day period preceding or the two-year period
commencing upon the occurrence of a Change in Control.



     1.27 “Termination for Good Reason” means a Termination of Employment by the Covered
Executive for Good Reason; provided, however, that a Termination of Employment shall not be
considered to be a Termination for Good Reason unless the following conditions are satisfied:




	 	(a)	 	The Covered Executive has first given written notice to Hawkins of the
existence of a condition constituting “Good Reason” as described in Sec. 1.18 within 90
days of its first occurrence, and Hawkins has failed to remedy the condition within 30
days thereafter.
	 
	 	(b)	 	The Termination of Employment occurs not later than the expiration of the
two-year period following the initial existence of a condition constituting “Good
Reason” as described in Sec. 1.18.





     1.28 “Termination of Employment” means a termination of a Covered Executive’s
employment with Hawkins and its Affiliates, whether by action of the Covered Executive or by
Hawkins or an Affiliate, provided that such Termination of Employment also constitutes a
“separation from service” under Code § 409A and the regulations thereunder.



     1.29 “Termination Without Cause” means a Termination of Employment for any reason
other than Cause or the Covered Executive’s death or Disability.



     1.30 “Voting Securities” means, with respect to any company, the company’s outstanding
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.



ARTICLE 2




ELIGIBILITY



     2.1 Eligibility. An Employee shall be entitled to participate in, and shall become a
Covered Executive under, the Plan upon his or her selection by the Committee for participation in
the Plan. Hawkins shall advise each Covered Executive who is selected for participation in the
Plan of his or her participation in the Plan.



     2.2 Tiers. Each Covered Executive shall be assigned a Tier by the Committee for
purposes of determining the Covered Executive’s entitlement to certain Severance Benefits under
this Plan. However, unless the Committee makes a different assignment, the Chief Executive Officer
is assigned to Tier 1 and the President of Hawkins is assigned to Tier 2. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the Covered Executive was assigned to a higher Tier during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Covered Executive’s Date of Termination, the Covered Executive shall be
deemed to be assigned to such higher Tier for purposes of determining the Covered Executive’s
Severance Benefits under this Plan.



     2.3 Condition to Receiving Benefits. As a condition precedent to receiving Severance
Benefits under the Plan, a Covered Executive must complete, execute and return to Hawkins, not
later than 50 days following the



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Covered Executive’s Date of Termination, a Release which has not been rescinded by the Covered
Executive prior to the expiration of all applicable rescission period(s). Such Release shall be
furnished to the Covered Executive within five days after the Covered Executive’s Date of
Termination.




ARTICLE 3




SEVERANCE BENEFITS



     3.1 Termination Without Cause Not In Connection with a Change In Control. In the
event of the Covered Executive’s Termination Without Cause which is not a Termination Due to Change
in Control, the Covered Executive shall be entitled to the Severance Benefits described in this
Sec. 3.1. For purposes of determining a Covered Executive’s Severance Benefits under this Sec.
3.1, the Salary Continuation Period for a Covered Executive shall be the relevant period described
in Appendix A.




	 	(a)	 	Base Salary. Hawkins shall pay the Covered Executive his or her Base
Salary for the Salary Continuation Period. Such Base Salary shall be paid in equal
installments over the Salary Continuation Period in accordance with Hawkins’ standard
payroll practices. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following conditions and
limitations on the payment of Base Salary shall apply:






	 	(i)	 	It is intended that all or a portion of the amounts payable
during the six-month period following the Date of Termination will constitute
separation pay due to involuntary separation from service under Treas. Reg. §
1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii). Accordingly, the amounts in excess of the Separation Pay
Plan Amount that would otherwise have been payable during such six-month period
shall be accumulated and paid (without interest) to the Covered Executive in a
lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following the Date of
Termination (subject to satisfaction of the conditions described in Sec. 2.3 by
such date).
	 
	 	(ii)	 	Any installment payment(s) of Base Salary that otherwise would
have been paid during such six-month period to the Covered Executive pursuant
to this subsection, but solely for the fact that the conditions described in
Sec. 2.3 have not yet been satisfied, shall be accumulated and paid (without
interest) to the Covered Executive in a lump sum upon the first regularly
scheduled payroll date following the satisfaction of such conditions.






	 	(b)	 	Medical and Dental. Hawkins shall reimburse the Covered Executive for
the amount of the employer portion of his or her premium payments for COBRA
continuation coverage for medical and dental benefits for the Salary Continuation
Period, or, if shorter, the 18-month period following the Date of Termination, if the
Covered Executive qualifies for and elects that coverage for such period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, Hawkins’ obligation to make any payment or
further payment pursuant to this subsection will cease on the date the Covered
Executive becomes covered by another group health plan that does not impose
pre-existing condition limitations on the Covered Executive’s coverage. Nothing in
this subsection shall be construed to extend the period for which COBRA continuation
coverage must be provided to the Covered Executive or the Covered Executive’s
dependents beyond that mandated by law. Such payments are intended to be medical
reimbursements exempt from Code § 409A pursuant to Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B).
	 
	 	(c)	 	Outplacement Costs. Hawkins shall engage and pay on behalf of the
Covered Executive, the reasonable costs of outplacement services for the twelve-month
period following the Date of Termination. The payments under this subsection are
intended to be exempt from Code § 409A pursuant to Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(A).
Accordingly, the costs of such outplacement services shall not be incurred beyond the
last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which the Covered
Executive’s Date of Termination falls, and Hawkins’ payment shall be made before the
end of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which the Covered
Executive’s Date of Termination for the Salary Continuation Period.




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     3.2 Termination Due to Change in Control. In the event of a Covered Executive’s
Termination for Good Reason or Termination Without Cause that is also a Termination Due to Change
in Control:




	 	(a)	 	The Covered Executive shall be entitled to the Severance Benefits described in
Sec. 3.1, except that:






	 	(i)	 	for purposes of determining the Covered Executive’s Severance
Benefits under this Sec. 3.2, the Salary Continuation Period shall be the
Salary Continuation Period for a Termination Due to Change in Control described
in Appendix A.
	 
	 	(ii)	 	the amounts payable during the six-month period described in
Sec. 3.1(a)(i) that constitute separation pay due to involuntary separation
from service under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) shall be paid as soon as
administratively practicable following the Date of Termination (subject to
satisfaction of the conditions described in Sec. 2.3 by such date).
	 
	 	(iii)	 	if the Change in Control constitutes a change in ownership of
a corporation under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v), a change in the effective
control of a corporation under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(i)(5)(vi), or a change in
the ownership of a substantial portion of a corporation’s assets as defined in
Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(i)(5)(vii), the Base Salary installment payments that
would otherwise be payable for the remainder of the Salary Continuation Period
following the period described in Sec. 3.1(a)(i) shall instead be paid in a
lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following the Date of
Termination (subject to satisfaction of the conditions described in Sec. 2.3 by
such date).






	 	(b)	 	The Covered Executive shall be entitled to the following additional Severance Benefits:






	 	(i)	 	Bonus. The Covered Executive shall be entitled to
receive an amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of his or her Target Annual Bonus
multiplied by the number of months in Salary Continuation Period for a
Termination Due to a Change in Control described in Appendix A. Such
payment shall be made in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable
after the expiration of all rescission period(s) described in Sec. 2.3, but in
any event not later than two and half months following the end of the year in
which the Date of Termination occurs. Such amount is intended to be a
short-term deferral pursuant to Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(4).
	 
	 	(ii)	 	Profit Sharing Plan. The Covered Executive shall be
entitled to receive an amount intended to provide a benefit equal to the
additional benefit that the Executive would have received under the Profit
Sharing Plan if such Covered Executive (x) had remained employed by Hawkins for
the entire Salary Continuation Period and (y) had been entitled to Employer
Contributions (as defined in the Profit Sharing Plan) under the Profit Sharing
Plan for the Salary Continuation Period.
	 
	 	 	 	The amount of such payment shall equal the additional Discretionary Employer
Profit Sharing Contribution that the Covered Executive would have received
for the Salary Continuation period if his/her Compensation had continued at
the same rate as in effect immediately prior to his/her Termination of
Employment and the rate of the Discretionary Employer Profit Sharing
Contribution had been the same rate as in effect for the most recent Plan
Year ending prior to the Termination of Employment, plus if, on the Date of
Termination, the Profit Sharing Plan permits 401(k) Contributions, such
Employer Matching Contributions the Covered Executive would have received
for the Salary Continuation Period if he/she had made 401(k) Contributions
at least at the rate that would have entitled him/her to the maximum
Employer Matching Contributions




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	 	 	 	permitted under the Plan.
	 
	 	 	 	Such payment shall be made in a lump sum as soon as administratively
practicable after the expiration of all rescission period(s) described in
Sec. 2.3, but in any event not later than two and half months following the
end of the year in which the Date of Termination occurs. Such amount is
intended to be a short-term deferral pursuant to Treas. Reg. §
1.409A-1(b)(4).





     3.3 Clawback. Any payment of a Severance Benefit hereunder shall be subject to, and
recoverable by, Hawkins under Hawkins’ clawback policy in effect from time to time; provided,
however, that for any attempted recovery from and after a Change in Control, such clawback policy
shall have been in effect prior to the Change in Control except as such policy has been modified to
conform to applicable law or regulation.



ARTICLE 4




PLAN ADMINISTRATION



     4.1 General. The Plan is administered by the Committee. The principal duty of the
Committee is to administer the Plan in a consistent and non-discriminatory manner in accordance
with its terms. The Committee shall have full power, as provided herein, to administer the Plan in
all of its details.



     4.2 Power and Authority. The Committee’s powers shall include, but shall not be
limited to, the following, in addition to all other powers provided by this Plan:




	 	(a)	 	to make, enforce, amend or rescind such rules and regulations relating to the
Plan, and to make any other determinations that it deems necessary or proper for the
efficient administration of the Plan;
	 
	 	(b)	 	to interpret the Plan and its terms, with the Committee’s interpretations
thereof to be final and conclusive on all persons claiming benefits under the Plan;
	 
	 	(c)	 	to correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in
the Plan in the manner and to the extent it deems necessary or advisable;
	 
	 	(d)	 	to decide all questions concerning the Plan and the eligibility of any person
to participate in, and to receive benefits provided under, the Plan;
	 
	 	(e)	 	to authorize the payment of benefits; and
	 
	 	(f)	 	to appoint such agents, counsel, accountants, consultants, and actuaries as may
be required to assist in administering the Plan.




Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the two-year period following a Change in Control, the
Committee shall not have the authority to exercise discretion with respect to any aspect of the
Committee’s powers and duties and any other aspect of the Plan’s administration, including the
benefits enumerated in Article 3, with the exception of making benefits changes beneficial, but not
less favorable, to the Covered Executive, and the review of benefit claims under Article 5.




     4.3 Payment. Hawkins shall make payments of Severance Benefits from its general
assets to Covered Executives in accordance with the terms of the Plan.



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ARTICLE 5




CLAIMS PROCEDURE



     5.1 Claims. All claims for benefits shall be filed in writing with the Committee.
Each such claim must be filed by the Covered Executive, or his or her duly authorized
representative, within 90 days following the Covered Executive’s Termination of Employment.



     5.2 Determination of Claims. The Committee shall decide all claims for benefits under
the Plan within 30 days after receipt of the claim. Any denial by the Committee of a claim for
benefits shall be stated in writing and shall set forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by
the claimant, the specific reasons for denial, specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions on
which the denial is based, a description of any additional material or information necessary to
perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and the
procedure for the appeal of such denial and a statement of the claimant’s right to bring an action
under ERISA § 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination on appeal. In addition, the
Committee shall afford a reasonable opportunity to any claimant whose claim for benefits has been
denied a review of the decision denying the claim.



     5.3 Appeals. A claimant (or his or her duly authorized representative) may, upon
written request to the Committee within 30 days of receiving a denial of his claim for benefits,
(a) request a review of the denial, (b) review pertinent documents, and (c) submit issues and
comments in writing to the Committee. A decision by the Committee shall be made promptly and shall
not ordinarily be made later than 30 days after receipt of a request for review. The Committee’s
decision on review shall be in writing, shall include specific reasons for the decision, written in
a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, as well as specific references to the
pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is based, and shall contain a statement of the
claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA § 502(a). If the decision on review is not
furnished within the applicable time described in this section, the claim shall be deemed denied on
review.



ARTICLE 6




MISCELLANEOUS



     6.1 Amendment and Termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan may not be
amended in any manner that adversely affects any Covered Executive unless such Covered Executive
expressly consents to such amendment in writing. In the event of a Change in Control and for a
period of two years thereafter, the Plan may not be amended, suspended or discontinued in any
manner except to comply with applicable changes in the law, to prevent adverse tax consequences to
a Covered Executive, or to make benefits more favorable to a Covered Executive.



     6.2 Limitation of Covered Executive’s Rights. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed
as conferring upon the Covered Executive any right to continue in the employment of Company, nor
shall it interfere with the rights of Company to terminate the employment of the Covered Executive
and/or to take any personnel action affecting the Covered Executive without regard to the effect
which such action may have upon the Covered Executive as a recipient or prospective recipient of
benefits under this Plan. Any amounts payable hereunder shall not be deemed salary or other
compensation to the Covered Executive for the purposes of computing benefits to which the Covered
Executive may be entitled under any other arrangement established by Company for the benefit of its
employees.



     6.3 Application of Section 4999 to Severance Benefits.




	 	(a)	 	Excise Tax Adjustment to Severance Benefits. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of this Plan, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be
received by a Covered Executive, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any
other plan, arrangement or agreement (all such payments and benefits, including the
Severance Benefits, being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”) would be
subject (in whole or part), to an excise tax under Code § 4999 (the




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	 	 	 	“Excise Tax”), then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments
provided by reason of Code § 280G in such other plan, arrangement or agreement, the
payments under this Plan that do not constitute deferred compensation within the
meaning of Code § 409A shall first be reduced, and all other payments that do
constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Code § 409A shall thereafter
be reduced (beginning with those payments last to be paid), to the extent necessary
so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax, but only if
(i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the
net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such reduced Total Payments
and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal
exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments) is greater than or equal to
(ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after
subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such Total
Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which the Covered Executive would be
subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account
the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such
unreduced Total Payments). In no event shall the Covered Executive have the
discretion to determine the order in which payments under this Plan shall be reduced
in accordance with the preceding sentence.
	 
	 	(b)	 	Excise Tax Determination. For purposes of determining whether and the
extent to which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of
such Excise Tax, (i) no portion of the Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which
the Covered Executive shall have waived at such time and in such manner as not to
constitute a “payment” within the meaning of Code § 280G(b) of the Code shall be taken
into account, (ii) no portion of the Total Payments shall be taken into account which,
in the opinion of tax counsel (“Tax Counsel”) reasonably acceptable to the Covered
Executive and selected by the accounting firm (the “Auditor”) which was, immediately
prior to the Change in Control, Hawkins’ independent auditor, does not constitute a
“parachute payment” within the meaning of Code § 280G(b)(2) (including by reason of
Code § 280G(b)(4)(A)) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total
Payments shall be taken into account which, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, constitutes
reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Code §
280G(b)(4)(B), in excess of the Base Amount allocable to such reasonable compensation,
and (iii) the value of any non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included
in the Total Payments shall be determined by the Auditor in accordance with the
principles of Code §§ 280G(d)(3) and (4). For purposes of this Sec. 6.3, (i) the
Covered Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income tax at the highest marginal
rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the applicable Total
Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
taxation in the state and locality of the Covered Executive’s residence in the calendar
year in which the applicable Total Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction
in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local
taxes and (ii) except to the extent that the Covered Executive otherwise notifies
Hawkins, the Covered Executive shall be deemed to be subject to the loss of itemized
deductions and personal exemptions to the maximum extent provided by the Code for each
dollar of incremental income.
	 
	 	(c)	 	Payments Calculation Notice. At the time that payments are made under
this Plan, Hawkins shall provide the Covered Executive with a written statement setting
forth the manner in which such payments were calculated and the basis for such
calculations including, without limitation, any opinions or other advice Hawkins has
received from Tax Counsel, the Auditor or other advisors or consultants (and any such
opinions or advice which are in writing shall be attached to the statement). If the
Covered Executive objects to Hawkins’ calculations, Hawkins shall pay to the Covered
Executive such portion of the Severance Payments (up to 100% thereof) as the Covered
Executive determines is necessary to result in the proper application of subsection (a)
of this Sec. 6.3.





     6.4 Legal Fees and Expenses. Hawkins shall pay to the Covered Executive all legal fees
and expenses incurred by the Covered Executive in disputing in good faith any issue hereunder
relating to the termination of the Covered Executive’s employment, in seeking in good faith to
obtain or enforce any benefit or right provided by this



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Plan, or in connection with any tax audit or proceeding to the extent attributable to the
application of Code § 4999 to any payment or benefit provided hereunder. Such payments shall be
made within ten business days after delivery of the Covered Executive’s written request for payment
accompanied with such evidence of fees and expenses incurred as Hawkins reasonably may require,
subject to the limits of Sec. 6.9. If Hawkins shall have reimbursed the Covered Executive for
legal fees and expenses and it is later determined that the Covered Executive was not acting in
good faith, all amounts paid on behalf of, or reimbursed to, the Covered Executive shall be
promptly refunded to Hawkins.




     6.5 Right of Offset. Hawkins reserves the right to withhold and set off from any
payments to a Covered Executive any amount owed to Hawkins or an Affiliate by the Covered
Executive, whether such obligation is matured or unmatured and however arising, at the time of (and
with priority over) any such distribution or payment to the extent that the retention or exercise
of such right does not have adverse tax consequences to the Covered Executive under Code § 409A
(for clarity, this offset right is against amounts then due and payable and is not intended to
accelerate payment of any amount). Hawkins further reserves the right to withhold and set off from
the Covered Executive’s accrued benefit under the Plan (even if a payment is not then due and
payable) any amount owed to Hawkins or an Affiliate by the Participant, as satisfaction of such
obligation of the Covered Executive, where such obligation is incurred in the ordinary course of
the service relationship between the Covered Executive and Hawkins or the Affiliate, the entire
amount of reduction in any of Hawkins’ or the Affiliate’s taxable years does not exceed five
thousand dollars ($5,000), and the reduction is made at the same time and in the same amount as the
obligation otherwise would have been due and collected from the Covered Executive.



     6.6 Nonalienation of Benefits. Except as expressly provided herein, the Covered
Executive shall not have the power or right to transfer, alienate or otherwise encumber his or her
interest under the Plan. Hawkins’ obligations under the Plan are not assignable or transferable
except to (a) any corporation or partnership which acquires all or substantially all of Hawkins’
assets, or (b) any corporation or partnership into which Hawkins may be merged or consolidated.
The provisions of this Plan shall inure solely to the benefit of the Covered Executive.



     6.7 Cooperation by Covered Executive. The Covered Executive shall cooperate with
Hawkins by furnishing any and all information reasonably requested by Company in order to
facilitate the payment of benefits hereunder.



     6.8 Withholding Taxes. Hawkins may make such provisions and take such action as it
deems necessary or appropriate for the withholding of any taxes which Hawkins is required by any
law or regulation of any governmental authority, whether Federal, state or local, to withhold in
connection with any benefits under the Plan, including, but not limited to, the withholding of
appropriate sums from any amount otherwise payable to the Covered Executive. The Covered
Executive, however, shall be responsible for the payment of all individual tax liabilities relating
to any such benefits.



     6.9 Compliance with Code § 409A. This Plan and the payments hereunder are intended to
be exempt from or to satisfy the requirements of Code § 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4), including the
exceptions for short-term deferrals, separation pay arrangements, reimbursements, and in-kind
distributions, and shall be interpreted and administered accordingly. Each payment under this Plan
is intended to be treated as one of a series of separate payments for purposes of Code § 409A and
Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii) (or any similar or successor provisions). To the extent that
payments under this Plan are subject to Code § 409A and the Covered Executive is a “specified
employee” (as defined in Code § 409A) as of the Date of Termination, distributions to the Covered
Executive may not be made before the date that is six months after the Date of Termination or, if
earlier, the date of the Covered Executive’s death. Payments to which the Covered Executive would
otherwise be entitled during the first six months following the date of termination will be
accumulated and paid on the first day of the seventh month following the Termination Date (or the
Covered Executive’s death, if earlier). To the extent that payments under this Plan are payments
under a “reimbursement plan” subject to Code § 409A, the right to reimbursement may not be
exchanged for cash or any other benefit, the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in one
calendar year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year,
and the reimbursement of any eligible expense shall be made pursuant to Hawkins’ normal policies
and procedures for expense reimbursement, which shall be in any event no later than the last day of
the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred.



10









 





     6.10 Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall not be funded, and no Covered Executive shall have
any right to, or interest in, any assets of Hawkins or its affiliates or subsidiaries.



     6.11 Severability. If any provision of this Plan is held unenforceable, the remainder
of the Plan shall continue in full force and effect without regard to such unenforceable provision
and shall be applied as though the unenforceable provision were not contained in the Plan.



     6.12 Governing Law. This Plan shall be construed in accordance with and governed by
the laws of the State of Minnesota, without reference to the principles of conflict of laws and to
the extent not superseded by the laws of the United States.



     6.13 Jurisdiction and Venue. Any action involving claims of a breach of this Plan
must be brought exclusively in the courts of the State of Minnesota and/or the United States
District Court, District of Minnesota.



     6.14 Headings. Headings are inserted in this Plan for convenience of reference only
and are to be ignored in the construction of the provisions of the Plan.



     6.15 Notice. Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to Hawkins under
this Plan shall be sufficient if in writing and hand delivered, or sent by registered or certified
mail, to the Human Resources Department, or to such other entity as Hawkins may designate from time
to time. Such notice shall be deemed given as to the date of delivery, or, if delivery is made by
mail, as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt for registration or certification.



     6.16 Successors. This Plan shall be binding upon Hawkins and its successors and
assigns. Hawkins shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to assume and agree to perform all of Hawkins’ obligations hereunder in
the same manner and to the same extent that Hawkins would have been required to perform if no
succession had taken place.


fb.us.7124283.02







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Appendix A




	 	 	 	 	 
	Tier	 	Salary Continuation Period
	 	 	Termination Without Cause (Not a Termination	 	 
	 	 	Due to Change In Control)	 	Termination Due to Change In Control
	Tier 1

	 	18 months
	 	24 months
	Tier 2

	 	18 months
	 	24 months
	Tier 3

	 	12 months
	 	18 months
	Tier 4

	 	12 months
	 	18 months







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