Exhibit 10.15



 




Exhibit
10.15




     EXECUTION VERSION



EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT




     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into on March 16, 2007 (the
“Effective Date”), by and among GNC Acquisition Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation
(“Holdings”), General Nutrition Centers, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned
subsidiary of Holdings (“Centers,” and together with Holdings, referred to herein as
“GNC”), and Joseph M. Fortunato (the “Executive”).



     WHEREAS, the Executive is presently employed by Centers and previously entered into an
Employment Agreement, effective as of November 14, 2005, as amended and restated on December 8,
2006 (the “Original Employment Agreement”); and



     WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of February 8, 2007 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Holdings, GNC
Acquisition Inc., a Delaware corporation “(Merger Sub”), and GNC Parent Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (“Target”), at the Effective Time (as such term is defined in the
Merger Agreement), Merger Sub will be merged with and into Target (the “Merger”); and



     WHEREAS, the parties wish to provide for the Executive’s continued employment with Centers
following the Merger, in accordance with the terms set forth herein, as of the Effective Date.



     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound,
agree as follows:



     1. Employment of the Executive; Duties.



          1.1 Title. During the Employment Period (as defined in Section 2.2 hereof), the
Executive shall serve as (a) President and Chief Executive Officer of Centers and (b) President and
Chief Executive Officer of Holdings.




          1.2 Duties. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall do and perform all
services and acts necessary or advisable to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the
Executive’s positions and shall render such services on the terms set forth herein. In addition,
the Executive shall have such other executive and managerial powers and duties as may be reasonably
assigned to the Executive by the Board of Directors of Centers (the “Centers Board”) or the
Board of Directors of Holdings (the “Holdings Board”), as applicable, commensurate with the
Executive’s positions. The Executive shall report solely and directly to the Holdings Board. The
Executive’s duties, titles and responsibilities shall not be changed materially at any time without
his consent (other than during any period where the Executive is incapacitated due to physical or
mental illness). Except for sick leave, reasonable vacations, excused leaves of absence, or as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Executive shall, throughout the Employment Period, devote
substantially all the Executive’s working time, attention, knowledge and skills faithfully, and to
the best of the Executive’s ability, to the duties and responsibilities of the Executive’s
positions in furtherance of the business affairs and activities of GNC and its Affiliates (as
defined in Section 5.4(a)). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive is


 









 







permitted, to the extent such activities do not substantially interfere with the performance of his
duties and responsibilities under this Agreement or create an adverse business conflict with any
Company Party (as defined in Section 5.4(b)), to (a) manage his personal, financial, and legal
affairs, (b) serve on civic or charitable boards or committees (it being understood that his
continuing to serve on the boards and committees set forth on Exhibit A, will, as of the
Effective Date, be deemed not to interfere with the performance of his duties and responsibilities
under this Agreement), and (c) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements. Except where GNC
provides its written consent otherwise (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld), the
Executive shall maintain his principal residence within 75 miles of the principal office of Centers
as of the Effective Date. The Executive shall at all times be subject to, comply with, observe and
carry out faithfully to the best of his ability and in all material respects (x) Centers lawful
rules, regulations, policies and codes of ethics and/or conduct applicable to its employees
generally and in effect from time to time and (y) such lawful rules, regulations, policies, codes
of ethics and/or conduct, directions and restrictions as either the Centers Board or the Holdings
Board may from time to time reasonably establish or approve for their executive officers.




          1.3 Board Membership. During the Employment Period, the Executive will serve as a
member of (a) the Centers Board and as a member of the executive committee of the Centers Board and
(b) the Holdings Board and as a member of the executive committee of the Holdings Board.




     2. Term of Employment.



          2.1 Employment Period. The employment of the Executive hereunder will commence on the
Effective Date and continue until the fifth (5th) anniversary thereof (the “Initial
Employment Period”), unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions of Section 4
of this Agreement.




          2.2 Extension. Unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions of Section
4 of this Agreement, the employment of the Executive will automatically continue after the end of
the Initial Employment Period for additional and successive one (1)-year periods (each an
“Extension Period” and, together with the Initial Employment Period, the “Employment
Period”), unless GNC or the Executive notifies the other in writing not less than one (1) year
prior to the end of the Initial Employment Period, or the end of the applicable Extension Period,
of its or the Executive’s election, in its or the Executive’s sole discretion, not to extend the
Employment Period.




     3. Compensation and General Benefits.



          3.1 Base Salary. During the Employment Period, Centers agrees to pay to the Executive
an annual base salary in an amount not less than $800,000, to be reviewed annually by the Holdings
Board or the compensation committee of the Holdings Board (the “Compensation Committee”),
for upward adjustments only (as the Holdings Board (or the Compensation Committee), acting in its
sole discretion, determines to be reasonable and appropriate); provided, however,
that such amount will be increased pursuant to such review effective as of January 1 of each year
during the Employment Period, beginning with January 1, 2008, by a percentage no less than the
percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, as


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published by Bureau of
Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, for the calendar year immediately preceding such
review (such base salary as adjusted from time to time, the “Base Salary”). The
Executive’s Base Salary, less amounts required to be withheld under applicable law, shall be
payable in equal installments in accordance with Centers’ normal payroll practices and procedures
in effect from time to time for the payment of salaries to executive officers of Centers, but in no
event less frequently than monthly.




          3.2 Bonus. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible to receive
from Centers an annual performance bonus (the “Annual Bonus”), which shall have a target of
seventy-five percent (75%) of Base Salary with a maximum of one hundred and twenty-five percent
(125%) of Base Salary if Centers exceeds the annual goals for the applicable year. Such annual
goals shall be determined by the Holdings Board (or the Compensation Committee) in good faith
consultation with the Executive. Any Annual Bonus earned shall be payable in full as soon as
reasonably practicable following the determination thereof, but in no event later than March 31st
of the following year, and in accordance with Centers’ normal payroll practices and procedures.
The Annual Bonus shall be based on the achievement of corporate and personal goals and objectives
established under the terms of a plan to be developed jointly in good faith by GNC and the
Executive (the “Plan”). The Plan will establish financial objectives and financial goals
related to Centers. Except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 4, any Annual Bonus (or
portion thereof) payable under this Section 3.2 shall be contingent on the Executive’s continued
employment with Centers through the date such payment is determined and becomes payable under the
terms of the Plan.




          3.3 Expenses. During the Employment Period, in addition to any amounts to which the
Executive may be entitled pursuant to the other provisions of this Agreement, Centers shall
reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the Executive in
performing the Executive’s duties hereunder on behalf of GNC or its Affiliates, subject to, and
consistent with, Centers’ policies for executive officer expense payment and reimbursement, in
effect from time to time.




          3.4 Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, in addition to any amounts to which
the Executive may be entitled pursuant to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Executive
shall be entitled to participate in, and to receive benefits under, (a) any benefit plans,
arrangements, or policies made available by Centers to its executive officers generally, subject to
and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions, and overall administration of each such plan,
arrangement or policy and (b) without limiting the foregoing, the benefits set forth on Exhibit
B attached hereto (with items 6 through 13 listed on Exhibit B being referred to herein
as the “Perquisites”).




          3.5 Equity Interests.




          (a) On the Effective Date, the Executive shall be permitted to and shall purchase a number of
shares of Holdings Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Holdings Common
Stock”), and Holdings preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (together with Holdings
Common Stock, the “Holdings Stock”), pursuant to the terms and conditions of that certain
Contribution and Exchange Agreement dated as of the date hereof.




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          (b) On the Effective Date, the Executive shall receive an award of options to purchase the
number of shares of Holdings Common Stock equal to 2.63% of the Holdings Common Stock then
outstanding, on a fully-diluted basis (taking into account all options granted or reserved for
issuance as part of the management option pool), with 50% of such options having an exercise price
equal to the price per share of Holdings Common Stock paid by Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund II,
L.P. (“Ares”) and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (“OTPP,” and together with
Ares and any other co-investor, the “Sponsor”) or their Affiliates in connection with the
equity funding of Holdings (the “Sponsor Buy-In Price”) and 50% of such options having an
exercise price equal to the amount obtained by multiplying the Sponsor Buy-In Price by 1.5. The
options will be awarded under the terms of the GNC Acquisition Holdings Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive
Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”) and subject to the provisions of Holdings’ standard
option agreements which will contain customary provisions, including, consistent with the past
practice at Centers, a provision entitling the holder to receive a special bonus payment for any
extraordinary dividends paid to Sponsor (other than special dividends paid to the holders of the
Class B Common Stock of Holdings in accordance with Holdings’ Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended from time to time) and customary provisions relating to post-termination exercise periods
(which, in any event, would not be less than one (1) year in the event of Executive’s death or
Total Disability (as defined in Section 4.2(c)) or sixty (60) days in the event of a termination
without Cause (as defined in Section 4.3(g)) or with or without Good Reason (as defined in
Section 4.3(h))). The options will be time based and will vest annually over a four (4) year
period on each anniversary of the grant date subject to the Executive’s continuous employment with
Centers through each such vesting date and will have an outside exercise date of ten (10) years
from the date of grant, subject to earlier termination in certain circumstances. The options
having an exercise price equal to the Sponsor Buy-In Price will be incentive stock options to the
maximum extent permitted under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”). All other options will be nonqualified options.




          (c) During the Employment Period and in the sole discretion of, and subject to the approval
of, the Holdings Board (or any compensation committee or other appropriate committee under the
Equity Incentive Plan), the Executive shall be eligible to participate in and be granted awards
under the Equity Incentive Plan.




          (d) In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in Section 4.3(i)), all of the Executive’s
stock options shall vest in full and become immediately exercisable and all restrictions with
respect to restricted stock issued to the Executive, if any, shall lapse.




     4. Termination.



          4.1 General. The employment of the Executive hereunder (and the Employment Period)
shall terminate as provided in Section 2 hereof, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 4.




          4.2 Death or Disability of the Executive.




          (a) The employment of the Executive hereunder (and the Employment Period) shall terminate upon
(i) the death of the Executive or, (ii) at the option of GNC, upon not less


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than fifteen (15) days’
prior written notice to the Executive or the Executive’s personal representative or guardian, if
the Executive suffers a Total Disability (as defined in Section 4.2(c)).




      
    (b) In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated
pursuant to this Section 4.2, then,
subject to reduction by any benefits paid or payable to the Executive, the Executive’s
beneficiaries or estate under any Centers-sponsored disability benefit plan program or policy for
the period following such date of termination (provided, however, that no such
reduction shall be made for any benefits paid upon the Executive’s death under Centers’ life
insurance policy), the following provisions shall apply:




               (i) Centers shall pay to the Executive, or to the Executive’s guardian or personal
representative, as the case may be, (A) any accrued but unpaid Base Salary paid in accordance with
Centers’ normal payroll practices and procedures, (B) any accrued but unpaid Annual Bonus, if any,
with respect to the fiscal year prior to the year in which termination occurs, paid in accordance
with Section 3.2 (the “Accrued Bonus”), (C) payment for any accrued but unpaid Perquisites
in accordance with Centers’ normal payroll practices and policies, (D) payment for any accrued but
unused vacation in accordance with Centers’ normal payroll practices and policies, and (E)
reimbursement of expenses in accordance with Section 3.3 (collectively, “Accrued
Obligations”);



               (ii) Centers shall pay to the Executive, or to the Executive’s guardian or personal
representative, as the case may be, a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (x) the Executive’s
current Base Salary and (y) the annualized value of the Perquisites as determined in good faith by
the Accounting Firm (as defined in Section 4.3(f)(ii)) using customary valuation methods, payable
within thirty (30) days of such termination;



               (iii) Centers shall pay to the Executive, or to the Executive’s guardian or personal
representative, as the case may be, a prorated share of the Annual Bonus pursuant to Section 3.2
(based on the period of actual employment) that the Executive would have been entitled to had the
Executive worked the full year during which the termination occurred, provided that bonus targets
(other than individual targets) are met for the year of such termination (any such bonus shall be
payable as soon as reasonably practicable following the determination thereof, but in no event
later than March 15 of the following year, and in accordance with Centers’ normal payroll practices
and procedures); and



               (iv) if (x) the Executive, guardian or personal representative, as the case may be, timely
elects continuation coverage (with respect to the Executive’s coverage or any eligible dependent
coverage, as applicable) under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986
(“COBRA Continuation Coverage”) with respect to Centers’ group health insurance plan and
(y) the Executive, guardian or personal representative, as the case may be, continue timely
co-payment of premiums at the same level and cost as if the Executive were an employee of Centers
(excluding, for purposes of calculating cost, an employee’s ability to pay premiums with pre-tax
dollars), Centers shall be responsible for payment of the monthly cost of COBRA Continuation
Coverage to the same extent it paid for such coverage for the Executive’s



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coverage or any eligible
dependent coverage, as applicable, immediately prior to the date of the termination pursuant to
this Section 4.2, such payment to continue for the period permitted by COBRA; provided,
however, that if, in the event of termination due to Total Disability, the Executive
obtains other employment that offers substantially similar or improved group health benefits, COBRA
Continuation Coverage shall cease.



          (c) Subject to the last sentence of this Section 4.2(c), for purposes of this Agreement,
“Total Disability” means (i) the Executive is subject to a legal decree of incompetency
(the date of such decree being deemed the date on which such disability occurred), (ii) the written
determination by a physician selected by GNC that, because of a medically determinable disease,
injury or other physical or mental disability, the Executive is unable to substantially perform,
with or without reasonable accommodation, the material duties of the Executive required by this
Agreement, and that such disability has lasted for ninety (90) consecutive days or any one hundred
twenty (120) days during the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period or is, as of the date
of determination, reasonably expected to last six (6) months or longer after the date of
determination, in each case based upon medically available reliable information, or (iii) the
Executive’s qualifying for benefits under Centers long-term disability coverage, if any. In
conjunction with determining Total Disability for purposes of this Agreement, the Executive hereby
consents to (x) any reasonable examinations that the Holdings Board or the Compensation Committee
determines are relevant and reasonably necessary to a determination of Total Disability or are
required by GNC’s physician, (y) furnish such medical information as may be reasonably requested
and (z) waive (only as to GNC and for the limited purpose of determining Total Disability in
accordance with this Agreement, subject to an appropriate confidentiality understanding by GNC) any
applicable physician patient privilege that may arise because of such examination. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Section 4.2(c), “Total Disability” shall have the definition of
“Disabled” contained in Section 409A of the Code, in any instance in which amounts are paid under
this Agreement as a result of the Executive’s Total Disability and such amounts are treated as
deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code.




          (d) With respect to outstanding stock options and restricted stock held by the Executive as of
the date of termination pursuant to this Section 4.2, any such options that would become vested and
exercisable, and any restricted stock awards the restrictions with respect to which would lapse, in
each case assuming the Executive had continued to be employed with Centers, during the calendar
year in which termination occurs and the year following the end of such calendar year shall
immediately vest and become exercisable, as applicable, as of the date of the termination.




          4.3 Termination Without Cause or Resignation For Good Reason; Non-Renewal.




          (a) GNC may terminate the Executive’s employment without Cause (as defined in Section 4.3(g)),
and thereby terminate the Executive’s employment (and the Employment Period) under this Agreement
at any time with no requirement for notice to the Executive.




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          (b) The Executive may resign, and thereby terminate the Executive’s employment (and the
Employment Period), at any time for “Good Reason,” upon not less than sixty (60) days’ prior
written notice to GNC specifying in reasonable detail the reason therefor; provided,
however, that GNC shall have a reasonable opportunity to cure any such Good Reason (to the
extent possible) within thirty (30) days after GNC’s receipt of such notice; and provided,
further, that, if GNC is not seeking to cure, GNC shall not be obligated to allow the
Executive to continue working during such period and may, in its sole discretion, accelerate such
termination of employment (and the Employment Period) to any date during such period. A
determination of whether the Executive has Good Reason under Sections 4.3(h)(i) or (ii) for
termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement, and of whether GNC has effectively
cured and thus eliminated the grounds for such Good Reason, shall be made only by a two-thirds vote
of the Holdings Board (excluding the Executive for such purposes), within its sole judgment and
discretion, acting in good faith after having met with Centers’ Vice President of Human Resources.
A determination by the Holdings Board made in accordance with this Section 4.3(b) that Good Reason
does not exist or has been cured will not prevent the Executive from challenging such
determination.




          (c) Following the Initial Employment Period, GNC may decline to renew this Agreement for an
additional Extension Period, in accordance with Section 2.2 hereof, for reasons other than those
that would otherwise constitute Cause.




          (d) In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 4.3, then,
subject to Sections 4.3(e) and 4.6 hereof, the following provisions shall apply:




               (i) Centers shall pay the Executive the Accrued Obligations;



               (ii) Centers shall pay the Executive a lump sum of two (2) times the Base Salary and the
annualized value of the Perquisites, as determined in good faith by the Accounting Firm using
customary valuation methods; provided, however, that if such termination occurs
either (x) “in anticipation of” (as defined in Section 4.3(j)) or during the two (2) year period
following, a Change in Control or (y) within the six (6) months prior to or at any time following,
the consummation of the first public offering of the Holdings Common Stock or other equity
securities of Holdings or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to a registration statement (other than
on Form S-8 or similar or successor forms) filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities
and Exchange Commission (an “IPO”), then such payment will be a lump sum of three (3) times
the Base Salary and the annualized value of the Perquisites, as determined in good faith by the
Accounting Firm using customary valuation methods. All payments pursuant to Sections 4.3(d)(i) and
(ii) shall be made no later than fifteen (15) days of the date of termination;



               (iii) Centers shall pay to the Executive a lump sum of two (2) times an amount equal to the
average Annual Bonus paid or payable under Section 3.2 with respect to the most recent three (3)
fiscal years, starting no earlier than the Effective Date (determined by annualizing the bonus paid
or payable with respect to any partial fiscal year); provided, however, that that
if such termination occurs either (x) in anticipation of or during the two (2) year period
following, a Change in Control or (y) within the six (6) months prior to or at any time following,
an IPO, then such payment will be a lump sum of three (3) times the amount equal to the average
Annual Bonus paid or payable under Section 3.2 with respect to the most recent three (3) fiscal



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years, starting no earlier than the Effective Date (determined by annualizing the bonus paid or
payable with respect to any partial fiscal year). All payments pursuant to this Section
4.3(d)(iii) shall be made no later than fifteen (15) days of the date of termination;



               (iv) if (x) the Executive timely elects COBRA Continuation Coverage with respect to Centers’
group health insurance plan and (y) the Executive continues timely co-payment of premiums at the
same level and cost as if the Executive were an employee of Centers (excluding, for purposes of
calculating cost, an employee’s ability to pay premiums with pre-tax dollars), Centers shall be
responsible for payment of the monthly cost of COBRA Continuation Coverage to the same extent it
paid for such coverage for the Executive’s coverage or any eligible dependent coverage, as
applicable, immediately prior to the date of the termination pursuant to this Section 4.3, such
payment to continue for the period permitted by COBRA; provided, however, that if
the Executive obtains other employment that offers substantially similar or improved group health
benefits, COBRA Continuation Coverage shall cease;



               (v) with respect to outstanding stock options and restricted stock held by the Executive as of
the date of termination pursuant to this Section 4.3, any such options that would become vested and
exercisable, and any restricted stock awards the restrictions with respect to which would lapse, in
each case assuming the Executive had continued to be employed with Centers, during the twenty-four
(24) month period following the date of termination shall immediately vest and become exercisable,
as applicable; provided, however, that if such termination occurs either (x) in
anticipation of a Change in Control or (y) within the six (6) months prior to or at any time
following, an IPO, any options that would become vested and exercisable, and any restricted stock
awards restrictions with respect to which would lapse, in each case, during the thirty-six (36)
month period following the date of termination shall immediately vest and become exercisable.



          (e) As a condition precedent to the Executive’s right to receive the benefits set forth in
Section 4.3(d) hereof, the Executive agrees to execute a release in substantially the form attached
hereto as Exhibit C.




          (f) (i) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if it shall be determined
that any payment, vesting, distribution or transfer by Centers or any Affiliate or successor of
Centers or by any other Person (as defined in Section 5.4(f)) or that any other event occurring
with respect to the Executive and Centers for the Executive’s benefit, whether paid or payable or
distributed or distributable under the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (including under any
employee benefit plan) (a “Payment”) would be subject to or result in the imposition of the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (and any regulations or guidance promulgated or
issued thereunder, any successor provision, and any similar provision of state or local income tax
law) (collectively, the “Excise Tax”), then the amount of the Payment shall be reduced so
that the present value of all Payments (calculated in accordance with Section 280G of the Code and
the regulations thereunder), in the aggregate, equals three (3) times the Executive’s “base amount”
(within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code), minus one dollar ($1.00) (the “Payment
Reduction”). The Executive shall have the right to designate those payments or benefits that
shall be reduced or eliminated under the Payment Reduction to avoid the imposition of the Excise
Tax, subject to the confirmation of the Accounting Firm (as defined herein) with respect to the
intended effect thereof. Notwithstanding


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the foregoing, the Payment Reduction shall not apply if
the Accounting Firm determines that, on an after-tax basis, the Executive would retain a greater
amount of compensation following payment of the Excise Tax on the unreduced amount of any Payments
than the amount of compensation retained following the Payment Reduction as required hereby.




               (ii) Subject to the provisions of Section 4.3(f)(iii), all determinations required to be made
under this Section 4.3(f), including whether and when a Payment is subject to Section 4999 and the
assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination and in determining an appropriate
Payment Reduction, shall be made by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or any other nationally recognized
accounting firm that shall be Centers’ outside auditors at the time of such determination (the
“Accounting Firm”), which Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations to
the Executive and Centers within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from Centers
or the Executive that there will be a Payment that the Person giving notice believes may be subject
to the Excise Tax. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne by Centers. Any
determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon Centers and the Executive in determining
whether a Payment Reduction is required and the amount thereof (subject to Sections 4.3(f)(iii) and
(iv)), in the absence of material mathematical or legal error.



               (iii) If, as a result of any uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 at the time of the
initial determination by the Accounting Firm under Section 4.3(f)(ii), the Accounting Firm
subsequently determines that (A) a Payment Reduction should have been made and was not, or a larger
Payment Reduction should have been made in accordance with Section 4.3(f)(ii) (an
“Overpayment”), any such Overpayment, to the extent actually paid or provided to the
Executive, will be treated for all purposes, to the extent practicable and subject to applicable
law, as a loan to the Executive with interest at the applicable Federal rate provided for in
Section 1274(d) of the Code and will be repaid by the Executive to Centers in full within
thirty-five (35) days after the Executive receives notice of the Accounting Firm’s determination,
which notice shall be provided to Executive within sixty (60) days of the date that Centers first
learns of the Overpayment from the Accounting Firm; provided, however, that the
amount of the Overpayment to be repaid by the Executive to Centers will be reduced to the extent
that the Accounting Firm determines that any portion of the Overpayment to be repaid will not be
offset by a corresponding reduction in any applicable Excise Tax by reason of such repayment of the
Overpayment, or (B) a Payment Reduction was made and should not have been made, or a smaller
Payment Reduction should have been made in accordance with Section 4.3(f)(ii) (an
“Underpayment”), any such Underpayment will be due and payable by Centers to the Executive
within thirty-five (35) days after Centers receives notice of the Accounting Firm’s determination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any subsequent determination by the Accounting Firm of an
Overpayment or Underpayment in accordance with this Section 4.3(f)(iii) must be made within
seventy-five (75) days after the Accounting Firm’s initial determination under Section 4.3(f)(ii).



               (iv) The Executive shall give written notice to Centers of any claim by the Internal Revenue
Service (“IRS”) that, if successful, would require the payment by the Executive of an
Excise Tax, such notice to be provided within fifteen (15) days after the Executive shall have
received written notice of such claim. The Executive shall cooperate with Centers in determining
whether to contest or pay such claim and shall not pay such claim without



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the written consent of
Centers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.



               (v) This Section 4.3(f) shall remain in full force and effect following the termination of the
Executive’s employment for any reason until the expiration of the statute of limitations on the
assessment of taxes applicable to the Executive for all periods in which the Executive may incur a
liability for taxes (including Excise Taxes), interest or penalties arising out of the operation of
this Agreement.



          (g) For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means the occurrence of any one or more of
the following events, as determined in good faith by a two-thirds vote of the Holdings Board
(excluding the Executive for such purposes), after the Executive (and his counsel) has been given a
reasonable opportunity to be heard at a Holdings Board meeting specifically called for the purpose
of making the Cause determination:




               (i) the Executive’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a crime which constitutes a
felony;



               (ii) the Executive’s willful disloyalty or deliberate dishonesty with respect to GNC or any of
its Affiliates which is injurious to the financial condition, business or reputation of either of
GNC or any of its Affiliates;



               (iii) the commission by the Executive of an act of fraud or embezzlement against GNC or any of
its Affiliates;



               (iv) a material breach by the Executive of any provision of this Agreement or any other
written contract or agreement between the Executive and Holdings or Centers or any of their
Affiliates, which, if curable, is not cured within 30 days after delivery to the Executive by
Holdings or Centers, as applicable, of written notice of such breach; provided, that, if
such breach, if curable, is not capable of being cured within such 30-day period, the Executive
will have a reasonable additional period as will be agreed to by Holdings or Centers, as
applicable, in their sole discretion, to cure such breach; or



               (v) the willful and continued failure by the Executive to materially perform the duties of the
positions of President and Chief Executive Officer of Centers or President and Chief Executive
Officer of Holdings or his continued failure to substantially perform duties requested or
prescribed by the Centers Board or the Holdings Board (other than any such failure resulting from
the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness or death), which, if curable, is not
cured within 30 days after delivery to the Executive by Holdings or Centers, as applicable, of
written notice of such failure; provided, that, if such failure, if curable, is not capable
of being cured within such 30-day period, the Executive will have a reasonable additional period as
will be agreed to by Holdings or Centers, as applicable, in their sole discretion, to cure such
failure.



          Cause will not solely exist because of the Executive’s, Centers’ or Holdings’ unsatisfactory
performance. No act, or failure to act, by the Executive shall be considered “willful” unless
committed in bad faith and without a reasonable belief that the act or omission was in the best
interests of GNC or any of its Affiliates. A determination of Cause in accordance


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with this
section shall not prevent the Executive from challenging the Holdings Board’s determination that
Cause exists or that the Executive has failed to cure any act (or failure to act) that purportedly
formed the basis for the Holdings Board’s determination.




          (h) the Executive may terminate his employment for “Good Reason” after he has actual
knowledge of the occurrence, without his prior written consent (which consent shall be limited to
the specific event in question and shall not constitute the waiver by the Executive of his right to
withhold his consent with respect to any similar event or occurrence unless specifically stated in
the consent), of any of the following:




               (i) GNC’s failure to comply with any material provisions of this Agreement which is not cured
within 30 days after the Executive has given written notice of such noncompliance to GNC;



               (ii) a material adverse change by GNC in the Executive’s responsibilities, duties or authority
(including, but not limited to any change in reporting obligation) as the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Centers or as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Holdings, which, in
the aggregate, causes the Executive’s positions with GNC to have less responsibility or authority
than the Executive’s position immediately prior to such change (other than temporarily during any
period where the Executive is incapacitated due to physical or mental illness);



               (iii) removal of the Executive from the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of
Centers or from the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Holdings, or failure to
elect (or appoint) the Executive to, or removal of the Executive from, the Centers Board or the
Holdings Board;



               (iv) a reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary; or



               (v) the Executive’s principal place of business for performing services to Centers moves to a
new location that is more than 75 miles from the Executive’s principal place of business existing
on the Effective Date.



          In the event that the Executive has actual knowledge of an event or occurrence giving the
Executive a right to terminate his employment for Good Reason for a period of more than ninety (90)
days, such event or occurrence shall cease to constitute Good Reason; provided,
however, that the foregoing will not constitute a waiver of the Executive’s right to
terminate this Agreement for Good Reason for any subsequent similar event or occurrence.




          (i) For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” means, and shall be deemed
to have occurred upon the occurrence of, any one of the following events:




               (i) the acquisition (including any acquisition through purchase, reorganization, merger,
consolidation or similar transaction) in one or more transactions by any individual, entity
(including any employee benefit plan or any trust for an employee benefit plan) or group (within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”)) (for purposes of this Section 4.3(i) only, a “Person”), other than
any acquisition by any Permitted
Holder or any of its Related Parties or a Permitted



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Group, of
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of
shares or other securities (as defined in Section 3(a)(10) of the Exchange Act) representing 50% or
more of either (1) the Holdings Common Stock or (2) the combined voting power of the securities of
Holdings entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Holdings Board (the
“Holdings Voting Securities”), in each case calculated on a fully diluted basis after
giving effect to such acquisition; provided, however, that none of the following
acquisitions shall constitute a Change in Control as defined in this clause (i): (A) any
acquisition by any Person or group of Persons consisting solely of stockholders of Holdings on the
Effective Date, (B) any acquisition so long as such acquisition does not result in any Person
(other than any stockholder or stockholders of Holdings on the Effective Date), beneficially owning
shares or securities representing 50% or more of either the Holdings Common Stock or Holdings
Voting Securities, (C) any acquisition, after which the Permitted Holders or their Related Parties
have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election
a majority of the Holdings Board; or



               (ii) any election has occurred of Persons to the Holdings Board that causes two-thirds of the
Holdings Board to consist of Persons other than (A) Persons who were members of the Holdings Board
on the Effective Date and (B) Persons who were nominated for elections as members of the Holdings
Board at a time when two-thirds of the Holdings Board consisted of Persons who were members of the
Holdings Board on the Effective Date; provided, however, that any Person nominated
for election by a Holdings Board at least two-thirds of whom constituted Persons described in
clauses (A) or (B) or by Persons who were themselves nominated by such Holdings Board shall, for
this purpose, be deemed to have been nominated by a Holdings Board composed of Persons described in
clause (A); or



               (iii) approval by the stockholders of Holdings of (A) a complete liquidation or dissolution of
Holdings or Centers or (B) the sale or other disposition (other than a merger or consolidation) of
all or substantially all of the assets of Holdings and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any
Person other than a Permitted Holder or a Related Party of a Permitted Holder; or



               (iv) Centers ceases to be a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings.



          For purposes of this Section 4.3(i), the following terms shall have the following meanings:




          (1) “Permitted Group” means any group of investors that is deemed to be a “person” (as
that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) at any time prior to Holdings’ initial
public offering of common stock, solely by virtue of the Stockholders Agreement by and among
Holdings, Ares, OTPP, the Executive, and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time.




          (2) “Permitted Holder” means Ares, Ares Management, Inc., Ares Management LLC and
OTPP.



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          (3) “Related Party” means:




               (x) any controlling equityholder, managing general partner or majority-owned subsidiary, of
any Permitted Holder;



               (y) any trust, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, the
beneficiaries, stockholders, partners, members, owners or Persons beneficially holding an 80% or
more controlling interest of which consist of any one or more Permitted Holders and/or such other
Persons referred to in the immediately preceding clause (x); or



               (z) any investment fund or similar entity managed by any one or more Permitted Holders and/or
such other Persons referred to in the immediately preceding clause (x) or (y).



          (j) For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of the Executive’s employment shall be
deemed to have been “in anticipation of” a Change in Control if such termination occurs at any time
from and after the period beginning six (6) months prior to a Change in Control and such
termination occurs (i) after a definitive agreement is entered into by Centers or Holdings
providing for a Change in Control or (ii) at the request of an unrelated third party who has taken
steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control.




          (k) Notwithstanding anything in Section 4.3(i) to the contrary, “Change in Control” shall have
the definition of “Change in Control” contained in Section 409A of the Code in any instance in
which amounts are paid under this Agreement as a result of a Change in Control and such amounts are
treated as deferred compensation under Section 409A.




          4.4 Termination For Cause, Voluntary Resignation Other Than For Good Reason. 




          (a) (i) GNC may, upon action of the Holdings Board, terminate the employment of the Executive
(and the Employment Period) at any time for “Cause,” or (ii) the Executive may voluntarily resign
other than for Good Reason and thereby terminate the Executive’s employment (and the Employment
Period) under this Agreement at any time upon not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice.




          (b) In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 4.4, then
the Executive shall be entitled to receive all of the Accrued Obligations (other than, in the event
of a termination for Cause, the Accrued Bonus). All other rights of the Executive (and all
obligations of GNC) hereunder shall terminate as of the date of such termination.




          4.5 Resignation from Officer Positions. Upon the termination of the Executive’s
employment for any reason (unless otherwise agreed in writing by GNC and the Executive), the
Executive will be deemed to have resigned, without any further action by the Executive, from any
and all officer and director positions that the Executive, immediately prior to such termination,
(a) held with GNC or any of its Affiliates and (b) held with any other


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entities at the direction
of, or as a result of the Executive’s affiliation with, GNC or any of its Affiliates. If for any
reason this Section 4.5 is deemed to be insufficient to effectuate such resignations, then the
Executive will, upon GNC’s request, execute any documents or instruments that GNC may deem
necessary or desirable to effectuate such resignations. In addition, the Executive hereby
designates the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of Holdings, Centers or of any of their
Affiliates to execute any such documents or instruments as the Executive’s attorney-in-fact to
effectuate such resignations if execution by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of Holdings,
Centers or their Affiliates is deemed by GNC or its Affiliates to be a more expedient means to
effectuate such resignation or resignations.




          4.6 Section 409A of the Code. It is intended that any amounts payable under this
Agreement will comply with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations relating thereto so as not
to subject the Executive to the payment of interest, tax, and penalties which may be imposed under
Section 409A of the Code. Accordingly, the Executive and Centers agree to use reasonable best
efforts to cooperate, including by restructuring the timing of payments under this Agreement, to
avoid the imposition of any additional interest, tax, or penalty charge under Section 409A of the
Code in respect of payments to the Executive under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in
this Agreement to the contrary, (i) if upon the employment termination date, the Executive is a
“specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Code and the deferral of the commencement of
any payments or benefits otherwise payable hereunder as a result of such separation from service is
necessary in order to avoid the imposition on the Executive of any tax or penalty, including
interest, under Section 409A of the Code, then Centers will defer the commencement of any such
payments or benefits hereunder (without any reduction in such payments or benefits ultimately paid
or provided to the Executive) until the date that is six (6) months following the Executive’s
separation from service with Centers (or the earliest date as is permitted under Section 409A of
the Code) and Centers will make all applicable payments that have accrued during such six (6) month
period in a lump sum to the Executive following the expiration of such period. In no event
whatsoever shall GNC or any of their Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest or
penalties that may be imposed on the Executive by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for
failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code other than for withholding obligations or other
obligations applicable to employers, if any, under Section 409A of the Code.




          4.7 No Mitigation. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any
payment or benefit provided for in this Section 4 by seeking other employment or otherwise, and,
except as specifically provided in this Agreement, the amounts of compensation and benefits payable
or otherwise due to the Executive under this Section 4 or other provisions of this Agreement shall
not be reduced by compensation or benefits received by the Executive from any other employment he
shall choose to undertake following termination of his employment under this Agreement. Further,
any amounts owed to the Executive under this Agreement may not be offset by any claims Centers may
have against the Executive, and Centers’ obligation to make the payments provided for in this
Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations under this Agreement will not be affected by any
other circumstances, including, without limitation, any counterclaim, right of set-off, recoupment,
defense, or other right that Centers may have against the Executive or other Persons.




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     5. Confidentiality, Work Product, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation.



          5.1 Confidentiality.




          (a) In connection with the Executive’s employment hereunder, GNC and its Affiliates intend to
provide the Executive with access to “Confidential Information” (as defined in Section 5.4(d)
hereof) in support of the Executive’s employment duties. The Executive recognizes that the
business interests of GNC and its Affiliates require a confidential relationship between GNC, its
Affiliates and the Executive and the fullest practical protection and confidential treatment of all
Confidential Information. At all times, both during and after the Employment Period, the Executive
shall not directly or indirectly: (i) appropriate, download, print, copy, remove, use, disclose,
divulge, communicate or otherwise “Misappropriate” (as defined in Section 5.4(e) hereof) any
Confidential Information, including, without limitation, originals or copies of any Confidential
Information, in any media or format, except for the benefit of GNC and its Affiliates
within the course and scope of the Executive’s employment or with the prior written consent of the
Holdings Board, or (ii) take or encourage any action that would circumvent, interfere with or
otherwise diminish the value or benefit of the Confidential Information to GNC or its Affiliates.




          (b) All Confidential Information, and all other information and property affecting or relating
to the business of GNC and its Affiliates within the Executive’s possession, custody or control,
regardless of form or format, shall remain, at all times, the property of GNC and its Affiliates,
the appropriation, use or disclosure of which is governed and restricted by this Agreement.




          (c) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that:




               (i) the Executive occupies a unique position within GNC, and the Executive is and will be
intimately involved in the development or implementation of Confidential Information;



               (ii) in the event the Executive breaches this Section 5.1 with respect to any Confidential
Information, such breach shall be deemed to be a Misappropriation of such Confidential Information;
and



               (iii) any Misappropriation of Confidential Information will result in immediate and
irreparable harm to GNC and its Affiliates.



          (d) Upon receipt of any formal or informal request, by legal process or otherwise, seeking the
Executive’s direct or indirect disclosure or production of any Confidential Information to any
Person, the Executive shall promptly and timely notify GNC and provide a description and, if
applicable, hand deliver a copy of such request to GNC. The Executive irrevocably nominates and
appoints GNC as the Executive’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact to act in the Executive’s name,
place and stead to perform any act that the Executive might perform to defend and protect against
any disclosure of Confidential Information.




          (e) At any time GNC may reasonably request, during or after the Employment Period, the
Executive shall deliver to GNC all originals and copies of Confidential Information


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and all other
information and property affecting or relating to the businesses of GNC and its Affiliates within
the Executive’s possession, custody or control, regardless of form or format, including, without
limitation any Confidential Information produced by the Executive. Both during and after the
Employment Period, GNC shall have the right of reasonable access to review, inspect, copy or
confiscate any Confidential Information within the Executive’s possession, custody or control.




          (f) Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, the Executive shall immediately return
to GNC or its Affiliates, as applicable, all Confidential Information, and all other information
and property affecting or relating to the business of GNC and its Affiliates, within the
Executive’s possession, custody or control, regardless of form or format, without the necessity of
a prior request by GNC.




          (g) During the Employment Period, the Executive represents and agrees that the Executive will
not use or disclose any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of others,
including but not limited to former employers, and that the Executive will not bring onto the
premises of Holdings, Centers or any of their Affiliates or access such confidential or proprietary
information or trade secrets of such others, unless consented to in writing by said others, and
then only with the prior written authorization of GNC or its Affiliates, as applicable.




          5.2 Work Product/Intellectual Property.




          (a) Assignment. The Executive hereby assigns to GNC all right, title and interest to
all “Work Product” (as defined in Section 5.4(h) hereof) that (i) relates to any of the Company
Parties’ actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or
services, or (ii) is conceived, reduced to practice, developed or made using any equipment,
supplies, facilities, assets, information or resources of any of the Company Parties (including,
without limitation, any intellectual property rights).







          (b) Disclosure. The Executive shall promptly disclose Work Product to the Holdings
Board and perform all actions reasonably requested by GNC (whether during or after the Employment
Period) to establish and confirm the ownership and proprietary interest of any of the Company
Parties in any Work Product (including, without limitation, the execution of assignments, consents,
powers of attorney, applications and other instruments). The Executive shall not file any patent
or copyright applications related to any Work Product except with the written consent of the
Holdings Board.




          5.3 Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation.




          (a) In consideration of the Confidential Information being provided to the Executive as stated
in Section 5.1 hereof, and other good and valuable new consideration as stated in this Agreement,
including, without limitation, continued employment with Centers and the business relationships,
goodwill, work experience, client, customer and vendor relationships and other fruits of employment
that the Executive will have the opportunity to obtain, use and develop under this Agreement, the
Executive agrees to the restrictive covenants stated in this Section 5.3.




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          (b) During the Employment Period and until the end of the Restricted Period (as defined in
Section 5.4(g) hereof), the Executive agrees that the Executive will not, directly or indirectly,
on the Executive’s own behalf or on the behalf of any other Person, within the United States of
America or in any other country or territory in which the businesses of any of the Company Parties
are conducted:




               (i) subject to Section 5.3(c), engage in a Competing Business (as defined in Section 5.4(c)
hereof), including, without limitation, by owning, managing, operating, controlling, being employed
by, providing services as a consultant or independent contractor to or participating in the
ownership, management, operation or control of any Competing Business;



               (ii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor or other Person in a
business relationship with any Company Party, for or with which the Executive or employees working
under the Executive’s supervision had any direct or indirect responsibility or contact during the
Employment Period, (A) to do business with a Competing Business or (B) to cease, restrict,
terminate or otherwise reduce business with any of the Company Parties for the benefit of a
Competing Business, regardless of whether the Executive initiates contact; or



               (iii) (A) solicit, recruit, persuade, influence or induce, or attempt to solicit, recruit,
persuade, influence or induce anyone employed or otherwise retained by any of the Company Parties
(including any independent contractor or consultant), to cease or leave their employment or
contractual or consulting relationship with any Company Party, regardless of whether the Executive
initiates contact for such purposes or (B) hire, employ or otherwise attempt to establish, for any
Person, any employment, agency, consulting, independent contractor or other business relationship
with any Person who is or was employed or otherwise retained by any of the Company Parties
(including any independent contractor or consultant).



          (c) The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, notwithstanding anything in Section
5.3(b)(i) hereof, (i) the Executive may own or hold, solely as passive investments, securities of
Persons engaged in any business that would otherwise be included in Section 5.3(b)(i), as long as
with respect to each such investment the securities held by the Executive do not exceed five
percent (5%) of the outstanding securities of such Person and such securities are publicly traded
and registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and (ii) the Executive may serve on the board
of directors (or other comparable position) or as an officer of any entity at the request of the
Holdings Board; provided, however, that in the case of investments otherwise
permitted under clause (i) above, the Executive shall not be permitted to, directly or indirectly,
participate in, or attempt to influence, the management, direction or policies of (other than
through the exercise of any voting rights held by the Executive in connection with such
securities), or lend the Executive’s name to, any such Person.




          (d) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that, for purposes of this Section 5.3, indirect
acts by the Executive shall include, without limitation, an act by the Executive’s spouse,
ancestor, lineal descendant, lineal descendant’s spouse, sibling or other member of the Executive’s
immediate family.




- 17 -









 








          (e) The Executive acknowledges that (i) the restrictive covenants contained in this Section
5.3 hereof are ancillary to and part of an otherwise enforceable agreement, such being the
agreements concerning Confidential Information and other consideration as stated in this Agreement,
(ii) at the time that these restrictive covenants are made, the limitations as to time, geographic
scope and activity to be restrained, as described herein, are reasonable and do not impose a
greater restraint than necessary to protect the good will and other legitimate business interests
of GNC or its Affiliates, including without limitation, Confidential Information (including trade
secrets), client, customer or vendor relationships, client or customer goodwill and business
productivity, (iii) in the event of termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive’s
experiences and capabilities are such that the Executive can obtain gainful employment without
violating this Agreement and without the Executive incurring undue hardship, (iv) based on the
relevant benefits and other new consideration provided for in this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the disclosure and use of Confidential Information, the restrictive covenants of this
Section 5.3, as applicable according to their terms, shall remain in full force and effect even in
the event of the Executive’s involuntary termination from employment, with or without Cause, and
(v) the Executive has carefully read this Agreement and has given careful consideration to the
restraints imposed upon the Executive by this Agreement and consents to the terms of the
restrictive covenants in this Section 5.3, with the knowledge that this Agreement may be terminated
at any time in accordance with the provisions hereof.




          5.4 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:




          (a) An “Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, whether now or
hereafter existing, directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or
indirect common control with, such specified Person. For purposes hereof, “control” or any other
form thereof, when used with respect to any Person, means the power to direct the management and
policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” shall have
meanings correlative to the foregoing.




          (b) “Company Parties” means GNC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and
Affiliates and their successors in interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Company Parties”
shall not include the Sponsor and or any entity in which the Sponsor has an equity interest other
than GNC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.




          (c) “Competing Business” means any business that competes with any of the Company
Parties, including, without limitation, any enterprise that engages in, owns or operates businesses
that market, sell, distribute, manufacture or otherwise are involved in the nutritional supplements
industry.




          (d) Confidential Information.




               (i) “Confidential Information” means any and all material, information, ideas,
inventions, formulae, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, processes,
know how, plans (marketing, business, strategic, technical or otherwise), arrangements, pricing and
other data of or relating to GNC or any of its Affiliates (as well as



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their customers and vendors)
that is confidential, proprietary or trade secret (A) by its nature, (B) based on how it is treated
or designated by GNC or any of its Affiliates, (C) because the disclosure of which would have a
material adverse effect on the businesses or planned businesses of GNC or its Affiliates or (D) as
a matter of law.



               (ii) Exclusions. Confidential Information does not include material, data or
information (A) that GNC or any of its Affiliates has voluntarily placed in the public domain,
(B) that has been lawfully and independently developed and publicly disclosed by third parties,
(C) that constitutes the general non-specialized knowledge and skills gained by the Executive
during the Employment Period or (D) that otherwise enters the public domain through lawful means;
provided, however, that the unauthorized appropriation, use or disclosure of
Confidential Information by the Executive, directly or indirectly, shall not affect the protection
and relief afforded by this Agreement regarding such information.



               (iii) Inclusions. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, the following
information (including without limitation, compilations or collections of information) relating or
belonging to GNC or any of its Affiliates (as well as their clients, customers or vendors) and
created, prepared, accessed, used or reviewed by the Executive during or after the Employment
Period: (1) product and manufacturing information, such as ingredients, combinations of ingredients
and manufacturing processes; (2) scientific and technical information, such as research and
development, tests and test results, formulae and formulations, studies and analysis; (3) financial
and cost information, such as operating and production costs, costs of goods sold, costs of
supplies and manufacturing materials, non-public financial statements and reports, profit and loss
information, margin information and financial performance information; (4) customer related
information, such as customer related contracts, engagement and scope of work letters, proposals
and presentations, customer related contacts, lists, identities and prospects, practices, plans,
histories, requirements and needs, price information and formulae and information concerning client
or customer products, services, businesses or equipment specifications; (5) vendor and supplier
related information, such as the identities, practices, history or services of any vendors or
suppliers and vendor or supplier contacts; (6) sales, marketing and price information, such as
marketing and sales programs and related data, sales and marketing strategies and plans, sales and
marketing procedures and processes, pricing methods, practices and techniques and pricing schedules
and lists; (7) database, software and other computer related information, such as computer
programs, data, compilations of information and records, software and computer files, presentation
software and computer-stored or backed-up information including, but not limited to, e-mails,
databases, word processed documents, spreadsheets, notes, schedules, task lists, images and video;
(8) employee-related information, such as lists or directories identifying employees,
representatives and contractors, and information regarding the competencies (knowledge, skill,
experience), compensation and needs of employees, representatives and contractors and training
methods; and (9) business and operation-related information, such as operating methods, procedures,
techniques, practices and processes, information about acquisitions, corporate or business
opportunities, information about partners and potential investors, strategies, projections and
related documents, contracts and licenses and business records, files, equipment, notebooks,
documents, memoranda, reports, notes, sample books, correspondence, lists and other written and
graphic business records.



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          (e) “Misappropriate”, or any form thereof, means:




               (i) the acquisition of any Confidential Information by a Person who knows or has reason to
know that the Confidential Information was acquired by theft, bribery, misrepresentation, breach or
inducement of a breach of a duty to maintain secrecy or espionage through electronic or other means
(each, an “Improper Means”); or



               (ii) the disclosure or use of any Confidential Information without the express consent of GNC
or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, by a Person who (A) used Improper Means to acquire
knowledge of the Confidential Information, (B) at the time of disclosure or use, knew or had reason
to know that his or her knowledge of the Confidential Information was (x) derived from or through a
Person who had utilized Improper Means to acquire it, (y) acquired under circumstances giving rise
to a duty to maintain its secrecy or limit its use or (z) derived from or through a Person who owed
a duty to GNC or any of its Affiliates to maintain its secrecy or limit its use or (C) before a
material change of his or her position, knew or had reason to know that it was Confidential
Information and that knowledge of it had been acquired by accident or mistake.



          (f) “Person” means (other than for purposes of Section 4.3(i)) any individual,
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, business trust,
joint-stock company, estate, trust, unincorporated organization, government or other agency or
political subdivision thereof or any other legal or commercial entity.




          (g) “Restricted Period” means the eighteen (18) months after the date of termination
of employment.




          (h) “Work Product” means all patents and patent applications, all inventions,
innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, creative
works, discoveries, software, computer programs, modifications, enhancements, know-how, materials,
compositions, techniques, data, processes, formula, specifications, formulations, plans (marketing,
business, strategic, technical or otherwise) concepts and ideas, and all similar or related
information (in each case whether or not patentable), all copyrights and copyrightable works, all
trade secrets, confidential information, and all other intellectual property and intellectual
property rights that are conceived, reduced to practice, developed or made by the Executive either
alone or with others in the course of employment with Centers (including employment prior to the
date of this Agreement).




          5.5 Remedies. Because the Executive’s services are unique and because the Executive
has access to Confidential Information, the Executive acknowledges and agrees that if the Executive
breaches any of the provisions of Section 5 hereof, GNC or any of its Affiliates may suffer
immediate and irreparable harm for which monetary damages alone will not be a sufficient remedy.
The restrictive covenants stated in Section 5 hereof are without prejudice to the rights and causes
of action at law of GNC or any of its Affiliates.




          5.6 Interpretation; Severability.




          (a) The Executive has carefully considered the possible effects on the Executive of the
covenants not to compete, the confidentiality provisions and the other


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obligations contained in
this Agreement, and the Executive recognizes that GNC and its Affiliates have made every effort to
limit the restrictions placed upon the Executive to those that are reasonable and necessary to
protect the legitimate business interests of GNC and its Affiliates.




          (b) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the restrictive covenants set forth in this
Agreement are reasonable and necessary in order to protect the valid business interests of GNC and
its Affiliates. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the covenants, provisions and
agreements contained herein shall be enforceable to the fullest extent allowed by law. If any
covenant, provision or agreement contained herein is found by a court having jurisdiction to be
unreasonable in duration, scope or character of restrictions, or otherwise to be unenforceable,
such covenant, provision or agreement shall not be rendered unenforceable thereby, but rather the
duration, scope or character of restrictions of such covenant, provision or agreement shall be
deemed reduced or modified with retroactive effect to render such covenant, provision or agreement
reasonable or otherwise enforceable (as the case may be), and such covenant, provision or agreement
shall be enforced as modified. If the court having jurisdiction will not review the covenant,
provision or agreement, the parties hereto shall mutually agree to a revision having an effect as
close as permitted by applicable law to the provision declared unenforceable. The parties hereto
agree that if a court having jurisdiction determines, despite the express intent of the parties
hereto, that any portion of the covenants, provisions or agreements contained herein are not
enforceable, the remaining covenants, provisions and agreements herein shall be valid and
enforceable. Moreover, to the extent that any provision is declared unenforceable, GNC and its
Affiliates shall have any and all rights under applicable statutes or common law to enforce its
rights with respect to any and all Confidential Information or unfair competition by the Executive.




     6. Miscellaneous.



          6.1 Public Statements.




          (a) Media Nondisclosure. The Executive agrees that during the Employment Period or at
any time thereafter, except as may be authorized in writing by GNC, the Executive will not directly
or indirectly disclose or release to the Media any information concerning or relating to any aspect
of the Executive’s employment or termination from employment with Centers and any aspect of any
dispute that is the subject of this Agreement. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term
“Media” includes, without limitation, any news organization, station, publication, show,
website, web log (blog), bulletin board, chat room or program (past, present or future), whether
published through the means of print, radio, television or the Internet or otherwise, and any
member, representative, agent or employee of the same.




          (b) Non-Disparagement.




               (i) The Executive agrees that during the Employment Period or at any time thereafter, the
Executive will not make any statements, comments or communications in any form, oral, written or
electronic to any Media or any customer, client or supplier of GNC or any of its Affiliates, which
would constitute libel, slander or disparagement of GNC or any of its Affiliates, including,
without limitation, any such statements, comments or communications that



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criticize, ridicule or are
derogatory to GNC or any of its Affiliates; provided, however, that the terms of
this Section 6.1(b) shall not apply to communications between the Executive and, as applicable, the
Executive’s attorneys or other persons with whom communications would be subject to a claim of
privilege existing under common law, statute or rule of procedure. The Executive further agrees
that the Executive will not in any way solicit any such statements, comments or communications from
others.



               (ii) GNC agrees that during the Employment Period or at any time thereafter, GNC will not make
any statements, comments or communications in any form, oral, written or electronic, to any Media
or any Person, which would constitute libel, slander or disparagement of the Executive, including,
without limitation, any such statements, comments or communications that criticize, ridicule or are
derogatory to the Executive; provided, however, that the terms of this
Section 6.1(b) shall not apply to any documents required to be filed by GNC with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (provided that GNC is advised by legal counsel that such disclosure is required
in order to comply with GNC’s legal obligations thereunder and such disclosure is limited to only
that which is required to be so disclosed) or communications between GNC and, as applicable, GNC’s
attorneys or other persons with whom communications would be subject to a claim of privilege
existing under common law, statute or rule of procedure. GNC further agrees that GNC will not in
any way solicit any such statements, comments or communications from others.



          6.2 Consent to Jurisdiction; Remedies. In the event of any dispute, controversy or
claim between GNC or any of its Affiliates and the Executive arising out of or relating to the
interpretation, application or enforcement of this Agreement, the parties agree and consent to the
personal jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and/or the
United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (collectively, the
“Agreed Venue”) for resolution of the dispute, controversy or claim, and that those courts,
and only those courts, shall have non-exclusive jurisdiction to determine any dispute, controversy
or claim related to, arising under or in connection with this Agreement. The parties also agree
(a) to submit to the jurisdiction of any competent court in the Agreed Venue, (b) to waive any and
all defenses the parties may have on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction of such court and (c) that
neither party shall be required to post any bond, undertaking or other financial deposit or
guarantee in seeking or obtaining such equitable relief. To the full extent permitted by law and
upon presentation of appropriate documentation, all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by
any prevailing party as a result of any dispute involving the validity or enforceability of, or
liability under, any provision of this Agreement (including as a result of any dispute involving
the amount of any payment or other benefit due pursuant to this Agreement) shall be paid by the
non-prevailing party in such dispute.




          6.3 Settlement of Existing Rights. In exchange for the other terms of this Agreement,
the Executive acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Executive’s entry into this Agreement is a
condition of continued employment with Centers; (b) except as otherwise provided herein, this
Agreement will replace any existing employment agreement between the parties, including the
Original Employment Agreement; (c) the Executive is being provided with access to Confidential
Information, including, without limitation, proprietary trade secrets of one or more Company
Parties, to which the Executive has not previously had access; (d) all inventions and intellectual
property developed by the Executive during any past employment


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with Centers and all goodwill
developed with Centers’ clients, customers and other business contacts by the Executive during any
past employment with Centers, as applicable, is the exclusive property of Centers; and (e) all
Confidential Information or specialized training accessed, created, received or utilized by the
Executive during any past employment with Centers, as applicable, will be subject to the
restrictions on Confidential Information described in this Agreement, whether previously so agreed
or not.




          6.4 Entire Agreement; Waiver. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the
Executive and GNC with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior
understandings or agreements, whether written or oral, including, without limitation, the Original
Employment Agreement and any term sheets contemplating the execution of an employment agreement
setting forth the terms and conditions of the Executive’s continued employment with Centers. No
modification or addition hereto or waiver or cancellation of any provision hereof shall be valid
except by a writing signed by the party to be charged therewith. No delay on the part of any party
to this Agreement in exercising any right or privilege provided hereunder or by law shall impair,
prejudice or constitute a waiver of such right or privilege.




          6.5 Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by and will be construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to principles of
conflict of laws.




          6.6 Assignment; Successors; Binding Agreement. This Agreement may not be assigned by
either party, whether by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the
other party, except that any right, title or interest of Holdings or Centers arising out of this
Agreement may be assigned by Holdings or Centers to any corporation or entity controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with Holdings or Centers, as applicable, or to any
Affiliates of Holdings or Centers, as applicable; provided, however, that the
assignee shall first deliver to the Executive an express written assumption of this Agreement and
Holdings’ or Centers’ obligations hereunder, as applicable. No such assignment shall relieve
Holdings or Centers of their obligations under this Agreement without the express written consent
of the Executive (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld). Subject to the foregoing, this
Agreement is binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs,
legatees, devisees, personal representatives, successors and assigns.




          6.7 Representation by Counsel; Independent Judgment. Each of the parties hereto
acknowledges that (a) it or the Executive has read this Agreement in its entirety and understands
all of its terms and conditions, (b) it or the Executive has had the opportunity to consult with
any individuals of its or the Executive’s choice regarding its or the Executive’s agreement to the
provisions contained herein, including legal counsel of its or the Executive’s choice, and any
decision not to was the Executive’s or its alone and (c) it or the Executive is entering into this
Agreement of its or the Executive’s own free will, without coercion from any source, based upon its
or the Executive’s own independent judgment.




          6.8 Interpretation; Construction. The parties and their respective legal counsel
actively participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement, and in the event of any
ambiguity or mistake herein, or any dispute among the parties with respect to the provisions
hereto, no provision of this Agreement shall be construed unfavorably against any of the parties


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on
the ground that the Executive, it, or the Executive’s or its counsel was the drafter thereof. As
used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) the terms defined herein shall
have the meanings set forth herein for all purposes; (b) references to “Section” are to a section
hereof; (c) “include,” “includes,” and “including” are deemed to be followed by “without
limitation” whether or not they are in fact followed by such words or words of like import; (d)
“hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder,” and comparable terms refer to the entirety of this Agreement and
not to any particular section or other subdivision hereof or exhibit hereto; (e) references to any
gender include references to all genders; (f) references to any agreement or other instrument or
statute or regulation are referred to as amended or supplemented from time to time (and, in the
case of a statute or regulation, to any successor provision); and (g) the word “or” shall be deemed
to mean “and/or” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.




          6.9 Notices. All notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed properly given and effective when delivered or when mailed if such mailing is by United
States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by other
delivery service which provides evidence of delivery, as follows:



If to Centers or Holdings, to:



General Nutrition Centers, Inc.

300 Sixth Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Attention: General Counsel



with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to each of the following:



c/o Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund II, L.P.

1999 Avenue of the Stars

Los Angeles, California 90067

Facsimile: 310-210-4170

Attention: David Kaplan



and



c/o Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board

5650 Yonge Street

Toronto, Ontario

M2M 4H5

Facsimile: 416-730-5082

Attention: Lee Sienna

With a copy by Facsimile to: 416-730-3771

Attention: Legal Department



and




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Proskauer Rose LLP

2049 Century Park East, 32nd Floor

Los Angeles, California

Facsimile: 310-557-2193

Attention: Michael A. Woronoff, Esq.



If to the Executive, to:



Joseph M. Fortunato

4191 Muirfield Circle

Nevillewood, PA 15142



with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:



Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP

Henry W. Oliver Building

535 Smithfield Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Attention: Robert P. Zinn, Esq.

Telephone: (412) 355-8687

Facsimile: (412) 355-6501



or to such other address as one party may provide in writing to the other party from time to time.




          6.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument. Facsimile transmission of any signed original document or retransmission of any signed
facsimile transmission will be deemed the same as delivery of an original. At the request of any
party, the parties will confirm facsimile transmission by signing a duplicate original document.




          6.11 Captions. Paragraph headings are for convenience only and shall not be considered
a part of this Agreement.




          6.12 No Third Party Beneficiary Rights. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, no entity shall have any right to enforce any provision of this Agreement, even if
indirectly benefited by it.




          6.13 Withholding. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any
applicable withholding required under Federal, state or local law and any additional withholding to
which the Executive has agreed.




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          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement, to be effective for
all purposes as of the Effective Date.



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	GENERAL NUTRITION CENTERS, INC.	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:
	 	/s/ Mark Weintrub	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Name:
	 	Mark Weintrub	 	 
	 

	 	Title:
	 	Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer

and Secretary	 	 





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	 	 	GNC ACQUISITION HOLDINGS INC.	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:
	 	/s/ David Kaplan	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Name:
	 	David Kaplan	 	 
	 

	 	Title:
	 	Co-President	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:
	 	/s/ Josef Prosperi	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Name:
	 	Josef Prosperi	 	 
	 

	 	Title:
	 	Co-President	 	 





 SIGNATURE PAGE TO FORTUNATO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT




 









 






	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	EXECUTIVE:
	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	/s/ Joseph M. Fortunato	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Name: Joseph M. Fortunato	 	 





 SIGNATURE PAGE TO FORTUNATO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT