Exh44LTIP


Exhibit 4.4


DUNKIN’ BRANDS GROUP, INC.
2015 OMNIBUS LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN


1.DEFINED TERMS
Exhibit A, which is incorporated by reference, defines the terms used in the Plan and sets forth certain operational rules related to those terms.  


2.    PURPOSE
The Plan has been established to advance the interests of the Company by providing for the grant to Participants of Stock-based incentive Awards and other Awards.


3.    ADMINISTRATION
The Administrator has discretionary authority, subject only to the express provisions of the Plan, to interpret the Plan; determine eligibility for and grant Awards; determine, modify or waive the terms and conditions of any Award; determine the medium in which Awards are settled (whether in cash, shares of Stock, other Awards,  other rights or property or a combination thereof); determine whether shares of Stock deliverable in respect of Awards shall be subject to deferral; prescribe forms, rules and procedures relating to the Plan or Awards; and otherwise do all things necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of the Plan.  Determinations of the Administrator made under the Plan will be conclusive and will bind all parties.
4.    LIMITS ON AWARDS UNDER THE PLAN
(a)    Number of Shares.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7(b), the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered in satisfaction of Equity Awards under the Plan shall be 6,200,000 shares of Stock.  Up to the total number of shares of Stock set forth in the preceding sentence may be issued in satisfaction of ISOs, but nothing in this Section 4(a) shall be construed as requiring that any, or any fixed number of, ISOs be awarded under the Plan.  For purposes of this Section 4(a), the number of shares of Stock delivered in satisfaction of Equity Awards will be determined (i) net of shares of Stock underlying the portion of any Award that is settled in cash or the portion of any Award that expires, becomes unexercisable without having been exercised, terminates, or is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to failure to vest, (ii) by treating as having been delivered the full number of shares covered by any portion of a SAR that is settled in Stock (and not only the number of shares of Stock delivered in settlement) and (iii) by treating as having been delivered any shares of Stock withheld from a Stock Option or other Award to satisfy the tax withholding obligations with respect to such Stock Option or other Award or in payment of the exercise price of such Stock Option.  For the avoidance of doubt,  the number of shares of Stock available for delivery under the Plan shall not be increased by any shares of Stock that have been delivered under the Plan that are subsequently repurchased using proceeds directly attributable to Stock Option exercises.  The limits set forth in this Section 4(a) shall be construed to comply with Section 422.  To the extent consistent with the requirements of Section 422 and the regulations thereunder, and other applicable legal requirements (including applicable stock exchange requirements), Stock issued under Substitute 



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Awards shall not reduce the number of shares available for Awards under the Plan.  The shares which may be delivered under Substitute Awards shall be in addition to the limitations set forth in this Section 4(a) on the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan, and such Substitute Awards shall not be subject to the per-Participant Award limits described in Section 4(c) below. 
(b)    Type of Shares.  Shares of Stock delivered by the Company under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Stock or previously issued shares of Stock acquired by the Company.  No fractional shares of Stock will be delivered under the Plan; provided that the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide for the delivery of cash in lieu of any fractional shares that would otherwise be deliverable hereunder.  
(c)    Section 162(m) Limits.    The following additional limits will apply to Awards of the specified type granted, or in the case of Cash Awards, payable to any person (other than a non-employee member of the Board, whose Awards shall be subject to the limits set forth in subsection (d) below) in any calendar year:
(1)Stock Options:  2,500,000 shares of Stock. 
(1)    SARs:  2,500,000 shares of Stock.
		
	(2)
	Awards (other than Stock Options or SARs) that are denominated in shares of Stock:  1,000,000 shares of Stock.


(3)    Cash Awards: $10 million.
In applying the foregoing limits, (i) all Awards of the specified type granted to the same person in the same calendar year will be aggregated and made subject to one limit; (ii) the share limits applicable to Stock Options and SARs refer to the number of shares of Stock underlying such Awards; (iii) the share limit under clause (3) refers to the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered, or the value of which could be paid in cash or other property, under an Award or Awards of the type specified in clause (3) assuming a maximum payout; (iv) Awards other than Cash Awards that are settled in cash will count against the applicable share limit under clause (1), (2) or (3) and not against the dollar limit under clause (4); and (v) the dollar limit under clause (4) refers to the maximum dollar amount payable under an Award or Awards of the type specified in clause (4) assuming a maximum payout.  The foregoing provisions will be construed in a manner consistent with Section 162(m), including, without limitation, where applicable, the rules under Section 162(m) pertaining to permissible deferrals of exempt awards.
(d)    Limitations on Awards to Non-Employee Directors.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, including subsection (c) above, in the case of a Director, additional limits shall apply such that the maximum grant-date fair value of Equity Awards granted in any calendar year during any part of which the Director is then eligible under the Plan shall be $400,000, except that such limit for a non-employee chairman of the Board or lead Director shall be $800,000, in each case, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 (or any successor provision).  The foregoing additional limits related to Directors of the 



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Company shall not apply to any Award or shares of Stock granted pursuant to a Director’s election to receive an Award or shares of Stock in lieu of cash retainers or other fees (to the extent such Award or shares of Stock have a fair value equal to the value of such cash retainers or other fees).  
(e)    Limitation on Full Value Awards.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7(b), the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered in satisfaction of Equity Awards other than Stock Options or SARs shall be 2,000,000 shares of Stock.
5.    ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
The Administrator will select Participants from among those key Employees and Directors of, and consultants and advisors to, the Company and its Affiliates who, in the opinion of the Administrator, are in a position to contribute to the success of the Company and its Affiliates.  Eligibility for ISOs is limited to individuals described in the first sentence of this Section 5 who are employees of the Company or of a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of the Company as those terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code.  Eligibility for Stock Options other than ISOs is limited to individuals described in the first sentence of this Section 5 who are providing direct services on the date of grant of the Stock Option to the Company or to a subsidiary of the Company that would be described in the first sentence of Treas. Regs. §1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)(E). 
6.    RULES APPLICABLE TO AWARDS
(a)    All Awards.
(1)    Award Provisions.  The Administrator will determine the terms of all Awards, subject to the limitations provided herein.  By accepting (or, under such rules as the Administrator may prescribe, being deemed to have accepted) an Award, the Participant will be deemed to have agreed to the terms of the Award and the Plan.    Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, Substitute Awards may contain terms and conditions that are inconsistent with the terms and conditions specified herein, as determined by the Administrator.
(2)    Term of Plan.  No Awards may be made after ten years from the Date of Adoption but previously granted Awards may continue beyond that date in accordance with their terms.
(3)    Transferability.  Neither ISOs nor (except as the Administrator otherwise expressly provides in accordance with the second sentence of this Section 6(a)(3)) other Awards may be transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During a Participant’s lifetime ISOs (and, except as the Administrator otherwise expressly provides in accordance with the third sentence of this Section 6(a)(3), other Awards requiring exercise) may be exercised only by the Participant.  The Administrator may permit the gratuitous transfer (i.e., transfer not for value) of Awards other than ISOs, 



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subject to applicable securities and other laws and such limitations as the Administrator may impose.  
(4)    Vesting, etc.   The Administrator shall determine the time or times at which an Award will vest or become exercisable and the terms on which an Award requiring exercise will remain exercisable. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator may at any time accelerate the vesting or exercisability of an Award, regardless of any adverse or potentially adverse tax or other consequences resulting from such acceleration.  Unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, however, the following rules will apply if a Participant’s Employment ceases:
(A)    Immediately upon the cessation of the Participant’s Employment, each Equity Award requiring exercise that is then held by the Participant or by the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, will (except as provided in (B) and (C) below) cease to be exercisable and will terminate, and, all other Awards that are then held by the Participant or by the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, to the extent not already vested will be forfeited.
(B)    Subject to (C) and (D) below, all Stock Options and SARs held by the Participant or the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, immediately prior to the cessation of the Participant’s Employment, to the extent then exercisable, will remain exercisable for the lesser of (i) a period of three months or (ii) the period ending on the latest date on which such Stock Option or SAR could have been exercised without regard to this Section 6(a)(4), and will thereupon immediately terminate.
(C)    Subject to (D) below, all Stock Options and SARs held by a Participant or the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, immediately prior to the cessation of the Participant’s Employment due to his or her death, to the extent then exercisable, will remain exercisable for the lesser of (i) the one year period ending with the first anniversary of the Participant’s death or (ii) the period ending on the latest date on which such Stock Option or SAR could have been exercised without regard to this Section 6(a)(4), and will thereupon immediately terminate.
(D)    All Stock Options and SARs (whether or not vested) held by a Participant or the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, immediately prior to the cessation of the Participant’s Employment will immediately terminate upon such cessation of Employment if the termination is for Cause or occurs in circumstances that in the sole determination of the Administrator would have constituted grounds for the Participant’s Employment to be terminated for Cause.  
(5)    Recovery of Compensation; Other Terms.  Awards (whether or not vested or exercisable) held by a Participant are subject to forfeiture, termination and rescission, and a Participant will be obligated to return to the Company the value received with respect to Awards (including payments made and/or Stock delivered under an 



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Award, and any gain realized on a subsequent sale or disposition of an Award or Stock delivered under an Award), in each case (i) in connection with a breach by the Participant of a non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or similar covenant or agreement, (ii) in accordance with Company policy relating to the recovery of erroneously-paid incentive compensation, as such policy may be amended and in effect from time to time, or (iii) as otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange listing standards, including, without limitation, Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Each Participant, by accepting an Award pursuant to the Plan, agrees to return the full amount required under this Section 6(a)(5) at such time and in such manner as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion and consistent with applicable law.  Neither the Administrator nor the Company will be responsible for any adverse tax or other consequences to a Participant that may arise in connection with this Section 6(a)(5).  In addition, to the extent provided by the Administrator, Shares received upon settlement, vesting or exercise of a Stock Award may be subject to stock ownership guidelines or policies established by the Company with respect to its employees, directors and/or other service providers.
(6)    Taxes.  The delivery, vesting and retention of Stock, cash or other property under an Award are conditioned upon full satisfaction by the Participant of all tax withholding requirements with respect to the Award, and all payments with respect to any Award will be subject to reduction for applicable tax and other legally or contractually required withholdings.  The Administrator will prescribe such rules for the withholding of taxes with respect to any Award as it deems necessary.  The Administrator may, but need not, hold back shares of Stock from an Equity Award or permit a Participant to tender previously owned shares of Stock in satisfaction of tax withholding requirements (but not in excess of the minimum withholding required by law). 
(7)    Dividend Equivalents, Etc.  The Administrator may provide for the payment of amounts (on terms and subject to conditions established by the Administrator) in lieu of cash dividends or other cash distributions with respect to Stock subject to an Equity Award whether or not the holder of such Award is otherwise entitled to share in the actual dividend or distribution in respect of such Award.  Any entitlement to dividend equivalents or similar entitlements shall be established and administered either consistent with an exemption from, or in compliance with the requirements of, Section 409A.  Dividends or dividend equivalent amounts payable in respect of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units (or any other Award subject to any restrictions) may be subject to such limits or restrictions or alternative terms as the Administrator may impose. 
(8)    Rights Limited.  Nothing in the Plan will be construed as giving any person the right to be granted an Award or to continued employment or service with the Company or its Affiliates, or any rights as a stockholder except as to shares of Stock actually issued under the Plan.  The loss of existing or potential profit in Awards will not constitute an element of damages in the event of a termination of Employment for any reason, even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or any Affiliate to the Participant.



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(9)    Section 162(m).  This Section 6(a)(9)(A) applies to any Performance Award intended to qualify as exempt performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), as determined by the Administrator.  In the case of any Performance Award to which this Section 6(a)(9) applies (other than, with respect to clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), Options and SARs), (i) the Plan and such Award will be construed and administered to the maximum extent permitted by law in a manner consistent with qualifying the Award for such exemption, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan; (ii) the Administrator will preestablish, in writing and no later than 90 days after the commencement of the period of service to which the performance relates (or at such earlier time as is consistent with qualifying the Award for such exemption), one or more Performance Criteria applicable to such Award, the amount or amounts that will be payable or earned (subject to reduction as describe below) if the Performance Criteria are achieved, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate with respect to the Award; (iii) at the close of the applicable Performance Period the Administrator will certify whether the applicable Performance Criteria have been attained; and (iv) no amount will be paid under such Award unless the Performance Criteria applicable to the payment of such amount have been so certified, except as provided by the Administrator consistent with such exemption; and (v) the Administrator may, in its sole and absolute discretion (either in individual cases or in ways that affect more than one Participant), reduce the actual payment, if any, to be made under such Award to the extent consistent with such exemption.
(10)    Coordination with Other Plans.  Awards under the Plan may be granted in tandem with, or in satisfaction of or substitution for, other Awards under the Plan or awards made under other compensatory plans or programs of the Company or its Affiliates.  For example, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, awards under other compensatory plans or programs of the Company or its Affiliates may be settled in Stock (including, without limitation, Unrestricted Stock) under the Plan if the Administrator so determines, in which case the shares delivered shall be treated as awarded under the Plan (and shall reduce the number of shares thereafter available under the Plan in accordance with the rules set forth in Section 4).  In any case where an award is made under another plan or program of the Company or its Affiliates and such award is intended to qualify as exempt performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), and such award is settled by the delivery of Stock or another Award under the Plan, the applicable Section 162(m) limitations under both the other plan or program and under the Plan shall be applied to the Plan as necessary (as determined by the Administrator) to preserve the availability of such exemption.
(11)    Section 409A.  Each Award shall contain such terms as the Administrator determines, and shall be construed and administered, such that the Award either (i) qualifies for an exemption from the requirements of Section 409A or (ii) satisfies such requirements.



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(b)    Stock Options and SARs. 
(1)    Time and Manner of Exercise.  Unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, an Award requiring exercise by the holder will not be deemed to have been exercised until the Administrator receives a notice of exercise (in a form acceptable to the Administrator), which may be an electronic notice, signed (including electronic signature in form acceptable to the Administrator) by the appropriate person and accompanied by any payment required under the Award.  Any attempt to exercise such an Award by any person other than the Participant will not be given effect unless the Administrator has received such evidence as it may require that the person exercising the Award has the right to do so.
(2)    Exercise Price.  The exercise price (or the base value from which appreciation is to be measured) of each Award requiring exercise shall be no less than 100% (in the case of an ISO granted to a ten-percent shareholder within the meaning of subsection (b)(6) of Section 422, 110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Stock subject to the Award, determined as of the date of grant, or such higher amount as the Administrator may determine in connection with the grant or as otherwise determined by the Administrator with respect to a Substitute Award.  Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (which term shall include, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, or exchange of shares) or as otherwise contemplated by Section 7 of the Plan, the Company may not, without obtaining stockholder approval, (A) amend the terms of outstanding Stock Options or SARs to reduce the exercise price or base value of such Stock Options or SARs, (B) cancel outstanding Stock Options or SARs in exchange for Stock Options or SARs with an exercise price or base value that is less than the exercise price or base value of the original Stock Options or SARs, or (C) cancel outstanding Stock Options or SARs that have an exercise price or base value greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of such cancellation in exchange for cash or other consideration.
(3)    Payment of Exercise Price.  Where the exercise of an Award is to be accompanied by payment, payment of the exercise price shall be by cash or check acceptable to the Administrator, or, if so permitted by the Administrator and if legally permissible, (i) through the delivery of unrestricted shares of Stock that have a Fair Market Value equal to the exercise price, (ii) through a broker-assisted exercise program acceptable to the Administrator, (iii) through the withholding of shares of Stock otherwise to be delivered upon exercise of the Award whose Fair Market Value is equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Award being exercised, (iv) by other means acceptable to the Administrator, or (v) by any combination of the foregoing permissible forms of payment.  The delivery of shares in payment of the exercise price under clause (i) above may be accomplished either by actual delivery or by constructive delivery through attestation of ownership, subject to such rules as the Administrator may prescribe.  



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(4)    Maximum Term.  Awards requiring exercise will have a maximum term not to exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant (or five (5) years from the date of grant in the case of an ISO granted to a ten-percent shareholder described in Section 6(b)(2) above. 
(c)    Cash Awards.  A Participant who is granted a Cash Award shall be entitled to a payment, if any, under the Award only if all conditions to payment have been satisfied in accordance with the Plan and the terms of the Award.  The Administrator will determine the actual payment, if any, under each Cash Award.  The Administrator may, in its sole and absolute discretion (but subject, for the avoidance of doubt, to Section 6(a)(9) of the Plan), after determining the amount that would otherwise be payable for a Performance Period with respect to a Cash Award that is a Performance Award, adjust (including to zero) the payment, if any, to be made under such Award.  Cash Awards granted as Performance Awards under the Plan will be with respect to a Performance Period greater than one year, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator.
7.    EFFECT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
(a)    Mergers, etc.  Except as otherwise provided in an Award, the Administrator shall, in its sole discretion, determine the effect of a Covered Transaction on Awards, which determination may include, but is not limited to, the following actions: 
(5)    Assumption or Substitution.  If the Covered Transaction is one in which there is an acquiring or surviving entity, the Administrator may (but, for the avoidance of doubt, need not) for provide for (A) the assumption or continuation of some or all outstanding Awards or any portion thereof or (B) the grant of new awards in substitution therefor by the acquiror or survivor or an affiliate of the acquiror or survivor.
(6)    Cash-Out of Awards.  Subject to Section 7(a)(5) below, the Administrator may (but, for the avoidance of doubt, need not) provide for payment (a “cash-out”), with respect to some or all Awards or any portion thereof, equal in the case of each affected Equity Award or portion thereof to the excess, if any, of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock times the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award or such portion, over (B) the aggregate exercise or purchase price, if any, under the Award or such portion (in the case of a SAR, the aggregate base value above which appreciation is measured), in each case on such payment terms (which need not be the same as the terms of payment to holders of Stock) and other terms, and subject to such conditions, as the Administrator determines; it being understood that if the exercise or purchase price (or base value) of an Equity Award is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock, no payment will be due in respect of such Equity Award.
(7)    Acceleration of Certain Awards.  Subject to Section 7(a)(5) below, the Administrator may (but, for the avoidance of doubt, need not) provide that each Equity Award requiring exercise will become exercisable in full or in part, and/or that the delivery of any shares of Stock remaining deliverable under any outstanding Award of Stock Units (including Restricted Stock Units and Performance Awards to the extent 



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consisting of Stock Units) will be accelerated in full or in part, prior to the Covered Transaction, in each case on a basis that gives the holder of the Award a reasonable opportunity, as determined by the Administrator, following exercise of the Award or the delivery of the shares, as the case may be, to participate as a stockholder in the Covered Transaction. 
(8)    Termination of Awards upon Consummation of Covered Transaction.  Except as the Administrator may otherwise determine in any case, each Award will automatically terminate (and in the case of outstanding shares of Restricted Stock, will automatically be forfeited) upon consummation of the Covered Transaction, other than the following: (i) Awards assumed pursuant to Section 7(a)(1) above; and (ii) Cash Awards that by their terms, or as a result of action taken by the Administrator, continue following such Covered Transaction.
(9)    Additional Limitations.  Any share of Stock and any cash or other property delivered pursuant to Section 7(a)(2) or Section 7(a)(3) above with respect to an Equity Award may, in the discretion of the Administrator, contain such restrictions, if any, as the Administrator deems appropriate to reflect any performance or other vesting conditions to which the Award was subject and that did not lapse (and were not satisfied) in connection with the Covered Transaction.  For purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, a cash-out under Section 7(a)(2) above or the acceleration of exercisability of an Award under Section 7(a)(3) above shall not, in and of itself, be treated as the lapsing (or satisfaction) of a performance or other vesting condition.  In the case of Restricted Stock that does not vest and is not forfeited in connection with the Covered Transaction, the Administrator may require that any amounts delivered, exchanged or otherwise paid in respect of such Stock in connection with the Covered Transaction be placed in escrow or otherwise made subject to such restrictions as the Administrator deems appropriate to carry out the intent of the Plan.
(b)    Changes in and Distributions with Respect to Stock
(1)    Basic Adjustment Provisions.  In the event of a stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares (including a reverse stock split), recapitalization or other change in the Company’s capital structure that constitutes an equity restructuring within the meaning of FASB ASC Topic 718 (or any successor provision), the Administrator shall make appropriate adjustments to the maximum number of shares of Stock specified in Section 4(a) that may be delivered under the Plan (and in satisfaction of ISOs) and to the maximum share limits described in Section 4(c), and shall also make appropriate adjustments to the number and kind of shares of stock or securities subject to Equity Awards then outstanding or subsequently granted, any exercise or purchase prices (or base values) relating to Equity Awards and any other provision of Awards affected by such change. 
(2)    Certain Other Adjustments.  The Administrator may also make adjustments of the type described in Section 7(b)(1) above to take into account distributions to stockholders other than those provided for in Section 7(a) and 7(b)(1), or 



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any other event, if the Administrator determines that adjustments are appropriate to avoid distortion in the operation of the Plan, having due regard for the qualification of ISOs under Section 422, the requirements of Section 409A, and for the performance-based compensation rules of Section 162(m), to the extent applicable.
(3)    Continuing Application of Plan Terms.  References in the Plan to shares of Stock will be construed to include any stock or securities resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 7.
8.    LEGAL CONDITIONS ON DELIVERY OF STOCK
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove any restriction from shares of Stock previously delivered under the Plan until: (i) the Company is satisfied that all legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been addressed and resolved; (ii) if the outstanding Stock is at the time of delivery listed on any stock exchange or national market system, the shares to be delivered have been listed or authorized to be listed on such exchange or system upon official notice of issuance; and (iii) all conditions of the Award have been satisfied or waived.  The Company may require, as a condition to exercise of the Award or delivery of shares of Stock under an Award, such representations or agreements as counsel for the Company may consider appropriate to avoid violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any applicable state or non-U.S. securities law.  Any Stock required to be issued to Participants under the Plan will be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or delivery of stock certificates.   In the event that the Administrator determines that stock certificates will be issued to Participants under the Plan, the Administrator may require that certificates evidencing Stock issued under the Plan bear an appropriate legend reflecting any restriction on transfer applicable to such Stock, and the Company may hold the certificates pending lapse of the applicable restrictions. 


9.    AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
The Administrator may at any time or times amend the Plan or any outstanding Award for any purpose which may at the time be permitted by law, and may at any time terminate the Plan as to any future grants of Awards; provided, that except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan the Administrator may not, without the Participant’s consent, alter the terms of an Award so as to affect materially and adversely the Participant’s rights under the Award, unless the Administrator expressly reserved the right to do so at the time the Award was granted.  For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not limit the Administrator’s ability under Section 6(a)(9) or Section 6(c)(1) of the Plan to make adjustments to Performance Awards or Cash Awards, as applicable, in accordance with the terms of such Sections.  Any amendments to the Plan shall be conditioned upon stockholder approval, but only to the extent, if any, such approval is required by law (including the Code and applicable stock exchange requirements), as determined by the Administrator.  


10.    OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS



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The existence of the Plan or the grant of any Award will not in any way affect the Company’s right to award a person bonuses or other compensation in addition to Awards under the Plan.


11.    MISCELLANEOUS 
(a)    Waiver of Jury Trial.  By accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant waives any right to a trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim concerning any rights under the Plan and any Award, or under any amendment, waiver, consent, instrument, document or other agreement delivered or which in the future may be delivered in connection therewith, and agrees that any such action, proceedings or counterclaim shall be tried before a court and not before a jury.  By accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant certifies that no officer, representative, or attorney of the Company has represented, expressly or otherwise, that the Company would not, in the event of any action, proceeding or counterclaim, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, nothing herein is to be construed as limiting the ability of the Company and a Participant to agree to submit disputes arising under the terms of the Plan or any Award made hereunder to binding arbitration or as limiting the ability of the Company to require any eligible individual to agree to submit such disputes to binding arbitration as a condition of receiving an Award hereunder.


(b)    Limitation of Liability.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, neither the Company, nor any Affiliate, nor the Administrator, nor any person acting on behalf of the Company, any Affiliate, or the Administrator, shall be liable to any Participant or to the estate or beneficiary of any Participant or to any other holder of an Award by reason of any acceleration of income, or any additional tax (including any interest and penalties), asserted by reason of the failure of an Award to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 or Section 409A or by reason of Section 4999 of the Code, or otherwise asserted with respect to the Award.
 
12.    ESTABLISHMENT OF SUB-PLANS
The Administrator may from time to time establish one or more sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying applicable blue sky, securities or tax laws of various jurisdictions.  The Administrator will establish such sub-plans by adopting supplements to the Plan setting forth (i) such limitations on the Administrator’s discretion under the Plan as it deems necessary or desirable and (ii) such additional terms and conditions not otherwise inconsistent with the Plan as it deems necessary or desirable.  All supplements so established will be deemed to be part of the Plan, but each supplement will apply only to Participants within the affected jurisdiction (as determined by the Administrator) and the Company will not be required to provide copies of any supplement to Participants in any jurisdiction that is not affected.


13.    GOVERNING LAW
(a)Certain Requirements of Corporate Law.  Equity Awards shall be granted and administered consistent with the requirements of applicable Delaware law relating to the issuance of stock and the consideration to be received therefor, and with the applicable 



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requirements of the stock exchanges, other trading systems or national market on which the Stock is listed or entered for trading, in each case as determined by the Administrator.
(b)Other Matters.  Except as otherwise provided by the express terms of an Award agreement or under a sub-plan described in Section 12 or as provided in Section 13(a) above, the provisions of the Plan and of Awards under the Plan and all claims or disputes arising out of our based upon the Plan or any Award under the Plan or relating to the subject matter hereof or thereof will be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.
(c)Jurisdiction.  By accepting an Award, each Participant will be deemed to (a) have submitted irrevocably and unconditionally to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located within the geographic boundaries of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon the Plan or any Award; (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon the Plan or an Award, except in the federal and state courts located within the geographic boundaries of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts; and (c) waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion as a defense or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that the Plan or an Award or the subject matter thereof may not be enforced in or by such court.


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EXHIBIT A


Definition of Terms


The following terms, when used in the Plan, will have the meanings and be subject to the provisions set forth below:


“Administrator”:  The Compensation Committee, except that the Compensation Committee may delegate (i) to one or more of its members (or one or more other members of the Board, including the full Board) such of its duties, powers and responsibilities as it may determine; (ii) to one or more officers of the Company the power to grant Awards to the extent permitted by Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law; and (iii) to such Employees or other persons as it determines such ministerial tasks as it deems appropriate.  In the event of any delegation described in the preceding sentence, the term “Administrator” shall include the person or persons so delegated to the extent of such delegation.  


“Affiliate”:  Any corporation or other entity that stands in a relationship to the Company that would result in the Company and such corporation or other entity being treated as one employer under Section 414(b) and Section 414(c) of the Code.


“Award”:  Any or a combination of the following:  


(i) Stock Options. 


(ii) SARs.


(iii) Restricted Stock.


(iv) Unrestricted Stock.


(v)  Stock Units, including Restricted Stock Units. 


(vi) Performance Awards.


(vii) Cash Awards.


(viii)  Awards (other than Awards described in (i) through (vii) above) that are convertible into or otherwise based on Stock. 


“Board”:  The board of directors of the Company.


“Cause”: In the case of any Participant who is party to an employment, severance-benefit, change in control or similar agreement with the Company or any of its Affiliates that contains a definition of “Cause,” the definition set forth in such agreement shall apply with 



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respect to such Participant under the Plan during the term of such agreement.  In the case of any other Participant, “Cause” shall mean:  (i) a material breach by the Participant of his or her employment agreement with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, any Award agreement, or any policy of the Company or its Affiliates generally applicable to similarly situated employees of the Company or its Affiliates; (ii) the failure by the Participant to reasonably and substantially perform his or her duties to the Company or any of its Affiliates, which failure is damaging to the financial condition or reputation of the Company or its Affiliates; (iii) the Participant’s willful misconduct or gross negligence which is injurious to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company; or (iv) the commission by the Participant of a felony or other serious crime involving moral turpitude.  In the case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, the Company shall permit the Participant no less than thirty (30) days to cure such breach or failure if reasonably susceptible to cure.  If, subsequent to the Participant’s termination of Employment hereunder for other than Cause, it is determined in good faith by the Company that the Participant’s Employment could have been terminated for Cause, the Participant’s employment shall be deemed to have been terminated for Cause retroactively to the date the events giving rise to such Cause occurred.  


“Cash Award”:  An Award denominated in cash.  


“Change in Control”: The first to occur of any of the following events:  


(A) an event in which any “person” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) (other than (i) the Company, (ii) any subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company, and (iv) any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act), together with all affiliates and associates (as such terms are used in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the 1934 Act) of such person, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 40% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; 


(B) the consummation of the merger or consolidation of the Company with any other company, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, more than 60% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) after which no “person” “beneficially owns” (with the determination of such “beneficial ownership” on the same basis as set forth in clause (A) of this definition) securities of the Company or the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation representing 40% or more of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation; 



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(C) if during any period of two consecutive years (not including any period prior to the date the Plan was initially adopted), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has conducted or threatened a proxy contest, or has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (A), (B) or (D) of this definition) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office, who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof; or 


(D) the complete liquidation of the Company or the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.


Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any amount constituting “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A would become payable under an Award by reason of a Change in Control, it shall become payable only if the event or circumstances constituting the Change in Control would also constitute a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, within the meaning of subsection (a)(2)(A)(v) of Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
“Code”:  The U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as from time to time amended and in effect, or any successor statute as from time to time in effect.


“Compensation Committee”:  The Compensation Committee of the Board.


“Company”:  Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.


“Covered Transaction”:  Any of (i) a consolidation, merger, or similar transaction or series of related transactions, including a sale or other disposition of stock, in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or that results in the acquisition of all or substantially all of the Company’s then outstanding common stock by a single person or entity or by a group of persons and/or entities acting in concert, (ii) a sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company’s assets, or (iii) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company.  Where a Covered Transaction involves a tender offer pursuant to which at least a majority of the Company’s then outstanding common stock is purchased by a single person or entity or by a group of persons and/or entities acting in concert that is reasonably expected to be followed by a merger described in clause (i) (as determined by the Administrator), the Covered Transaction shall be deemed to have occurred upon consummation of the tender offer.


“Date of Adoption”:  The date the Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders.
“Director”:  A non-employee member of the Board.





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“Employee”:  Any person who is employed by the Company or an Affiliate.


“Employment”:  A Participant’s employment or other service relationship with the Company and its Affiliates.  Employment will be deemed to continue, unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, so long as the Participant is employed by, or otherwise is providing services in a capacity described in Section 5 to, the Company or any of its Affiliate. If a Participant’s employment or other service relationship is with an Affiliate and that entity ceases to be an Affiliate, the Participant’s Employment will be deemed to have terminated when the entity ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Participant transfers Employment to the Company or its remaining Affiliates.  Notwithstanding the foregoing and the definition of “Affiliate” above, in construing the provisions of any Award relating to the payment of “nonqualified deferred compensation” (subject to Section 409A) upon a termination or cessation of Employment, references to termination or cessation of employment, separation from service, retirement or similar or correlative terms shall be construed to require a “separation from service” (as that term is defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations, after giving effect to the presumptions contained therein) from the Company and from all other corporations and trades or businesses, if any, that would be treated as a single “service recipient” with the Company under Section 1.409A-1(h)(3) of the Treasury Regulations.  The Company may, but need not, elect in writing, subject to the applicable limitations under Section 409A, any of the special elective rules prescribed in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations for purposes of determining whether a “separation from service” has occurred.  Any such written election shall be deemed a part of the Plan.


“Equity Award”: Awards other than Cash Awards. 


“Fair Market Value”: As of a particular date, (i) the closing price for a share of Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market (or on any other national securities exchange on which the Stock is then listed) for that date or, if no closing price is reported for that date, the closing price on the next preceding date for which a closing price was reported or (ii) in the event that the Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange, the fair market value of a share of Stock determined by the Administrator consistent with the rules of Section 422 and Section 409A to the extent applicable.  


“ISO”:  A Stock Option intended to be an “incentive stock option“ within the meaning of Section 422.  Each option granted pursuant to the Plan will be treated as providing by its terms that it is to be a non-incentive stock option unless, as of the date of grant, it is expressly designated as an ISO. 


“Participant”:  A person who is granted an Award under the Plan.


“Performance Award”:  An Equity Award or Cash Award subject to Performance Criteria.  The Committee in its discretion may grant Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as exempt performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) and Performance Awards that are not intended to so qualify.





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“Performance Criteria”:  For a Performance Period, specified criteria, other than the mere continuation of Employment or the mere passage of time, the satisfaction of which is a condition for the grant, exercisability, vesting or full enjoyment of an Award.  A Performance Criterion and any targets with respect thereto determined by the Administrator need not be based upon an increase, a positive or improved result or avoidance of loss.  For purposes of Awards that are intended to qualify as exempt performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), a Performance Criterion will mean an objectively determinable measure or objectively determinable measures of performance relating to any, or any combination, of the following (measured either absolutely or by reference to an index or indices or the performance of one or more companies and determined either on a consolidated basis or, as the context permits, on a divisional, subsidiary, line of business, project or geographical basis or in combinations thereof): net sales; system-wide sales; comparable store sales; revenue; revenue growth or product revenue growth; operating income (before or after taxes); pre- or after-tax income or loss (before or after allocation of corporate overhead and bonus); earnings or loss per share; net income or loss (before or after taxes); adjusted operating income; adjusted net income; adjusted earnings per share; channel revenue; channel revenue growth; franchising commitments; manufacturing profit; manufacturing profit margin; store closures; return on equity; total stockholder return; return on assets or net assets; appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price of the shares or any other publicly-traded securities of the Company; market share; gross profits; earnings or losses (including earnings or losses before taxes, before interest and taxes, or before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization); economic value-added models or equivalent metrics; comparisons with various stock market indices; reductions in costs; cash flow or cash flow per share (before or after dividends); return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital); cash flow return on investment; improvement in or attainment of expense levels or working capital levels, including cash, inventory and accounts receivable; operating margin; gross margin; year-end cash; cash margin; debt reduction; stockholders equity; operating efficiencies; market share; customer satisfaction; customer growth; employee satisfaction; supply chain achievements (including establishing relationships with manufacturers or suppliers of component materials and manufacturers of the Company’s products); points of distribution; gross or net store openings; new store first year sales; co-development, co-marketing, profit sharing, joint venture or other similar arrangements; financial ratios, including those measuring liquidity, activity, profitability or leverage; cost of capital or assets under management; financing and other capital raising transactions (including sales of the Company’s equity or debt securities; factoring transactions; sales or licenses of the Company’s assets, including its intellectual property, whether in a particular jurisdiction or territory or globally; or through partnering transactions); implementation, completion or attainment of measurable objectives with respect to research, development, manufacturing, commercialization, products or projects, production volume levels, acquisitions and divestitures; factoring transactions; and recruiting and maintaining personnel. Provided that the Administrator has specified at least one Performance Criterion that is intended to qualify an Award under the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m), the Administrator may specify other performance goals or criteria (whether or not noted herein) as a basis for its exercise of negative discretion with respect to the Award. To the extent consistent with the requirements for satisfying the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m), the Administrator may establish that, in the case of any Award intended to qualify for such exception, one or more of the Performance Criteria applicable to such Award 



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will be adjusted in an objectively determinable manner to reflect events (for example, the impact of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, mergers, acquisitions, extraordinary items, and other unusual or non-recurring items, and the cumulative effects of tax or accounting changes, each as defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles) occurring during the Performance Period that affect the applicable Performance Criterion or Criteria.


“Performance Period”: One or more periods of time, established by the Administrator in its sole discretion, during which attainment of Performance Criteria with respect to such Performance Award are to be measured.


“Plan”:  The Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan, as from time to time amended and in effect.


“Restricted Stock”:  Stock subject to restrictions requiring that it be redelivered or offered for sale to the Company if specified conditions are not satisfied.


“Restricted Stock Unit”:  A Stock Unit that is, or as to which the delivery of Stock or cash in lieu of Stock is, subject to the satisfaction of specified performance or other vesting conditions.


“SAR”:  A right entitling the holder upon exercise to receive an amount (payable in cash or in shares of Stock of equivalent value) equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value (as defined in Section 6(b)) of the shares of Stock subject to the right over the base value from which appreciation under the SAR is to be measured.


“Section 409A”:  Section 409A of the Code.


“Section 422”:  Section 422 of the Code.


“Section 162(m)”:  Section 162(m) of the Code.


“Stock”:  Common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.


“Stock Option”:  An option entitling the holder to acquire shares of Stock upon payment of the exercise price.


“Stock Unit”:  An unfunded and unsecured promise, denominated in shares of Stock, to deliver Stock or cash measured by the value of Stock in the future.


“Substitute Awards”: Equity Awards issued under the Plan in substitution for equity awards of an acquired company that are converted, replaced, or adjusted in connection with the acquisition.


“Unrestricted Stock”:   Stock not subject to any restrictions under the terms of the Award.



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