Document:

EX-10.1

 Exhibit 10.1 

SEVERANCE AND RELEASE AGREEMENT 

THIS SEVERANCE AND RELEASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between B. Scott Smith
(“Executive”) and Sonic Automotive, Inc. (“Sonic”), on the date set forth on the signature page hereof (the “Date of this Agreement”), to be effective as of the date provided for in
Section 8(f) below. 
 BACKGROUND 

Executive has previously been employed by Sonic as its Chief Executive Officer and President, and Executive previously served as a director of
Sonic and as an officer, director, manager or governor of all of Sonic’s direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. 
 By agreement
dated September 25, 2018 (the “September 2018 Agreement”), Executive resigned from (a) his officer positions as Chief Executive Officer and President of Sonic, (b) his position as a director of Sonic, and (c) his
positions as an officer, director, manager or governor of each of Sonic’s direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, but continued his employment with Sonic in his capacity as Co-Founder of Sonic.
Under the September 2018 Agreement Executive also agreed to various covenants protecting Sonic’s business and reputation. 
 Executive
and Sonic have now agreed to conclude their employment relationship in a definitive manner and to settle, compromise and resolve any and all claims Executive may have against Sonic and its subsidiaries (Sonic and its direct and indirect
subsidiaries, collectively, the “Company”), and for Sonic to provide a release of possible claims against Executive. 
 In
exchange for the release of claims and Executive’s agreement to the covenants set forth herein, Sonic has agreed to provide Executive with certain special severance benefits which it was not otherwise obligated to provide. 

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Executive and Sonic
hereby agree to the conclusion of their employment relationship and the protection of both Executive’s and the Company’s business interests, in accordance with terms and conditions hereinafter set forth: 

1. Recitals. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set
forth herein. 
 2. Resignation from Employment. 

(a) Employment Resignation Date. Executive’s employment with Sonic, and with all of the entities within the Company,
will be deemed to have ended on February 28, 2019 (the “Employment Resignation Date”). 
 (b) Resignation
From All Offices. Executive hereby confirms Executive’s resignation from all positions and offices, if any, that Executive holds or has held at any time with Sonic and other entities within the Company. Such resignations, to the
extent not previously made effective under the September 2018 Agreement, shall be effective as of the Employment Resignation Date. 
 3.
Payments for Employment Through the Employment Resignation Date. 

  
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 (a) Salary Payment and Benefits Through the Employment Resignation
Date. Sonic shall pay or provide to Executive the salary and benefits as such compensation is in effect immediately prior to his resignation from employment, for the period up to and including the Employment Resignation Date. Except
as expressly provided for herein, all existing benefits and perquisites enjoyed by Executive as a result of employment with the Company shall cease as of the Employment Resignation Date. 

(b) Award under the Sonic 2018 Annual Incentive Plan. Executive will be entitled to any performance-based cash bonus
earned under the Sonic 2018 Annual Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”), subject to Sonic’s Compensation Committee’s determination of the achievement of performance objectives under the Plan applicable to the Company’s
executive officers, payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of the 2018 Plan. 
 (c) Restricted Stock Unit Award.
For purposes of Executive’s outstanding Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award of 92,525 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted on February 23, 2018 (the “2018 RSU Grant”), the termination
of Executive’s employment with Sonic will be treated as an involuntary termination without “cause.” The 2018 RSU Grant will remain outstanding until certification of the extent of achievement of such performance condition by
Sonic’s Compensation Committee (to occur by no later than March 15, 2019) and any corresponding reduction in the amount of such RSUs by Sonic’s Compensation Committee, and the RSUs remaining after such certification and reduction by
Sonic’s Compensation Committee (if any) shall then immediately vest in full with no further restrictions effective as of the date of certification by Sonic’s Compensation Committee. 

4. Severance Benefit. In consideration of Executive’s promises, covenants, and the releases contained in this
Agreement, and contingent upon Executive’s full compliance with his obligations under this Agreement, Sonic shall provide to Executive a severance payment in the total amount of Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000), payable in lump sum and in cash,
from which normal and appropriate tax and other withholdings shall be made and which shall be subject to issuance to Employee of a Form W-2 on the later to occur of (a) March 15, 2019, or
(b) the date that is five (5) business days following the Effective Date defined in Section 8(f) of this Agreement (the “Severance Payment”). 

(a) Executive agrees that he shall be solely responsible for any taxes that may be due and owing by him as a result of any payment of
monies under this Agreement, including the Severance Payment, and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Sonic against any and all tax liabilities and any claim or assessment by any taxing authority for the payment of taxes, fees or penalties
resulting from any withholdings not applied to the payments made under this Agreement. 
 (b) Executive acknowledges and agrees that
in keeping with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Severance Payment includes consideration in addition to anything of value to which Executive was already entitled before signing this Agreement, and that Sonic is providing
the Severance Payment solely in exchange for the promises and releases made by Executive within this Agreement and the performances thereof. 

5. No Other Company Obligations. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Severance Payment, together with the payments
identified in Section 3, fully satisfy all of the Company’s obligations to Executive for all compensation arising from Executive’s employment and the conclusion of such employment and all services provided by Executive on behalf of
the Company. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive is not entitled to any other separation or severance pay, salary, bonus pay, incentive pay, commissions, payment for unused vacation time or Paid Time Off, monetary payments or additional
remuneration of any kind whatsoever, from Sonic or any of its subsidiaries, beyond the payments specifically set forth in Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement. 

  
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 6. Return of Property. On or before the Employment Resignation
Date, Executive shall return to Sonic all Company property, including but not limited to all Company-owned equipment, demonstrator vehicles, keys to Sonic’s or any subsidiaries’ offices and property, all Confidential Information,
documents, customer lists, written information, forms, formulae, plans, manuals, designs, blueprints, notebooks, tools, credit cards, passwords, documents or other hard copy, audio/visual, or electronic material or data, software or firmware,
records, or copies of the same, belonging to Sonic or any Company entity, which are in Executive’s possession or control, without retaining any copy or summary thereof. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, Sonic agrees to transfer ownership
to Executive of the company-issued cell phone currently in Executive’s possession, cell phone number and company-issued laptop computer currently in Executive’s possession, provided that Executive permits and fully cooperates with a
Sonic-designated employee to permanently delete all Company information from such cell phone and laptop computer within five (5) business days of the Effective Date of this Agreement. 

7. Comprehensive Release of Claims and Covenant Not to Sue. 

(a) Executive agrees that, in consideration for the Severance Payment, Executive, for himself, and for his heirs, executors,
administrators, and assigns, hereby releases, waives, and forever discharges the Sonic Releasees, as defined below, from any and all federal, state, or local causes of action, claims, demands, charges, suits, damages or liabilities of whatever kind
or nature which he ever had or which he now has, known or unknown, against any and all Sonic Releasees that are attributable to or arose during all periods of time occurring on or prior to the Date of this Agreement (collectively, the
“Claims”). 
 (b) The Claims released herein expressly include, without limitation, to the fullest extent allowed by
law, any and all actions, claims, allegations, or violations based upon or arising from Executive’s employment relationship with Sonic or the termination of that relationship, including claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as
amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the
Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act; the Rehabilitation Act; the Lilly Ledbetter Fairpay Act; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the National Labor Relations Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 as amended; the Civil
Rights Act; of 1866, as amended; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; claims under any state or local counterparts to any such federal laws; claims under any applicable Executive
Order programs, Sarbanes Oxley, and any other federal, state or local civil, whistleblower or human rights law, or any other municipal, local, state or federal law, regulation, or ordinance; all claims for any breach of contract; negligence; breach
of fiduciary duty; breach of implied duty of good faith and fair dealing; unfair competition; defamation; wrongful or unlawful discharge; constructive discharge; retaliation; invasion of privacy; personal injury; loss or injury to property;
intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress; disputed or unpaid wages, salary, bonuses, earnings, equity awards, deferred compensation or other forms of compensation; and any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including
attorneys’ fees incurred in the matters provided for in this release, provided, however, that this Section 7 shall not apply to Executive’s rights to (i) enforce any claims he might have arising out of the failure
of Sonic to comply with the terms of this Agreement, (ii) continuing group medical insurance coverage at Executive’s expense in accordance with the federal COBRA act and regulations thereunder, or (iii) indemnification pursuant to the
bylaws or articles of incorporation currently in effect of Sonic or any subsidiary of Sonic. 
 (c) Except to the extent contemplated
by Section 7(f) or the exceptions listed in the proviso of Section 7(b) of this Agreement, Executive covenants not to sue or bring a claim or any legal action whatsoever against any of the Sonic Releasees with respect to any Claim in any
forum for any reason. If Executive sues or brings any action against any Sonic Releasee in violation of the foregoing covenant not to sue, Executive agrees that Executive shall pay all reasonable fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Sonic
Releasees in defending against any such suit or claim, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees. 

  
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 (d) Executive understands that Executive may later discover claims or facts that may
be different than, or in addition to, those that Executive now knows or believes to exist regarding the subject matter of the Claims, and which, if known at the time of signing this Agreement, may have materially affected this Agreement and the
Executive’s decision to enter into this Agreement and grant the release and covenant not to sue contained herein. Nevertheless, Executive, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, intends to fully, finally and forever
settle and release all Claims that now exist, may exist or previously existed, as set forth herein, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, matured or unmatured, suspected or unsuspected, existing or claimed to exist, fixed or contingent,
both at law and in equity, and the release given herein is and will remain in effect as a complete release, notwithstanding the discovery or existence of such additional or different facts. 

(e) In signing this Agreement, Executive acknowledges and intends that it shall be effective to the fullest extent allowed by law as a
bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any Claim covered by this Section 7 of this Agreement cannot be waived as a matter of law, Executive
expressly agrees that the release of Claims provided in this Agreement shall nevertheless remain valid and fully enforceable as to the remaining Claims. 

(f) Nothing in this Agreement prohibits or restricts Executive from filing a claim with or participating in an investigation conducted
by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any state or local fair employment practices agency, or any federal or state agency that is responsible for enforcing a law on behalf of the government. However, Executive understands
and agrees that under this Agreement Executive is waiving, discharging and releasing any claim against the Sonic Releasees for obtaining any personal or monetary relief for Executive, or any legal fees, based on or arising out of any such claim or
investigation. 
 (g) For purposes of this Agreement, the “Sonic Releasees” means Sonic, and its direct and indirect
subsidiaries, and its and their present, former, and future successors and assigns, and all of its and their present, former, and future directors, officers, employees, shareholders, representatives, agents, assigns, insurers, trustees, employee
benefit plans and programs (and the trustees, administrators, fiduciaries, and insurers of such plans and programs), and attorneys, both individually and in their representative capacities. 

(h) In consideration for, among other terms, Executive’s release of Claims pursuant to this Section 7, and conditioned on
Executive timely executing this Agreement and not revoking his acceptance of this Agreement under Section 8(f), Sonic, on behalf of itself, its direct and indirect subsidiaries, and their respective successors and assigns, hereby releases,
waives, and forever discharges Executive from any and all federal, state, or local causes of action, claims, demands, charges, suits, damages or liabilities of whatever kind or nature which it ever had or which it now has against Executive from
matters which occurred prior to the date this Agreement is executed by Sonic arising from or in any way connected with or related to the Executive’s past service as an officer, director, employee, or agent of Sonic or any of its subsidiaries
(“Company Claims”); provided, however, that such release (i) shall not serve to waive or release any rights or claims of Sonic that may arise from acts of Executive after the date this Agreement is executed by
Sonic, (ii) shall not apply to any Company Claims that Sonic is unaware of at the time this Agreement is executed by Sonic, (iii) shall not apply to any Company Claims that Sonic may have against Executive under the terms of any recoupment
or “clawback” policy adopted by Sonic prior to the date of this Agreement, Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or 2002 or Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 for the recoupment
of performance-based 

  
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compensation that would not have been earned by or awarded to the Executive based on a restatement of the Company’s financial results, and provided Sonic seeks a “clawback” or
recoupment of performance-based compensation that would have been earned by or awarded to other similarly situated executive officers of Sonic during the same period of time, and (iv) shall not affect any future obligation which Executive may
have to Sonic under the terms of this Agreement and the September 2018 Agreement.
 8. Compliance with Older Workers Benefit
Protection Act. By signing this Agreement, Executive specifically acknowledges and represents that: 
 (a) Executive has been
given a consideration period of twenty-one (21) days within which to consider the terms of this Agreement; Executive may execute this document prior to the expiration of the consideration period, in order
to expedite the execution of this Agreement and the payment of the Severance Payment; if the full twenty-one (21) day consideration period has not elapsed at the time Executive signs this Agreement, by
Executive’s signature at that time and on that date, Executive expressly acknowledges that Executive has knowingly and voluntarily chosen to sign this Agreement before the expiration of the consideration period; 

(b) The claims being waived, released and discharged in Section 7 of this Agreement include any and all claims Executive has or
may have arising out of or related to Executive’s employment with Sonic or termination of that employment, including any and all claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (the “ADEA”); 

(c) The ADEA claims being waived, released and discharged in Section 7 do not include any claims that may arise after the date
Executive signs this Agreement; 
 (d) The benefits Sonic will provide to Executive under this Agreement include consideration and
benefits that Executive was not otherwise entitled to receive before signing this Agreement; 
 (e) Executive is hereby advised, and
hereby acknowledges that Executive has been advised, to consult with an attorney of Executive’s choice and at Executive’s expense prior to signing this Agreement; 

(f) In accordance with the notice provisions set forth in Section 21 below, Executive may revoke this Agreement at any time within
seven (7) calendar days after the day Executive signs this Agreement (that is, at any time within seven (7) days after the Date of this Agreement), and this document will not become effective or enforceable as to any claims under the ADEA
and no payments under this Agreement will be payable until the eighth day after the Date of this Agreement, on which day (the “Effective Date”), this Agreement will automatically become effective and enforceable (unless
previously revoked within that seven-day period); and, 
 (g) The terms of this Agreement are
clear and understandable to Executive; and Executive HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS DOCUMENT, AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS EACH AND EVERY TERM. 
 9.
Mutual Non-Disparagement. 
 (a) Executive agrees that Executive shall refrain
from making and shall not make any derogatory, disparaging or negative comments, written or oral, about Sonic, or any of the Sonic Releasees, to the press, to present or former Company employees or customers, to any individual or entity with whom or
which the Company has a current or prospective business relationship, or to anyone else which could adversely affect the conduct of the Company’s business or reputation. 

  
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 (b) Sonic agrees that Sonic Directors and Senior Officers shall refrain from making
and shall not make any derogatory, disparaging or negative comments, written or oral, about Executive, to the press, to present or former Company employees or customers, to any individual or entity with whom or which Executive has a current or
prospective business relationship, or to anyone else which could adversely affect the conduct of Executive’s business or reputation. 

(c) Nothing in this Section 9 prohibits or restricts Executive or Sonic from complying with a court order or lawful subpoena that
Executive or Sonic, as the case may be, has not caused to be issued, or making disclosures to government agencies protected by law. This non-disparagement obligation of Executive and Sonic shall apply for a
period of ten (10) years following the Date of this Agreement. 
 (d) This provision is a material element of this Agreement
without which Sonic would not enter into this Agreement or provide the Severance Payment described above. Failure of Executive to strictly comply with this Non-Disparagement provision will be grounds for
forfeiture and clawback of severance benefits as provided for by Section 14 below. 
 10. Mutual
Confidentiality. Sonic and Executive agree that they will not, at any time or in any manner, either directly or indirectly, disclose, divulge, communicate, or otherwise reveal or allow to be revealed information about the terms,
substance or content of this Agreement, the terms, substance or content of any communications, written or oral, concerning the negotiation, execution or implementation of this Agreement, with the exception of public disclosure required of Sonic
pursuant to applicable federal securities laws and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. This confidentiality obligation shall extend to any communications by Executive with regard to his employment or the resignations contemplated by this
Agreement, unless required by subpoena, court order or applicable law; provided, however, that Executive may disclose such information to his attorney, spouse, accountant, medical providers, or financial advisors so long as he obtains their prior
commitment to follow the confidentiality provisions of this Paragraph 10, and that Company may disclose such information as required pursuant to applicable federal securities laws and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. 

11. Protection of Company Confidential Information. 

(a) Non-Disclosure of Trade Secrets and Confidential Information. Executive
acknowledges that, in the performance of Executive’s duties as an employee of Sonic, Executive has received and been given access to Company Trade Secrets and Confidential Information (as defined below). Executive agrees that all Trade Secrets
and Confidential Information have been, are now and shall be the sole property of the Company, as applicable, and that Executive has no right, title or interest therein. Except as otherwise specifically provided in Section 11(c) below,
Executive shall not disclose or cause to be disclosed such Trade Secrets or Confidential Information to any person or entity whatsoever, or utilize or cause such Trade Secrets or Confidential Information to be utilized by any person or company
(whether acquired prior to or subsequent to the execution of this Agreement) or otherwise. 
 (b) Definitions. For
purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means confidential or proprietary information, knowledge or data that is or has been used, developed, obtained or owned by the Company, (i) relating to the business,
operations, products or services, and claims histories and insurance coverages, of the Company or the business, operations, products or services of any customer thereof, including without limitation information, knowledge and data consisting of, or
concerning, products, services, fees, pricing, designs, marketing plans, strategies, analyses, forecasts, formulas, drawings, photographs, reports, records, computer software (whether or not owned by, or designed for the

  
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Company), operating systems, applications, program listings, flow charts, manuals, documentation, data, databases specifications, technology, inventions, developments, methods, improvements,
techniques, devices, products, know-how, processes, financial data, customer lists, prospective customer lists, supplier and vendor lists, contact persons, cost information, regulatory matters, personnel
matters, employee information (such as medical information and social security numbers), accounting and business methods, copyrightable works, specific engineering system infrastructure data, specifications, procedures, processes, vulnerability or
design information and any such information with respect to or obtained from any supplier, vendor, customer, employee or independent contractor of the Company, and (ii) any similar confidential information concerning the business, operations,
products or services of any Company customer which Executive learned of or had access to during his/her employment with Company. For purposes of this Agreement, “Trade Secret” means any item of confidential information that
constitutes a trade secret under the common law or statutory law of the State of North Carolina. 
 (c) Defend Trade Secrets
Act Provision. Notice is hereby given pursuant to 18 USC § 1833(b), that an individual may not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for disclosure of a trade secret: (i) made in
confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; and/or (ii) in a complaint or other document
filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. An individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the employer’s trade secret to the attorney of
the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual (A) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (B) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. 

12. Non-Solicitation. For a period of two (2) years following the
Effective Date of this Agreement, Executive shall not directly (or indirectly, by indirect action through any parent, affiliate or subsidiary corporation, partnership or other entity Executive owns or controls in part) on his own behalf or on behalf
of any other individual or entity, without the prior written consent of Sonic: (a) employ or solicit the employment of, or hire or retain as an agent, consultant or any other capacity, or engage in a business enterprise with, any person who at
any time during the twelve (12) calendar months immediately preceding the Employment Resignation Date, was employed by Sonic or any of Sonic’s subsidiaries, or (b) interfere or attempt to interfere with the terms or any aspects of the
relationship between Sonic or any of Sonic’s subsidiaries and any person or entity with whom Sonic or any subsidiary of Sonic has purchased automobiles, trucks, parts, supplies, inventory or services, including but not limited to any automobile
manufacturer or its U.S. sales affiliate, at any time during the twelve (12) calendar months immediately preceding the Employment Resignation Date. 

13. No Waiver. No waiver by Executive or Sonic of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of
this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time. 

14. Forfeiture of Benefits and Clawback. In the event that an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction
determines, in a final, non-appealable decision, that Executive has violated the terms of this Agreement, including but not limited to Sections 9 (“Mutual
Non-Disparagement”), 10 (“Mutual Confidentiality”), 11 (“Protection of Company Information”) or 12 (“Non-Solicitation”) (even if such
provisions are held invalid or unenforceable), then Executive shall forfeit any entitlement to the consideration identified in Section 4 above and, upon demand from Sonic, the Executive shall immediately pay Sonic an amount equal to the fair
market value of all compensation paid by Sonic to the Executive following the date of the September 2018 Agreement, with the sole exception of any base salary paid to Executive following the date of the September 2018 Agreement through the
Employment Resignation Date. The parties agree that “fair market value” as used in the preceding sentence for purposes of RSUs received by Executive shall be determined by the closing price of Sonic’s Class A Common Stock on the
New York Stock Exchange on the date that the particular RSUs were released by Sonic to Executive in the form of shares of Sonic’s Class A Common Stock. 

  
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 Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting Sonic from pursuing any other remedies available to Sonic
in the event of any breach or threatened breach, or as a waiver of Sonic’s right to seek injunctive relief to enforce this Agreement’s covenants. 

15. Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement and any dispute or controversy arising out of or relating to this
Agreement shall, in all respects, be governed by and construed according to the substantive laws of the State of North Carolina and without application of its choice of law principles. 

16. Arbitration. Any dispute or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be settled
exclusively by arbitration in Charlotte, North Carolina, in accordance with the terms of Sonic’s standard arbitration agreement for employment-related disputes. Nothing in this Section 16 shall preclude any party from applying to a court
of competent jurisdiction for, and obtaining if warranted, preliminary or ancillary relief pending the conduct of such arbitration, or an order to compel the arbitration provided for herein. 

17. Required Approval by Sonic’s Compensation Committee; Binding Effect. This Agreement is subject to the
formal approval of the Compensation Committee of Sonic’s Board of Directors. This Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by any and all successors and assigns of the parties. 

18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to
be an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together,
shall bear the signatures of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories. 
 19. Assignment. Executive represents
and warrants that Executive has not assigned or in any other manner convey any right or claim that Executive has or may have to any third party, and Executive shall not assign or convey to any assignee for any reason any right or claim covered by
this Agreement, this Agreement, or the consideration, monetary or other, to be received by Executive hereunder. Sonic may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party at its discretion. 

20. Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes and cancels all prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements (including but not limited to the September 2018 Agreement) and understandings between them with respect to the subject matter hereof. 

21. Notice Provisions for Signing; Revocation Right. The signed Agreement should be returned to Sonic at the Notice
Address provided below. If Executive chooses to revoke his acceptance of this Agreement after having signed it, Executive must provide notice of such revocation delivered to Sonic no later than midnight on the last day of the seven (7) day
revocation period. To revoke, notice of the same should be given by submitting a written statement of revocation via hand delivery, mail, e-mail or facsimile to Sonic’s representative at the contact
information provided below. No attempted revocation after the expiration of such seven (7) day period shall have any effect on the terms of this Agreement. If Executive revokes this Agreement prior to the Effective Date, its terms and
provisions shall be void and without legal effect, and Sonic shall have no obligation to provide the Severance Payment. The Notice Address for Sonic shall be as set forth below: 

  
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 Sonic Automotive, Inc. 

4401 Colwick Road 

Charlotte, NC 28211 

ATTN: Stephen K. Coss 

Fax: 704.973.9304 

E-Mail: steve.coss@sonicautomotive.com 

With a copy to Counsel: 

Moore & Van Allen PLLC 

100 N. Tryon Street, Suite 4700 

Charlotte, NC 28202 

ATTN: James Wyche 

Fax: (704) 339-5858 

E-Mail: jameswyche@mvalaw.com 

22. Voluntary Execution. The parties, intending to be legally bound, apply their signatures voluntarily and with
full understanding of the contents of this Agreement and after having had ample time to review and study this Agreement. 
 [Remainder of
this page is blank – signature page follows] 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto signed this Agreement, as of the date
provided below. 
 EXECUTIVE 
  

									
				
	/s/ B. Scott Smith	 		 	[Signature]	 	
	B. Scott Smith	 		 		 	
				
	February 26, 2019	 		 	Date	 	
			
	SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.	 		 	
					
	By:	 	/s/ Jeff Dyke	 		 		 	
				
	Printed Name:  Jeff Dyke	 		 		 	
				
	Title:  President	 		 		 	

  
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EXHIBIT 10.1
Summary of Annual Incentive Plan for 2019
Annual 2019 Incentive Plan. Effective March 6, 2019, the Company adopted its annual incentive plan for 2019. The plan provides for possible cash incentive awards and restricted stock awards in the form of Long-Term Incentive Share Awards and Career Share Awards, as in prior years. Any such awards, if earned, would be paid, in the case of the cash award, or granted, in the case of the restricted stock awards, by March 15, 2020. As described below, awards may be granted by the Compensation Committee only upon satisfaction of both a performance condition (which is different for the potential Career Share awards) and a service condition, and which (in the case of the potential cash incentive and the potential award of Long Term Incentive Shares) is further subject to reduction by the Committee based upon an assessment of individual goals and objectives adopted for each Participant. Vesting of an award of Long Term Incentive Shares or Career Shares, if granted, is subject to meeting a further service condition, as described more fully below.

Potential Cash Incentive Awards. The CEO and all Executive Officers whose responsibilities relate primarily to corporate level administration (Staff Officers) have the opportunity to earn a cash award ranging from 15% to no more than 105% of such executive’s base salary (from 45% to 105% for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, from 30% to 90% for the Chief Financial Officer and from 15% to 75% for other officers). Fifty percent of the amount of the potential cash award is based on achievement of specified levels of Operating Income from Continuing Operations for the Company, as Adjusted for unusual items, 30% of the amount is based on achievement of specified levels of Operating Income from Continuing Operations of the Company’s residential business operations, as Adjusted for unusual items, and 20% of the amount is based on achievement of specified levels of Operating Income from Continuing Operations of the Company’s commercial business operations, as Adjusted for unusual items.

Executive Officers whose responsibilities primarily relate to one of the Company’s brands or business units (Line Officers), have the opportunity to earn a cash payment ranging from 15% to no more than 75% of such participant’s base salary. Fifty-five percent of the amount is based on achievement of specified levels of their business unit’s Operating Income from Continuing Operations, as Adjusted for unusual items, 30% is based on the achievement of specified levels of the Company’s Operating Income from Continuing Operations, as Adjusted for unusual items, and 15% is based on achievement of specified levels of the annual Operating Income, as Adjusted for unusual items, of the Company’s other business units.

Maximum potential awards are determined by formula; to be eligible for any award, the participant must be employed by the Company as of the date of determination, which is anticipated to be no later than March 15, 2019. The Compensation Committee must determine and certify achievement of the relevant performance and service conditions.

The Compensation Committee retains the discretion to reduce any award by up to 30% of the amount otherwise earned based on the participant’s level of achievement of certain individual goals and objectives, which are less quantifiable and more subjective in nature than the formula goals otherwise set by the plan. Individual goals have been set by the Committee for each participant applicable to 2019.

Any cash award will be paid out to the participants by March 15, 2020.

Primary Long-Term Incentive Share Awards and Career Share Awards.

The incentive plan provides for two potential awards of restricted stock: Primary Long-Term Incentive Share Awards and Career Share Awards.

The Primary Long-Term Incentive Share Award is a possible award of restricted shares, in value equal to no more than 35% of the Executive’s base salary as of the beginning of 2018 plus any cash incentive award paid for such year. To be eligible for an award of Primary Long-term Incentive Shares the Company must achieve an Operating Income from Continuing Operations, as Adjusted of at least the threshold level set for determining the potential cash award. If such threshold level of operating income is attained, the Participant will receive an award of restricted shares equal in value to 35% of his base salary as of the beginning of 2019 plus any cash incentive paid for the year. Primary Long Term Incentive Shares will be granted if the Threshold Corporate Operating Performance level is reached; however, at Threshold, only 50% of PLTI will be earned. Proration of PLTI shares will occur between Threshold and Target performance with 100% of PLTI shares earned at Target Performance. The Compensation Committee must certify 

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achievement of the threshold level of Operating Income as Adjusted. The Participant must be employed by the Company as of the date of determination in order to receive any award. If earned, the Awards will be granted no later than March 15, 2020.

Vesting. If earned and granted, the Primary Long-Term Incentive Shares vest equally over 3 years from the potential award date (March 15, 2020). Upon vesting, each ratable portion of the award becomes unrestricted and must be paid or made available by March 15 of the year following vesting. That portion of the award that has been expensed by the Company (as of its most recent year-end financial statements), and which has not previously become unrestricted and paid or made available to the Participant, vests upon a Participant’s attaining age 65 (or upon a termination without cause, if sooner). For Participants age 65 or older, the vested portion becomes unrestricted and is paid or made available by March 15 of the year immediately following the year of vesting. Shares subject to the award vest on the Participant’s death, disability or upon a change of control, as defined in the plan. In no event will shares subject to the Award become unrestricted and paid and made available later than March 15th of the year following the year in which the shares are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as defined under relevant IRC regulations.

The Career Share Award is a possible award of restricted shares, in value equal to 20% of each Participant’s base salary at the beginning of 2019, for all executive officers other than the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer; for the Chief Operating Officer, the award is equal in value to 35% of his base salary, and for the Chief Financial Officer, such award is equal in value to 30% of his base salary at the beginning of 2019. To be eligible for an award of Career Shares, the Company must have achieved a profitable level of Operating Income from Continuing Operations, as Adjusted. The Compensation Committee must certify achievement of the minimum level of Operating Income from continuing Operations, as Adjusted. The Participant must be employed by the Company as of the date of determination in order to receive any award.

Vesting. If earned and granted, the Career Share award vests ratably over two years for participants age 60 or older on the date of grant. For participants under age 61, shares vest ratably over 5 years beginning after such executive officer’s 61st birthday. That cumulative portion of the award that has been expensed by the Company (as of its most recent year ending financial statements) and which has not become unrestricted and paid or made available to the Participant, vests upon a Participant’s attaining age 65. The vested portion of each award becomes unrestricted and is paid or made available March 15 of the year immediately following the year of vesting. In no event will shares subject to the Award become unrestricted and be paid and made available later than March 15th of the year following the year in which the shares are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as defined under relevant IRC regulations.

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