Document:

EXHIBIT 10.1

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

 

ACQUISITION AND STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

BY AND AMONG

 

RICEBRAN TECHNOLOGIES

 

AND

 

THE SHAREHOLDERS OF H&N DISTRIBUTION, INC.

 

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

ACQUISITION AND STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS ACQUISITION AND STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of September 24, 2013 (“Effective Date”), by and among RiceBran Technologies, a California corporation (“Purchaser”), H&N Distribution, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), Mark S. McKnight (“McKnight”), Renee S. Ellis (“Renee”) and Management Associates International, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“MA Corp”, and together with McKnight and Renee, the “Shareholders”).

 

RECITALS

 

A.            The Company is engaged in the business of functional food blending and manufacturing, and the distribution of food ingredients and products (the business conducted by the Company is referred to collectively as the “Business”)

 

B.            The Shareholders are the owners of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (the “Company Stock”).

 

C.            The Shareholders wish to sell all of their Company Stock and any and all other equity interests to Purchaser (the “Acquisition”) in exchange for certain cash and common stock of Purchaser as provided below.

 

D.            The Boards of Directors of the Company and Purchaser believe that the Acquisition is in the best interest of the Company and Purchaser and have approved the Acquisition.

 

E.            As an inducement to Purchaser to enter into this Agreement, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (i) McKnight entered into an employment agreement with Purchaser (“Employment Agreement”) and (ii) McKnight and Richard A. Ellis entered into non-competition agreements with Purchaser (“Non-Competition Agreements”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

AGREEMENT

1.                    Acquisition and Sale of Company Stock.

 

1.1                Purchase and Sale of Company Stock.  Subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing (as hereinafter defined), each Shareholder shall sell, transfer and deliver to Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall purchase from each Shareholder, all the shares of the Company Stock owned by such Shareholder, free and clear of any Encumbrances (as defined in Section 2.5). The Company Stock comprises 80,000 shares of Common Stock owned by McKnight that represents 80% of the Company Stock, 18,000 shares of Common Stock owned by MA Corp that represents 18% of the Company Stock and 2,000 shares of Common Stock owned by Renee that represents the remaining 2% of the Company Stock.  The agreements of Purchaser with each of the Shareholders are separate agreements and sales, but it is a condition of the Closing, as provided in Section 5.3, that all of the Shareholders sell all of their Company Stock and other equity interests to Purchaser.

 

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1.2                Determination of Purchase Price.  The purchase price for the Company Stock (“Purchase Price”) shall be paid in cash and shares of Purchaser’s Common Stock and determined pursuant to this Section 1.2 and Section 1.4 and adjusted, if applicable, as provided elsewhere in this Agreement.

1.2.1          The Purchase Price shall be based on the Adjusted EBITDA for the calendar year ending December 31, 2013.  Subject to adjustment as provided in this Section 1.2, in Section 1.4 and elsewhere in this Agreement, the applicable Purchase Price at the Adjusted EBITDA ranges set forth below shall be as follows:

	
Adjusted EBITDA

	
Purchase Price

	
 

	
Cash Portion

	
Number of Shares

of Purchaser’s Common Stock

	
$2,500,000 or less

	
$2,000,000

	
37,500,000

	
$2,500,001 to $3,000,000

	
$2,000,000

	
40,625,000

	
$3,000,001 to $3,500,000

	
$2,000,000

	
43,750,000

	
$3,500,001 or greater

	
$2,000,000

	
47,500,000

1.2.2           Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

“Adjusted EBITDA” means, for any applicable period of determination, the sum of the following, all as determined in conformity with GAAP, (i) the Net Income of the Company for such period, (ii) provision for income taxes of the Company, (iii) the Interest Expense of the Company for such period, (iv) the amount of amortization of intangibles for such period deducted in arriving at such Net Income, (v) the amount of depreciation for such period deducted in arriving at such Net Income, (vi) 50% of the capital expenditures made by the Company during such period, and (vii) any deductions for consulting fees or owner’s draws or other benefits payable to Shareholders or relatives of either Shareholder during such period other than an annual salary of $200,000 to McKnight and $104,000 to Richard A. Ellis and normal and customary company benefits for each of them.

“Cash Amount” shall mean the cash portion of the applicable Purchase Price as set forth in the table in Section 1.2.1 above.

“Closing Date Current Ratio” shall mean, as of the Closing Date, the ratio of the Company’s current assets to the Company’s current liabilities.  For purpose of this definition, current assets and current liabilities shall be determined in accordance with GAAP, except that current liabilities shall include all indebtedness for borrowed money, regardless of the time at which such indebtedness must be repaid.

 

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“GAAP” means those generally accepted accounting principles and practices that are recognized as such by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or any generally recognized successor), consistently applied, as such principles exist from time to time.

“Interest Expense” means the total interest expense of the Company for such period with respect to all of its indebtedness other than indebtedness to the Shareholders or their controlled affiliates or relatives, including, without limitation, all breakage costs and fees, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers acceptance financing and the accretion of original issue discount on debt securities, all as determined in conformity with GAAP.  The applicable period of determination will be the four (4) full calendar quarters immediately preceding (and including the date of determination if the date of determination is the last day of a quarter) the date of determination.

“Net Income” means after-tax net income from continuing operations, excluding extraordinary gains, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Closing Cash Consideration” means an amount equal to the difference between (i) the Cash Amount and (ii) the Holdback Amount.

“Closing Share Amount” shall mean the portion of the applicable Purchase Price consisting of shares of Purchaser’s Common Stock as set forth in the table in Section 1.2.1 above (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and the like).

 

1.3                Payment for Company Stock as Closing.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, in exchange for the Company Stock, Purchaser shall make the following payments and deliveries:

1.3.1           Cash Payment.  An aggregate amount of cash equal to the Closing Cash Consideration shall be delivered to the Shareholders as follows:  (A) MA Corp shall be entitled to receive $396,000, (B) Renee shall be entitled to receive $44,000 and (C) McKnight shall be entitled to receive $1,260,000.

1.3.2           Stock Payment.  An aggregate number of shares the Purchaser’s common stock (“Purchaser Common Stock”) equal to the Closing Share Amount shall be delivered to the Shareholders, with each Shareholder receiving the number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock at different Adjusted EBITDA amounts for 2013 as set forth below:

 

	
Adjusted EBITDA

	
Number of Shares

of Purchaser’s Common Stock

	
 

	
McKnight

	
MA Corp

	
Renee

	
$2,500,000 or less

	
31,250,000

	
5,625,000

	
625,000

	
$2,500,001 to $3,000,000

	
33,750,000

	
6,187,500

	
687,500

	
$3,000,001 to $3,500,000

	
36,250,000

	
6,750,000

	
750,000

	
$3,500,001 or greater

	
39,250,000

	
7,425,000

	
825,000

The share amounts set forth in the table above are subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and the like.

 

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1.4                Determination of Adjusted EBITDA.  The amounts payable to the Shareholders at Closing under Sections 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 shall be determined based upon the Interim Financial Statements, Monthly Financial Statements and the Adjusted EBITDA calculations provided by the Company to Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.7.2.  If the Interim Financial Statements and the Monthly Financial Statements do not cover all periods in calendar year 2013, then the parties shall assume that the Adjusted EBITDA for each of the months in 2013 not covered by Monthly Financial Statements shall be the same as the Adjusted EBITDA for the most recent monthly period included in the Monthly Financial Statements.

1.5                 Intentionally Omitted.

1.6                Purchase Price Adjustment.  The Purchase Price determined at Closing pursuant to Section 1.4 shall be adjusted as provided in this Section 1.6.

1.6.1           Determination of Post-Closing Adjustments.  As promptly as practicable, but no later than fifteen (15) days after the later of (i) December 31, 2013 and (ii) the Closing Date, Purchaser shall cause the Company to:

(a)            determine the Adjusted EBITDA for calendar year 2013 based upon the actual financial results of the Company for 2013;

(b)            determine the Closing Date Net Cash; and

(c)            send notice to the Shareholders of the Company’s determination of Adjusted EBITDA and Closing Date Net Cash, along with the calculations used by the Company to determine such amounts (“Adjustment Notice”).

1.6.2           Payment of the Purchase Price Adjustment.  Promptly following the determination of the Adjusted EBITDA and Closing Date Net Cash pursuant to Sections 1.6.1(a) and 1.6.1(b), but no more than ten (10) business days following the date the Adjustment Notice is sent to the Shareholders, the following shall occur:

(a)          If Adjusted EBITDA as determined pursuant to Section 1.6 would cause the Purchase Price to be greater than the Purchase Price as determined pursuant to Section 1.4, then Purchaser shall promptly issue to the Shareholders a number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock equal to such difference in Purchase Price, divided by $0.08 (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and the like).

(b)          If Adjusted EBITDA as determined pursuant to Section 1.6 would cause the Purchase Price to be less than the Purchase Price as determined pursuant to Section 1.4, then the Shareholders shall promptly return to the Company for cancellation a number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock equal to such difference in Purchase Price, divided by $0.08 (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and the like).

(c)          If the Closing Date Net Cash as determined pursuant to Section 1.6 is greater than zero dollars ($0.00) and the Closing Date Current Ratio does not violate the terms and of this Agreement, then the Company shall promptly pay to the Shareholders an amount cash equal to the Closing Date Net Cash.

 

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(d)          If the Closing Date Net Cash as determined pursuant to Section 1.6 is less than $0.00, then the Shareholders shall promptly pay to the Company an amount of cash equal to the amount equal to the absolute value of such negative dollar amount.

(e)          If the Company is required to pay to the Shareholders any shares of Purchaser Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.6.2(a) or any cash pursuant to Section 1.6.2(c), then the Company shall allocate the amount paid to each Shareholder based upon the number of shares of Company Stock owned by such Shareholder at Closing relative to the total number of shares of Company Stock that are outstanding at Closing.

1.6.3           Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

“Auditors” shall mean BDO USA, LLP, or any other independent accounting firm approved by Purchaser in writing.

“Filling Machine” shall mean the All-Fill 24 head rotary filling machine that the Company intends to purchase and acquire before the Closing.

“Closing Date Net Cash” shall mean, as of the Closing Date, the difference between (i) the amount of cash held by the Company and (ii) the sum of (A) the total amount of all customer deposits, (B) income taxes of the Company incurred or relating to periods on or prior to the Closing that have not be paid before the Closing; (C) the total debt amount owed by the Company in respect of borrowed money; and (D) fifty percent (50%) of the cost to purchase and install the Filling Machine.

1.7                Holdback.  At Closing, Purchaser shall withhold and retain a fraction of the Cash portion of the Purchase Price (“Holdback Amount”) that otherwise would be paid to the Shareholders, and pay such portion of the Purchase Price as described in this Section.  The Holdback Amount shall be $300,000.  The Shareholders understand and agree that the Holdback Amount shall be held in a separate account of Purchaser (“Holdback Account”) to partially secure the Purchaser’s indemnification and Setoff rights pursuant to Section 7.  Subject to the rights of the Purchaser set forth herein, the Company shall deliver to the Shareholders one half of the amount remaining in the Holdback Account that is not subject to Purchaser’s indemnification and Setoff rights under Section 7 on the first anniversary of the Closing and the balance of the amount remaining in the Holdback Account that is not subject to Purchaser’s indemnification and Setoff rights under Section 7 on the second anniversary of the Closing.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.7, the Shareholders shall not be entitled to receive any portion of the Holdback Amount unless on the first anniversary of the Closing McKnight is an employee of Purchaser or one of Purchaser’s subsidiaries and the Shareholders shall not be entitled to receive any portion of the Holdback Amount on the second anniversary of the Closing or thereafter unless on such date McKnight is an employee of Purchaser or one of Purchaser’s subsidiaries.  Any portion of the Holdback Amount that is paid by Purchaser to the Shareholders shall be allocated among the Shareholders as follows:  (i) 80% to McKnight, (ii) 18% to MA Corp and (iii) 2% to Renee.

 

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1.8                The Closing.  The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin Law Corporation, 400 Capitol Mall, Eleventh Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, at 10:00 a.m., as soon as practicable, but not later than fifteen (15) days after all the conditions set forth in Section 5 hereof have been satisfied or waived, or on such other date, time and place as Purchaser and the Shareholders may mutually agree (“Closing Date”).  At the Closing (i) each Shareholder shall deliver to the Purchaser certificates representing the Company Stock owned by such Shareholder, duly endorsed for transfer or accompanied by duly executed stock powers with all requisite state and federal transfer stamps affixed thereto, (ii) Purchaser shall wire the cash amounts described in Section 1.3.1 to the accounts designated by the Shareholders, (iii) Purchaser shall deliver to the Shareholders the shares of Purchaser Common Stock described in Section 1.3.2, (iv) Purchaser shall deliver the Holdback Amount to a specially designated account of Purchaser and (v) the Company, Shareholders and the Purchaser, as applicable, shall deliver the certificates and other documents and instruments required to be delivered by or on behalf of such party.  Each Shareholder shall receive a share certificate in its name for all of the shares of Purchaser Common Stock to be issued to such Shareholder.

1.9               Withholding Taxes.  Any amounts payable to any Shareholder pursuant to this Section 1 shall be subject to, and reduced by an amount equal to, the amount of any state, federal and foreign withholding taxes incurred (and not previously paid by or on behalf of such Shareholder) in connection with the acquisition of such Shareholder’s Company Stock.

1.10             Fractional Shares.  No fraction of a share of Purchaser Common Stock will be issued, but in lieu thereof, each Shareholder who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of Purchaser Common shall be entitled to receive from Purchaser a full share of Purchaser Common Stock.

1.11             Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.  In the event any certificates evidencing Company Stock shall have been lost, stolen, destroyed or not otherwise issued, Purchaser shall issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificates, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof the consideration required pursuant to Article I hereof; provided, however, that Purchaser may, in its reasonable discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the shareholder to whom a certificate was not issued or who is the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificates to enter into a customary indemnification agreement with Purchaser, pursuant to which such shareholder shall agree to indemnify Purchaser and its transfer agent against any claim that may be made against Purchaser or its transfer agent with respect to the certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen, destroyed, or never issued.

1.12             Legends.  The shares of Purchaser Common Stock to be issued hereunder shall be issued in a private placement as “restricted securities” as defined under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”) and will be subject to the following legend (and any other legends required under state securities laws):

 

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”).  THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, OR (B) A VALID EXEMPTION THEREFROM AND THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

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2.                   Representations and Warranties of the Company and Shareholders.

 

The Company and the Shareholders, jointly and severally, hereby represent and warrant to Purchaser that each of the following representations and warranties is true and correct in all respects as of the Closing, except as disclosed in a letter separately delivered to Purchaser by the Shareholders and the Company (the “Disclosure Letter”).  As used herein, the term “Knowledge” shall mean actual knowledge upon reasonable investigation, and with respect to the Company, shall mean the actual knowledge upon reasonable investigation of any Shareholder and any officer of the Company.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean with respect to an entity, the Shareholders or the Business, any change, event, violation, inaccuracy, circumstance or effect that is materially adverse to the Business, assets (including intangible assets), capitalization, condition, prospects or results of operations of such entity or person; provided, however, that in no event shall changes generally affecting the industry in which such entity currently operates or conducts business, or changes generally affecting the United States economy, constitute a Material Adverse Effect.

2.1                Organization and Authority to Do Business.  The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its state of incorporation and is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which it is required to be qualified.  The Company has full power and authority and all licenses, permits and authorizations necessary to own and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted.  Correct and complete copies of the Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws have been furnished to the Purchaser (together, the “Charter Documents”).  Correct and complete copies of the minute books containing the records of meetings of the stockholders and board of directors, the stock certificate books and the stock record books of the Company have been furnished to the Purchaser.  The Company is not in default under or in violation of any provision of its Charter Documents.

2.2                Authority and Enforceability.  The Company has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  The board of directors of the Company has duly approved this Agreement and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby thereby.  No additional corporate proceedings on behalf of the Company are necessary to approve this Agreement or the consummation of the Acquisition.  This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms and conditions, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, and any other Laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and as limited by Laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

 

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2.3                Capitalization.  The authorized shares of the Company consist of 100,000 shares of Common Stock.  The Company Stock held by the Shareholders and outstanding as of the Effective Date consists of, and as of the Closing will consist of, 80,000 shares of Common Stock held by McKnight, 18,000 shares of Common Stock held by MA Corp and 2,000 shares of Common Stock held by Renee. The Company Stock has been duly authorized, is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and is not subject to, nor was it issued in violation of, any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal.  There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, rights, contracts, calls, puts, rights to subscribe, conversion rights or other agreements or commitments to which the Company is a party or which are binding upon the Company providing for the issuance, disposition or acquisition of any of its capital stock (other than this Agreement), (ii) there are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights with respect to the Company, (iii) there are no voting trusts, proxies or any other agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of the capital stock of the Company, and (iv) the Company is not subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its capital stock.  The Company has not at any time redeemed any shares of its stock.

2.4                No Subsidiaries.  The Company has no subsidiaries and has never had any subsidiaries and does not own or have the right to acquire an equity interest in any other entity.

2.5               Consents and Approvals; No Violations.  Except as set forth on Section 2.5 of the Disclosure Letter, no filing with, and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any governmental body, court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality (“Governmental Authority”) is necessary for the consummation of the Acquisition.  Except as set forth on Section 2.5 of the Disclosure Letter, neither the execution and the delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Acquisition will:  (i) violate any statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government, Governmental Authority, any nongovernmental, self‐regulatory organization or agency to which the Company or any of its properties or assets may be subject, or any court to which the Company is subject, or any provision of the Charter Documents; or (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any notice under any agreement, contract, lease, license, permit, instrument, or other arrangement to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its assets is subject (or result in the imposition of any Encumbrance upon any of its assets).  For purposes of this Agreement, “Encumbrance” means any encumbrance, claim, lien, charge, mortgage, security interest, equity, option, pledge, restriction on transferability (including, without limitation, any voting agreement, voting trust, any restriction on voting rights or right of disposition), defect of title, attachments, preliminary attachments or adverse claims (whether or not made, known or contingent) or other claims or third party rights of whatever nature on any property or property interest.

2.6               Brokers’ Fees.  The Company has no Liability or obligation to pay any fees, commissions or expenses to any broker, finder, or agent with respect to the Acquisition.

 

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2.7                Financial Statements.

2.7.1        Current Financial Statements.  The Company has delivered to Purchase true and complete copies of (i) the Company’s unaudited balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and the related unaudited statements of income of the Company for the periods covered therein, (collectively, the “Current Annual Financial Statements”), (ii) the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of June 30, 2013 and the related statement of income for the six month period then ended, and (iii) the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of July 31, 2013 and August 31, 2013, and the related statement of income for the months then ended (collectively, the financial statements delivered pursuant to clauses (ii) and (iii), the “Current Interim Financial Statements”, and with the Current Annual Financial Statements, the “Current Financial Statements”). The Current Financial Statements (i) are correct and complete in all material respects, (ii) are consistent with, and have been prepared from, the books and records of the Company, and (iii) fairly present the financial condition and operating results of the Company at the respective dates thereof and for the periods indicated.  The balance sheet of the Company as of August 31, 2013 included in the Current Financial Statements is referred to herein as the “Balance Sheet”.  The loans and accounts receivable included in the Business assets are bona fide and are collectible at their recorded amounts, and are not subject to any offsets or defenses to payment.

2.7.2           Audited Financial Statements.

    (a)            The Shareholders shall use their best efforts to cause the Company to deliver to Purchaser by October 31, 2013, true and complete copies of (i) the Company’s audited balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and the related audited statements of income and statements of cash flows of the Company for the periods covered therein, together with all related notes and schedules thereto, accompanied by the unqualified reports thereon of the Auditors (as defined below), (ii) the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of September 30, 2013 and the related statement of income and statement of cash flows for the nine month period then ended reviewed by the Auditors (“Interim Financial Statements”).  If the Closing does not occur on or before the tenth (10th) day after any month that follows September 2013, then on or before the tenth (10th) day immediately following each such month, the Company shall deliver to Purchaser true and complete copies of the Company’s unaudited balance sheet as of the last day of such month and the related statement of income for such month (collectively, “Monthly Financial Statements”). The Company financial statements described in the first two sentences of this Section 2.7.2 shall be referred to herein collectively as the “Company Financial Statements”). The Company Financial Statements shall (i) be correct and complete in all material respects, (ii) be consistent with, and have been prepared from, the books and records of the Company, (iii) be prepared in accordance with GAAP (except that unaudited financial statements may not have notes thereto and other presentation items that may be required by GAAP) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated and (iv) fairly present the financial condition and operating results of the Company at the respective dates thereof and for the periods indicated, except in the case of the unaudited Company Financial Statements, to normal and recurring year-end adjustments that are not reasonably expected to be material in amount.

 

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    (b)       The Interim Financial Statements and the Monthly Financial Statements shall be accompanied by true and correct calculations of the Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods contained in the Interim Financial Statements and the Monthly Financial Statements, and shall contain detailed descriptions and calculations of all items used to determine such Adjusted EBITDA amounts.

2.8           Changes. Since August 31, 2013, there has not been, occurred or arisen any:

     (a)        material adverse change in the business of the Company or, to the Knowledge of the representing parties, any event or condition that has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the business of the Company;

     (b)        material transaction by the Company except in the ordinary course of business as conducted on that date and consistent with past practices;

     (c)       payment, discharge or satisfaction, in any amount in excess of $20,000 in any one case, or $50,000 in the aggregate, of any claim, liability or obligation (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than payment, discharge or satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business;

 (d)       capital expenditure or commitment by the Company outside the ordinary course of business exceeding $20,000 individually or $50,000 in the aggregate;

     (e)       destruction of, damage to or loss of any material assets of the Company (whether or not covered by insurance);

 (f)        change in any material election in respect of Taxes (as defined below), adoption or change in any accounting method in respect of Taxes, agreement or settlement of any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes, or extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes;

 (g)       declaration, setting aside or payment of a dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property), or redemption in respect of any Company Stock;

 (h)        increase in the salary or other compensation payable or to become payable by the Company to any person who is one of the Company's officers, directors, employees or contract workers, other than in the ordinary course of business, or to advisors or consultants as of the date hereof, or the declaration, payment or commitment or obligation of any kind for the payment by the Company of a severance payment, termination payment, bonus or other additional salary or compensation to any such person;

 (i)        other than in the ordinary course of business, any termination, extension, amendment or modification of the terms of any material agreement, contract, covenant, instrument, lease, license or commitment to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or its assets are bound;

 (j)        sale, lease, license (outside of the ordinary course of business) or other disposition of any of the material properties of the Company, or the creation of any Encumbrance on any such material asset or material property, except Encumbrances for Taxes not yet due and payable;

 

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    (k)      loan by the Company to any person, incurring by the of any indebtedness for borrowed money, guaranteeing by the Company of any indebtedness for borrowed money, issuance or sale of any debt securities of the Company or guaranteeing of any debt securities of others, except for advances to employees or contract workers for travel and business expenses and customer accounts receivable, in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 (l)        waiver or release of any right or claim of the Company, including any write-off or other compromise of any account receivable of the Company except in the ordinary course of business;

     (m)      written or, to the Company's Knowledge, oral notice of any claim or potential claim of ownership by any person other than the Company of the Company's Intellectual Property or of infringement by the Company of any other Person's Intellectual Property (as defined below);

 (n)       agreement or modification to agreement pursuant to which any other party was granted marketing, distribution, development or similar rights of any type or scope with respect to any products or technology of the Company outside of the ordinary course of business; or

 (o)        agreement by the Company to do any of the things described in the preceding clauses of this Section.

 

2.9                Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.  Except as disclosed on Section 2.9(a) of the Disclosure Letter, the Company has no Liabilities of any nature (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) except (i) Liabilities or obligations that are accrued or reserved against in the Balance Sheet, and (ii) Liabilities arising since the date of the Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice that do not exceed $10,000 in the aggregate and that would not separately or cumulatively potentially result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Business, the Business assets or the Company.  All Company indebtedness is listed on Section 2.9(b) of the Disclosure Letter.  No event (including the Acquisition) has occurred or been alleged that is, or with the passing of any time or the giving of any notice, certificate, declaration or demand would become, an event of default under, or breach of, any of the terms of any loan, borrowing, debenture or financial facility of the Company or which would entitle any person to call for repayment prior to normal maturity.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Liability” or “Liabilities” means any and all debts, liabilities and obligations of any type or nature whatsoever, whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, determined or determinable, including, without limitation, those arising under any Law, action or governmental order and those arising under any contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment or undertaking.

2.10             Compliance with Laws, Etc.  All activities of the Company have been, and are currently being, conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, local or foreign laws, ordinances, regulations, interpretations, judgments, decrees, injunctions, permits, licenses, certificates, governmental requirements, orders, guidelines and other similar items of any court or other governmental entity (“Laws”).

 

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2.11             Environmental Laws and Regulations.  To the Knowledge of the representing parties, there has been no storage, disposal, generation, manufacture, refinement, transportation, handling, Release (as defined below) or treatment of waste or hazardous substances by the Company at, upon, or from any of the property now or previously owned or leased by the Company in violation of any applicable Law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or which could reasonably be expected to require remedial action under any applicable Law.  For the purposes of this Section, “Release” shall mean any material spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or other release of any kind.

2.12              Taxes.

2.12.1        For purposes of this Agreement:  “Tax” or “Taxes” means any federal, state, local or foreign net income, gross income, gross receipts, windfall profit, severance, property, production, sales, use, license, excise, franchise, employment, payroll, withholding, alternative or add-on minimum, ad valorem, value-added, transfer, stamp, or environmental tax, or any other tax, custom, duty, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, taxes or withholdings associated with the use of independent contractors, together with any interest or penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any Governmental Authority, and “Tax Return” means any return, report or similar statement required to be filed with respect to any Taxes (including any attached schedules), including, without limitation, any information return, claim for refund, amended return and declaration of estimated Tax.

2.12.2        The Company has filed all Tax Returns required to be filed; all such Tax Returns are complete and accurate and disclose all Taxes required to be paid by the Company for the periods covered thereby; all Taxes owed by the Company (whether or not shown on any such Tax Return) have been timely paid or accrued for; the Company is not currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return; the Company has duly and timely withheld from employee and consultant salaries, wages and other compensation and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Authority all amounts required to be so withheld and paid over for all periods under all applicable Laws; the Company has not waived or been requested to waive any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes which waiver is currently in effect; all deficiencies asserted or assessments made as a result of any examination or audit of the Company’s Tax Returns have been paid in full; there is no action, suit, investigation, audit, claim or assessment pending or, to the Knowledge of the representing parties, proposed or threatened with respect to Taxes of the Company and no basis exists therefor; there are no liens for Taxes upon the assets of the Company except liens relating to current Taxes not yet due; all Taxes which the Company is required by Law to withhold or to collect for payment have been duly withheld and collected, and have been paid or accrued, reserved against and entered on the books of the Company; and the Company has never been a member of any Company group or had any direct or indirect ownership in any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity.

 

2.12.3        Except as have been reserved and reflected in the Current Financial Statements, the Company has no unpaid Tax liability.

 

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2.13            Real Property.  The Company owns no real property.  Section 2.13 of the Disclosure Letter lists and describes briefly all real property leased, subleased, occupied, held, controlled or otherwise used or contemplated to be used by the Company.  The Company is in actual and exclusive occupation of each such property.  To the Knowledge of the representing parties, none of the properties occupied by the Company is in material violation of any Law or in violation of any building, zoning, or other ordinance, code or regulation which would have a Material Adverse Effect or materially interfere with the use and occupancy thereof in the ordinary course by the Company of its business.

2.14              Intellectual Property.

2.14.1       The Company owns or possesses sufficient legal rights to all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses (software or otherwise), information, trade secrets, processes and similar proprietary rights (“Intellectual Property”) necessary to the business of the Company as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted, free and clear of all Encumbrances.  The Disclosure Letter contains a complete list of the Company’s patents, trademarks, copyrights and domain names and pending patent, trademark and copyright applications.  Except for agreements with its own employees or consultants and standard end-user license agreements, there are no outstanding options, licenses or agreements relating to the Intellectual Property, and the Company is not bound by or a party to any options, licenses or agreements with respect to the Intellectual Property of any other person or entity.  The Company has not received any written communication alleging that the Company has violated or, by conducting its business as currently conducted, would violate any of the Intellectual Property of any other person or entity, nor is the Company aware of any basis therefor.  The Company is not obligated to make any payments by way of royalties, fees or otherwise to any owner or licensor of or claimant to any Intellectual Property with respect to the use thereof in connection with the conduct of its business as presently conducted.  There are no agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts, judgments, orders or decrees to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound which involve indemnification by the Company with respect to infringements of Intellectual Property.

2.14.2       The Company has taken all necessary steps to protect and preserve the confidentiality of all trade secrets and other proprietary and confidential information, including know-how, source codes, databases, data collections, customer lists, schematics, ideas, algorithms and processes and all use, disclosure or appropriation thereof by or to any third party (other than (i) to competent regulators, accountants and counsel, in each instance acting in their professional capacities or (ii) pursuant to competent judicial or equivalent order) has been pursuant to the terms of a written agreement between such third party and the Company.  The Company has not breached any agreements of non-disclosure or confidentiality or is currently alleged or claimed to have done so.

2.14.3      The Company has secured valid written assignments from all consultants and employees who contributed to the creation or development of Intellectual Property used by the Company in the conduct of the Business of the rights to such contributions that the Company does not already own by operation of law.

 

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2.14.4        The Company is not aware that any of its employees is obligated under any contract or other agreement, or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative agency, that would materially interfere with the use of his or her efforts to promote the interests of the Company or that would conflict with the Company’s business as presently conducted.  Neither the execution nor delivery of this Agreement, nor the carrying on of the Company’s business by the employees of the Company, nor the conduct of the Company’s business as presently conducted, will, to the Company’s Knowledge, conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any contract, covenant or instrument under which any of such employees is now obligated.  The Company does not believe it is or will be necessary to use any inventions of any of its employees made prior to their employment by the Company.

2.14.5       Each employee of the Company has executed a confidential information and invention assignment agreement, substantially in the form(s) delivered to Purchaser.  No such employee has excluded works or inventions made prior to his or her employment with the Company from his or her assignment of inventions pursuant to such employee’s confidential information and invention assignment agreement.  Each consultant to the Company that has had access to the Company’s intellectual property has entered into an agreement containing appropriate confidentiality and invention assignment provisions.  To the Knowledge of the Company, no officer, employee or consultant of the Company is in violation of such confidential information and invention assignment agreement or any prior employee contract or proprietary information agreement with any other corporation or third party.

2.15             Title to Assets; Sufficiency of Assets.  The Company does not own any real property. The Company has good and marketable title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all assets, properties, interests in properties and rights (of every kind and character and wherever located) necessary for the conduct of the Business or used, owned, occupied or held for use by the Company in the operation of the Business, free and clear of all Encumbrances.  The tangible property owned or leased by the Company is in good operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted. With respect to the property and assets is leases, the Company is in compliance with such leases in all material respects and hold a valid leasehold interest free of any Encumbrances.  The Company owns or leases all assets, whether tangible or intangible, that are necessary to conduct the Business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted, and none of such assets are owned or controlled by any employee, owner or affiliate of the Company.

2.16             Contracts.  Section 2.16 of the Disclosure Letter contains an accurate and complete list of every contract (whether express or implied), plan, agreement, lease or understanding to which the Company is a party or may be bound that involves (i) obligations of, or payments to, the Company in excess of $10,000, (ii) the license of any patent, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary right to or from the Company, (iii) the granting of rights to manufacture, produce, assemble, distribute, license, market or sell the Company’s products or affecting the Company’s exclusive right to develop, manufacture, assemble, distribute, market or sell its products or (d) indemnification by the Company with respect to infringements of proprietary rights (each, a “Contract,” and collectively, the “Contracts”).  The Company has performed all obligations required to be performed by it under the Contracts; there has not been any event of default (or any event or condition with notice or the lapse of time, both or otherwise, would constitute an event of default) thereunder on the part of the Company or any other party thereto under one or more Contracts; the Contracts are in full force and effect and valid and enforceable by the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally, by general principles of equity.

 

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2.17            Insurance.  All policies of insurance maintained by the Company are listed on Section 2.17 of the Disclosure Letter, have been issued for the benefit of the Company and are adequate and customary (and will be adequate and customary as of the Closing Data) for the assets, Business and operations of the Company.  The Company has promptly and properly notified its insurance carriers of any and all claims known to it with respect to its operations or products for which it is insured.

2.18             Litigation.  Except as described at Section 2.18 of the Disclosure Letter: (i) there is no action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge, complaint, claim, or demand pending or, to the Knowledge of the representing parties, threatened against or involving the Company or any of its properties or rights, before any court, arbitrator, or administrative or Governmental Authority, and there exists no reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge, complaint, claim, or demand; (ii) there is no judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any court, Governmental Authority or arbitrator outstanding against the Company; and (iii) the Company is not in violation of any term of any judgment, decree, injunction or order outstanding against it.

2.19             Employees.

2.19.1         Section 2.19 of the Disclosure Letter contains a complete list of every employee and consultant of the Company, providing their position, start dates, compensation (including benefits), accrued vacation, and equity incentives issued or granted to them by the Company.

2.19.2        To the Knowledge of the representing parties, no executive, group of employees or consultant has any plans to terminate its employment or consulting relationship with the Company.  The Company is not a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement, and it has not experienced any strikes, has not committed any unfair labor practice and has no Knowledge of any organizational effort presently being made or threatened by or on behalf of any labor union with respect to employees of the Company.  The Company is in compliance with all Laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, and wages and hours and the Company has not violated or incurred any Liabilities for breach or unlawful termination of any employment contract with any of its employees or former employees, including Liabilities for severance payments, compensation for wrongful termination, Liabilities under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, the United States Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, or for failure to comply with an order for the reinstatement or reengagement and back pay of any of its employees or former employees.

 

2.19.3       The Acquisition will not give rise to (i) any extraordinary payment obligations to any employee, consultant or other party on the part of the Company or (ii) the right of any employee or consultant to terminate or modify the terms of such party’s relationship with the Company.

 

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2.19.4       No employee, director, consultant or independent contractor is party to any contract, including without limitation any employment, consulting, contracting or similar contract, oral or written, with the Company.  No employee, director, consultant or independent contractor is entitled to severance, bonus, or any other payment upon termination of such party’s employment, consulting or independent contractor relationship with the Company or any extraordinary payment upon a change of control of the Company.  Except as disclosed in Section 2.19 of the Disclosure Letter, all employees, consultants and independent contractors provide such employment, consulting or independent contractor services to the Company on an “at will” basis.

2.20            Employee Benefits.  Section 2.20 of the Disclosure Letter lists each employee benefit plan (including without limitation health plans and plans, schemes, or arrangements in relation to death, disability or retirement of any of its current or past employees or shareholders) that the Company maintains, to which the Company contributes or has any obligation to contribute, or with respect to which the Company has any Liability or potential Liability and contains complete and accurate details of the basis on which the Company makes, or is liable to make, contributions to each such plan.  Each such employee benefit plan (and each related trust, insurance contract, or fund) has been maintained, funded and administered in accordance with the terms of such employee benefit plan and complies in form and in operation in all respects with all applicable Laws and all contributions which are payable by the Company in respect of it and all contributions due from the employees of the Company as members of it have been duly made and the Company has fulfilled all its obligations under it.

2.21           Guarantees.  The Company is not a guarantor of, nor is it otherwise liable for, any Liability or obligation (including indebtedness) of any other person or entity.

2.22           Related-Party Transactions.

 

Except as set forth in Section 2.22 of the Disclosure Letter, no present or former employee, consultant, officer, shareholder, director or Affiliate (as defined below) of the Company, or, in the case of any of the foregoing who are individuals, any member of his or her immediate family, or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing:

 

    (a)        is indebted to the Company nor is the Company indebted (or committed to make loans or extend or guaranty credit) to any such person, other than for (i) the payment of salary or performance bonuses for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, or (iii) other standard employee benefits made generally available to all employees or to similarly situated persons;

    (b)        is, directly or indirectly, interested in any material contract with the Company (other than such contracts as relate to any such person's employment with the Company or ownership of capital stock of the Company) nor, to the Knowledge of the disclosing parties, holds any direct or indirect ownership interest in any firm or corporation (i) with which the Company is affiliated or with which the Company has a business relationship or (ii) that competes with the Company, except that such persons may own stock in publicly traded companies (not exceeding one percent of any such company's outstanding capital stock) that may compete with the Company.

  

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As used in this Section 2.22, the term “Affiliate” shall mean any person or entity that controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the designated party.  For purposes of this definition, "control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management or policies of a person or entity, whether by ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, or the ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities or other interest of a person or entity.

2.23            Disclosure.  Neither any of the representations or warranties made by the Company or the Shareholders (as modified by the Disclosure Letter) in this Agreement, nor any statements made in any exhibit, schedule or certificate furnished by the Company or the Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement contains or will contain at the Closing, any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits or will omit at the Closing to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein, in the light of the circumstances under which made, not misleading.

3.                     Representations and Warranties of each Shareholder

Each of the Shareholders, with respect only to such Shareholder individually and no other person or entity, represents and warrants to Purchaser that each of the representations and warranties set forth below is true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing with respect to such Shareholder, except as fairly disclosed in the Disclosure Letter:

3.1                Authority and Enforceability.  The Shareholder has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Shareholder, enforceable in accordance with its terms and conditions, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and as limited by laws relating to the availability of a specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

3.2               No Violations.  Neither the execution and the delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Acquisition will conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any notice under any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which the Shareholder is a party or by which the Shareholder is bound.

3.3               Company Stock.  The Shareholder holds of record and owns beneficially the Company Stock described in Section 1.1, free and clear of any restrictions on transfer (other than any restrictions under applicable securities laws), taxes, security interests, options, warrants, purchase rights, contracts, commitments, equities, claims, demands or any other Encumbrances.  The Shareholder is not a party to any option, warrant, purchase right, or other agreement, understanding, contract or commitment that would entitle the Shareholder to hold or own, directly or indirectly, of record or beneficially, any other equity interest in the Company or that could require the Shareholder to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any shares of Company Stock (other than this Agreement).  The Shareholder is not a party to any voting trust, proxy, or other agreement or understanding with respect to the voting of any Company Stock.  There is no litigation, claim, proceeding or governmental investigation pending or threatened against the Shareholder which seeks to delay or prevent the consummation of, or which would be reasonably likely to adversely affect the Shareholder’s ability to consummate, the Acquisition.

 

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3.4                Investment Intent.

3.4.1           Securities Law Representations.  The Shareholder understands that (i) the shares of Purchaser Common Stock to be issued to the Shareholder hereunder (collectively, the “Purchaser Shares”) have not been registered under the Securities Act, nor qualified under the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, (ii) the Purchaser Shares cannot be resold unless they subsequently are registered under the Securities Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws or foreign securities laws, unless exemptions from such registration and qualification requirements are available, (iii) the Shareholder has no right to require such registration or qualification (except as contemplated hereby), and (iv) the certificates representing the shares of Purchaser Common Stock to be issued hereunder shall bear the legends as set forth in Section 1 hereof.

3.4.2           The Purchaser Shares to be received by the Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement will be acquired for the Shareholder’s own account and not with a view to, or intention of, distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act, any applicable state securities laws or foreign securities laws, and the Purchaser Shares will not be disposed of in contravention of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws or foreign securities laws.

3.4.3            The Shareholder understands that the number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock that may be issued to Purchaser under this agreement is independent of the trading price of the Purchaser Common Stock.  Such trading price could fluctuate significantly between the Effective Date and the Closing Date.  The Shareholder understands that Purchaser can unilaterally take actions that could negatively influence such trading price, including without limitation completing a reverse stock split or raising capital on terms that are unfavorable to Purchaser.

3.4.4           The Shareholder has carefully reviewed and understands the risks of, and other considerations relating to, an investment in the Purchaser Shares.  The Shareholder is able to bear the economic risk of his investment in the Purchaser Shares for an indefinite period of time.  The Purchaser Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available and are subject to additional restrictions, including without limitation, rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal and restrictions on transfer as provided in this Agreement.  The Shareholder has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Purchaser Shares, has had full access to such other information concerning Purchaser as the Shareholder has requested.

3.5               Claims Against the Company.  The Shareholder does not have any claims against the Company other than rights or claims arising with respect to the Shareholder’s ownership of the Company Stock.

3.6               Spousal Consent.  The spouse of each Shareholder that is an individual has executed and delivered to Purchaser a spousal consent in the form provided by Purchaser to such Shareholder.  The Shareholder’s spouse had the full power and authority to execute and deliver the spousal consent.

 

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4.                   Representations and Warranties of Purchaser

Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to each Shareholder that each of the representations and warranties set forth below is true and correct in all respects as of the Closing:

4.1                Organization, Good Standing and Qualification.  Purchaser is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of California and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and as currently proposed to be conducted.

4.2              Authority and Enforceability.  The Purchaser has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  The board of directors of the Purchaser has duly approved this Agreement and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby thereby.  No additional corporate proceedings on behalf of the Purchaser are necessary to approve this Agreement or the consummation of the Acquisition.  This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms and conditions, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

4.3               SEC Reports.  Purchaser has filed all forms, reports and documents required to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) since January 1, 2011.  All such required forms, reports and documents, and all exhibits and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, (including those filed by Purchaser after the date hereof) are referred to herein as the “Purchaser SEC Reports.”  As of their respective dates, the Purchaser SEC Reports complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as the case may be, and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

4.4               Purchaser Common Stock.  The Purchaser Common Stock issuable hereunder has been duly authorized, and upon consummation of the transactions hereby, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

5.                   Conditions to Closing

5.1               Conditions to Obligations of Each Party.  The respective obligations of each party to this Agreement to effect the Acquisition shall be subject to the satisfaction or written waiver, at or prior to the Closing, of the following conditions:

5.1.1            Capital.  Purchaser shall have raised at least $7,500,000 in capital net of transaction expenses.

5.1.2            No Order.  No Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is in effect and which has the effect of making the Acquisition illegal or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the Acquisition.

 

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5.1.3           No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality.  No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Acquisition shall be in effect, nor shall any proceeding brought by an administrative agency or commission or other Governmental Authority, domestic or foreign, seeking any of the foregoing be pending.

5.2               Conditions of the Shareholders to Closing.  The obligations of each Shareholder to effect the Acquisition shall be subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, exclusively by the Shareholder:

5.2.1           Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Section 4 shall be true and correct at the Closing.

5.2.2           Covenants.  All of the covenants and obligations that Purchaser is required to perform or to comply with pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the Closing shall have been duly performed and complied with in all material respects.

5.3              Conditions of Purchaser to Closing.  The obligations of Purchaser to effect the Acquisition shall be subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, exclusively by Purchaser:

5.3.1            Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties of the Company and each Shareholder contained in Sections 2 and 3 shall be true and correct at the Closing.

5.3.2           Covenants.  All of the covenants and obligations that Shareholders and the Company are required to perform or to comply with pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the Closing shall have been duly performed and complied with in all material respects.

5.3.3           Due Diligence.  Purchaser shall have approved the results of its Due Diligence including the results of the Auditor’s report to the Company Financial Statements;

5.3.4           Consents.  The Company and the Shareholders shall have furnished Purchaser with evidence satisfactory to it that the Company has obtained the consents, approvals and waivers, and delivered the notices, set forth in Section 2.5 of the Disclosure Letter and such other consents, approvals and permits that are required to complete the Acquisition and to enable the Company to own and operate the Business and the Business assets following the Closing.

5.3.5            Sale of All Company Stock.  All of the Shareholders shall have tendered all of their Company Stock to Purchaser for purchase and shall have executed this Agreement.

5.3.6            No Material Adverse Change.  Between the Effective Date and the Closing, there shall have occurred no event that resulted in or that is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

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5.3.7           Securities.  All promissory notes or other indebtedness owed by the Company shall have been satisfied.  The Company shall have terminated any and all agreements, arrangements or plans relating to its equity securities, and all such agreements, arrangements and plans shall be of no further force and effect and there shall be no rights or obligations outstanding under any such agreements, arrangements or plans.

5.3.8           No Claims for Company Stock.  There must not have been made by any person other than the Shareholders with respect to the Company Stock described in Section 1.1 any claim asserting that such person (i) is the holder or the beneficial owner of, or has the right to acquire or to obtain beneficial ownership of, any stock or, or any other voting, equity, or ownership interest in, the Company, or (ii) is entitled to all or any portion of the Purchase Price payable for the Company Stock.

5.3.9            Employment Agreement.  The Employment Agreement and any exhibits thereto shall be in full force and effect and McKnight shall have executed all applicable policies of the Purchaser relating to McKnight’s employment with Purchaser.

5.3.10        Closing Certificate. The Shareholders shall have executed and delivered to Purchaser stating that the conditions specified in Sections 5.3.1, 5.3.2, 5.3.6 and 5.3.7 have been satisfied.

5.3.11        Non-Competition Agreements.  The Non-Competition Agreements with the Shareholders shall be in full force and effect.

5.3.12       Other Documents.  The Company and the Shareholders shall have delivered any certificates, instruments, or documents that Purchaser may reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.

6.                   Covenants

6.1               Conduct of the Business.  During the period between the Effective Date and the Closing, the Company and the Shareholders shall conduct the Business in the ordinary course and shall notify Purchaser as soon as practicable of the occurrence of any material event which would be outside the ordinary course of the Business or could cause the terms, conditions, and representations included herein or in the Agreements to become breached or violated.  The Company and the Shareholders shall operate in a way consistent with past practices and shall promptly notify Purchaser of any event, occurrence or emergency not in the ordinary course of business of the Company, and any material event involving the Company without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as expressly required by this Agreement, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Purchaser:

 

 (a)        make, or enter into any commitment to make, any capital expenditures exceeding $50,000 individually or $200,000 in the aggregate other than the cost to purchase and install the Filling Machine;

 (b)       (i) sell, license or transfer to any person or entity any rights to any Intellectual Property or enter into any agreement with respect to any Intellectual Property with any person or entity or with respect to any intellectual property of any person or entity other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, (ii) buy or license any intellectual property or enter into any agreement with respect to the intellectual property of any person or entity other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, (iii) enter into any agreement with respect to the development of any intellectual property with a third party, (iv) or material change pricing or royalties charged by the Company to its customers or licensees, or the pricing or royalties set or charged by persons who have licensed intellectual property to the Company;

 

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 (c)        enter into or amend any material Contract pursuant to which any other party is granted marketing, distribution, development or similar rights with respect to any products or technology of the Company;

 (d)        amend or otherwise modify (or agree to do so), or violate the terms of, any of the Contracts;

 (e)        commence or settle any litigation;

 (f)         declare, set aside or pay any dividends on or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of any Company capital stock, or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of Company capital stock, or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of Company capital stock;

 (g)        issue, grant, deliver or sell or authorize or propose the issuance, grant, delivery or sale of, or purchase or propose the purchase of, any shares of capital stock of the Company or securities convertible into, or subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to acquire, or other agreements or commitments of any character obligating the Company to issue or purchase any such shares or other convertible securities;

 (h)       acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing any assets or equity securities of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof, or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets which are material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Business;

 (i)        sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any properties or assets, except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;

 

 (j)      incur any indebtedness in excess of $50,000 or guarantee any indebtedness in excess of $50,000 other than in the ordinary course of business, or issue or sell any debt securities or guarantee any debt securities of others;

 (k)      grant any loans to others or purchase debt securities of others or amend the terms of any outstanding loan agreement;

 (l)       grant any severance or termination pay (i) to any director or officer, or (ii) to any other employee or contract worker except payments made pursuant to standard written agreements outstanding on the date hereof and disclosed in the Disclosure Letter;

 

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    (m)            adopt or amend any employee benefit plan, or enter into any employment contract, pay or agree to pay any special bonus or special remuneration to any director, employee or contract worker, or increase the salaries or wage rates of its employees or contract workers except payments made pursuant to standard written agreements in place on the date hereof and disclosed in the Disclosure Letter;

    (n)            pay, discharge or satisfy, in an amount in excess of $10,000 in any one case, or $25,000 in the aggregate, any claim, liability or obligation (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction in the ordinary course of business of liabilities reflected or reserved against in the Balance Sheet;

    (o)            make or change any material election in respect of Taxes, adopt or change any accounting method in respect of Taxes, enter into any closing agreement, settle any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes, or consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes;

    (p)            enter into any manufacturing or joint marketing arrangement or agreement;

    (q)            hire or terminate any employees or contract workers other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;

    (r)            take, or agree in writing or otherwise to take, any of the actions described above, or any other action that would (i) prevent the Company or any of the Shareholders f rom performing or cause the Company or any of the Shareholders not to perform their respective covenants hereunder or (ii) cause or result in any or their respective representations and warranties contained herein being untrue or incorrect.

 

Purchaser understands and agrees that the Company and the Shareholders will operate the Business in the normal course from the Effective Date through the Closing, which includes paying bills, collecting accounts receivable and paying Shareholders in accordance with past practice in the ordinary course of business.  The Shareholders covenant that none of such activities will violate Section 6.8.

6.2           Cooperation.  The Company and the Shareholders will cooperate and use their good faith efforts to satisfy the conditions to Closing described herein and, upon satisfaction of such conditions, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  From the Effective Date until the Closing, the Company and the Shareholders will:  (a) use their best efforts to protect the Business and take such actions as Purchaser may reasonably request relating to protection of such Business, and effect no transfer, sale or Encumbrance of or on any of the Business (other than in the ordinary course of the Business);  (b) engage in no transactions materially inconsistent with its representations and warranties in this Agreement; (c) obtain, before the Closing, the written consent of all third parties necessary for the Shareholders and the Company to consummate the Acquisition and as otherwise required herein; (d) notify Purchaser promptly upon receipt of any communication or legal process which commences or threatens litigation against the Shareholders, the Company, the Business, its directors, officers or any of the Business assets; and (e) provide Purchaser, whether before or after the Closing, with any further documents that Purchaser reasonably requests relating to the Business or to carry into effect the Acquisition and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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6.3               No Shop.  From the Effective Date until termination of this Agreement (the “Exclusive Period”), the Company and the Shareholders will not, directly or indirectly, through any representative or otherwise, and will not allow any member, manager or officer of the Company and/or the Shareholders or any other person on its or their behalf (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage submission of any Alternate Transaction, or (ii) engage in any discussions with or furnish any information with respect to the foregoing to any person or any entity, or furnish any information to any person or entity that has made any proposal with respect to any such Alternative Transaction.  In addition, the Company and the Shareholders agree to immediately cease and cause to be terminated any such contacts or negotiations with third parties.  The Company and the Shareholders shall immediately notify Purchaser of all inquiries related to an Alternative Transaction, including information as to the identity of the party making the proposal and the specific terms of such proposal.  For purposes of this Section, the term “Alternative Transaction” shall mean any proposals or offers from any corporation, partnership, persons or group relating to any proposal to acquire all or any Company Stock or any acquisition, purchase or option to purchase any of the Business, any portion of the assets, or debtor equity securities of Shareholders or the Company, or any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or other business combination of any kind involving Shareholders or the Company or its Business, or any other transaction that is incompatible with the Transaction.

6.4               Notification of Certain Matters.  The Company and the Shareholders shall give prompt notice to Purchaser of: (i) the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event, the occurrence or non-occurrence of which would  reasonably be expected to cause any representation or warranty of the Company or Shareholders contained in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate at or prior to the Closing, and (ii) any failure of the Company or the Shareholders to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder; provided, however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section shall not (a) limit or otherwise affect any remedies available to the party receiving such notice or (b) constitute an acknowledgment or admission of a breach of this Agreement.  No disclosure by the Company or the Shareholders pursuant to this Section, however, shall be deemed to amend or supplement the Disclosure Letter or prevent or cure any misrepresentations, breach of warranty or breach of covenant.

6.5                Public Announcements.  Neither the Company nor the Shareholders will issue any press release or make any statement or disclosure to any third party (whether or not in response to an inquiry) regarding the existence of this Agreement or its terms, except as may be required by law, without prior written approval of Purchaser.

6.6               Due Diligence.  Following the Effective Date, the Company will allow Purchaser to conduct due diligence as provided in this Section (“Due Diligence”).  The Company will engage the Auditors to complete an audit of the current and last two years of operations of the Company (the “Audit”) and shall instruct the Auditors to make the results of the audit immediately available to Purchaser.  During the period of the Audit and continuing until Purchaser either approves or disapproves of the results of due diligence, but in no event longer than the date that Purchaser satisfies the closing condition set forth in Section 5.1.1 (“Due Diligence Period”), the Shareholders and the Company agree to provide Purchaser and such Auditors with access to all of the books and records of the Company and of the Business and access to all other persons and all assets reasonably necessary or appropriate to evaluate the Business, customers, margins, assets, prospects, financial condition and Liabilities of the Company.  Purchaser, its representatives and the Auditors will be permitted to have discussions with all Company employees, contractors, agents, customers, suppliers and other third parties, including without limitation, any outside advisors of the Company and the Shareholders; perform a more detailed review of the historical and projected financial and operating performance of the Business; and complete, to Purchaser’ reasonable satisfaction, an investigation of all assets and Liabilities of the company, including without limitation, business, accounting, financial, intellectual property, employee,  and legal compliance matters (and all Liabilities and potential Liabilities with respect thereto).  The Shareholders and the Company agree to take all action reasonably requested by Purchaser to complete the foregoing.  Upon its completion of the Due Diligence, but in no event later than the end of the Due Diligence Period, Purchaser shall notify McKnight that it either approves or disapproves of the results of the Due Diligence.

 

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6.7               Releases.

6.7.1            Effective upon the Closing, each of the Shareholders, for such Shareholder and such Shareholder’s predecessors, successors, personal representatives and assigns (the “Releasors”), hereby irrevocably releases and forever discharges the Company and Purchaser, and the Company’s and Purchaser’s past, present and future officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders, partners, managers, successors, representatives, assigns and affiliates (other than the Shareholders) (the “Releasees”), as the case may be, from any and all claims, liabilities, costs, expenses, rights, causes of action, suits, litigation, proceedings, arbitrations, demands, however arising, whether at law or equity, actual or contingent, known or unknown, which the Releasors have as of the Closing, have ever had or may hereafter have against the respective Releasees arising contemporaneously with or prior to the Closing Date or on account of or arising out of any matter, cause or event occurring contemporaneously with or prior to the Closing Date; provided that this release shall not extend to claims or obligations arising out of, or relating to this Agreement.

6.7.2           Each Shareholder hereby acknowledges and agrees that the consideration received by each of them for the execution and delivery of this Agreement was fully negotiated and bargained for and constitutes full and fair consideration for the agreements and releases by each of them set forth in this Agreement.

6.7.3          Each Shareholder hereby confirms that such party (i) has carefully read the provisions of this Section 6.7 and the entire Agreement, (ii) has had the opportunity to review such party’s rights and obligations under the Agreement and this Section 6.7 with such parties respective attorneys, and (iii) has had ample and sufficient opportunity to consider the terms of this Section 6.7 without duress or coercion.  Accordingly, each Releasor forever waives all rights to assert that the release contained in this Section 6.7 was the result of a mistake in law or in fact or to assert that any or all of the legal theories or factual assumptions used for negotiating purposes are for any reason inaccurate or inappropriate.

6.7.4           Each Shareholder acknowledges that, in executing the release contained in this Section 6.7, such party is not relying on any representations, warranties, assurances, statements, or other information of any kind provided or made by any of the Releasees.  Each Releasor is aware that such party is releasing claims as to which such party may be currently unaware and only later may come to learn, but are nevertheless willing to enter into this release.  It is the intention of each Releasor that, notwithstanding the possibility such party discovers or gains a more complete understanding of the facts, events or law which, if presently known or fully understood, would have affected this release, this release shall be deemed to have fully, finally, and forever settled all claims released hereby.  The release in this Section 6.7 extends to claims and obligations that the Releasors do not know or suspect to exist in their favor, which, if known by such Releasor, would have materially affected his decision to enter into this release.  The releases herein given shall be, and remain in effect as, full and complete releases notwithstanding the discovery or existence of any additional or different claim or fact.

 

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6.7.5            Each Shareholder acknowledges that such party has read section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California, which states in full:

 

“A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.”

6.7.6            Each Shareholder expressly waives all rights under Section 1542 of the Civil Code of California and any like statute, law or ordinance of any other jurisdiction whose laws may govern this Agreement, and affirm that such party is releasing known and unknown claims pursuant to this Section 6.7.

6.8                Financial Covenants.  Neither the Company nor any of the Shareholders shall take any actions that would cause (i) the Closing Date Net Cash to be a negative dollar amount or (ii) the Closing Date Current Ratio to be less than 1.35 to 1.00.

6.9                Further Action.  Before and after the Closing, each of the Purchaser and the Shareholders agrees promptly to take all such reasonable and lawful actions as may be necessary or desirable to effect the Acquisition in accordance with this Agreement, including without limitation the execution of such further instruments of conveyance and transfer and additional action as the Purchaser may reasonably request to effect, consummate, confirm or evidence the transfer to the Purchaser of the Company Stock and any other transactions contemplated hereby.

6.10            Specific Performance.  Each Shareholder acknowledges that the Company’s business is unique and recognizes and affirms that in the event of a breach of this Agreement by such Shareholder, money damages may be inadequate and Purchaser may have no adequate remedy at law.  Accordingly, each Shareholder agrees that Purchaser shall have the right, in addition to any other rights and remedies existing in its favor, to enforce its rights and such Shareholder’s obligations hereunder not only by an action or actions for damages but also by an action or actions for specific performance, injunctive and/or other equitable relief.

7.                    Indemnification

7.1               Survival of Representations and Warranties.  The representations, warranties and covenants of Purchaser shall expire upon the Closing and shall be of no further force or effect.  All representations and warranties the Company and/or the Shareholders in this Agreement and any other certificate or document delivered by the Company and/or the Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect; provided that the representations and warranties of the Company and the Shareholders shall terminate on the second anniversary of the Closing Date.  All covenants and obligations contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing until all obligations with respect thereto have been performed or until they have expired in accordance with their respective terms.  The right to indemnification, Setoff, payment of Damages (as defined in Section 7.2) or other remedy based on any representations, warranties, covenants, and obligations will not be affected by any investigation conducted with respect to, or any knowledge acquired (or capable of being acquired) at any time, whether before or after the execution and delivery of this Agreement or at the Closing, with respect to the accuracy or inaccuracy of or compliance with, any such representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation.

 

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7.2               Indemnification by the Shareholders.  Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7.3 of this Agreement, each Shareholder shall jointly and severally indemnify and defend the Purchaser and its officers, directors, stockholders, employees, agents, representatives, affiliates, successors and assigns (“Indemnified Parties”) and hold each of them harmless from and against and pay on behalf of or reimburse such party in respect of any damage, Liability, demand, claim, action, cause of action, cost, damage, diminution in value, deficiency, Tax, penalty, fine or other loss or expense, whether or not arising out of a third party claim, including all interest, penalties, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and all amounts paid or incurred in connection with any action, demand, proceeding, investigation or claim by any third party (including any governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof) (“Damages”) against or affecting such Indemnified Party or which, if determined adversely to such Indemnified Party, would give rise to, evidence the existence of, or relate to, any other Damages and the investigation, defense or settlement of any of the foregoing Damages which such Indemnified Party may suffer, sustain or become subject to, as a result of or relating to:

7.2.1           the breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company or any Shareholder contained in this Agreement or any certificate delivered to the Purchaser with respect thereto in connection with the Closing;

7.2.2           the breach of any covenant or agreement made by the Company (if such covenant or agreement is to be performed at or prior to the Closing) or any Shareholder contained in this Agreement or any certificate delivered to the Purchaser with respect thereto in connection with the Closing;

7.2.3           Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges arising from the Company and/or the Shareholders, the Business or the Company through the Closing Date;

7.2.4           any claim alleging liability against the Company and/or the Shareholders or Purchaser for any act or omission of the Company and/or the Shareholders or any managers, members, officers or employees or circumstance relating to the Company or the Business arising before the Closing Date or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

7.2.5            any claim of infringement or violation of the intellectual property rights of a third party or failure of the Company to be the owner of the Business and the assets of the Business without any liens or other Encumbrances except as specifically set forth in the Disclosure Letter;

7.2.6           any claim or cause of action alleging liability related to any agreement with any of the employees or independent contractors or the Company or the Business, any agreement between the Company or the Shareholders or any of them and any third party relating to the Business or the Company before the Closing Date;

 

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7.2.7           any claim or cause of action by or on behalf of a creditor of either or both of the Company and the Shareholders asserting liability against Purchaser, as purchaser of the Company Stock or the Business, or seeking to impose any lien or any other encumbrance upon any of the Company Stock or Business assets, for obligations of any of the Company and the Shareholders

7.2.8           any product shipped or manufactured by, or any services provided by, the Company prior to the Closing Date; or

7.2.9           the breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Shareholders pursuant to the Non-competition Agreements.

The Purchaser’s remedy for any indemnification of Damages hereunder may be satisfied by proceeding against one or more Shareholders individually for all or any portion of any such Damages or pursuant to the terms of Section 7.5, or both.

7.3                Limitations.  The total liability of the Indemnifying Parties pursuant to Section 7 shall not exceed $3,000,000, except for Damages resulting from or involving fraud or willful misconduct on the part of any Indemnifying Party, which shall not be limited.

7.4               Procedure for Indemnification.

7.4.1            If an Indemnified Party seeks indemnification under this Section 7, such Indemnified Party shall give written notice to the party hereto from whom the Indemnified Party is seeking such indemnification (the “Indemnifying Party”) after receiving written notice of any action, lawsuit, proceeding, investigation or other claim against it (if by a third party) or discovering the liability, obligation or facts giving rise to such claim for indemnification, describing the claim, the amount thereof (if known and quantifiable), whether insurance may be available (if known), and the basis thereof; provided that the failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its or his obligations hereunder except to the extent such failure shall have harmed the Indemnifying Party.  In that regard, if any action, lawsuit, proceeding, investigation or other claim shall be brought or asserted by any third party which, if adversely determined, would entitle the Indemnified Party to indemnity pursuant to this Section 7, the Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party of the same in writing, specifying in reasonable detail the basis of such claim and the facts pertaining thereto and the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to notify any applicable insurer and to control (subject to the rights of such insurer) the defense of such action, lawsuit, proceeding, investigation or other claim giving rise to the Indemnified Party’s claim for indemnification at its expense with reputable counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party; provided that, as a condition precedent to the Indemnifying Party’s right to assume control of such defense, it must first agree to be fully responsible for all Damages relating to such claims and that it will provide full indemnification to the Indemnified Party for all Damages (to the extent not reimbursed by insurance) relating to such claim; and provided further that the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume control of such defense and shall pay the fees and expenses of counsel retained by the Indemnified Party, if the claim over which the Indemnifying Party seeks to assume control (i) seeks non-monetary relief, (ii) involves criminal or quasi-criminal allegations, or (iii) involves a claim which, upon petition by the Indemnified Party, the appropriate court rules that the Indemnifying Party failed or is failing to vigorously prosecute or defend.

 

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7.4.2           If the Indemnifying Party is permitted to assume and control the defense and elects to do so, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ counsel separate from counsel employed by the Indemnifying Party in any such action and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel employed by the Indemnified Party shall be at the expense of the Indemnified Party unless (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the Indemnifying Party in writing, or (ii) the Indemnifying Party has been advised by counsel that a reasonable likelihood exists of a conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party.

7.4.3           If the Indemnifying Party shall control the defense of any such claim, the Indemnifying Party shall obtain the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which shall not be unreasonably withheld) before entering into any settlement of a claim or ceasing to defend such claim, if pursuant to or as a result of such settlement or cessation, injunction or other equitable relief will be imposed against the Indemnified Party or if such settlement does not expressly unconditionally release the Indemnified Party from all liabilities and obligations with respect to such claim, without prejudice.  If the Indemnified Party shall control the defense of any such claim, the Indemnified Party shall obtain the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party (which shall not be unreasonably withheld) before entering into any settlement of a claim or ceasing to defend such claim, if the Indemnifying Party is a named defendant in such claim and pursuant to or as a result of such settlement or cessation, injunction or other equitable relief will be imposed against the Indemnifying Party or if such settlement does not expressly unconditionally release the Indemnifying Party from all liabilities and obligations with respect to such claim, without prejudice.

7.5                Payments and Setoff.  Any payment pursuant to a claim for indemnification shall be made not later than thirty (30) days after receipt by the Indemnifying Party of written notice from the Indemnified Party, which notice shall state the amount of the claim, describe in reasonable detail the facts giving rise to the claim for indemnification, state the amount or method of computation of the amount of such claim (if then known) and reference the provision of this Agreement or any other agreement, document or instrument executed hereunder or in connection herewith upon which such claim is based, unless the claim is subject to defense as provided hereunder, in which case payment shall be made not later than ten (10) days after the amount of the claim is finally determined.  Any payment required under this Section 7 which is not made when due shall bear interest at the rate per annum determined, from time to time under the provisions of Section 6621(a)(2) of the Code for each day until paid.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser may, at its sole discretion, offset any amounts owed by any Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement by applying such amount to offset the Holdback Amount and portions of the Holdback Amount that otherwise would be payable to McKnight and any other amounts that may be due from the Indemnified Parties to the Company and the Shareholders (“Setoff”); provided, however, that nothing in this Section 7 or otherwise shall limit Purchaser’s recovery of Damages to the amount of the Holdback Amount.

 

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7.6               Shareholder Representative.  To facilitate the implementation of the Agreement, each Shareholder hereby does irrevocably authorize and appoint Mark S. McKnight as the Shareholder representative (the “Shareholder Representative”) (i) to receive all notices in accordance with this Agreement, and (ii) to negotiate, determine, defend and settle any disputes that may arise under or in connection with this Agreement, including under Section 7 of this Agreement.  Purchaser can rely on any instructions of or any consents executed by the Shareholder Representative as binding on all of the Shareholders for all purposes under this Agreement.

7.6.1           The Shareholder Representative shall not be liable to any person or entity for any action taken or any omission to act, in good faith, in connection with the responsibilities as Shareholder Representative under this Agreement.

7.6.2           The Shareholder Representative may not resign prior to one hundred eighty (180) days following the Closing without the prior written consent of Purchaser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Upon any such resignation, the Shareholders (acting by written consent of Shareholders who held of record at least a majority of the shares of Company Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Closing) shall promptly appoint a new Shareholder Representative to replace such resigning Shareholder Representative with the same powers and duties as such resigning Shareholder Representative, and if the Shareholder Representative or any successor shall die or become unable to act as the Shareholder Representative, a replacement shall promptly be appointed by a writing signed by Shareholders who held of record at least a majority of the shares of Company Stock outstanding immediately prior the Closing.

8.                    Termination

8.1                 Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing Date:

8.1.1            by mutual written consent of Purchaser and the Shareholders;

8.1.2            by Purchaser at its written election during the Due Diligence Period in the event that Purchaser disapproves of the results of its Due Diligence;

8.1.3           by any party hereto if a Governmental Authority shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action, in any case having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which order, decree, ruling or other action is final and nonappealable;

8.1.4           by any party hereto if the Closing shall not have been consummated by March 31, 2014; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1.4 shall not be available to any party whose action or failure to act has been a principal cause of the failure of the Acquisition to occur on or before such date and such action or failure to act constitutes a breach of this Agreement; or

8.1.5           by Purchaser upon a material breach of any provision of this Agreement by the Company or any Shareholder, if such breach is not cured (if capable of cure) within 30 days of written notice from Purchaser to such breaching party.

8.1.6          by the Company and the Shareholders, acting together, upon a material breach by Purchaser of this Agreement, if such breach is not cured (if capable of cure) within 30 days of Purchaser’s receipt of written notice sent from and signed by the Company and each Shareholder.

 

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Except as expressly set forth in this Section 8.1, this Agreement may not be terminated by Purchaser, the Company or the Shareholders.

8.2               Notice of Termination; Effect of Termination.  Any termination of this Agreement under Section 8.1 above will be effective immediately upon the delivery of written notice of the applicable party (subject to any applicable cure periods in Section 8.1.5 and Section 8.1.6), as terminating party, to the other parties.  In the event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 8.1, this Agreement shall be of no further force or effect, except (i) as set forth in this Section 8.2, Section 8.3, Section 8.4 and Section 9 (Miscellaneous), each of which shall survive the termination of this Agreement, and (ii) nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for any breach of this Agreement.

8.3               Fees and Expenses.  All fees and expenses (including all legal fees, audit fees, due diligence fees, finder fees and advisory fees) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such fees and expenses, whether or not the Acquisition is consummated.

8.4                Termination Fee.  If this Agreement is terminated by Purchaser pursuant to Section 8.1.5 because the Company or any Shareholder breached Section 6.2, Section 6.3, Section 6.5 or Section 6.6 of this Agreement, the Shareholders shall pay Purchaser, within thirty (30) days after termination, a nonrefundable fee in an amount equal to $500,000.

9.                    Miscellaneous

9.1              Assignment.  This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests, or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any party hereto by operation of law or otherwise without the prior written consent of Purchaser and the Shareholders; provided, that Purchaser, in its sole discretion, may assign all or any portion of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to any affiliate of Purchaser, and provided, further, that such assignee assumes and agrees in writing with the Shareholders to perform all of Purchaser’s obligations hereunder.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

9.2               Modifications, Amendments and Waivers.  Except as expressly provided herein, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be modified, amended, waived or supplemented other than by a written instrument referencing this Agreement and signed by Purchaser and each of the Shareholders.  Any such modification, amendment, waiver or supplement effected in accordance with this Section 9.2 shall be binding upon each Shareholder.  The conditions to each party’s obligations to consummate the Acquisition are for the sole benefit of such party and may be waived by such party in whole or in part to the extent permitted by Law in a writing signed by such party or by closing with actual knowledge that a condition to the Closing has not been satisfied; provided, however, that any such waiver of a condition of the Closing shall not be deemed a waiver of any other right or remedy of any party, including without limitation in respect of misrepresentations, breaches of warranty or covenant, or any right to indemnification.  No failure to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of such provision and no waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

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9.3               Governing Law.  This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.  All parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue in Phoenix, Arizona.

9.4               Counterparts; Facsimile.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.  Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart hereof.

9.5                Titles and Subtitles.  The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

9.6                Notices.  All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt, when delivered personally or by courier, overnight delivery service or confirmed facsimile, or 48 hours after being deposited in the U.S. mail as certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, if such notice is addressed to the party to be notified as follows:

 

	
If to Purchaser:

	
RiceBran Technologies

	
 

	
6720 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 390

	
 

	
Scottsdale, Arizona 85253

	
 

	
Attention:  Chief Executive Officer

	
 

	
Facsimile:  (602) 522-3001

	
 

	
 

	
 

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

 

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Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin Law Corporation

		
400 Capitol Mall, 11th Floor

		
Sacramento, CA  95814

		
Attention:  Christopher Chediak

		
Telephone:  (916) 558-60000

		
Facsimile:  (916) 558-1611

		
	
If to a Shareholder:

	
to the address set forth on the signature page hereto.

	
If to Company:

	
H&N Distribution, Inc.

		
3000 Skyway Circle North

		
Irving, Texas 75038

		
Facsimile:  (972) 570-4668

		
	
If to the Shareholder

	
	
Representative:

	
Mark S. McKnight

	
 

	
1601 Kingswood Lane

	
 

	
Colleyville, Texas 76034

	
 

	
Email:  mcknight101@gmail.com

	
 

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

	
 

	
Conley Rosenberg & Brenneise, LLP

	
 

	
5080 Spectrum Dr. Suite 850E

	
 

	
Addison, TX 75001

	
 

	
Attention:  Craig S. Brenneise

	
 

	
Facsimile:  (972) 239-2244

9.7               Severability.  If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith, in order to maintain the economic position enjoyed by each party as close as possible to that under the provision rendered unenforceable.  In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of the Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

9.8               Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement, and any and all other written or oral agreements existing between the parties are expressly canceled.

9.9               Dispute Resolution.  If, following exhaustion of all procedures for indemnification, Setoff, and dispute resolution otherwise provided herein, a dispute with respect to this Agreement exists between the parties (an “Unresolved Dispute”), then, except with respect to equitable remedies pursued under this Agreement, such disputes shall be resolved in the manner set forth in this Section 9.9.

 

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9.9.1           Arbitration.  If an Unresolved Dispute is not resolved by the parties hereto within thirty (30) days’ notice to the other parties hereto of such dispute, such Unresolved Dispute shall be submitted for, subject to and decided by arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association currently in effect as of the date of this Agreement ("AAA Rules"), except to the extent those rules are inconsistent with this Section 9.9.  Any arbitration must be held in Phoenix, Arizona by a single arbitrator mutually selected by the parties hereto or, if the parties hereto cannot agree on the appointment of such arbitrator, then each party shall select one arbitrator, and the two arbitrators so selected shall appoint the third arbitrator.  The parties shall each pay one-half of the costs of the arbitrators.  The arbitrator's award shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties to this Agreement, and judgment may be entered upon it in any court of general jurisdiction.  The arbitrator shall be required to provide in writing to the parties the basis for the award or order of such arbitrator, and a court reporter shall record all hearings (unless otherwise agreed to by the parties), with such record constituting the official transcript of such Proceedings.

9.9.2           Enforcement.  Each party hereto agrees and consents that any legal action, suit or proceeding seeking to enforce this Section 9.9 or to confirm or contest any arbitration award shall be instituted and adjudicated solely and exclusively in any court of general jurisdiction in Phoenix, Arizona, or in the United States District Court located in Phoenix, Arizona and each party hereto agrees that venue will be proper in such courts and waive any objection which they may have now or hereafter to the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in such courts, and irrevocably consents and agrees to the jurisdiction of said courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.

9.9.3           Prevailing Party.  In the event of arbitration filed or instituted between or among the parties pursuant to this Section 9.9, the prevailing party will be entitled to receive from the adverse party all costs, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by the prevailing party in connection with that action or proceeding, whether or not the controversy is reduced to judgment or award.  The prevailing party will be that party who is determined by the arbitrator to have prevailed on the major disputed issues.

 

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Acquisition and Stock Purchase Agreement

34

The parties have executed this Acquisition and Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

	
THE PURCHASER:

	
SHAREHOLDERS:

	
 

	
 

	
RICEBRAN TECHNOLOGIES

	
 

	
 

	
/s/ Mark S. McKnight

	
 

	
Mark S. McKnight

	
 

	
 

	
/s/ W. John Short

	
 

	
W. John Short, Chief Executive Officer

	
 

	 	
	 	/s/ Renee S. Ellis 
	 	
Renee S. Ellis

	 	
	THE COMPANY:	
	 	
	
H&N DISTRIBUTION, INC.

	
MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

	 	
	
/s/ Mark S. McKnight _

	
	Mark S. McKnight, CEO	
/s/ Richard A. Ellis

	 	
Richard A. Ellis, President

	 	
	 	
SHAREHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE:

	 	
	 	
/s/ Mark S. McKnight

	 	
Mark S. McKnightExhibit 10(dd)

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), effective as of September 26, 2013 (the “Effective Date”), is made and entered into by and between CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC. (the “Company”) and SANDRA B. COCHRAN (“Executive”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive are parties to an employment agreement dated September 12, 2011 (the “Existing Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which Executive currently serves as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer; and

 

WHEREAS, Executive continues to be willing to commit herself to serve the Company on the terms and conditions specified herein; and

 

WHEREAS, in order to effect the foregoing purposes and to terminate the Existing Employment Agreement as of the Effective Date, the Company and Executive wish to enter into this Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth below.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises, the mutual promises, covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.                   EMPLOYMENT.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company hereby employs Executive as its President and Chief Executive Officer.

 

2.                   DURATION OF AGREEMENT.

 

2.1            Term.  The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall begin on the Effective Date and shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) September 26, 2018 (the “Expiration Date”) and (b) the termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to Article 5 (Termination for Cause), Article 6 (Termination Upon Death), Article 7 (Disability), Article 8 (Termination of Employment by Executive), Article 9 (Termination Without Cause) or Article 10 (Change in Control).

2.2            Expiration of the Term.

 

	 	
(a)

	
If either the Company or Executive do not intend to continue Executive’s employment with the Company in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer beyond the Expiration Date, such party shall, at least 180 days prior to such date, provide to the other party written notice of its or her intention not to continue her employment in such capacity.

 

	 	
(b)

	
If the Company ceases to employ Executive in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer at any time on or after the Expiration Date, for any reason other than on account of Cause, then the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to 1.5 times Base Salary (as defined in Section 4.1) in effect on the Expiration Date, or, if greater, the Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the Executive’s last day of employment, which amount shall be paid to Executive in equal installments ratably over 18 months, as measured from Executive’s last day of employment with the Company (whether or not such termination of employment occurs contemporaneously with Executive’s ceasing to serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer), and commence to be paid to Executive, unless delay is required pursuant to clause (b) of Section 15.8, on the first regularly scheduled Company payroll date for Peer Executives (as defined in Section 4.2) that occurs after the 30th day from Executive’s last day of employment with the Company, which payment will include amounts owed to Executive for the period between Executive’s last day of employment with the Company and the payment date, and the remaining installments shall be paid to Executive in accordance with the Company’s regularly scheduled payroll cycles for Peer Executives over the remainder of such 18-month period; provided, that to receive the payments described in this clause (b) of Section 2.2 Executive has executed and delivered the release attached hereto as an addendum and made a part hereof (the “Release”) and any revocation period applicable to such Release shall have expired as of the end of such 30-day period.  Any payments made under this clause (b) of Section 2.2 shall reduce the payments to which the Executive may be entitled to receive pursuant to the Company’s severance plan or policy then in effect for Peer Executives.  In addition, if (i) (A) prior to the Expiration Date, there occurs a “Change in Control” (as defined in Section 10.3) or (B) following the Expiration Date, there occurs a “Change in Control” within the meaning of the Change in Control and Severance Agreement, of even date herewith and effective as of the Expiration Date (the “Post Employment Agreement Severance Agreement”) and (ii) the Executive’s employment terminates within the 90-day period before or the two-year period following such a Change in Control, then the Executive’s severance entitlements shall not be determined pursuant to this Section 2.2(b), but instead shall be determined pursuant to Section 10 (in the case of clause (i)(A) above) or pursuant to the Post Employment Agreement Severance (in the case of clause (i)(B) above).

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3.                   POSITION AND DUTIES.

 

3.1            Position.  Subject to the remaining conditions of this Section 3.1, Executive shall serve as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  Executive shall report to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and perform such duties and responsibilities as may be prescribed from time-to-time by the Board, which shall be generally consistent with the responsibilities of similarly situated executives of comparable companies in similar lines of business.  During the Term, for director service periods to be completed within the Term, the Company shall nominate Executive for election as a member of the Board at each meeting of the Company’s shareholders at which the election of Executive is subject to a vote by the Company’s shareholders and recommend that the shareholders of the Company vote to elect Executive as a member of the Board.  From time to time, Executive also may be designated to such offices within the Company or its subsidiaries as may be necessary or appropriate for the convenience of the businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

3.2            Full-Time Efforts.  Executive shall perform and discharge faithfully, diligently and to the best of her ability such duties and responsibilities and shall devote her full-time efforts to the business and affairs of the Company.  Executive agrees to promote the best interests of the Company and to take no action that in any way damages the public image or reputation of the Company, its subsidiaries or its affiliates.

 

3.3            No Interference With Duties.  Executive shall not (a) engage in any activities, or render services to or become associated with any other business that in the reasonable judgment of the Board violates any provision of Article 13 of this Agreement, or (b) devote time to other activities which would inhibit or otherwise interfere with the proper performance of her duties; provided, however, that it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to (1) devote reasonable periods of time to charitable and community activities and industry or professional activities (including, without limitation, serving on the board of directors of not-for-profit entities), or (2) manage personal business interests and investments, so long as such activities in (1) or (2) do not interfere with the performance of Executive’s obligations under this Agreement.  Executive may, with the prior approval of the Board (or applicable committee thereof), serve on the boards of directors (or other governing body) of other for profit corporations or entities, consistent with this Agreement and the Company’s policies.

 

3.4            Work Standard.  Executive hereby agrees that she shall at all times comply with and abide by all terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and all applicable work policies, procedures and rules as may be issued by the Company.  Executive also agrees that she shall comply with all federal, state and local statutes, regulations and public ordinances governing the performance of her duties hereunder.

 

4.                   COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

 

4.1            Base Salary.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, during the Term, the Company shall pay Executive, and Executive shall accept, an annual salary in the amount of $955,000.  Such amount shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and may be increased from time to time at the sole discretion of the Board (or applicable committee thereof) (such amount, as may be so increased, the “Base Salary”).

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4.2            Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans.  During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive (including, without limitation, long term incentive plans), savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to senior executive officers of the Company (“Peer Executives”), on the same basis as such Peer Executives, except as to benefits that are specifically applicable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing, the following provisions shall apply with respect to Executive:

 

	 	
(a)

	
Annual Incentive Award.  Executive shall be entitled to an annual bonus opportunity, the amount of which shall be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”).  The amount of and performance criteria with respect to any such bonus in any year shall be determined not later than the date or time prescribed by Treas. Reg. § 1.162-27(e) in accordance with a formula to be agreed upon by the Company and Executive and approved by the Committee that reflects the financial and other performance of the Company and the Executive’s contributions thereto.  Throughout the Term, the Executive’s annual target (subject to such performance and other criteria as may be established by the Committee) bonus percentage shall be no less than 100% of the Base Salary.

 

	 	
(b)

	
Long Term Incentive Award.  Each year, the Executive shall be considered by the Committee for a long term incentive award (an “LTI Award”), and any such award shall have a target grant date value equal to no less than 340% of the Base Salary.  A grant of an LTI Award in any year shall be in the discretion of the Committee, provided that the Committee shall be required to grant the Executive an LTI Award if LTI Awards are being made for such year to other senior executives of the Company generally.

 

	 	
(c)

	
Welfare Benefit Plans.  During the Term, Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents shall be eligible for participation in, and shall receive all benefits under, the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, executive life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to Peer Executives.  Also, throughout the Term, in addition to participating in the other insurance programs provided to Peer Executives, the Company, for the benefit of Executive, shall pay the premiums to maintain in force during the Term a policy of term life insurance covering the Executive, with such carrier as is reasonably acceptable to the Company and Executive, in the face amount of $2.5 million, with benefits payable to the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by Executive in writing.

 

	 	
(d)

	
Vacation.  Executive shall be entitled to an annual paid vacation commensurate with the Company’s established vacation policy for Peer Executives.  The timing of paid vacations shall be scheduled in a reasonable manner by Executive.

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(e)

	
Business Expenses.  The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive during the Term in the performance of Executive’s services under this Agreement. Executive shall follow the Company’s expense procedures that generally apply to Peer Executives in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company to the extent applicable generally to Peer Executives.

 

	 	
(f)

	
Perquisites.  Executive shall be entitled to receive such executive perquisites, fringe and other benefits as are provided to the most senior executives and their families under any of the Company’s plans and/or programs in effect from time to time and such other benefits as are generally available to Peer Executives.

 

	 	
(g)

	
Legal Fees.  The Company shall pay up to $30,000 in legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Executive in connection with the negotiation and consummation of this Agreement.

 

	 	
(h)

	
Clawback of Incentive-Based Compensation. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, any “incentive-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), will be subject to the Company’s clawback policy that is adopted in the manner required by Section 10D(b)(2) of the Exchange Act, as determined by the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

5.                   TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.

 

5.1            This Agreement may be terminated immediately at any time by the Company, and Executive shall be entitled to no further payments or benefits hereunder (other than (x) the Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section 9.1(a), but excluding the amounts provided for in Section 9.1(a)(ii), and (y) the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits (as defined in Section 9.1(d))), under the following conditions, any of which shall constitute “Cause” or “Termination for Cause”:

 

	 	
(a)

	
(1) any act by Executive involving fraud, (2) any breach by Executive of applicable regulations of competent authorities in relation to trading or dealing with stocks, securities, investments and the like or (3) any willful or grossly negligent act by Executive resulting in an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which, in each of cases (1),  (2) and (3) above, a majority of the Board determines in its sole and absolute discretion materially adversely affects the Company or Executive’s ability to perform her duties under this Agreement;

 

	 	
(b)

	
attendance at work in a state of intoxication or otherwise being found in possession at her place of work of any prohibited drug or substance, possession of which would amount to a criminal offense;

 

	 	
(c)

	
Executive’s personal dishonesty or willful misconduct in connection with her duties to the Company;

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(d)

	
breach of fiduciary duties to the Company involving personal profit by Executive;

 

	 	
(e)

	
conviction of Executive for, or Executive pleading guilty or no contest to, any felony or crime involving moral turpitude;

 

	 	
(f)

	
material breach by Executive of any provision of this Agreement or of any Company policy adopted by the Board, which breach Executive does not cure within 15 days after the Company provides written notice of such breach to Executive; or

 

	 	
(g)

	
the continued failure, following written notice (as noted below) and a 30 day cure period, of Executive to perform substantially Executive’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to Disability, and specifically excluding any failure by Executive, after good faith, reasonable and demonstrable efforts, to meet performance expectations for any reason), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to Executive by a majority of the Board that specifically identifies the manner in which such Board believes that Executive has not substantially performed Executive’s duties.

 

5.2            The termination of employment of Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to Executive and Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of such Board, Executive is guilty of the conduct described in any one or more of subparagraphs (a) through (g) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

 

6.                    TERMINATION UPON DEATH.

 

This Agreement shall terminate immediately upon Executive’s death, and Executive or her beneficiaries shall be entitled to no further payments or benefits hereunder, other than the payment of Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section 9.1(a)) and the payment or provision of Other Benefits (as defined in Section 9.1(d)), including, without limitation, benefits under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as are applicable to Executive on the date of her death.  The rights of the Executive’s estate with respect to any outstanding equity grants and any benefit plans shall be determined in accordance with the specific terms, conditions and provisions of the applicable award agreements and benefit plans.

 

7.                   DISABILITY.

 

7.1            If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability (as defined in Section 7.2) of Executive has occurred during the Term, it may give to Executive written notice of its intention to terminate Executive’s employment.  In such event, Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such written notice by Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided, that, within the 30-day period after such receipt, Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of Executive’s duties.  If Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of her Disability, this Agreement shall terminate, and Executive shall be entitled to no further payments or benefits hereunder, other than payment of Accrued Obligations, the payment or provision of Other Benefits (as defined in Section 9.1(d)), including, without limitation, benefits under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability benefits, if any, as are applicable to Executive on the Disability Effective Date.  The rights of Executive with respect to any outstanding equity grants and any benefit plans shall be determined in accordance with the specific terms, conditions and provisions of the applicable award agreements and benefit plans.

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7.2            For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean: (a) a long-term disability entitling Executive to receive benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan as then in effect; or (b) if no such plan is then in effect or the plan does not apply to Executive, the inability of Executive, as determined by the Board, to perform the essential functions of her regular duties and responsibilities hereunder, with or without reasonable accommodation, due to a medically determinable physical or mental illness which has lasted (or can reasonably be expected to last) for a period of at least six consecutive months.  At the request of Executive or her personal representative, the Board’s determination that the Disability of Executive has occurred shall be certified by two physicians mutually agreed upon by Executive or her personal representative and the Company.  Without such physician certification (if it is requested by Executive or her personal representative), Executive’s termination shall be deemed a termination by the Company without Cause and not a termination by reason of Disability.

 

8.                    TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY EXECUTIVE.

 

8.1            Executive’s employment may be terminated at any time by Executive for Good Reason or no reason, subject to Section 8.3 or Section 8.6, as applicable.

 

8.2            For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall not include Executive’s death or Disability and shall mean any of the following:

 

	 	
(a)

	
other than her removal for Cause pursuant to Section 5 and subject to the provisos below, without the prior written consent of Executive, the assignment to Executive of any duties inconsistent in any material respect with Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as in effect on the Effective Date, or any other action by the Company which results in a demonstrable diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities; provided, however, that an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith, which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of written notice thereof given by Executive, shall not constitute “Good Reason”; and provided further, that the Company may elect at any time to name another executive to the position of President (reporting to Executive), and such action shall not be a violation of this subparagraph 8.2(a) giving rise to “Good Reason”;

 

	 	
(b)

	
a reduction by the Company in Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the Effective Date or as the same may be increased from time to time, unless such reduction is a part of an across-the-board proportional decrease in base salaries affecting all Peer Executives which reduction is approved by the Committee; provided, however, that in any event, the Company shall not reduce Executive’s Base Salary below 90% of the Base Salary as in effect on the Effective Date;

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(c)

	
a reduction by the Company in Executive’s (1) annual target bonus percentage to which Executive is entitled pursuant to Section 4.2(a) or (2) target percentage under any long-term incentive plan established by the Company to which Executive is entitled pursuant to Section 4.2(b), unless, in either case (1) or (2), such reduction is a part of an across-the-board proportional decrease in annual target bonuses percentages or target percentages under any long-term incentive plan, as applicable, affecting all other Peer Executives, which reduction is approved by the Committee; provided, however, that in any event, the Company shall not reduce Executive’s annual target bonus below 90% of the Base Salary as in effect on the Effective Date;

 

	 	
(d)

	
a reduction by the Company of benefits under (1) a “pension plan or arrangement” or (2) a “compensation plan or arrangement”, in each case which Executive participates as of the Effective Date, or the elimination of Executive’s participation in any such plan or arrangement which reduction or elimination results in a reduction, in the aggregate, of the benefits provided thereunder, taking into account any replacement plan or arrangement or other additional compensation provided to Executive in connection with or following such reduction or elimination (except for immaterial reductions or across-the-board plan changes or terminations similarly affecting other Peer Executives); provided, that, subject to Section 15.8, in the event of any such changes or terminations, the Company shall timely pay or provide to Executive any accrued amounts or accrued benefits required to be paid or provided or which Executive is eligible to receive under any such plan or arrangement in accordance with the terms of such plan or arrangement;

 

	 	
(e)

	
the Company requiring Executive, without her consent, to be based at any office or location more than 50 miles from the Company’s current headquarters in Lebanon, Tennessee;

 

	 	
(f)

	
the material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement; or

 

	 	
(g)

	
the failure of any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.

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8.3            Executive’s continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any circumstance constituting Good Reason hereunder, provided, that Executive raises to the attention of the Board any circumstance she believes in good faith constitutes Good Reason within 90 days after occurrence thereof or be foreclosed from raising such circumstance thereafter.  The Company shall have an opportunity to cure any circumstance alleged to constitute Good Reason (other than under Section 8.2(g)) within 30 days after the receipt of notice of such circumstance from Executive.

 

8.4            If Executive terminates her employment for Good Reason within six months  following the Executive’s becoming aware of the initial existence of any of the conditions set forth in Sections 8.2(a) through 8.2(g) (provided, that the Company did not exercise its right to cure pursuant to Section 8.3), she shall be entitled to the same benefits she would be entitled to under Article 9 as if terminated without Cause or Article 10 as if terminated after a Change in Control (as defined in Section 10.3), but not both, as applicable, upon the execution and effectiveness of the Release within the time periods set forth in the applicable provisions.

 

8.5            If Executive terminates her employment without Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate, and Executive shall be entitled to no further payments or benefits hereunder, other than payment of Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section 9.1(a)(1) but excluding the amounts provided for in Section 9.1(a)(1)(ii)) and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits (as defined in Section 9.1(d)).

 

8.6            Except as required by Section 2.2(a) above (regarding a notice requirement by Executive for non-continuation by the Executive following the Expiration Date), Executive shall not terminate her employment without Good Reason prior to the date which is 60 days following the date on which Executive provides written notice of such termination to the Company; provided, however, that the Company may waive such notice period in writing.

 

9.                    TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE.

 

9.1            If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (it being understood by the parties that termination by death, Disability or expiration of this Agreement shall not constitute termination without Cause) prior to the Expiration Date, then Executive shall be entitled to the following payments and benefits upon the execution and effectiveness of the Release within the time periods set forth herein; provided, however, that Executive shall not be entitled to payments under this Article 9  if she is entitled to payments under Article 10 and provided further the amounts payable pursuant to clauses (a)(i), (a)(iii), (a)(iv) and (a)(v) of Section 9.1 are not conditioned on the execution of the Release:

 

	 	
(a)

	
The Company shall pay to Executive the sum of (i) Executive’s Base Salary then in effect through the date of termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (ii) a pro-rata portion of amounts payable under any then existing incentive or bonus plan applicable to Executive (including, without limitation, any incentive bonus referred to in Section 4.2(a)) for that portion of the fiscal year in which the termination of employment occurs through the date of termination, (iii) any accrued expenses and vacation pay to the extent not theretofore paid, (iv) any compensation previously deferred by Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) to the extent not theretofore paid, and (v) any amounts payable under any then existing incentive or bonus plan applicable to Executive in respect of the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the termination of employment occurs (the sum of the amounts described in subsections (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) shall be referred to in this Agreement as the “Accrued Obligations”); provided, that (x) the amounts described in subsections 9.1(a)(i) and (iii) will be paid in a lump sum on the Company’s first regularly scheduled payroll date for Peer Executives that occurs following Executive’s last day of employment, (y) the amount described in subsection 9.1(a)(ii) shall be paid as soon as practicable after the end of the fiscal year to which such bonus relates and the amount that is pro-rated for Executive’s length of service during the year shall be determined by the actual performance of the Company during such year, and (z) the amounts described in subsection 9.1(a)(iv) and (v) shall be paid at the times provided in the applicable plans under which the deferral was made or the bonus is payable;

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(b)

	
The Company shall pay to Executive, commencing, unless delay is required pursuant to clause (b) of Section 15.8, on the first regularly scheduled Company payroll date for Peer Executives that occurs after the 30th day from Executive’s last day of employment with the Company, which payment will include amounts owed to Executive for the period between Executive’s last day of employment with the Company and the payment date, and the remaining installments shall be paid to Executive in accordance with the Company’s regularly scheduled payroll cycles and procedures for Peer Executives over the remainder of the 24-month period (such 30-day period, the “Severance Delay Period”), provided, that Executive has executed and delivered the Release and any revocation period applicable to such Release shall have expired as of the end of the Severance Delay Period, the aggregate of the following amounts:

 

	 	
(1)

	
in installments ratably over 24 months, as measured from Executive’s last day of employment with the Company, in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll cycle and procedures, the amount equal to 1.5 times the sum of Executive’s annual Base Salary and target bonus (referred to in Section 4.2(a)), each as in effect as of the date of termination (without giving effect to any reduction by the Company in annual Base Salary or annual target bonus percentage which would constitute Good Reason pursuant to Section 8.2(b) or 8.2(c)(1));

 

	 	
(2)

	
Executive’s participation in the life, medical and disability insurance programs in effect on the date of termination of employment shall continue for 24 months after the date of termination of employment; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to provide such benefits if Executive becomes employed by another employer and is covered or permitted to be covered by that employer’s benefit plans, without regard to the extent of such coverage;

 

	 	
(c)

	
Unless the applicable award agreements contain more favorable vesting or exercise provisions upon Executive’s termination of employment, outstanding awards under the Company’s equity incentive plans shall vest and become exercisable as follows:

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(1)

	
(i) all stock options held by Executive that are vested prior to or on the date of Executive’s termination of employment shall be exercisable in accordance with their terms and (ii) 50% of the shares subject to unvested stock options in each grant held by Executive as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment shall vest immediately and will be exercisable during such period as set forth in the applicable award agreement or incentive plan;

	 	
(2)

	
in the event that, as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment, Executive holds any shares of restricted stock (or restricted stock units or similar awards) whose vesting is subject solely to Executive’s continued employment with the Company, a percentage of such award shall immediately vest that is equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that have elapsed between the date of grant and the date of Executive’s termination of employment, and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the original vesting term; and

 

	 	
(3)

	
in the event that, as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment, Executive holds, or has been allocated by action of the Compensation Committee and/or Board of Directors pursuant to performance based plans, any shares of restricted stock (or restricted stock units or similar awards, including, without limitation, performance shares and performance units) whose vesting is subject to performance criteria and the performance period for such award has not been completed, 100% of Completed Period Shares (as defined below) and 50% of Remaining Period Shares (as defined below) shall vest as of the date on which the Board (or applicable committee thereof) determines the actual performance of the Company during the applicable performance period and the actual number of shares (the “Actual Number of Shares”) of restricted stock (or restricted stock units or similar awards, including, without limitation, performance shares and performance units) that would have otherwise vested in the event Executive had remained employed by the Company through the determination date.  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Completed Period Shares” shall mean the Actual Number of Shares multiplied by the fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that have elapsed between the first day of the applicable performance period and the date of the termination of Executive’s employment, and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the applicable performance period.  The term “Remaining Period Shares” shall mean the Actual Number of Shares multiplied by the fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that are remaining in the applicable performance period following the date of the termination of Executive’s employment, and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the applicable performance period.

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(d)

	
To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to Executive any other accrued amounts or accrued benefits required to be paid or provided or which Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy, practice, contract or agreement of the Company (such other amounts and benefits shall be referred to in this Agreement as the “Other Benefits”), which Other Benefits are not subject to the execution of the Release and shall be paid to Executive at the times provided under the applicable plan, program, policy, practice, contract or agreement of the Company.

 

10.                CHANGE IN CONTROL.

10.1        Except as otherwise provided herein, if, at any time prior to the Expiration Date a Change in Control (as defined in Section 10.3) occurs and, within 90 days prior to or two years following the date of the Change in Control, (a) Executive is involuntarily terminated by the Company for reasons other than Cause or (b) Executive voluntarily terminates her employment with the Company for Good Reason as defined in Section 8.2 (in each case, whether prior to or after the Expiration Date), Executive shall be entitled to receive the benefits described in Section 10.2.

10.2        Subject to the execution and effectiveness of the Release within the time periods set forth herein and further subject to the limitation imposed by Section 10.4, upon a termination described in Section 10.1, Executive shall be entitled to receive the following payments and benefits:

	 	
(a)

	
Unless delay is required pursuant to clause (b) of Section 15.8, the Company shall pay to Executive in a single lump sum cash payment on the first regularly scheduled Company payroll date for Peer Executives that occurs after the 30th day from Executive’s last day of employment with the Company, provided, that Executive has executed and delivered the Release and any revocation period applicable to such Release shall have expired as of the end of the Severance Delay Period, the aggregate of the following amounts:

	 	
(1)

	
the Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section 9.1(a)(1), except that solely for purposes of this Section 10.2(a)(1), (x) Executive’s target bonus shall be prorated based solely on the portion of the fiscal year in which the termination of employment occurs through the date of termination (and not on the Company’s actual performance for such period) and such prorated amount shall be paid contemporaneously with the amounts payable pursuant to Section 10.2(a)(2) and (y) the Accrued Obligations described in clauses (a)(i), (a)(iii) and (a)(iv) of Section 9.1 shall not be conditioned on the execution of the Release and shall be paid to Executive at the time periods described in clause (a) of Section 9.1; and

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(2)

	
the amount equal to 3 times the sum of (x) Executive’s Base Salary and (y) Executive’s target bonus (described in Section 4.2(a)), each as in effect as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment without regard to any action taken by the Company constituting Good Reason.

	 	
(b)

	
(i) All stock options held by Executive that are vested (including, without limitation, those vested by reason of subparagraph 10.2(b)(ii) and any Change in Control occurring prior to Executive’s termination of employment) on the effective date of the termination shall be exercisable in accordance with their terms and (ii) all unvested stock options held by Executive on the date of Executive’s termination of employment shall become immediately vested and exercisable.

	 	
(c)

	
In the event that, as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment, Executive holds any shares of restricted stock (or restricted stock units or similar awards) whose vesting is subject solely to Executive’s continued employment with the Company, such award shall vest immediately.

	 	
(d)

	
In the event that, as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment, Executive holds, or has been allocated by action of the Compensation Committee and/or Board of Directors pursuant to performance based plans, any shares of restricted stock (or restricted stock units or similar awards, including, without limitation, performance shares and performance units) whose vesting is subject to performance criteria and the performance period for such awards has not been completed, the target number or value, as applicable, of such awards shall vest immediately.

	 	
(e)

	
Executive’s participation in the life, medical and disability insurance programs in effect on the date of termination of employment shall continue for 24 months after the date of termination of employment; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to provide such benefits if Executive becomes employed by another employer and is covered or permitted to be covered by that employer’s benefit plans, without regard to the extent of such coverage; and

	 	
(f)

	
To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to Executive any Other Benefits (as defined in Section 9.1(d)), which Other Benefits are not subject to the execution of the Release and shall be paid to Executive at the times provided under the applicable plan, program, policy, practice, contract or agreement of the Company.

10.3            For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” of the Company shall mean any of the following:

	 	
(a)

	
any “person” (as defined in Section 13(h)(8)(E) of the Exchange Act), other than the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (or any successor to all or substantially all of the Company’s assets) representing more than 30% of the combined voting power of the Company’s (or such successor’s) then outstanding voting securities that may be cast for the election of directors of the Company (other than as a result of an issuance of securities initiated by the Company (or such successor) in the ordinary course of business);

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(b)

	
as the result of, or in connection with, any cash tender or exchange offer, merger or other business combination or contested election, or any combination of the foregoing transactions, less than a majority of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company or any successor company or entity entitled to vote generally in the election of the directors of the Company or such other corporation or entity after such transaction are held in the aggregate by the holders of the Company’s securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

	 	
(c)

	
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred;

	 	
(d)

	
the Company’s shareholders approve a plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

	 	
(e)

	
during the Term, Continuing Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board.  For this purpose, a “Continuing Director” is any person who at the beginning of the Term was a member of the Board, or any person first elected to the Board during the Term whose election, or the nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors then in office, but excluding any person (1) initially appointed or elected to office as result of either an actual or threatened election and/or proxy contest by or on behalf of any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) other than the Board, or (2) designated by any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) ) who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 10.3(a) through (d).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Change in Control does not constitute a change in control event within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5), the portion of the severance payments described in Section 10.2 that constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) shall be paid to the Executive in installments over the same period as described in Article 9.

10.4        Section 280G Limitation.

	 	
(a)

	
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, if any payments or benefits Executive would receive from the Company pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (collectively, the “Payments”) would, either separately or in the aggregate, (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Payments will be equal to the Reduced Amount (defined below). The “Reduced Amount” will be either (1) the entire amount of the Payments, or (2) an amount equal to the largest portion of the Payments that would result in no portion of any of the Payments (after reduction) being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever amount after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from a deduction of such state and local taxes), results in the Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of the Payments.  If a reduction in the Payments is to be made so that the amount of the Payments equals the Reduced Amount, the Payments will be paid only to the extent permitted under the Reduced Amount alternative; provided, that in the event the Reduced Amount is paid, the cash payments set forth in Section 10.2(a) shall be reduced as required by the operation of this Section 10.4.

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(b)

	
The Company shall engage the accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes at least 20 business days prior to the effective date of the Change in Control to perform any calculation necessary to determine the amount, if any, payable to Executive pursuant to Article 10, as limited by this Section 10.4.  If the accounting firm so engaged by the Company is also serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group that will control the Company following the Change in Control, the Company may appoint a nationally recognized accounting firm other than the accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes to make the determinations required hereunder.  The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required to be made hereunder.

	 	
(c)

	
The accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within 20 days after the date on which such accounting firm has been engaged to make such determinations or within such other time period as agreed to by the Company and Executive.  Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.

	 	
(d)

	
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in determining the reduction, if any, that shall occur as a result of this Section 10.4, the amounts payable or benefits to be provided to Executive shall be reduced such that the economic loss to Executive as a result of the Excise Tax elimination is minimized.  In applying this principle, the reduction shall be made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and where two economically equivalent amounts are subject to reduction but payable at different times, such amounts shall be reduced on a pro rata basis but not below zero.

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11.            COSTS OF ENFORCEMENT.

 

If either party brings suit to compel performance of, to interpret, or to recover damages for the breach of this Agreement, upon the exhaustion of any appeal right of the parties, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees in addition to costs and necessary disbursements otherwise recoverable.

12.            PUBLICITY; NO DISPARAGING STATEMENT.

 

Except to the extent required by applicable law, Executive and the Company covenant and agree that they shall not engage in any communications which shall disparage one another or interfere with their existing or prospective business relationships.

13.            BUSINESS PROTECTION PROVISIONS.

13.1        Preamble.  As a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, and its recognition of the valuable experience, knowledge and proprietary information Executive gained from her employment with the Company, Executive warrants and agrees that she will abide by and adhere to the following business protection provisions in this Article 13.

13.2        Definitions.  For purposes of this Article 13, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

	 	
(a)

	
“Competitive Position” shall mean any employment, consulting, advisory, directorship, agency, promotional or independent contractor arrangement between Executive and any person or Entity engaged, wholly or in material part, or that is an investor or prospective investor in an Entity that is engaged, wholly or in material part, in the restaurant business that is the same or similar to that in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (without regard to the retail component of the business) (collectively, the “CBRL Entities”) is engaged on the date of the termination of Executive’s employment.

	 	
(b)

	
“Confidential Information” shall mean the proprietary or confidential data, information, documents or materials (whether oral, written, electronic or otherwise) belonging to or pertaining to any of the CBRL Entities, other than “Trade Secrets” (as defined below), which is of tangible or intangible value to any of the CBRL Entities and the details of which are not generally known to the competitors of the CBRL Entities.  Confidential Information shall also include: any items that any of the CBRL Entities have marked “CONFIDENTIAL” or some similar designation or are otherwise identified as being confidential.

	 	
(c)

	
“Entity” or “Entities” shall mean any business, individual, partnership, joint venture, agency, governmental agency, body or subdivision, association, firm, corporation, limited liability company or other entity of any kind.

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(d)

	
“Restricted Period” shall mean, with respect to Section 13.3, four years following the termination of Executive’s employment (which shall include, without limitation, the circumstances set forth in Section 2.2(b)).  "Restricted Period", with respect to Sections 13.4 and 13.5, shall mean the following: 1) two years following the termination of Executive’s employment, in the event that this Agreement is terminated for any reason (including, without limitation, the circumstances set forth in Sections 5, 8, 9 and 10) by either party prior to the Expiration Date; or 2) eighteen months following the Expiration Date, in the event that this Agreement has not been terminated for any reason by either party prior to the Expiration Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Restricted Period shall be extended for a period of time equal to any period(s) of time that Executive is determined by a final non-appealable judgment from a court of competent jurisdiction to have engaged in any conduct that violates any provision of this Article 13 (the purpose of this provision is to secure for the benefit of the Company the entire Restricted Period being bargained for by the Company for the restrictions upon the Executive’s activities).

	 	
(e)

	
“Territory” shall mean each of the United States of America and any foreign country in which the Company operates its business at the time of the termination of Executive’s employment.

	 	
(f)

	
“Trade Secrets” shall mean information or data of or about any of the CBRL Entities, including, but not limited to, technical or non-technical data, recipes, formulas, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, financial plans, product plans or lists of actual or potential suppliers that:  (1) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; (2) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy; and (3) any other information which is defined as a “trade secret” under applicable law.

	 	
(g)

	
“Work Product” shall mean all tangible work product, property, data, documentation, “know-how,” concepts or plans, inventions, improvements, techniques and processes relating to any of the CBRL Entities that were conceived, discovered, created, written, revised or developed by Executive during the term of her employment with the Company.

13.3            Nondisclosure; Ownership of Proprietary Property.

 

	 	
(a)

	
In recognition of the need of the CBRL Entities to protect their legitimate business interests, Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that Executive shall regard and treat Trade Secrets and all Confidential Information as strictly confidential and wholly-owned by the CBRL Entities and shall not, for any reason, in any fashion, either directly or indirectly, use, sell, lend, lease, distribute, license, give, transfer, assign, show, disclose, disseminate, reproduce, copy, misappropriate or otherwise communicate any such item or information to any third party or Entity for any purpose other than in accordance with this Agreement or as required by applicable law, court order or other legal process: (1)  with regard to each item constituting a Trade Secret, at all times such information remains a “trade secret” under applicable law, and (2) with regard to any Confidential Information, for the Restricted Period.

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(b)

	
Executive shall exercise best efforts to ensure the continued confidentiality of all Trade Secrets and Confidential Information, and she shall immediately notify the Company of any unauthorized disclosure or use of any Trade Secrets or Confidential Information of which Executive becomes aware.  Executive shall assist the CBRL Entities, to the extent necessary, in the protection of or procurement of any intellectual property protection or other rights in any of the Trade Secrets or Confidential Information.

	 	
(c)

	
All Work Product shall be owned exclusively by the CBRL Entities.  To the greatest extent possible, any Work Product shall be deemed to be “work made for hire” (as defined in the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C.A. § 101 et seq., as amended), and Executive hereby unconditionally and irrevocably transfers and assigns to the applicable CBRL Entity all right, title and interest Executive currently has or may have by operation of law or otherwise in or to any Work Product, including, without limitation, all patents, copyrights, trademarks (and the goodwill associated therewith), trade secrets, service marks (and the goodwill associated therewith) and other intellectual property rights.  Executive agrees to execute and deliver to the applicable CBRL Entity any transfers, assignments, documents or other instruments which the Company may deem necessary or appropriate, from time to time, to protect the rights granted herein or to vest complete title and ownership of any and all Work Product, and all associated intellectual property and other rights therein, exclusively in the applicable CBRL Entity.

13.4        Non-Interference With Employees.

Executive recognizes and acknowledges that, as a result of her employment by Company, she will become familiar with and acquire knowledge of confidential information and certain other information regarding the other executives and employees of the CBRL Entities.  Therefore, Executive agrees that, during the Restricted Period, Executive shall not encourage, solicit or otherwise attempt to persuade any person in the employment of any of the CBRL Entities to end his or her employment with a CBRL Entity or to violate any confidentiality, non-competition or employment agreement that such person may have with a CBRL Entity or any policy of any CBRL Entity.  Furthermore, neither Executive nor any person acting in concert with Executive nor any of Executive’s affiliates shall, during the Restricted Period, employ any person who has been an executive or management employee of any CBRL Entity unless that person has ceased to be an employee of any of the CBRL Entities for at least six months.

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13.5        Non-competition.

Executive covenants and agrees to not obtain or engage in a Competitive Position within the Territory during the Term and during the Restricted Period.  Executive and the Company recognize and acknowledge that the scope, area and time limitations contained in this Agreement are reasonable and are properly required for the protection of the business interests of the Company due to Executive’s status and reputation in the industry and the knowledge to be acquired by Executive through her association with the Company’s business and the public’s close identification of Executive with the Company and the Company with Executive.  Further, Executive acknowledges that her skills are such that she could easily find alternative, commensurate employment or consulting work in her field that would not violate any of the provisions of this Agreement.  Executive acknowledges and understands that, as consideration for her execution of this Agreement and her agreement with the terms of this covenant not to compete, Executive will receive employment with and other benefits from the Company in accordance with this Agreement.

13.6        Remedies.

Executive understands and acknowledges that her violation of any provision of this Article 13 will cause irreparable harm to the Company and the Company will be entitled to an injunction by any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining and restraining Executive from any employment, service, or other act prohibited by this Agreement.  The parties agree that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any remedies available to it for any breach or threatened breach of any provision of this Article 13, including, without limitation, the recovery of damages from Executive or any person or entity acting in concert with Executive.  The Company shall receive injunctive relief without the necessity of posting bond or other security, such bond or other security being hereby waived by Executive.  If any part of any provision of this Article 13 is found to be unreasonable, then it may be amended by appropriate order of a court of competent jurisdiction to the extent deemed reasonable.  Furthermore and in recognition that certain severance payments are being agreed to in reliance upon Executive’s compliance with this Article 13 after termination of her employment, in the event Executive breaches any of such business protection provisions or other provisions of this Agreement, any unpaid amounts (e.g., those provided under Article 8 or Article 9 shall be forfeited, and the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments or provide any further benefits to Executive following any such breach.  Additionally, if Executive breaches any of such business protection provisions or other provisions of this Agreement or such provisions are declared unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, any lump sum payment made pursuant to Section 9.1(a)(1) or Section 10.2(a)(1) and (2), as applicable, and the value of all stock options and restricted stock (or restricted stock units or similar awards, including, without limitation, performance shares and performance units) that vested in accordance with Section 9.1(b) or Section 10.2(b) through (d), as applicable, shall be refunded by Executive to the Company on a pro-rata basis based upon the number of months during the Restricted Period during which she violated the provisions of this Article 13 or, in the event any such provisions are declared unenforceable, the number of months during the Restricted Period that the Company did not receive their benefit as a result of the actions of Executive.  Executive agrees and acknowledges that the opportunity to receive the severance benefits described in Section 2.2, Article 8, Article 9 and/or Article 10, conditioned upon her ongoing fulfillment of her obligations in this Agreement, constitute sufficient consideration for her release of claims against the Company contained within the Release, regardless of whether Executive’s entitlement to the severance payments set forth in any of the foregoing Articles or other benefits is forfeited in accordance with this Section 13.6

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14.                RETURN OF MATERIALS.

 

Upon the termination of Executive’s employment, or at any time thereafter upon the written request of the Company, Executive shall return to the Company all written, electronic or descriptive materials of any kind belonging or relating to the Company or its affiliates, including, without limitation, any originals, copies and abstracts containing any Work Product, intellectual property, Confidential Information and Trade Secrets in Executive’s possession or control.

15.               GENERAL PROVISIONS.

15.1        Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, cancelled, renewed or extended only by a writing signed by both of the parties hereto.

15.2        Binding Agreement.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Executive, her heirs and personal representatives, and the Company and its successors and assigns.

15.3        Waiver Of Breach; Specific Performance.  The waiver of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other breach.  The provisions of this Agreement may be waived only by a writing signed by the party waiving compliance.  Each of the parties to this Agreement will be entitled to enforce its or her rights under this Agreement, specifically, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in its or her favor.  The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its or her sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction for specific performance or injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions of this Agreement.

15.4        Indemnification and Insurance.  The Company shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless to the maximum extent permitted by law against judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by Executive, in connection with the defense of, or as a result of any action or proceeding (or any appeal from any action or proceeding) in which Executive is made or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that she is or was an officer of the Company or any of its affiliates.  In addition, the Company agrees that Executive is and shall continue to be covered and insured up to the maximum limits provided by all insurance which the Company maintains from time to time to indemnify its directors and officers (and to indemnify the Company for any obligations which it incurs as a result of its undertaking to indemnify its officers and directors) and that the Company will exert its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain such insurance, in not less than its present limits, in effect throughout the term of the Executive’s employment.

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15.5        No Effect On Other Arrangements.  It is expressly understood and agreed that the payments made in accordance with this Agreement are in addition to any other benefits or compensation to which Executive may be entitled or for which she may be eligible, whether funded or unfunded, by reason of her employment with the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions in Articles 5 through 10 regarding benefits that Executive will receive upon her employment being terminated supersede and are expressly in lieu of any other severance program or policy that may be offered by the Company, except with regard to any rights Executive may have pursuant to Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.

15.6        Continuation of Compensation.  If Executive becomes entitled to payments under Sections 2.2, 8.4 or 8.5 or Articles 9 and 10 but dies before receipt thereof, the Company agrees to pay to her spouse or estate, as the case may be, pursuant to such designation as Executive shall deliver to the Company in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, any amounts to which Executive, at the time of her death, was so entitled.

15.7        Tax Withholding.  The Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from, or in respect of, each payment made to Executive under this Agreement such amount as it is required to deduct  and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of applicable law relating to taxes.  To the extent that amounts are so withheld or paid over to or deposited with the relevant governmental authority by the Company, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to Executive.

15.8         Section 409A.

	 	
(a)

	
Notwithstanding the other provisions hereof, this Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable, and this Agreement shall be interpreted to avoid any penalty sanctions under Section 409A of the Code.  Accordingly, all provisions herein, or incorporated by reference, shall be construed and interpreted to comply with Section 409A and, if necessary, any such provision shall be deemed amended to comply with Section 409A and regulations thereunder.  If any payment or benefit cannot be provided or made at the time specified herein without incurring sanctions under Section 409A of the Code, then such benefit or payment shall be provided in full at the earliest time thereafter when such sanctions will not be imposed.  Except to the extent permitted under Section 409A, in no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment under this Agreement.  Each payment made under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment and the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.

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(b)

	
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if on the date of the Executive’s termination of employment, the Executive is a “specified employee” (as such term is defined in section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and its corresponding regulations) as determined by the Board (or its delegate) in accordance with its “specified employee” determination policy, then all severance benefits payable to the Executive under this Agreement that constitute deferred compensation subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code that are payable to Executive within the six (6) month period following Executive’s separation from service shall be postponed for a period of six (6) months following Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company (or any successor thereto).  Any payments delayed pursuant to this Section 15.8(b) will be made in a lump sum on the Company’s first regularly scheduled payroll date for Peer Executives that follows such six (6) month period or, if earlier, the date of the Executive’s death, and any remaining payments required to be made under this Agreement will be paid upon the schedule otherwise applicable to such payments under this Agreement.

	 	
(c)

	
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, a termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of “deferred compensation” (as such term is defined in Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “separation,” “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”

	 	
(d)

	
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Section 409A of the Code.

	 	
(e)

	
To the extent that any reimbursement, fringe benefit or other similar plan or arrangement in which Executive participates during the term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement or thereafter provides for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, (1) the amount eligible for reimbursement or payment under such plan or arrangement in one calendar year may not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement or payment in any other calendar year (except that a plan providing medical or health benefits may impose a generally applicable limit on the amount that may be reimbursed or paid); (2) subject to any shorter time periods provided herein or the applicable plans or arrangements, any reimbursement or payment of an expense under such plan or arrangement must be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred; and (3) any such reimbursement or payment may not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, all in accordance with Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) of the Treasury Regulations.

	 	
(f)

	
By accepting this Agreement, Executive hereby agrees and acknowledges that the Company does not make any representations with respect to the application of Section 409A of the Code to any tax, economic or legal consequences of any payments payable to Executive hereunder. Additionally, by the acceptance of this Agreement, Executive acknowledges that Executive has obtained independent tax advice regarding the application of Section 409A of the Code to the payments due to Executive hereunder.

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15.9        Notices.

All notices and all other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and delivered personally to the other designated party, or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or delivered by a recognized national overnight courier service, or sent by facsimile, as follows:

 

	
If to Company to:

	
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

	
 

	
Attn:  General Counsel

	
 

	
P.O. Box 787

	
 

	
305 Hartmann Drive

	
 

	
Lebanon, TN  37088-0787

	
 

	
Facsimile:  (615) 443-9818

	
 

	
 

	
If to Executive to:     

	
 Executive’s most recent address on file with the Company

 

All notices sent under this Agreement shall be deemed given 24 hours after having been sent by facsimile or courier, 72 hours after having been sent by certified or registered mail and when delivered if delivered personally.  Either party hereto may change the address to which notice is to be sent hereunder by written notice to the other party in accordance with the provisions of this Section 15.9.

15.10     Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee (without giving effect to any conflict of law principles that would require the application of any other laws) and it shall be enforced or challenged only in the federal or state courts located in Tennessee, except to the extent necessary to obtain the enforcement of a judgment granted by such a Tennessee court in another state.

15.11     Entire Agreement; Expiration of the Term.  This Agreement contains the full and complete understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein and this Agreement supersedes and replaces any prior agreement, either oral or written, which Executive may have with the Company that relates generally to the same subject matter including, without limitation, as of the Effective Date the Existing Employment Agreement and the March 11, 2009 Employee Retention Agreement, as amended, but excluding the Post Employment Agreement Severance Agreement.  Notwithstanding the expiration of the Term, the provisions of Section 2.2(b), Article 10 (Change in Control), Article 11 (Cost of Enforcement), Article 12 (Publicity; No Disparaging Statements), Article 13 (Business Protection Provisions), Article 14 (Return of Materials) and Article 15 (General Provisions) shall survive the expiration of the Term.

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15.12     Assignment.  This Agreement may not be assigned by Executive without the prior written consent of the Company, and any attempted assignment not in accordance herewith shall be null and void and of no force or effect.  Executive may not pledge, encumber or assign any payments or benefits due hereunder, by operation of law or otherwise.  The Company may assign its rights, together with its obligations, under this Agreement to any third party in connection with any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of its business, provided, that no such assignment will relieve the Company from its obligations hereunder.

15.13     Severability.  If any one or more of the terms, provisions, covenants or restrictions set forth this Agreement shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, then the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and to that end the provisions hereof shall be deemed severable.

15.14     Paragraph Headings.  The Section headings set forth herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement whatsoever.

15.15     Interpretation.  Should a provision of this Agreement require judicial interpretation, it is agreed that the judicial body interpreting or construing this Agreement shall not apply the assumption that the terms hereof shall be more strictly construed against one party by reason of the rule of construction that an instrument is to be construed more strictly against the party which itself or through its agents prepared the agreement, it being agreed that all parties and/or their agents have participated in the preparation hereof.

15.16     Mediation.  Except as provided in subsection (c) of this Section 15.16, the following provisions shall apply to disputes between the Company and Executive: (1) arising out of or related to this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claim that any part of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or otherwise void or voidable), or (2) the employment relationship that exists between the Company and Executive:

	 	
(a)

	
The parties shall first use their best efforts to discuss and negotiate a resolution of the dispute.

	 	
(b)

	
If efforts to negotiate a resolution do not succeed within five business days after a written request for negotiation has been made, a party may submit the dispute to mediation by sending a letter to the other party requesting mediation.  The dispute shall be mediated by a mediator agreeable to the parties or, if the parties cannot agree to a mediator, by a mediator selected by the American Arbitration Association.  If the parties cannot agree to a mediator within five business days, either party may submit the dispute to the American Arbitration Association for the appointment of a mediator.  Mediation shall commence within ten business days after the mediator has been named.

	 	
(c)

	
The provisions of this Section 15.16 shall not apply to any dispute relating to the ability of the Company to terminate Executive’s employment pursuant to Article 5 (Termination for Cause) or Article 9 (Termination Without Cause) of this Agreement nor shall they apply to any action by the Company seeking to enforce its rights arising out of or related to the provisions of Article 13 of this Agreement.

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15.17     Voluntary Agreement.  Executive and the Company hereby represent and agree that each has reviewed all aspects of this Agreement, has carefully read and fully understands all provisions of this Agreement, and is voluntarily entering into this Agreement.  Each party represents and agrees that such party has had the opportunity to review any and all aspects of this Agreement with legal, tax or other adviser(s) of such party’s choice before executing this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or caused their duly authorized representative to execute, this Agreement as of the Effective Date set forth above.

	
 

	
CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
By:

	
/s/Michael J. Zylstra                             ­­

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Name: Michael J. Zylstra

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Title: Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

	
 

	
“EXECUTIVE”

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
/s/ Sandra B. Cochran

	
 

	
 

	
Sandra B. Cochran

	
 

 

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Addendum to Employment

Agreement with Sandra B. Cochran

 

RELEASE

THIS RELEASE (this “Release”) is made and entered into by and between SANDRA B. COCHRAN (“Employee”) and CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC. and its successors or assigns (the “Company”).

WHEREAS, Employee and the Company have agreed that Employee’s employment with Company shall terminate on ___________________;

WHEREAS, Employee and the Company have previously entered into that certain Employment Agreement, dated September _____, 2013 (the “Agreement”), and this Release is incorporated therein by reference;

WHEREAS, Employee and the Company desire to delineate their respective rights, duties and obligations attendant to such termination and desire to reach an accord and satisfaction of all claims arising from Employee’s employment, and her termination of employment, with appropriate releases, in accordance with the Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Company desires to compensate Employee in accordance with the Agreement for service she has or will provide for the Company;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements of the parties set forth in this Release, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby covenant and agree as follows:

1.              Claims Released Under This Agreement.  In exchange for the opportunity to receive the severance benefits described in Section 2.2 (Expiration of the Term), Article 8 (Termination of Employment by Executive), Article 9 (Termination Without Cause) or Article 10 (Change in Control) of the Agreement and except as provided in Paragraph 2 below, subject to her fulfillment of her ongoing obligations under the Agreement, Employee hereby voluntarily and irrevocably waives, releases, dismisses with prejudice, and withdraws all claims, complaints, suits or demands of any kind whatsoever (whether known or unknown) which Employee ever had, may have, or now has against the Company and other current or former subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company and their past, present and future officers, directors, employees, agents, insurers and attorneys, arising out of or relating to (directly or indirectly) Employee’s employment or the termination of her employment with the Company, including, but not limited to:

(a)            claims for violations of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act of 1990, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Family and Medical Leave Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Labor Management Relations Act, Executive Order 11246, Executive Order 11141, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Tennessee Human Rights Act, the Tennessee Employment of the Handicapped Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, or any other law relating to discrimination or retaliation in employment (in each case, as amended);

(b)            claims for violations of any other federal or state statute or regulation or local ordinance;

(c)            claims for lost or unpaid wages, compensation or benefits, defamation, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, assault, battery, wrongful or constructive discharge, negligent hiring, retention or supervision, misrepresentation, conversion, tortious interference, breach of contract or breach of fiduciary duty;

(d)            claims to benefits under any bonus, severance, workforce reduction, early retirement, outplacement or any other similar type plan sponsored by the Company; or

(e)            any other claims under state law arising in tort or contract.

2.              Claims Not Released Under This Agreement.  In signing this Release, Employee is not releasing any claims that (a) enforce her rights under the Agreement, (b) arise out of events occurring after the date Employee executes this Release, (c) arise under any written non-employment related contractual obligations between the Company or its affiliates and Employee which have not terminated as of the execution date of this Release by their express terms, (d) arise under a policy or policies of insurance (including director and officer liability insurance) maintained by the Company or its affiliates on behalf of Employee, (e) relate to any indemnification obligations to Employee under the Company’s bylaws, certificate of incorporation, Tennessee law or otherwise, or (f) if Employee’s date of termination of employment occurs prior to a Change in Control, claims for additional severance entitlements under Article 10 of the Agreement if a Change in Control occurs within 90 days following such date.  However, Employee understands and acknowledges that nothing herein is intended to or shall be construed to require the Company to institute or continue in effect any particular plan or benefit sponsored by the Company, and the Company hereby reserves the right to amend or terminate any of its benefit programs at any time in accordance with the procedures set forth in such plans.  Nothing in this Release shall prohibit Employee from engaging in protected activities under applicable law or from communicating, either voluntarily or otherwise, with any governmental agency concerning any potential violation of law.

3.              No Assignment of Claim.  Employee hereby represents that she has not assigned or transferred, or purported to assign or transfer, any claims or any portion thereof or interest therein to any party prior to the date of this Release.

4.              No Admission Of Liability.  This Release shall not in any way be construed as an admission by the Company or Employee of any improper actions or liability whatsoever as to one another, and each specifically disclaims any liability to or improper actions against the other or any other person, on the part of itself or herself, its or her representatives, employees or agents.

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5.              Voluntary Execution.  Employee hereby warrants, represents and agrees that (a) she has been encouraged in writing to seek advice from anyone of her choosing regarding this Release, including her attorney and accountant or tax advisor prior to her signing it; (b) this Release represents written notice to do so; (c) she has been given the opportunity and sufficient time to seek such advice; and (d) she fully understands the meaning and contents of this Release.  She further represents and warrants that she was not coerced, threatened or otherwise forced to sign this Release, and that her signature appearing hereinafter is voluntary and genuine.

 

EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS THAT SHE MAY TAKE UP TO 21 DAYS TO CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT SHE DESIRES TO ENTER INTO THIS RELEASE.

6.              Ability to Revoke Agreement.  EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS THAT SHE MAY REVOKE THIS RELEASE BY NOTIFYING THE COMPANY IN WRITING OF SUCH REVOCATION WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF HER EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE AND THAT THIS RELEASE IS NOT EFFECTIVE UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF SUCH SEVEN-DAY PERIOD.  SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT UPON THE EXPIRATION OF SUCH SEVEN-DAY PERIOD THIS RELEASE WILL BE BINDING UPON HER AND HER HEIRS, ADMINISTRATORS, REPRESENTATIVES, EXECUTORS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS AND WILL BE IRREVOCABLE.

Acknowledged and Agreed To:

“COMPANY”

 

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

	
By:

	
 

	
 

	
	
 

	
Name:

	
 

	
	
 

	
Title:

	
 

	
	
 

	
Date:

	
 

	

I UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING THIS RELEASE, I AM GIVING UP RIGHTS I MAY HAVE.  I UNDERSTAND THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO SIGN THIS RELEASE.

“EMPLOYEE”

	 	
	
Sandra B. Cochran

	

 

	
Date:

	
 

	

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September 26, 2013

Re:  Change in Control and Severance Agreement

Dear Sandra B. Cochran:

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. recognizes the contribution that you have made to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. or one of its direct or indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) and wishes to ensure your continuing commitment to the Company and its business operations.  Accordingly, in exchange for your continuing commitment to the Company, and your energetic focus on continually improving operations, the Company promises you the following benefits if your employment with the Company is terminated in certain circumstances:

1.                  DEFINITIONS.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings which are equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined:

1.1            “Accrued Obligations” means, as of the Termination Date, the sum of (A) your then-current base salary (disregarding any reduction constituting Good Reason) through the Termination Date to the extent not theretofore paid by the Company, (B) your accrued benefits under any employee benefit plan, policy or arrangement maintained by the Company, and (C) any expense reimbursements accrued by you as of the Termination Date to the extent not theretofore paid by the Company.

1.2            “Cause” means any one of the following:

		(a)	personal dishonesty or willful misconduct in connectionwith any material aspect of your duties to the Company;

		(b)	breach of fiduciary duty;

		(c)	your conviction for, or your pleading guilty or no contestto, any felony or crime involving moral turpitude; or

		(d)	your willful or intentional misconduct that causes (or isreasonably believed by the Company to have caused)material and demonstrable injury, monetarily or otherwise,to the Company;

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

(a)            An acquisition of any shares of stock of the Company by any “Person” (as the term “person” is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)), other than the Company or a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act) of 30% or more of the then outstanding voting securities or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities.

(b)            The individuals who, as of the Effective Date, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board; provided, however, that if the election, or the nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least 2/3 of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further, however, that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened “Election Contest” (as described in Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the 1934 Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board (a “Proxy Contest”) including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest;

(c)            Consummation of reorganization, merger, cash tender or exchange offer, or other business combination to which the Company is a party or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), unless, following such Business Combination:  (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Company’s outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such Business Combination are the beneficial owners, directly or indirectly, of more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from the Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) (the “Successor Entity”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination; (2) no person (excluding any Successor Entity or any employee benefit plan or related trust of the Company, such Successor Entity, or any of their affiliates) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Successor Entity, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) the individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any person who would not be considered a member of the Incumbent Board pursuant to Section 1.3(b) above) immediately prior to the execution of the initial agreement, or to the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Successor Entity; or

(d)            Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

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1.4            “Change in Control Period” means the two year period beginning the day a Change in Control occurs.

1.5            “Effective Date” means September 26, 2018, the Expiration Date (as defined) of the Employment Agreement.

1.6            “Employment Agreement” means the Employment Agreement between you and the Company of even date herewith.

1.7            “Good Reason” shall mean if you resign from your employment with the Company in connection with one or more of the following events:  (i) a reduction of 5% or more of your base salary; (ii) a reduction of 5 percentage points or more of your annual target bonus opportunity (expressed as a percentage of base salary); (iii) a material adverse change in the aggregate level of other employee benefits to which you were entitled prior to the change (other than those changes precipitated by a material change in applicable law, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), (iv) a material change in your duties and responsibilities for the Company (without your consent) from those duties and responsibilities for the Company in effect prior to such change, which change results in the assignment of duties and responsibilities inferior to your duties and responsibilities prior to such change, or (v) a requirement by the Company that you relocate to a location that is greater than 50 miles from the location of the office in which you primarily perform your duties of employment at the time of such relocation (collectively, a “Good Reason Event”). You must provide written notice of your resignation for Good Reason to the Company within 45 days of the occurrence of any Good Reason Event in order for your resignation for Good Reason to be effective hereunder.  Upon receipt of such notice, the Company shall have 30 days (the “Cure Period”) to rectify the Good Reason Event.  If the Company fails to rectify the Good Reason Event prior to the expiration of the Cure Period, then you may terminate employment within 10 days following the expiration of the Cure Period (the “Good Reason Termination Period”) and receive the benefits provided under this Agreement.  If you do not terminate employment during the Good Reason Termination Period, then you will be deemed to have waived your right to receive benefits under this Agreement regarding such Good Reason Event.

1.8            “Pre-Change in Control Qualifying Termination” shall mean a termination of your employment (i) by the Company without Cause, or (ii) by you for Good Reason; provided, however, a Pre-Change in Control Qualifying Termination shall not have occurred in the event (x) you separate from service with the Company as a result of occupational or non-occupational sickness or injury, (y) you temporarily separate from service with the Company due to fire, storm damage, act(s) of God or a temporary reduction-in-force of sixty (60) days or less (within any twelve (12) month look back period) or (z) you separate from service with the Company during a Change in Control Period.

1.9            “Severance Benefits” shall have the meaning set forth in either Section 2.2 or 3, whichever is applicable.

1.10        “Severance Delay Period” means the period beginning on the Termination Date (as defined in Section 2 hereof) and ending on the thirtieth (30th) day thereafter.

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1.11         “Term” shall mean the period of time beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the second anniversary of the Effective Date.  The Term may be extended by the mutual agreement of the parties, and shall be extended upon a Change in Control to the end of the Change in Control Period.

2.                   TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT; SEVERANCE.  Your immediate supervisor or the Company’s Board of Directors may terminate your employment, with or without cause, at any time by giving you written notice of your termination, and such termination of employment shall be effective on the date specified in the notice. The effective date of your termination of employment (the “Termination Date”) shall be the last day of your employment with the Company, as specified in a notice by you, or if you are terminated by the Company, the date that is specified by the Company in its notice to you.

2.1            Termination by the Company for Cause or Voluntary Quit.  If you are terminated for Cause, or if you voluntarily quit your employment without Good Reason, the Company shall have no further obligation to you, other than for Accrued Obligations, and your participation in all of the Company’s benefit plans and programs shall cease as of the Termination Date.  In the event of a termination described in this Section 2.1, you shall not be entitled to receive severance benefits described in Section 2.2 or Section 3.

2.2            Pre-Change in Control Qualifying Termination. If your Termination Date occurs during the Term and such termination is due to a Pre-Change in Control Qualifying Termination, in addition to your Accrued Obligations, you shall be entitled to receive severance pay (the “Severance Benefits”) (a) equal to the amount determined in accordance with Exhibit A attached hereto, and (b) payable in regular installments, in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll policies then in effect for the period set forth in Exhibit A (the “Severance Period”), which payments will commence with the first payroll period occurring after the expiration of the Severance Delay Period (the “Initial Payment”) and shall continue for the remainder of the Severance Period.  The Initial Payment shall include payment for any payroll periods which occur during the Severance Delay Period.

All employee benefits and benefit accruals will cease as of the Termination Date.  However, medical insurance benefits may be continued to the extent required by federal law.  You may have other benefit conversion or withdrawal rights arising under any Company sponsored retirement or welfare benefit plan as a result of your separation from service.  Settlement of reimbursable expenses under the terms of the Company’s expense reimbursement, travel and/or entertainment policies shall occur within twenty-one (21) days from your Termination Date.

2.3            Involuntary Termination Without Cause During a Change in Control Period.  If a Change in Control occurs during the Term and your employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause, or by you for Good Reason, during a Change in Control Period, you shall be entitled to receive Severance Benefits pursuant to Section 3. A termination within 90 days prior to a Change in Control which occurs solely in order to make you ineligible for the benefits of Section 3 of this Agreement shall be considered a termination without Cause during a Change in Control Period (and not as a Pre-Change in Control Qualifying Termination).

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3.                   CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE BENEFITS.  If your employment with the Company is terminated as described in Section 2.3, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, you shall be entitled to the benefits specified in subsections 3.1 and 3.2 (the “Severance Benefits”) for the period of time set forth in the applicable section.

3.1            Salary Payment or Continuance.  Following the expiration of the Severance Delay Period, you will be paid an amount (a) equal to the amount determined in accordance with Exhibit B attached hereto, and (b) payable on the terms as set forth in such Exhibit B; provided, however, if the Change in Control triggering Severance Benefits pursuant to this Section 3.1 does not constitute a “change in the ownership of the Company,” a “change in the effective control of the Company,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company” as such terms are defined in Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) of the Treasury Regulations, the portion of the Severance Benefits described in this Section 3.1 that constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) shall be paid to the Executive in installments over the same period as described in Section 2.2.

3.2            Continuation of Benefits.  Effective as of the Termination Date, you will cease all health benefit coverage and other benefit coverage provided by the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may be entitled to elect continuing medical, prescription and dental coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”).  In the event that you choose continuation of such coverage under COBRA, you shall continue to receive the medical, prescription and dental benefits at the levels you would have been entitled to receive had you remained in employment following the Termination Date (including any changes in benefits or costs that are implemented by the Company with respect to similarly-situated employees who are continuing in their employment), pursuant to COBRA, and the Company will reimburse to you the full COBRA premium amount following the Termination Date for the period of time set forth in Exhibit B (the “COBRA Continuation Period”), so long as you remain eligible to continue such coverage under COBRA. The costs of Company’s portion of any premiums due under this 3.2 shall be included in your gross income to the extent the provision of such benefits would be deemed to be discriminatory under Code Section 105(h).  For the avoidance of doubt, the parties mutually agree that the period during which the Company pays any premiums under this Section 3.2 shall run concurrently with the applicable COBRA continuation period without any extension and you shall be solely responsible for the full cost of any heath premiums for the continuation of COBRA coverage which may extend past this period, if any.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you become reemployed with another employer and receive medical, prescription or dental benefits under another employer-provided plan, this COBRA premium subsidy benefit shall cease regarding such applicable coverage.  You agree that you will notify the Company within seven days of your obtaining employment that will provide you any such benefits.

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4.                   EFFECT OF TERMINATION ON STOCK OPTIONS, RESTRICTED STOCK AND CASH-BASED LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARDS. In the event of any termination of your employment, all stock options, restricted stock or cash-based long-term incentive awards (“Cash Awards”) that are vested prior to the Termination Date shall be owned, exercisable or payable in accordance with their terms.  Any of your stock options, restricted stock or Cash Awards that are not vested prior to the Termination Date shall lapse and be void; provided, however, if your employment with the Company is terminated as described in Section 2.3 above, then, (i) if your option, restricted stock or Cash Award agreements provide for immediate vesting in the event of a Change in Control, the terms of your option, restricted stock or Cash Award agreement shall control, and the exercise, lapse of restrictions or payment of such awards shall be made in accordance with the terms of such agreements and (ii) if your option, restricted stock or Cash Award agreement does not provide for immediate vesting in the event of a Change in Control, then you shall receive, within 30 days after the Termination Date, the sum of (X) a lump sum cash distribution equal to: the product of (a) the number of shares of the Company’s (or Successor Entity’s) common stock that are subject to options or restricted stock grants held by you that are not vested as of the Termination Date, multiplied by (b) the difference of: (1) the closing price of a share of the Company’s (or Successor Entity’s) common stock on the principal trading market of such shares as reported by The Wall Street Journal as of the day prior to the Termination Date (or, if the market is closed on that date, on the last preceding date on which the market was open for trading; or, if the stock of the Company or Successor Entity is not publicly traded as of such date, the fair market value of such stock, as determined by the Board of the Company or the Successor Entity in good faith), minus (2) the applicable exercise prices of those non-vested shares (which exercise price for restricted stock is zero for purposes of this calculation), and (Y) a lump sum distribution in an amount equal to the target amount (as determined pursuant to the terms of the applicable Cash Award agreement), or the actual amount earned under the Cash Award Agreement if the applicable performance period for such award has ended, of your unvested and outstanding Cash Awards.  For the avoidance of doubt, for the purposes of determining the vesting of your awards covered by this Section 4, if a transaction occurs that would not meet the definition of a Change in Control provided for in the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. 2002 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan, the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (collectively, the “CBRL Equity Plans”) or any awards agreements issued thereunder, but would meet the definition of a Change in Control under Section 1.3 of this Agreement, then the provisions of this Section 4 shall control the vesting and payment of such awards. For purposes of the CBRL Equity Plans, this Section 4 shall be construed as an Award Notice, or an amendment thereto, governing the applicable Awards (each as defined in the CBRL Equity Plans) and to the Option agreements granted under the Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (as defined therein) to the extent necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

5.                  CONDITIONS FOR RECEIVING SEVERANCE BENEFITS.  In consideration for the Severance Benefits offered to you pursuant to Section 2.2(a) and Section 3, you hereby agree, or shall agree in writing prior to the payment of any Severance Benefits on forms prescribed by the Company, to the following conditions:

(a)            Strict non-disclosure of Company marketing, financial, strategic planning, proprietary or other information which is not generally known to the public:  You recognize and acknowledge that, as a result of your employment by the Company, you have or will become familiar with and acquire knowledge of confidential information and certain trade secrets that are valuable, special, and unique assets of the Company.  You agree that all that confidential information and trade secrets are the property of the Company.  Therefore, you agree that, for and during your employment with the Company and continuing following the termination of your employment for any reason, all confidential information and trade secrets shall be considered to be proprietary to the Company and kept as the private records of the Company and will not be divulged to any firm, individual, or institution, or used to the detriment of the Company.  The parties agree that nothing in this Section 5 shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any remedies available to it for any breach or threatened breach of this Section 5, including, without limitation, the recovery of damages from you or any person or entity acting in concert with you;

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(b)            Return to the Company of all Company property in good condition and repair (normal wear and tear excepted) including but not limited to keys, security cards and fobs, credit cards, furniture, equipment, automobiles, computer hardware and software, telephone equipment, and all documents, manuals, plans, equipment, training materials, business papers, personnel files, computer files or copies of the same relating to Company business which are in the Employee’s possession;

(c)            An unconditional release from all charges, complaints and claims, including attorney fees, based on employment with the Company, or the termination of that employment by executing the General Release substantially in form and substance as set forth in Exhibit C attached hereto; provided that the General Release shall have become effective, you shall not have revoked such release and all applicable revocation periods with respect to such release shall have expired prior to the expiration of the Severance Delay Period;

(d)            Resignation from job position and membership in any Company board, committee or task force;

(e)            Strict compliance with the terms of any Noncompete/Nonsolicitation attached hereto as Exhibit D;

In the event the conditions set forth in subsections (a) to (e) above are not met (including the expiration of any applicable revocation periods) by the end of the Severance Delay Period, or have been breached at any time, you shall forfeit all rights to any Severance Benefits hereunder and the Company shall be under no obligation to make any payments to you pursuant to this Agreement.  You understand and agree that the right to obtain the Severance Benefits subject to compliance with this section is adequate consideration for the release of claims set forth in Section 5(c) and that such release will continue in full force and effect even though you do not receive Severance Benefits as a result of your failure to comply with this Section 5.  The provisions of this Section 5 shall survive any termination of this Agreement or your employment with the Company.

For clarity, the Noncompete/Nonsolicitation associated herewith is separate and apart from, and in addition to, the Business Protection Provisions as contained in Section 13 of the Employment Agreement applicable following the termination of the Employment Agreement, provided that during any period in which the covenants of the Noncompete/Nonsolicitation hereto and the Business Protection Provisions of the Employment Agreement would otherwise both apply, the Business Protection Provisions of the Employment Agreement should control.  By way of example, if your employment terminates at the end of month ten following the Effective Date, and you are entitled to and elect to receive the applicable Severance Benefits hereunder, you would (1) be subject to this Section 5 and (2) continue to be subject to the Business Protection Provisions under the Employment Agreement for eight additional months and thereafter be subject to the provisions of Exhibit D for an additional ten months (e.g., so that the restrictive covenants extended for a full 18 month period).

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6.                   GENERAL PROVISIONS.

6.1            Other Plans.  Nothing in this Agreement shall affect your rights during your employment to receive increases in compensation, responsibilities or duties or to participate in and receive benefits from any pension plan, benefit plan or profit sharing plans except plans which specifically address benefits of the type addressed in Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement.

6.2            Death During Severance Period. If you die during the Severance Period, any Benefits remaining to be paid to you shall be paid to the beneficiary designated by you to receive those Benefits (or in the absence of designation, to your surviving spouse or next of kin).

6.3            Notices. Any notices to be given under this Agreement may be effected by personal delivery in writing or by mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid with return receipt requested.  Mailed notices shall be addressed to the parties at the addresses appearing on the first page of this Agreement (to the attention of the Secretary in the case of notices to the Company), but each party may change the delivery address by written notice in accordance with this Section 6.3.  Notices delivered personally shall be deemed communicated as of actual receipt; mailed notices shall be deemed communicated as of the second day following deposit in the United States Mail.

6.4            Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes all previous oral or written agreements, understandings or arrangements between the Company and you regarding a termination of your employment with the Company or a change in your status, scope or authority and the salary, benefits or other compensation that you receive from the Company as a result of the termination of your employment with the Company (the “Subject Matter”), all of which are wholly terminated and canceled.  This Agreement contains all of the covenants and agreements between the parties with respect to the Subject Matter. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made with respect to the Subject Matter by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied in this Agreement.  Any subsequent agreement relating to the Subject Matter or any modification of this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the modification is sought and as is consistent with Section 409A of the Code.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties specifically acknowledge that the provisions of Section 2.2(b), Article 10 (Change in Control), Article 11 (Cost of Enforcement), Article 12 (Publicity; No Disparaging Statements), Article 13 (Business Protection Provisions), Article 14 (Return of Materials) and Article 15 (General Provisions) of the Employment Agreement shall survive the expiration of the Term of the Employment Agreement as provided therein and control those matters to the extent applicable and as set forth in Article 5 herein.

6.5            Partial Invalidity. If any provision in this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless continue in full force without being impaired or invalidated in any way.

6.6            Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee (without giving effect to any conflict of law principles that would require the application of any other laws), and it shall be enforced or challenged only in the courts of the State of Tennessee.

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6.7            Waiver of Jury Trial.  The Company and you expressly waive any right to a trial by jury in any action or proceeding to enforce or defend any rights under this Agreement, and agree that any such action or proceeding shall be tried before a court and not a jury. You irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that you may have now or hereafter to the specified venue of any such action or proceeding and any claim that any such action or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

6.8            Miscellaneous. Failure or delay of either party to insist upon compliance with any provision of this Agreement will not operate as and is not to be construed to be a waiver or amendment of the provision or the right of the aggrieved party to insist upon compliance with the provision or to take remedial steps to recover damages or other relief for noncompliance.  Any express waiver of any provision of this Agreement will not operate, and is not to be construed, as a waiver of any subsequent breach, irrespective of whether occurring under similar or dissimilar circumstances. You may not assign any of your rights under this Agreement.  The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall benefit and bind the successors and assigns of the Company.  The Company agrees that if it assigns this Agreement to any successor company, it will ensure that its terms are continued.

 

6.9            Section 280G of the Code.

 

(a)            Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, if any payments or benefits that you would receive from the Company pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (collectively, the “Payments”) would, either separately or in the aggregate, (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Payments will be equal to the Reduced Amount (defined below). The “Reduced Amount” will be either (1) the entire amount of the Payments, or (2) an amount equal to the largest portion of the Payments that would result in no portion of any of the Payments (after reduction) being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever amount after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from a deduction of such state and local taxes), results in your  receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of the Payments.  If a reduction in the Payments is to be made so that the amount of the Payments equals the Reduced Amount, the Payments will be paid only to the extent permitted under the Reduced Amount alternative; provided, that in the event the Reduced Amount is paid, the cash payments set forth in Section 3.1 shall be reduced as required by the operation of this Section 6.9.

 

(b)            The Company shall engage the accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes at least 20 business days prior to the effective date of the Change in Control to perform any calculation necessary to determine the amount, if any, payable to you pursuant to Section 3.1, as limited by this Section 6.9.  If the accounting firm so engaged by the Company is also serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group that will control the Company following the Change in Control, the Company may appoint a nationally recognized accounting firm other than the accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes to make the determinations required hereunder.  The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required to be made hereunder.

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(c)            The accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and you within 20 days after the date on which such accounting firm has been engaged to make such determinations or within such other time period as agreed to by the Company and you.  Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and you.

 

(d)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, in determining the reduction, if any, that shall occur as a result of this Section 6.9, the amounts payable or benefits to be provided to you shall be reduced such that the economic loss to you as a result of the Excise Tax elimination is minimized.  In applying this principle, the reduction shall first be made to the cash payments described in Section 2.2(a) or Section 3.1, as applicable, first, and otherwise in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and where more than one economically equivalent amounts are subject to reduction but payable at different times, such amounts shall be reduced on a pro rata basis but not below zero.

 

6.10        Section 409A of the Code.

 

(a)            Notwithstanding the other provisions hereof, this Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable, and this Agreement shall be interpreted to avoid any penalty sanctions under Section 409A of the Code.  Accordingly, all provisions herein, or incorporated by reference, shall be construed and interpreted to comply with Section 409A of the Code and, if necessary, any such provision shall be deemed amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and regulations thereunder.  If any payment or benefit cannot be provided or made at the time specified herein without incurring sanctions under Section 409A of the Code, then such benefit or payment shall be provided in full at the earliest time thereafter when such sanctions will not be imposed.  Except to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code, in no event may you, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment under this Agreement.  Each payment made under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment and the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.

 

(b)            Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if on the date of your termination of employment, you are a “specified employee” (as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and its corresponding regulations) as determined by the Board (or its delegate) in accordance with its “specified employee” determination policy, then all severance benefits payable to you under this Agreement that constitute deferred compensation subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code that are payable to you within the six (6) month period following your separation from service shall be postponed for a period of six (6) months following your “separation from service” with the Company (or any successor thereto).  Any payments delayed pursuant to this Section 6.10(c) will be made in a lump sum on the Company’s first regularly scheduled payroll date that follows such six (6) month period or, if earlier, the date of your death, and any remaining payments required to be made under this Agreement will be paid upon the schedule otherwise applicable to such payments under this Agreement.

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(c)            Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, a termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of “deferred compensation” (as such term is defined in Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “separation,” “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”

 

(d)            Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Section 409A of the Code.

 

(e)            To the extent that any reimbursement, fringe benefit or other similar plan or arrangement in which you participate during the term of your employment under this Agreement or thereafter provides for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, (1) the amount eligible for reimbursement or payment under such plan or arrangement in one calendar year may not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement or payment in any other calendar year (except that a plan providing medical or health benefits may impose a generally applicable limit on the amount that may be reimbursed or paid); (2) subject to any shorter time periods provided herein or the applicable plans or arrangements, any reimbursement or payment of an expense under such plan or arrangement must be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred; and (3) any such reimbursement or payment may not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, all in accordance with Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) of the Treasury Regulations.

 

(f)            For the avoidance of doubt, any payment due under this Agreement within a period following your termination of employment or other event, shall be made on a date during such period as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

 

(g)            By accepting this agreement, you hereby agree and acknowledges that the Company makes no representations with respect to the application of Code Section 409A to any tax, economic, or legal consequences of any payments payable to you hereunder and, by the acceptance of this Agreement, you agree to accept the potential application of Code Section 409A to the tax and legal consequences of payments payable to you hereunder.

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If all of the terms and conditions in this Agreement are agreed to by you, please signify your agreement by executing the enclosed duplicate of this letter and returning it to us. At the date of your return, this letter shall constitute a fully enforceable Agreement between us.

		
CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

	
 

		
 

	
 

	
 

		
By:

	
Michael J. Zylstra

	
 

	 			
		
Title:

	
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

	
 

 

The foregoing is fully agreed to and accepted by:

	
Company Employee’s Signature:

	
/s/ Sandra B. Cochran

	
 

 

	
Please Print or Type Name:

	
Sandra B. Cochran

	
 

 

	
Please Print or Type Title:

	
President and Chief Executive Officer

	
 

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Exhibit A

Section 2.2 Severance Benefits

	
Position

	
Severance Benefit

	
 

	
 

	
Chief Executive Officer

	
18 months base salary

Exhibit B

Section 3 Severance Benefits

Section 3.1 Amount and Term:  The amount of the Severance Benefits shall be determined in accordance with your position with the Company immediately before the Date of Termination (exclusive of any Company action constituting Good Reason as follows:

(a)            CEO - an amount equal to the product of 3.00 times the sum of the following amounts: (1) the average of your annual base salary for the three (3) years immediately preceding the Termination Date, and (2) the average of any bonus payments for the three (3) years immediately preceding the Termination Date.  This payment shall be made in cash in a single lump sum immediately following the expiration of the Severance Delay Period.

Section 3.2 Term:  Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.2, the Company’s obligation to reimburse premium during the COBRA Continuation Period shall begin as of the Termination Date and end 18 months following the Termination Date.  If at this time you are not eligible to receive healthcare coverage from another employer, the Company will continue to reimburse you an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium for up to an additional 6 months (or, if earlier, the time at which you become eligible to receive such healthcare coverage from another employer).

Exhibit C

GENERAL RELEASE

I, ___________________, in  consideration of and subject to the performance by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (together with each of its Subsidiaries, the “Company”), of its obligations under the Change in Control and Severance Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2013 (the “Agreement”), do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company and its affiliates and all present and former directors, officers, agents, representatives, employees, successors and assigns of the Company and its affiliates and the Company’s direct or indirect owners (collectively, the “Released Parties”) to the extent provided below.

	1.	I understand that any payments or benefits paid (or the right to obtain such payments or benefits granted to me subject to compliance with Section 5) under Section 2 or 3 of the Agreement represent, in part, consideration for signing this General Release and are not salary, wages or benefits to which I was already entitled. I understand and agree that I will not receive the payments and benefits specified in Section 2 or Section 3 of the Agreement unless I execute this General Release and do not revoke this General Release within the time period permitted hereafter or breach this General Release.  Such payments and benefits will not be considered compensation for purposes of any employee benefit plan, program, policy or arrangement maintained or hereafter established by the Company or its affiliates.  I also acknowledge and represent that I have received all payments and benefits that I am entitled to receive (as of the date hereof) by virtue of any employment by the Company.

	2.	Except as provided in paragraph 4 below, I knowingly and voluntarily (for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross‐claims, counter‐claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present (through the date this General Release becomes effective and enforceable) and whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, may have, which arise out of or are connected with my employment with, or my separation or termination from, the Company (including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising 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; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008;  any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; or their state or local counterparts; or under any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as the “Claims”).

	3.	I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by paragraph 2 above.

 

	4.	In signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it shall be effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I expressly consent that this General Release shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected Claims (notwithstanding any state statute that expressly limits the effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I acknowledge and agree that this waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release and that without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of the Agreement.  I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim seeking damages against the Company, or in the event I should seek to recover against the Company in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to such Claims. I further agree that I am not aware of any pending charge or complaint of the type described in paragraph 2 as of the execution of this General Release.

 

	5.	I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself of any improper or unlawful conduct.

 

	6.	I agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or the other Released Parties for any claim that does not arise under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, I will pay all costs and expenses of defending against the suit incurred by the Released Parties, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, and return all payments received by me pursuant to the Agreement.

	7.	I agree that this General Release is confidential and agree not to disclose any information regarding the terms of this General Release, except to my immediate family and any tax, legal or other counsel I have consulted regarding the meaning or effect hereof or as required by law, and I will instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same to anyone.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the parties (and each affiliate and person acting on behalf of any such party) agree that each party (and each employee, representative, and other agent of such party) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of this transaction contemplated in the Agreement and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to such party or such person relating to such tax treatment and tax structure, except to the extent necessary to comply with any applicable federal or state securities laws.  This authorization is not intended to permit disclosure of any other information including (without limitation) (i) any portion of any materials to the extent not related to the tax treatment or tax structure of this transaction, (ii) the identities of participants or potential participants in the Agreement, (iii) any financial information (except to the extent such information is related to the tax treatment or tax structure of this transaction), or (iv) any other term or detail not relevant to the tax treatment or the tax structure of this transaction.

 

	8.	Any non‐disclosure provision in this General Release does not prohibit or restrict me (or my attorney) from responding to any inquiry about this General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), any other self‐regulatory organization or governmental entity.

 

	9.	I agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company in any internal investigation, any administrative, regulatory, or judicial proceeding or any dispute with a third party.

 

	10.	I agree not to disparage the Company, its past and present investors, officers, directors or employees or its affiliates and to keep all confidential and proprietary information about the past or present business affairs of the Company and its affiliates confidential in accordance with the terms of the Agreement unless a prior written release from the Company is obtained.  I further agree that as of the date hereof, I have returned to the Company any and all property, tangible or intangible, relating to its business, which I possessed or had control over at any time (including, but not limited to, Company‐provided credit cards, building or office access cards, keys, computer equipment, manuals, files, documents, records, software, customer data base and other data) and that I shall not retain any copies, compilations, extracts, excerpts, summaries or other notes of any such manuals, files, documents, records, software, customer data base or other data.  Nothing in this Agreement will prohibit the making of any truthful statements made by any Person in response to a lawful subpoena or legal proceeding or to enforce such Person’s rights under this Agreement, or any other agreement between you, the Company, and its Subsidiaries.

 

	11.	Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect (i) any rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the Agreement after the date hereof, (ii) any rights or obligations under applicable law which cannot be waived or released pursuant to an agreement, (iii) any rights to payments or benefits under Section 2 or Section 3 of the Agreement, (iv) my rights of indemnification and directors and officers insurance coverage to which I may be entitled solely with regards to my service as an officer or director of the Company; (v) my rights with regard to accrued benefits under any employee benefit plan, policy or arrangement maintained by the Company or under COBRA; and (vi) my rights as a stockholder or other equityholder of the Company and/or its affiliates.

	12.	Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in, such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT:

	(a)	I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;

	(b)	I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AS AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED;

	(c)	I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT;

	(d)	I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;

	(e)	I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 21 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE SUBSTANTIALLY IN ITS FINAL FORM ON TO CONSIDER IT;

	(f)	THE CHANGES TO THE AGREEMENT SINCE EITHER ARE NOT MATERIAL OR WERE MADE AT MY REQUEST.

	(g)	I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED;

	(h)	I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND

	(i)	I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME.

		
DATE:

	 		
 

	
 

		
 

			
 

	
 

		
 

			
Name:

	
 

		
 

			
 

	
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ACCEPTED:

	
	 		
	 	
CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

	
	 		
	
By:

	 	
 

	
 

		
 

	
Title:

	 	
 

	
 

		
 

	
Date:

	 	
 

Exhibit D

Noncompete/Nonsolicitation.

(a)            In further consideration of the benefits to you hereunder you agree that, during your employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries and for eighteen months thereafter in the event that you are receiving severance benefits pursuant to Exhibit A or Exhibit B of this Agreement or have been terminated for Cause as defined by Paragraph 1.2, you shall not directly or indirectly own any interest in, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, be employed in an executive, managerial or administrative capacity by, or in any manner engage in, any business within the United States that is engaging in the multi-unit restaurant business that offers full service family or casual dining, including, but not limited to,  Biglari Holdings, Inc. (Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin), Bob Evans Farms, Brinker International (Chili’s, Maggiano’s, Romano’s Macaroni Grill),  Darden Restaurants, Inc. (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52), Denny’s, DineEquity, Inc. (IHOP, Applebee’s), First Watch, Huddle House, O’Charley’s, Perkins, Ruby Tuesday, Shoney’s, and Waffle House, or any other businesses that are competitive with any of the businesses engaged in by the Company or its Subsidiaries during the last twelve months of your employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries or, as of the date of termination of such employment, are contemplated to exist during the eighteen-month period following the date of the termination of your employment (collectively, the “Restricted Business”).  You acknowledge that during the course of your employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries,  as a result of your senior executive position within the Company, you have and will become familiar with the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business strategies, trade secrets, personnel and with other Confidential Information concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries at the very highest level and that your services have been and shall continue to be of special, unique, and extraordinary value to the Company and its Subsidiaries. Nothing herein shall prohibit you from (i) being a passive owner of not more than 2% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation that is publicly traded, so long as you have no active participation in the business of such corporation; or (ii) becoming employed, engaged, associated or otherwise participating with a separately managed division or subsidiary of a competitive business that does not engage in the Restricted Business (provided that your services are provided only to such division or subsidiary); or (iii) accepting employment with any federal or state government or governmental subdivision or agency.

(b)            During your employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries and for eighteen months thereafter, you agree that, you shall not directly or indirectly through another Person (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary to leave the employ of the Company or such Subsidiary, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company or any Subsidiary and any employee thereof; (ii) hire any Person who was an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, at any time during the twelve-month period immediately following the termination of your employment with the Company; or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any member, provider, payor or other business relation of the Company or any Subsidiary to cease or materially reduce doing business with the Company or such Subsidiary, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation and the Company or any Subsidiary (including, without limitation, making any negative or disparaging statements or communications regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit you from employing an individual (i) with the consent of the Company or (ii) who responds to general solicitations in publications or on websites, or through the use of search firms, so long as such general solicitations or search firm activities are not targeted specifically at an employee (or former employee, as described above) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(c)            If you breach any of these Noncompete/Nonsolicitation covenants, you  agree that the Company shall have the right to enforce such covenants by way of a temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary and/or permanent injunction by any court having jurisdiction, without the posting of any bond or security by the Company and that should the Company commence an action for injunctive relief, the Company shall also have the right in the same proceeding to seek and obtain money damages caused by the breach.

(d)            If any of the provisions of the above Noncompete/Nonsolicitation covenants above is construed to be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, you agree that the same may be modified as the court may direct in order to make such provision reasonable and enforceable, and such modification of the provision shall not affect the remainder of the provisions of the covenants, and such provision will be given the maximum possible effect and the modified agreement will be fully enforceable.

(e)            In the event you breach any of these Noncompete/Nonsolicitation covenants, you agree that the Noncompete Period shall be extended by the amount of time in which you are in breach of the covenants.

 

(f)            You agree that should you breach any of the covenants contained herein, you will pay all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, which may arise or accrue from any action to enforce the terms and obligations hereunder pursued by the Company, whether such remedy is pursued by a legal action or whether such costs and expenses are incurred with or without suit or before or after judgment.

 

	
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