Document:

EX-10.9

 Confidential Treatment Requested by The Fresh Market Holdings, Inc. 

Pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section 200.83 
  

 Exhibit 10.9 
  

                                    
       
 ML&B Draft 1/20/20 

BY EMAIL 
 January 22, 2020 

Jason Potter 
 jason.nelsonhbs@gmail.com 

Dear Jason: 
 This letter confirms our offer to you of
employment with The Fresh Market, Inc. (the Company) on the following terms and conditions: 
  

	 	1.	 Employment. You will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (CEO), commencing on the
date when you obtain authorization to work in the United States in accordance with paragraph 9(a) below, which we expect will occur by March 1, 2020 (the Commencement Date). As President and CEO, you will report to the Board of Directors of the
Company (the Board), and perform such duties consistent with your position as President and CEO and as otherwise directed by the Board. You will be employed on a full-time, exclusive basis, and your employment will be based at the headquarters in
Greensboro, North Carolina. For so long as you are President and CEO, you will also be appointed to serve as a member of the Board. As an executive officer of the Company, you will be subject to all of the Companys policies. 

 

	 	2.	 Base Salary. Your annual rate of base salary (the Base Salary) will be $750,000, payable in accordance with the
Companys regular payroll practices. Your Base Salary will be reviewed from time to time by the Board. 

  

	 	3.	 Annual Incentive Compensation. You will be eligible to participate in the Companys annual incentive
compensation plan, as may be amended from time to time (the AIP). Your target incentive under the AIP will be 100% of your Base Salary (the Target Bonus). Your actual bonus will be based on achievement levels of same store sales, EBITDA or other
performance metrics approved by the Board under the AIP in consultation with you at the start of each fiscal year (or, for 2020, as soon as practicable after the Commencement Date). Any bonus payment will be conditional on your remaining employed on
the bonus payment date. 

  
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 Confidential Treatment Requested by The Fresh Market Holdings, Inc. 

Pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section 200.83 
  

	 	4.	 Equity-Based Incentive Compensation. Upon or as soon as practicable after the Commencement Date, you will be
granted options (the Options) to purchase 2,793,296 shares of Pomegranate Parent Holdings, Inc., the Companys parent company (Parent) at an exercise price per share of $1.05 pursuant to Parents Stock Option Plan (the Option Plan), attached as
Exhibit A, and the form of grant letter attached as Exhibit B. The Options will vest upon the earlier of a Change in Control or IPO (each as defined in the Option Plan). The Options will have an outside term of 7 years. The Options and
shares issued upon exercise of the Options will be subject to the terms of the Option Plan and the option grant letter. 

  

	 	5.	 Relocation; Starting Bonus. You agree to relocate your principal residence to the Greensboro, North Carolina
area within six months of the Commencement Date. To help you defray the costs of temporary housing in, and relocation to, the Greensboro, North Carolina area, you will be entitled to a starting bonus of $100,000, payable with the first payroll
coincident with or next following the Commencement Date. You will not be entitled to any further relocation benefits under the Companys relocations policies or otherwise. If during the 12 month period following the Commencement Date, your employment
with the Company is terminated by the Company for Cause, as provided in paragraph 7(c) below, or by you without Good Reason, as provided in paragraph 7(d) below, you will promptly repay to the Company the full amount of the starting bonus you
received pursuant to this paragraph 5. 

  

	 	6.	 Employee Benefit Plans. You will participate in the Companys employee benefit plans, from time to time in
effect, and generally available for the Companys senior executives, subject to plan terms and applicable Company policies. You will receive four weeks of vacation each year. 

 

	 	7.	 Termination of Employment. 

 

	 	a.	 Death. Your employment will terminate upon your death. Your beneficiaries will be entitled to
(i) any earned but unpaid Base Salary, to be paid within 10 days of your termination of employment, (ii) any amounts accrued and payable under the terms of any of the Companys written benefit plans or agreements (payable in accordance with
such plan or agreement), and (iii) reimbursement of any unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred during the Employment Period (collectively the Accrued Obligations). All of the Options, to the extent not vested, will terminate upon such
termination of employment. 

  

	 	b.	 Disability. The Company may terminate your employment by reason of your Disability. Disability means a
finding by the Company that you have been unable to perform your essential job functions, with or without a reasonable accommodation, by reason of a physical or mental impairment for a period of 90 days within a period of 180 consecutive days. If
the Company determines in good faith that your Disability has occurred, it will give you notice of its intention to terminate your employment (the Notice of Intention to Terminate). If within thirty (30) days of the Notice of Intention to
Terminate, you do not 

  
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 Confidential Treatment Requested by The Fresh Market Holdings, Inc. 

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return to full-time performance of your responsibilities, your employment will terminate. If you do return to full-time performance in that thirty (30) day period, the Notice of Intention to
Terminate will be cancelled under this Employment Agreement. Upon such termination, you will be entitled to the Accrued Obligations. The timing of the payment of the Accrued Obligations will be in accordance with paragraph 7(a). The Company agrees
that termination by reason of your Disability shall not adversely impact your eligibility for benefits under any Company long term disability plan in which you participate. All of the Options, to the extent not vested, will terminate upon such
termination of employment. 

  

	 	c.	 Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate your employment for Cause with or
without notice. Cause means that you have (i) been convicted in court or by a governmental agency with (x) a felony, or (y) a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, (ii) committed an act of fraud or embezzlement against the
Company or its subsidiaries, (iii) materially breached this agreement or breached the Restrictive Covenant Agreement and such breach has continued after you have been provided written notice thereof by the Company and a 30 day period to cure,
to the extent curable, (iv) materially violated any written policy of the Company resulting in material injury to the Company or its subsidiaries, monetarily or otherwise, (v) materially failed, refused or neglected to
(x) substantially perform your duties (not measured by economic performance and other than by reason of a physical or mental impairment) or (y) use best efforts to implement the directives of the Company (not measured by economic
performance and other than by reason of a physical or mental impairment) that are consistent with your position, and such failure, refusal or neglect has continued after you have been provided written notice thereof by the Company and an adequate
opportunity to cure, or (vi) willfully engaged in misconduct resulting in material injury to the Company or its subsidiaries, monetarily or otherwise. Upon termination for Cause, you will be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations. The timing
of the payment of the Accrued Obligations will be in accordance with paragraph 7(a). All of the Options, whether or not vested, will terminate upon such termination of employment. 

 

	 	d.	 Termination by You. You may terminate your employment with or without Good Reason. If such termination
is without Good Reason, you agree to provide 30 days written notice to the Company. Upon such termination you will be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations. The timing of the payment of the Accrued Obligations will be in accordance with paragraph
7(a). In order to terminate your employment for Good Reason, you must first provide written notice to the Company of the circumstances that you believe constitute Good Reason within 30 days of their first occurrence, and then provide the Company an
opportunity to remedy such circumstances within 30 days of such notice. Assuming such circumstances in fact constitute Good Reason, if the Company fails to remedy such circumstances within such 30 day period, you may resign your employment for Good
Reason within 15 days thereafter. For purposes 

  
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hereof, Good Reason means (i) the Companys material breach of its obligations under this agreement, (ii) a material reduction of your Base Salary, (iii) a material and adverse
diminution of your duties and authority as President and CEO, and (iv) a relocation of the Companys principal office by more than 50 miles. Upon such termination you will be entitled to the amounts set forth in paragraph 7(e) below as if your
employment was terminated by the Company without Cause, subject to the conditions set forth therein. All of the Options, to the extent not vested, will terminate upon such termination of employment. 

 

	 	e.	 Termination by the Company without Cause. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the
Company may terminate your employment for any or no reason upon giving you 30 days written notice (or pay in lieu of such notice). If such termination is not for Cause and not by reason of your death or Disability, then, in addition to the Accrued
Obligations, and in lieu of any other severance benefits otherwise payable under any Companys Severance Plan or any other severance policy, and any other damages payable in connection with such termination, you will be entitled to continued payment
of your Base Salary for a period equal to 12 months, payable over the 12-month period following such termination on the Companys regularly scheduled monthly pay dates ( subject to the remaining provisions of
this paragraph 7(e)) (the Severance Benefits). Your right to the Severance Benefits shall be conditional upon (x) your compliance with the Restrictive Covenant Agreement and (y) your execution and
non-revocation of a customary release of claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates, in a form to be provided by the Company (the Release). You must execute the Release within forty-five (45) days
following the date of the termination of your employment. The first payment of continued Base Salary pursuant to this paragraph 7(e) shall be made on the effective date of the Release as set forth in this paragraph 7(e), provided that, if
termination of your employment occurs within forty-five (45) days before the end of the calendar year, the first payment will be made on the later of (I) the effective date of the Release as set forth in this paragraph 7(e) or
(II) January 2 of the year following the year in which termination of your employment occurs, and provided further that the first payment shall include any amounts that would have otherwise been due from the date of termination to the date
of first payment. The timing of the payment of the Accrued Obligations will be in accordance with paragraph 7(a). All of the Options, to the extent not vested, will terminate upon such termination of employment. 

 

	 	8.	 Restrictive Covenants. Your acceptance of this offer and commencement of employment will be conditioned upon
your execution of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit C. 

  

	 	9.	 Conditions to Employment. 

 

	 	a.	 Immigration Compliance. As a condition to your employment by the Company, you will be required to
present documentation establishing your identity and demonstrating that you have authorization to work in the United States, and this 

  
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 Confidential Treatment Requested by The Fresh Market Holdings, Inc. 

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offer and your employment is contingent upon the appropriate employment visa being filed with and approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (the USCIS). The Company will
provide reasonable assistance in connection with your application for a visa. If you have not provided such documentation to the Companys satisfaction by March 15, 2020, the Companys offer of employment will become void, and neither you nor the
Company will have any obligations hereunder, provided that you agree to maintain the confidentiality of the terms of this agreement and the exhibits, and comply with the confidentiality provisions contained in the Restrictive Covenant Agreement.

  

	 	b.	 References and Background Check. Your employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all pre-employment and post-employment processing and background screening. You agree to provide your consent for the Company or a third party designated by the Company to conduct a background check. You represent that
all information provided or that you may provide to the Company or its agents with regard to your background check was or will be true, complete and correct. 

  

	 	c.	 No Conflicts. You further represent to the Company that your acceptance of employment and performance of
services with the Company is not and will not be prohibited by, and does not and will not result in a breach under, any agreement to which you are or were a party. 

 

	 	10.	 At Will Employment. Your employment and compensation with the Company are at will meaning that either the
Company or you can terminate your employment at any time and for any or no reason. The terms of this letter, therefore, do not and are not intended to create either an express and/or implied contract of employment. 

 

	 	11.	 IRC 409A. This offer is intended to comply with the short-term deferral rule under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and be exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. If any provision contained in this offer
conflicts with the requirements of Section 409A (or the exemptions intended to apply under this offer), the Company and you agree to enter into an amendment to this offer to cause it to comply with the requirements of Section 409A (or the
applicable exemptions thereto) and to deliver to you the intended economic benefits described herein. In no event, however, shall the Company be required to provide any form of gross-up payment to you for any
taxes imposed by Section 409A. Neither you nor any of your creditors or beneficiaries will have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable under this offer letter or under any other plan,
policy, arrangement or agreement of or with the Company or any of its affiliates (this offer letter and such other plans, policies, arrangements and agreements, the Company Plans) to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge,
encumbrance, attachment or garnishment. Except as permitted under Section 409A, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable to you or for your benefit under any Company Plan may not be reduced by, or offset
against, any amount owing by you to the Company or any of its affiliates. Except as specifically permitted by Section 409A, 

  
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Pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section 200.83 
  

	 	
the benefits and reimbursements provided to you under any Company Plan during any calendar year will not affect the benefits and reimbursements to be provided to you under the relevant section of
such Company Plan in any other calendar year, and the right to such benefits and reimbursements cannot be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit and will be provided in accordance with Section 409A and its associated regulations.
Further, in the case of reimbursement payments, such payments will be made to you on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the underlying fee, cost or expense is incurred. 

 

	 	12.	 Withholding. The Company shall have the right to withhold from any amount payable to you hereunder an amount
necessary in order for the Company to satisfy any withholding tax obligation it may have under applicable law. 

  

	 	13.	 Entire Agreement. This letter, together with the Restrictive Covenant Agreement and the applicable Company plan
documents and policies, constitute the complete and exclusive agreement between us regarding your employment and supersede any prior term sheet, representations or promises, whether written or oral. In the event of any conflict between this letter
and the Restrictive Covenant Agreement, the terms of this letter will govern and control. This letter may only be amended or modified in a written agreement signed by you and a person authorized to act on behalf of the Board. This offer is governed
by North Carolina law. 

 We look forward to your employment with the Company. Please indicate your acceptance of this letter by signing
where indicated below and returning an executed copy to me at your earliest convenience. 
  

	
	Very truly yours,
	
	THE FRESH MARKET, INC.
	
	 

  

	Name: Andrew Jhawar
	Title: Chairman of the Board
	
	AGREED AND ACCEPTED:
	
	 

  

	Jason Potter
	
	
                     

  

							
	Date:  	 	22/Feb/20
		 	

  
 6EX-10.10

 Confidential Treatment Requested by The Fresh Market Holdings, Inc. 

Pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section 200.83 
  

 Exhibit 10.10 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of August     , 2020, (the “Effective Date”)
between The Fresh Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and James Heaney (the “Employee”). 

WHERAS, the Company desires to retain the services and employment of the Employee on behalf of the Company, upon the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement; 
 WHEREAS, the Employee desires to enter into such employment with the Company, upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth; 
 WHEREAS, the Company seeks to provide the Employee with an opportunity to participate in The Fresh Market, Inc.
Severance Plan adopted October 22, 2019 (the “Severance Plan”), which is incorporated herein by reference; and 

WHEREAS, as a condition of the services and employment contemplated by the parties, including participation in the Severance Plan, the Company
has required that the Employee enter into this Agreement. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained
herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, each intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows: 

SECTION 1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, all capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings
specified in the Severance Plan. 
 SECTION 2. Employment; Duties. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein, the Company hereby agrees to employ the Employee, and the Employee hereby agrees to accept such employment, for the Employment Term (as defined below). The Employee warrants and represents that the Employee will not be in breach of any
obligation owed to a third party by becoming employed by or working for the Company. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company (“CEO”), or designated CEO, performing the duties and responsibilities commensurate with the position assigned to the Employee with respect to the business of the Company and such other duties and responsibilities that may be
assigned to the Employee from time to time. 
 SECTION 3. Performance. The Employee shall serve the Company faithfully and to
the best of the Employee’s ability and shall devote his or her full business time, energy, experience and talents to the business of the Company, and will not engage in any other employment activities for any direct or indirect remuneration
without the written approval of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”); provided that it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Employee to manage his or her personal investments, engage in or serve such civic, community,
charitable, educational, or religious organizations or institutions as the Employee may select so long as such service does not create an actual or potential conflict of interest with, or interfere with the performance of, the Employee’s job,
duties or obligations to the Company or conflict with the Employee’s covenants under Section 7 of this Agreement, in each case, as determined in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board” as
defined in the Severance Plan to be the “Executive Board of Directors of the Company”). 

  

 Confidential Treatment Requested by The Fresh Market Holdings, Inc. 

Pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section 200.83 
  

 SECTION 4. Employment Term. The Employee’s employment under this Agreement
shall commence as of the Effective Date and shall continue in effect unless earlier terminated as set out in Section 6 below. The Employee’s period of employment under this Agreement shall be referred to as the “Employment Term.”

 SECTION 5. Compensation. 

(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be entitled to receive an annual base salary of Five Hundred Thousand
and no/100 Dollars ($500,000.00) (“Base Salary”). Base Salary shall be paid in accordance with Company’s ordinary payroll practices and internal policies generally applicable to Company employees and subject to such
deductions, withholdings and other taxes as required by law or as otherwise permissible under such practices or policies. 
 (b) Annual
Bonus. During the Employment Term starting with fiscal year 2020, the Employee will be eligible to receive an annual bonus opportunity targeted at Seventy-five Percent (75%) of Employee’s Base Salary under and subject
to the terms and conditions of the Company’s annual incentive compensation plan. 
 (c) Long-Term Incentives. During the
Employment Term, the Employee will be eligible to receive awards under the Pomegranate Parent Holdings, Inc. Stock Option Plan (or any successor plan) (the “Option Plan”). The Board may, in its sole discretion, grant equity awards
from time to time under the Option Plan and any awards will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Option Plan and any applicable award documents. 

(d) Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, the Employee will be eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans and
programs (including being entitled to Paid Annual Leave) generally available to Company employees as may be in effect from time to time and subject to the eligibility requirements of the plans and programs. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent
the Company from amending or terminating any employee benefit plan or program from time to time as it deems appropriate. 
 (e) Company
Policies. The Employee agrees and acknowledges that he or she will be subject to, and will comply with, all Company policies and procedures. 

SECTION 6. At-Will Employment; Termination of Employment. 

(a) At-Will Employment. This Agreement does not constitute a guarantee of employment for any
specific period of time, and the Employment Term with the Company is “at will.” Either the Employee or the Company may terminate the Employee’s employment at any time, without cause or notice, subject to the provisions of this
Section 6. Any contrary representations that may have been made to the Employee shall be superseded by this Agreement. The Employee’s right to any compensation following a termination shall be only as set forth in the Severance Plan. 

(b) Termination of Employment by the Employee. Notwithstanding Section 6(a) above, except as otherwise provided in the Severance
Plan for a resignation of employment for Good Reason, the Employee may terminate his or her employment at any time, upon not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Company (the “Notice Period”). At any
time during the Notice Period, the CEO may (in his or her sole and absolute discretion) (i) relieve the Employee of the Employee’s duties and responsibilities (in whole or part), (ii) place the Employee on paid leave-of-absence status, (iii) impose conditions with respect to attending or remaining away from the Company’s place(s) of business, or (iv) accelerate the
Employee’s termination date, in which case the Company shall pay the applicable amount of the Employee’s Base Salary in a lump sum for the remainder of the Notice Period. 

  
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 (c) Termination of Employment by the Company. The Company may terminate the
Employee’s employment without Cause or for Disability, upon written notice to the Employee, subject to applicable law. The Company may terminate the Employee’s employment for Cause in accordance with the terms of the Severance Plan. If the
Employee dies while employed by the Company, all obligations of both parties will immediately terminate (except as set forth herein or in the Severance Plan). 

(d) Severance Benefits. The Employee’s right to any severance benefits following a termination of employment shall be only as set
forth in the Severance Plan. 
 SECTION 7. Restrictive Covenants. 

(a) Nondisclosure of Confidential Information. (i) The Company and the Employee agree that, during the course of the Employment
Term with the Company, the Employee has had and will continue to have access to, and has gained and will continue to gain knowledge with respect to, Confidential Information. The Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, without the prior written
consent of the Company, during the period of the Employment Term with the Company and thereafter for so long as it remains Confidential Information to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law, use or disclose, or knowingly permit any
unauthorized Person to use, disclose or gain access to, any Confidential Information; provided, however, that the Employee may disclose Confidential Information (x) to a Person to whom the disclosure is reasonably necessary or appropriate in
connection with the performance by the Employee of the duties of the Employee’s employment, (y) as required by law or (z) as ordered by a court, provided that in any event described in the preceding clause (y) or (z), (A) the
Employee shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and consult with and assist the Company (at the Company’s sole cost) in seeking a protective order or request for another appropriate remedy, (B) in the event that such protective
order or remedy is not obtained, or if the Company waives compliance with the terms of the preceding clause (A), the Employee shall disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that, in the written opinion of the Employee’s legal
counsel, is legally required to be disclosed and shall exercise reasonable best efforts to assure that confidential treatment shall be accorded to such Confidential Information by the receiving Person or entity and (C) to the extent permitted
by applicable law, the Company shall be given an opportunity to review the Confidential Information prior to disclosure thereof. As requested by the Company from time to time and upon termination of the Employment Term with the Company, the Employee
shall promptly deliver to the Company all copies and embodiments, in whatever form (including electronic), of all Confidential Information in the Employee’s possession or control irrespective of the location or form of such material and, if
requested by the Company, shall provide the Company with written confirmation that all such materials have been so delivered. 
 (ii)
Without limiting the foregoing, the Employee agrees to keep confidential the existence of, and any information concerning, any dispute between the Employee and the Company or any of its Affiliates, except that the Employee may disclose information
concerning such dispute to the court considering such dispute or to the Employee’s legal counsel (provided that such counsel agrees not to disclose any such information other than as necessary to the prosecution or defense of such
dispute). 
 (iii) For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means information, observations and data
concerning the business and affairs of the Company or any of its Affiliates, including all business information (whether or not in written form) that relates to the Company or any of its Affiliates, or their directors, officers, employees,
customers, suppliers or contractors or any other third parties with respect to which the Company or any of its Affiliates has a business relationship or owes a duty of confidentiality, or their respective businesses or products, and that is not
known to the public 

  
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 generally other than as a result of the Employee’s breach of this Agreement, including technical
information or reports; trade secrets; unwritten knowledge and “know-how”; operating instructions; training manuals; customer lists, if applicable; customer buying records and habits; product sales
records and documents, and product development, marketing and sales strategies; market surveys; marketing plans; profitability analyses; product cost; long-range plans; information relating to pricing, competitive strategies and new product
development; information relating to any forms of compensation or other personnel-related information; contracts; and supplier lists. Confidential Information shall not include such information known to the Employee prior to the Employee’s
involvement with the Company or any of its Affiliates or information rightfully obtained from a third party (other than pursuant to a breach by the Employee of this Agreement or any other duty of confidentiality). 

(b) Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. (i) Within the Geographic Territory and during the Employment Term with the Company or any
of its Affiliates and continuing for the period of twelve (12) months thereafter (the applicable period described in this Section 7(b)(i), the “Noncompetition Period”), the Employee shall not: 

(A) directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company, engage in or invest as an owner, partner,
stockholder, licensor, director, officer, agent, employee or consultant for any Person that is engaged primarily in a Competing Business; provided, however, that this provision shall not prevent the Employee from passively investing as
a less than two percent stockholder in the securities of any company listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on an automated quotation system; or 

(B) accept employment with any Person that is engaged in any manner in a Competing Business if such employment would result in
the Employee being involved in the management, operations or business affairs of the subsidiary, division, segment or other portion of such Person that conducts such Competing Business; 

For purposes of this Agreement, “Competing Business” means: (a) any specialty grocery retailer, whether national or regional, with more
than $50 million in revenue in its most recently completed fiscal year; and (b) Kroger, including Harris Teeter and Mariano’s Fresh Market, Publix, Wegman’s, Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, Natural
Grocers, Earth Fare, Lucky’s Market, Fresh Thyme, Lowes Foods and any subsidiary of any of the foregoing if such subsidiary performs the same or substantially similar services as the Company. 

For purposes of this Agreement, “Geographic Territory” means (a) any state within the contiguous United States of America where the
Company conducts any business, excluding any business that consists solely of purchases or sales via the Company’s catalog or the Internet, (b) any province or territory within Canada where the Company conducts any business, excluding any
business that consists solely of purchases or sales via the Company’s catalog or the Internet, and (c) any standard metropolitan statistical area (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau) where the Company has a business office, retail
location or distribution center or has taken substantial steps toward the development of a new business office, retail location or distribution center at the time of the Employee’s termination. Clauses (a), (b) and (c) are separate and
independent territories, and, notwithstanding Section 11(h), the use of the term “or” in this definition shall be interpreted in the disjunctive. 

(ii) During the Employment Term with the Company or any of its Affiliates and continuing for the period of twelve (12) months thereafter
(the “Nonsolicitation Period”), the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company, (A) actively solicit, recruit or hire any Person who is at such time, or who at any time during
the 12-month period prior to such solicitation or hiring had been, an employee of, or an exclusive consultant then under contract with, 

  
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 the Company or any of its Affiliates, (B) actively solicit or encourage any employee of the Company or
any of its Affiliates to leave the employment of the Company or any of its Affiliates or (C) intentionally interfere with the relationship of the Company or any of its Affiliates with any Person or entity who or that is employed by or otherwise
engaged to perform services for the Company or any of its Affiliates. 
 (iii) During the Nonsolicitation Period, the Employee shall not,
directly or indirectly, interfere with, disrupt or attempt to disrupt any past, present or prospective relationship, contractual or otherwise, between the Company or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and any of their respective customers,
partners, suppliers or stockholders on the other hand. 
 (iv) The Noncompetition Period and the Nonsolicitation Period shall be tolled
during (and shall be deemed automatically extended by) any period during which the Employee is in violation of the provisions of this Section 7(b). 

(v) In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Section 7(b) is invalid or more restrictive
than permitted under the governing law of such jurisdiction, then, only as to enforcement of this Section 7(b) within the jurisdiction of such court, such provision shall be interpreted and enforced as if it provided for the maximum restriction
permitted under such governing law. 
 (c) Nondisparagement. The Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, whether in writing or
orally, criticize, denigrate or disparage the Company or any of its Affiliates, its predecessors and successors, or any of the current or former directors, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, members, agents or representatives of any of the
foregoing, with respect to any of their respective past or present activities, or otherwise publish (whether in writing or orally) statements that tend to portray any of the aforementioned parties in an unfavorable light; provided that this
provision shall not restrict the Employee’s ability to make truthful statements in good faith in response to any governmental inquiry or request for information or otherwise when required by legal process to do so. 

(d) Return of Propertv. The Employee acknowledges that all documents, records, files, lists, equipment, computer, software or other
property (including intellectual property) relating to the businesses of the Company or any of its Affiliates, in whatever form (including electronic), and all copies thereof, that have been or are received or created by the Employee while an
employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates (including Confidential Information) are and shall remain the property of the Company and its Affiliates, and the Employee shall immediately return such property to the Company upon the termination of
the Employment Term and, in any event, at the Company’s request. The Employee further agrees that any property situated on the premises of, and owned by, the Company or any of its Affiliates, including disks and other storage media, filing
cabinets or other work areas, is subject to inspection by the Company’s personnel at any time with or without notice. 
 (e)
Cooperation. The Employee agrees that, upon reasonable notice and without the necessity of the Company’s obtaining a subpoena or court order, the Employee shall provide reasonable cooperation in connection with any suit, action or
proceeding (or any appeal from any suit, action or proceeding), and any investigation or defense of any claims asserted against the Company or any of its Affiliates, that relates to events occurring during the Employment Term with the Company as to
which the Employee may have relevant information (including furnishing relevant information and materials to the Company or its designee and providing testimony at depositions and at trial), provided that the Company shall reimburse the
Employee for expenses reasonably incurred in connection with any such cooperation occurring after the termination of the Employment Term and provided further that any such cooperation occurring after the termination of the Employment
Term shall be scheduled to the extent reasonably practicable so as not to unreasonably interfere with the Employee’s business or personal affairs. 

  
 5 

  

 Confidential Treatment Requested by The Fresh Market Holdings, Inc. 

Pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section 200.83 
  

 SECTION 8. Remedies and Injunctive Relief. The Employee acknowledges that a
violation by the Employee of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement would cause irreparable damage to the Company and its Affiliates in an amount that would be material but not readily ascertainable, and that any remedy at law (including
the payment of damages) would be inadequate. Accordingly, the Employee agrees that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled (without the necessity of showing economic loss or other actual
damage) to injunctive relief (including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions) in any court of competent jurisdiction for any actual or threatened breach of any of the covenants set forth in this Agreement
in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies it may have. The preceding sentence shall not be construed as a waiver of the rights that the Company may have for damages under this Agreement or otherwise, and all such rights shall be
unrestricted. 
 SECTION 9. Acknowledgments. 

(a) The Employee acknowledges that the Company and its Affiliates have expended and will continue to expend substantial amounts of time, money
and effort to develop business strategies, employee and customer relationships and goodwill to build an effective organization. The Employee acknowledges that the Company has a legitimate business interest in and right to protect its Confidential
Information, goodwill and employee and customer relationships, and that the Company would be seriously damaged by the disclosure of Confidential Information and the loss or deterioration of its customer and employee relationships. The Employee
further acknowledges that the Company and its Affiliates are entitled to protect and preserve the going concern value of the Company to the extent permitted by law. 

(b) In light of the foregoing acknowledgments, the Employee agrees that the covenants contained in this Agreement are reasonable and properly
required for the adequate protection of the businesses and goodwill of the Company and its Affiliates. The Employee further acknowledges that, although the Employee’s compliance with the covenants contained in this Agreement may temporarily
impact the Employee from earning a livelihood in a business similar to the business of the Company, the Employee’s experience and capabilities are such that the Employee has other opportunities to earn a livelihood and adequate means of support
for the Employee and the Employee’s dependents. 
 (c) Prior to execution of this Agreement, the Employee was advised by the Company of
the Employee’s right to seek independent advice from an attorney of the Employee’s own selection regarding this Agreement. The Employee acknowledges that the Employee has entered into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and with full
knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this Agreement after being given the opportunity to consult with counsel. The Employee further represents that, in entering into this Agreement, the Employee is not relying on any statements or
representations made by any of the Company’s directors, officers, employees or agents that are not expressly set forth herein, and that the Employee is relying only upon the Employee’s own judgment and any advice provided by the
Employee’s attorney. 
 (d) In light of the acknowledgements contained in this Section 9, the Employee agrees not to challenge or
contest the reasonableness, validity or enforceability of any limitations and obligations contained in this Agreement. 
 SECTION 10.
Section 409A Compliance. All amounts payable under this Agreement are intended to comply with the “short term deferral” exception from Section 409A of the 

  
 6 

  

 Confidential Treatment Requested by The Fresh Market Holdings, Inc. 

Pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section 200.83 
  

 
Internal Revenue Code (“Section 409A”) specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-l(b)(4) (or any successor provision) or the “separation
pay plan” exception specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1 (b)(9) (or any successor provision), or both of them, and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the applicable exceptions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any amounts payable in accordance with this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, this Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in such a way as to comply with Section 409A to the
maximum extent possible. Each installment payment of compensation under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment of compensation for purposes of applying Section 409A. If payment of any amount subject to Section 409A is
triggered by a separation from service that occurs while Employee is a “specified employee” (as defined by Section 409A) and if such amount is scheduled to be paid within six (6) months after such separation from service, the
amount shall accrue without interest and shall be paid the first business day after the end of such six-month period, or, if earlier, within 15 days following Employee’s death. “Termination of
employment,” “resignation” or words of similar import, as used in this Agreement shall mean, with respect to any payments subject to Section 409A, Employee’s “separation from service” as defined by
Section 409A. If any payment subject to Section 409A is contingent on the delivery of a Release by the Employee and could occur in either of two calendar years, the payment will occur in the later year. Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed as a guarantee of any particular tax treatment to the Employee. The Employee shall be solely responsible for the tax consequences with respect to all amounts payable under this Agreement, and in no event shall the Company have any
responsibility or liability if this Agreement does not meet any applicable requirements of Section 409A. 
 SECTION 11.
Miscellaneous. 
 (a) Assignment and Successor. This Agreement may be assigned by the Company to any Affiliate or successor
to the business or assets of the Company. In the event of any such assignment, the Company shall cause such Afflliate or successor, to assume the obligations of the Company hereunder, by a written agreement addressed to the Employee, concurrently
with any assignment, with the same effect as if such assignee were “the Company” hereunder. This Agreement is personal to the Employee and the Employee may not assign or any rights or delegate any responsibilities hereunder. 

(b) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Severance Plan and the Company’s handbook and policies, sets forth the
entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer,
employee or representative of either party hereto. None of the parties shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations and warranties or covenants relating to such subject matter except as specifically set forth
herein. To the extent this Agreement conflicts with the Company’s handbook and other policies, this Agreement and the Severance Plan control. 

(c) Amendment; No Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived or discharged except by a written document
signed by the Employee and a duly authorized officer of the Company. The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party’s rights or deprive such
party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment of any steps to enforce such right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. 

(d) Disputes. (i) The Company and the Employee agree that, except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all disputes,
controversies and claims arising between them concerning the subject matter of this Agreement shall be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the Company’s Agreement to Resolve Claims provided to the Employee at or around the time of hire.

  
 7 

  

 Confidential Treatment Requested by The Fresh Market Holdings, Inc. 

Pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section 200.83 
  

 (ii) Without limiting the generality of Section 11(d)(i), to the extent permitted by
applicable law, the parties hereby irrevocably waive any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. 

(e) Governing Law and Venue; Interpretation. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in the State of North Carolina, and the
validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement in all respects shall be governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina without regard to its principles of conflicts of law. In the event the Company pursues equitable
relief for violation of the Employee’s covenants in Section 7, the Employee hereby expressly consents to the personal jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in North Carolina for any such lawsuit and the Employee
hereby waives all objections based upon lack of jurisdiction or improper or inconvenient venue of any such court. No provision of this Agreement or any related document shall be construed against or interpreted to the disadvantage of either party
hereto by any court or other governmental or judicial authority by reason of such party’s having or being deemed to have structured or drafted such provision. 

(f) Tax Withholding. All amounts payable under this Agreement shall be subject to the withholding of all applicable taxes and
deductions required by any applicable law. 
 (g) Headings and References. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and neither constitute a part of this Agreement nor affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. When a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference is to a Section of this Agreement unless
otherwise indicated. 
 (h) Construction. For purposes of this Agreement, the words “include” and “including”,
and variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation but rather shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The term “or” is not exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to
the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if’. 

(i) Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any applicable law
or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic and legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not affected in any manner
materially adverse to either party. Upon any such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the
original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions can be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible. 

(j) Survival of Obligations. Sections 7-9 and 11 of this Agreement shall survive any material
change in the Employee’s position or terms and conditions of employment, and shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement and the termination of the Employment Term with the Company, regardless of which party terminates the
Agreement or employment relationship between them, or why such termination occurs. 

  
 8 

  

 Confidential Treatment Requested by The Fresh Market Holdings, Inc. 

Pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section 200.83 
  

 (k) Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted by this
Agreement shall be made in writing and all such notices or communications shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or (unless otherwise specified) mailed by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows: 
  

			
	If to the Company:	  	The Fresh Market, Inc.
		  	628 Green Valley Road, Suite 500
		  	Greensboro, North Carolina 27408
		
		  	Attention: Chief Human Resources Officer
		
	If to the Employee:	  	The Employee’s address as most recently supplied to the Company and set forth in the Company’s records.

 or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that
notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt. 
 (l) Counterpart. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts (including via facsimile), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the
parties and delivered to the other party. 
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties as of the date first
written above. 
  

					
	THE FRESH MARKET, INC.,
		
	      By	 	 

  

		 	Name:	 	Chris Himebauch
		 	Title:	 	Chief Human Resources Officer

  

			
	 EMPLOYEE

		
	             
	 	 

  

	     
	 	 Name: James Heaney

  
 9

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