Document:

Exhibit 10.1

	 	 	 	 	 

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), by and between Real Mex Restaurants,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Richard (“Dick”) Rivera (the
“Executive”). Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined have the meaning set
forth in Section 1.1 hereof.

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ Executive, and Executive wishes to accept such
employment, each upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive are parties to a Term Sheet Agreement entered into on April
4, 2009 which includes an Appendix I (“Appendix I,”)(together, the “Term Sheet
Agreement”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual undertakings contained herein and other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

1.1 Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following
meanings.

“Affiliate” shall mean, as to any Person, any other Person which directly or
indirectly controls, or is under common control with, or is controlled by, such Person. As used in
this definition, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under
common control with”) shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause
the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or partnership or
other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise).

“Board” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

 

 

“Cause” means the Company shall have “Cause” to terminate Executive’s employment upon:
(i) the Board’s determination of gross misconduct or gross mismanagement by Executive that
threatens injury to the Company or that results in Executive’s inability to substantially perform
the duties of Executive’s position; provided that, where the gross misconduct or gross
mismanagement is susceptible of being cured and the threatened harm is susceptible of being
avoided, termination does not occur until after the Board provides Executive with five (5) calendar
days prior written notice and, within such period, (i) Executive has failed to cure the gross
misconduct or gross mismanagement and (ii) the threatened injury has not been avoided; (ii) the
Board’s determination that Executive a) intentionally failed in any material respect to carry out
or comply with any lawful directive of the Board consistent with the terms of this Agreement or b)
unintentionally failed in any material respect to carry out or comply with any lawful directive of
the Board consistent with the terms of this Agreement and which caused substantial injury to the
Company (such does not include situations of poor decision making or exercise of ordinary business
judgment in attempting to carry out or comply with the lawful directive of the Board); (iii)
Executive’s conviction, plea of no contest, plea of nolo contendere, or imposition of unadjudicated
probation for any felony or crime involving moral turpitude, or Executive’s commission of any act
constituting such felony or crime; (iv) Executive’s unlawful use (including being under the
influence) or possession of illegal drugs on the Company’s (or any of its affiliates’) premises or
while performing Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement; (v) Executive’s
commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, or breach of
fiduciary duty against the Company or any of its affiliates or in connection with Executive’s
employment; (vi) Executive’s material violation of the Company’s harassment and discrimination
policies, or Executive’s material breach of the confidentiality, non-disparagement, or
non-competition covenants to the Company or Executive’s material breach of the representation and
warranty that Executive’s employment with the Company as CEO and Chairman is not in conflict with
any third party agreement or obligation you may have; (vii)
Executive’s willful or prolonged, and unexcused absence from work (other than by reason of a
physical or mental disability for which leave for such absence would be a reasonable
accommodation).

 

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“Company Group” means, collectively, the Company and its Subsidiaries and any
successors thereto.

“EBITDA” means the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and
amortization in accordance with the Company’s customary practices and accounting procedures and
adjusted as appropriate in the event of an acquisition, change in accounting procedures, and other
customary adjustments.

“Employment Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

“Good Reason” means Executive will have “Good Reason” to resign his employment within
ninety (90) days following the occurrence of any of the following: (i) a reduction in Executive’s
Annual Base Salary, either through the annual review process or otherwise, from the Annual Base
Salary in effect in the prior year, other than as part of a generalized reduction in base salaries
affecting other senior executives of the Company; or (ii) modification of position to any other
than CEO and Chairman or required relocation of Executive’s permanent residence outside of
Sarasota, FL. (it being understood, however, that Executive’s position requires the performance of
his duties in Cypress, California consistent with a full-time schedule and the job responsibilities
of a chief executive). Executive may not resign his employment for Good Reason unless he provides
the Company with at least 30 days prior written notice of his intent to resign for Good Reason and
the Company has not cured the breach within such 30-day period.

“Permanent Disability” means either Executive is, or in the good faith determination
of the Board will likely be, unable to substantially perform, by reason of illness, accident,
injury, physical or mental incapacity or other disability, any of his essential duties or
obligations under this Agreement for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days or for shorter
periods aggregating
120 days during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months; provided, that such disability
constitutes a disability for purposes of Section 409A.

“Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, an association, a joint
stock company, a limited liability company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated
organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

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“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership,
association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting
power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in
the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a
combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of
the partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination
thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership
interest in a partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be
allocated a majority of partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall
be or control the managing director or general partner of such partnership, association or other
business entity.

“Change in Control” means the occurrence of a “change in the ownership” or “sale of
assets” for the Company. A “change in the ownership” of the Company shall occur on the date on
which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, other than the “Permitted Holders”
(defined below), acquires ownership of stock of the Company or its parent company, RM Restaurant
Holding Corp. (“Holdings”) that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more
than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of such company, as
determined in accordance with Treas. Reg. §1.409A-3(i)(5)(v). If a person or group is considered
either to own more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of
such corporation, or to have effective control of the Company within the
meaning of Treas. Reg. §1.409A-3(i)(5)(vi), and such person or group acquires additional stock
of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by such person or group shall not be considered
to cause a “change in the ownership” of the Company. A “change in the ownership” shall not occur
in the event the “Permitted Holders,” or any of them, continue to own (directly or indirectly
through ownership of more than 50% of each class of issued and outstanding stock of Holdings that
carries voting rights and/or economic interests), more than 50% of each class of issued and
outstanding stock of the Company that carries voting rights and/or economic 

 

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interests. A “sale of
assets” shall occur upon the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other
disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related
transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole to any person or group other than the Permitted Holders, any related
parties of the Permitted Holders, or any of them. The Permitted Holders are: (a) Cocina Funding
Corp., LLC (“Cocina”); KKR Financial CLO 2007-1, Ltd., KKR Strategic Capital Overseas Fund, Ltd.,
KKR Strategic Capital Fund, L.P., and KKR Strategic Capital Institutional Fund, Ltd. (collectively
“KKR”); and Canpartners Investments IV, LLC (“Canpartners”), (b) H.I.G. Sun Partners, Inc., SCSF
Cantinas, LLC and any of their Control Investment Affiliates, and members of the management of the
Company, Holdings, and the Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Co-Investors”), and (c) any related
parties of Cocina, KKR or Canpartners or the Co-Investors.

ARTICLE II

Employment

2.1 Employment. The Company agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts
employment with the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement for the
period beginning on April 6, 2009 (the “Commencement Date”) and ending as provided in
Section 2.4 (the “Employment Period”).

2.2 Position and Duties.

(a) Commencing on the date hereof and continuing during the Employment Period, Executive shall
serve in the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Executive shall
also be a member of the Company’s Board, or of the board of directors of the Company’s parent, as
appropriate. Executive shall have the typical duties, responsibilities and authority of a Person
serving in such capacities in an organization of similar size and structure as the Company, subject
in each instance to the supervision, determination, and direction of the Board or such Person as
the Board may designate. Executive shall report directly to the Board or to such other Person as
the Board may designate.

 

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(b) Executive shall devote his best efforts and his full business time and attention (except
for permitted vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacity) to the
business and affairs of the Company and the performance of Executive’s duties as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. The Executive shall perform his duties and responsibilities to the best of his
abilities in a diligent, loyal, trustworthy, businesslike, and efficient manner.

2.3 Base Salary, Bonus, Benefits, Long-Term Equity/Profit Sharing Plan.

(a) Base Salary. Executive’s total annual base salary for 2009 calendar year shall be
$500,000 (“Base Salary”), which shall be pro-rated from the Commencement Date. The salary
shall be payable in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s general payroll practices
and shall be subject to customary withholding. Executive’s Base Salary will be eligible for annual
review and salary adjustment consistent with the process for similarly situated executives.

(b) Annual Bonus Potential. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible
to receive an annual (based on the Company’s fiscal year) bonus in a range of 0 — 150% of Base
Salary, based on the Company’s Senior Management Bonus Plan. The Senior Management Bonus Plan for
2009 is attached as Appendix “1” to this Agreement. The Bonus shall be based upon the Company’s
annual financial results, as reflected in its audited financial
statements, and, when payable, shall consist of a single lump sum cash payment payable within
thirty (30) days after the completion of the Company’s audited annual financial statements. The
Bonus Plan for 2010 and any subsequent fiscal year shall be determined as follows: Within a
mutually agreeable time period prior to the beginning of each fiscal year of the Company, Executive
shall submit to the Board for its approval the Company’s operational plan, including a fiscal
budget, for the next fiscal year of the Company. The Board shall establish financial targets and
set conditions each year based on the approved operational plan (a “Bonus Plan”). The
financial targets and conditions established for Executive’s Bonus shall be consistent with those
established for other senior executives of the Company. Executive shall receive the percentage of
the maximum Bonus specified by the applicable Bonus Plan, depending on whether the Company attains
all or a portion of the financial targets established, and meets all of the conditions set under
such Bonus Plan for that year. Any of the Company’s financial results that are used to calculate a
Bonus shall be taken only from the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable year.

 

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(c) Benefits. During the Employment Period, consistent with past custom and practice,
Executive shall be entitled to: (i) participate in all of the Company’s employee benefit programs
for which senior executive employees of the Company are generally eligible, including, if offered
by the Company to such executives, medical surgical, hospitalization, dental, worker’s compensation
insurance and disability coverage, group retirement and welfare benefit plans, (ii) accrue four (4)
weeks of paid vacation each year, subject to the conditions of the Company’s vacation policy, (iii)
the payment by the Company to the Executive of a car allowance of $700 a month, payable in prorated
bi-weekly installments, plus reimbursement of all reasonable, documented expenses related to the
operation of an automobile, including gas, repairs, maintenance, insurance and registration fees,
which shall not exceed $5,500 per year in aggregate in accordance with the Company’s senior
management benefits plan, and (iv) such
other benefits as the Board may from time to time determine. The benefits described in
Section 2.3(c)(i)-(iv) above are collectively referred to herein as the Executive’s “Benefits.”

(d) Relocation; Housing; Related Expenses. During the Employment Period, in lieu of
relocation from Sarasota, Florida to California and in addition to the Base Salary, Bonus, and the
Benefits described in Sections 2.3(a)-(c), Executive shall be reimbursed for property lease expense
on a temporary residence in the California location, all reasonable expenses relating to travel
between Executive’s home in the Sarasota, Florida area and the Company’s principal office in
Cypress, California, and for normal and customary related expenses up to $50,000 per annum in the
aggregate across all categories, on an after-tax basis.

(e) Profit Sharing or Equity Participation. The Executive will participate in an
equity and/or profit sharing plan based on EBITDA improvements, the details and specific mechanisms
of which will be set forth in a separate stock option agreement, restricted stock agreement, profit
sharing agreement, or other agreement as appropriate, and which will be consistent with the terms
and conditions set forth in the Term Sheet Agreement, including Appendix I thereto. The Company
and the Executive will finalize the separate agreement within the thirty (30) days of the execution
of this Agreement, which will be integrated and become part of this Agreement.

 

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2.4 Term; Termination; Severance.

(a) The Employment Period of this Agreement shall be for a two-year term from the Commencement
Date with a one-year “evergreen” renewal unless either party provides notice of its intent not to
renew ninety (90) days prior to renewal date. The Employment Period is subject to earlier
termination (i) by reason of Executive’s death or Permanent Disability, (ii) by the Company at any
time with or without Cause, subject to the definition of Cause above and the Severance provision
set forth below, (iii) by Executive due to a Change in Control or for Good Reason, subject to the
definition of Change in Control and Good Reason above and the Severance provision set forth below,
or (iv) upon Executive’s resignation with 60-days’ advance notice to
the Company (which notice the Company may accept in its discretion by providing regular pay
and benefits in lieu of continued active employment) without Good Reason.

(b) If the Employment Period is terminated by the Board for Cause, or by reason of Executive’s
death with six months or less of employment or Permanent Disability, or by Executive’s voluntary
resignation without Good Reason and not due to a Change in Control, or if the Employment Period
expires without renewal, the Executive shall be entitled to his Base Salary and Benefits up to the
date of termination or expiration, but shall not be entitled to any further Base Salary or Benefits
or any then unpaid Bonus for that fiscal year, any prior year, or any future year, or to any
severance compensation of any kind, nature or amount.

(c) If the Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of his death after more than six
months of employment, in addition to any entitlements provided by law, the Company shall pay or
cause to be paid to Executive’s Estate (i) unpaid Base Salary and Benefits up to the date of such
termination, and (ii) six (6) months of Executive’s Base Salary. The Estate shall not be entitled
to any further Benefits or Bonus for that year or any future year, or to any other severance
compensation of any kind, nature or amount.

 

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(d) Subject to paragraph 2.4(e), if the Employment Period is terminated by the Board 1)
without Cause for a reason other than Executive’s death or Permanent Disability or 2) by
Executive’s voluntary resignation for Good Reason or within thirty (30) days following a Change in
Control, Executive shall be entitled to (i) unpaid Base Salary and Benefits up to the date of such
termination, (ii) payment of coverage continuation costs for COBRA eligible benefits (medical,
dental, and executive medical reimbursement plan) for twelve (12) months, (ii) six (6) months of
Executive’s Base Salary (payable in accordance with the terms of Section 2.4(g) below), and (v)
vesting in the long-term equity and/or profit sharing plan on a 3-year straight line monthly
basis pro rata through the date of termination as specified in the separate agreement to be entered
into between the Company and Executive pursuant to Section 2.3(e). Executive shall not be entitled
to any further Base Salary, Benefits or then unpaid Bonus for that year, any prior year,
or any future year, or to any further severance compensation of any kind, nature or amount
except as herein provided.

(e) Executive agrees that Executive shall be entitled to the payments provided for in Section
2.4(d) if and only if Executive has not materially breached as of the date of termination of the
Employment Period the provisions of Sections 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 hereof and does not breach such
Sections at any time during the severance period, and the Company will be relieved of any
obligation to make such payments during any portion of the severance period in which the Executive
is in breach of any such obligation; provided that the Company will resume making such payments to
Executive during the severance period at such time as the Board determines in good faith that any
such breach has ceased or otherwise been cured and any damage to the Company remedied.
Furthermore, if said breaches are cured and the damages to the Company have been remedied as set
forth above in this Section, any payments that were withheld during the breach will be paid
retroactively to the Executive.

(f) Any severance payments pursuant to Section 2.4(c) and (d) shall be made in installments on
the payment dates on which Executive’s Base Salary would have otherwise been paid if the Employment
Period had continued (net of any withholding taxes), and as of the date of the final such payment
none of the Company or any other member of the Company Group shall have any further obligation to
Executive pursuant to this Section 2.4 except as provided by law.

 

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(g) Executive hereby agrees that no severance compensation of any kind, nature or amount shall
be payable to Executive in connection with any termination of the Employment Period, except as
expressly set forth in this Section 2.4, and Executive hereby irrevocably waives any claim for any
other severance compensation.

(h) Executive acknowledges and agrees that notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth
above, no severance payments or severance benefits shall be made to the Executive by the Company
under Section 2.4(d) unless, if so requested by the Company,
Executive executes, does not revoke, and delivers to the Company, within 60 days following
Executive’s termination of employment, a general release in form satisfactory to the Company
pursuant to which Executive releases and forever discharges the Company, its then or former
parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, their respective predecessors and successors, and their
respective officers, employees, agents, and directors, from all claims or actions of any kind
arising on or before the date of termination. This general release and waiver shall include, but
not be limited to, all claims or actions arising out of, or relating in any way to the Executive’s
employment with the Company, including any claim for compensation, or any claim of discrimination
under any state, federal or local law or regulation, including under the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 1967, as amended, or any claim for wrongful termination, breach of contract,
breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, negligence or intentional infliction of
emotional distress, misrepresentation or defamation. If Executive maintains, or participates in
any claim or action, in any court or agency, based wholly or partially upon a claim or action
Executive has released or waived under this Agreement, Executive agrees to pay all expenses and
costs (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred by the Company and those associated with the
Company in defense of such claim or action. This release shall not be construed as a waiver of any
rights executive has under any pension or other benefit plan maintained by the Company for its
employees generally.

 

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2.5 Confidential Information. The Executive acknowledges that he will have access to
certain confidential, non-public and proprietary information, which includes, but is not limited to
any information or knowledge obtained by the Executive during the course of his employment relating
to ingredients, recipes, presentation of food, naming of menu items, all current products of the
Company, any future or proposed products or services and any descriptions or features of any of the
foregoing, customer lists, customer files, personnel files, computer records, financial and
marketing data, process descriptions, policies and procedures, research plans, training materials
and job aids, payroll, and any information pertaining to business plans or methods of
operation, past, present or future (the “Confidential Information”), concerning the
Company and other members of the Company Group and their respective officers, directors,
shareholders, employees, agents and representatives and agrees that: (i) unless pursuant to prior
written consent by the Board, the Executive shall not disclose any Confidential Information except
as minimally necessary and appropriate and in the Company’s interest in the performance of
Executive’s duties or unless compelled by court order or subpoena, in which case Executive shall
(A) immediately notify the Company of any such court order or subpoena in order to enable the
Company to contest such court order or subpoena, (B) fully cooperate with any efforts by the
Company to limit the extent of such disclosure and (C) disclose only so much of such confidential
information as is necessary to comply with such court order or subpoena; (ii) the Executive shall
treat as confidential all Confidential Information and shall take reasonable precautions to prevent
unauthorized access to or disclosure of the Confidential Information; (iii) the Executive shall not
use the Confidential Information in any way detrimental to the Company or any other member of the
Company Group and shall use the Confidential Information for the exclusive purpose of effecting his
duties of employment with the Company; and (iv) the Executive agrees that the Confidential
Information obtained during his employment with the Company shall remain the exclusive property of
the Company and any other member of the Company Group, and the Executive shall promptly return to
the Company all material which incorporates, or is derived from, all such Confidential Information
immediately following the date of termination. It is hereby agreed that Confidential Information
does not include information generally available and known to the public or obtained from a source
not bound by a confidentiality agreement with any member of the Company Group.

 

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2.6 Inventions and Patents. The Executive hereby agrees that all inventions,
innovations or improvements (‘Inventions”) in each case conceived or made by him either in
the course of his employment with the Company, through the use of Company equipment, supplies,
facilities, trade secrets, or time, relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice to
the
Company’s business or anticipated research or development, or resulting from any work
performed by Executive for the Company, belong to the Company and such other member of the Company
Group, and Executive hereby assigns, transfers, and conveys all rights, title, and interest of
whatever kind and nature in such Inventions to the Company. The Executive will promptly disclose
such inventions, innovation or improvements to the Board and perform all actions reasonably
requested by the Board to establish and confirm such ownership by the applicable member of the
Company Group. Inventions include any innovation or improvement in the method of conducting the
business (including improvements, ideas and discoveries, whether patentable or not) of the Company
or any other member of the Company Group. Executive is hereby notified that this Agreement does
not apply to an invention which qualifies fully under the provisions of California Labor Code §
2870.

2.7 Noncompetition, Nonsolicitation, and Non-disparagement.

(a) The Executive acknowledges that in the course of his employment with the Company he will
become familiar, with the trade secrets and other Confidential Information of the Company and other
members of the Company Group, that his services will be of special, unique and extraordinary value
to the Company, and that he will owe fiduciary duties and a duty of loyalty to the Company.
Therefore, the Executive agrees that during the time he is employed by the Company, other than the
previously disclosed interests in TGI Friday’s and Marlow’s Tavern, which are set forth in detail
in the Directors & Officers Questionnaire by the Executiv, the Executive shall not directly or
indirectly own, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, or in any
manner engage in, any business competing directly or indirectly with the business of the Company
Group or any business in which any member of the Company Group has definitive plans to engage;
provided, that the Executive shall not be precluded from purchasing or holding publicly-traded
securities of any such entity so long as the Executive shall hold less than 2% of the outstanding
units of any such class of securities and has no active participation in the business of such
entity. As used in this Section 2.7(a) the “business of the
Company Group” means the ownership, management, operation, or franchising of restaurants,
canteens, cafeterias, kiosks and other food service operations featuring Mexican food and the
manufacture and distribution of Mexican food products.

 

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(b) During the Employment Period and for a period of one (1) year following Executive’s
termination of employment for any reason, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly solicit or
attempt to solicit (i) any employee of the Company or any other member of the Company Group to
leave the employ of the Company or such other member of the Company Group or (ii) any customer of
the Company or Real Mex Foods, Inc. with whom Executive transacted business or about whom Executive
learned confidential information during employment with the Company for the purpose of providing
such customer with any product or service competitive with the Company or Real Mex Foods, Inc.

(c) During the Employment Period and for a period of one (1) year following Executive’s
termination of employment for any reason, Executive will not make any disparaging, derogatory, or
defamatory remarks about the Company, or any of the Company’s executives, officers, or directors,
and Executive will not make any negative comments to the media or otherwise attempt to generate
negative publicity about the Company or its executives, officers, or directors. This provision
will not prevent or limit Executive from communicating with governmental agencies or the Board,
from making use of the Company’s formal complaint procedures and polices, or from engaging in other
communications protected by law.

(d) The Executive agrees that (i) the covenants set forth in this Section 2.7 are reasonable
in scope and in all other respects, (ii) the Company would not have entered into this Agreement but
for the covenants of the Executive contained herein, and (iii) the covenants contained herein have
been made in order to induce the Company to enter into this Agreement.

 

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(e) If, at the time of enforcement of this Section 2.7, a court shall hold that any portion is
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under the circumstances then existing, the parties agree that
that the court shall have the authority to modify and reform such portion to the
minimum extent necessary to make it legal, valid, and enforceable, and the parties further
agree mutually to request that the court make such modification and reformation.

2.8 Indemnification. In accordance with the November 13, 2008 Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of RM Restaurant Holding Corp., Article Nine — Indemnification, the
Executive shall be entitled to indemnification by the Company. See, Appendix 2.

2.9 Conflicts of Interest; Company Policy. During the Employment Period, Executive
will avoid conflicts of interest with respect to his duties, obligations, and loyalties to the
Company, and Executive will comply with the Company’s operational and personnel policies and
procedures.

2.10 Compliance with Section 409A.

(a) This Agreement shall be interpreted to avoid any penalty sanctions and adverse tax
consequences under Section 409A. If any payment or benefit cannot be provided or made at the time
specified herein without incurring penalty sanctions or adverse tax consequences under Section
409A, then such benefit or payment shall be provided in full at the earliest time thereafter when
such sanctions and adverse tax consequences will not be imposed. All payments to be made upon a
termination of employment under this Agreement may only be made upon a “separation from service” as
that term is defined for purposes of Section 409A. In no event may the Executive, directly or
indirectly, designate the calendar year of payment.

(b) To the maximum extent permitted under Section 409A, the severance payments payable under
this Agreement are intended to comply with the “short-term deferral exception” under Section 409A
and any remaining amount is intended to comply with the “separation pay exception” under Section
409A. For purposes of applying the provisions of Section 409A to this Agreement, each separately
identified amount to which the Executive is entitled under this Agreement shall be treated as a
separate payment.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified
employee” at the time of his separation from service for purposes of Section 409A (as determined by
the Company), no payment shall be made on account of such separation from service before the date
that is six months after Executive’s separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of
Executive’s death) if and to the extent that such payment or benefit constitutes deferred
compensation (or may be nonqualified deferred compensation) under Section 409A and such deferral is
required to comply with the requirements of Section 409A. Any payment or benefit delayed by reason
of the prior sentence shall be paid out or provided in a single lump sum at the end of such
required delay period in order to catch up to the original payment schedule.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all reimbursements and in kind
benefits provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the
requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any
reimbursement is for expenses incurred during Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of
time specified in this Agreement), (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in
kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for
reimbursement, or in kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year, (iii) the
reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year
following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the right to reimbursement or in kind
benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

ARTICLE III

Miscellaneous

3.1 Executive’s Representations. Executive hereby represents and warrants to the
Company that (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Executive do not
and shall not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any contract, agreement,
instrument, order, judgment or decree to which Executive is a party or by which he is bound, (ii)
the Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, consulting or service
agreement, or noncompetition agreement with any other person or entity, (iii) in deciding to
enter into this Agreement, the Executive has not relied upon any statement, representation, or
promise that is not set forth expressly herein, and (iv) upon the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Company, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of the
Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms. The Executive hereby acknowledges and
represents that he has consulted with independent legal counsel regarding his rights and
obligations under this Agreement and that he fully understands the terms and conditions contained
herein.

 

15

 

3.2 Survival. Sections 2.4, 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 and Sections 3.1 through 3.12 shall
survive and continue in full force in accordance with their terms notwithstanding any termination
of the Employment Period.

3.3 Notices. All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered
under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement will be in writing and will only be deemed
to have been given when delivered personally, sent via a nationally recognized overnight courier,
or sent via facsimile to the recipient. Such notices, demands and other communications will be
sent to the address indicated below:

To the Company:

Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.

5660 Katella Avenue

Suite 100

Cypress, CA 90630

Attn: Legal Department

To the Executive:

Richard (“Dick”) Rivera

401 S. Palm Ave. # 802

Sarasota, FL 34236

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party shall
have specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

3.4 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision
of this Agreement 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
will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed,
construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision
had never been contained herein.

 

16

 

3.5 Complete Agreement. Subject to the provisions and requirements of Section 2.3(e)
and the additional agreement to be entered into between the parties and incorporated herein
regarding the long-term equity and/or profit sharing plan, this Agreement and its attachments
embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any
prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral.

3.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of
which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same
agreement.

3.7 Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise provided herein, all covenants and
agreements contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
Executive, the Company and their respective successors and assigns. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary contained herein, the Company shall have the right to assign any and/or all of its
rights and obligations under this Agreement (i) to one or more other members of the Company Group;
provided, however that no such assignment by the Company shall relieve the Company
of its obligations hereunder in the event that any such obligations are not satisfied by the other
members of the Company Group and (ii) in connection with the sale of the Company, whether by
merger, consolidation, reorganization, sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, or
sale of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s stock or otherwise.

3.8 No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be
the language chosen hereto by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of
strict construction shall be applied to this Agreement.

 

17

 

3.9 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the
construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto
will be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of California,
without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the
State of California or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the State of California. In the event of any dispute relating to or
arising out of this Agreement or Executive’s employment with the Company or the Company Group, the
Company and Executive hereby consent and stipulate to personal jurisdiction and venue exclusively
in the courts of the State of California.

3.10 Remedies. Each of the parties to this Agreement will be entitled to enforce its
rights, under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages caused by any actual or threatened
breach or violation of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in
its favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate
remedy for any actual or threatened breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that, in
addition to any other remedies available under applicable law, any party may in its sole discretion
apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or deposit)
for specific performance and/or other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent any
violations of the provisions of this Agreement.

3.11 Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended and waived
only with the prior written consent of the Company and Executive.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Executive Employment Agreement as of
the dates set forth below.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	REAL MEX RESTAURANTS, INC.

 	 
	Dated: 5/19/09 	By:  	/s/ Steven Tanner
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Steven Tanner 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Executive Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer	 
	 	
 	 
	Dated: 5/27/09 	/s/ Richard Rivera
 	 
	 	Richard (“Dick”) Rivera 	 

 

18

 

APPENDIX “1”

SENIOR MANAGEMENT BONUS PLAN

 

19

 

REAL MEX RESTAURANTS, INC.

2009 SENIOR MANAGEMENT BONUS PLAN

This document provides a description of the bonus plan for the Company’s Senior Management.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants are defined as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice
Presidents, and Vice Presidents working in the corporate offices (Restaurant Support Center).

BONUS TARGETS

Bonus potential will be a percentage of the eligible employee’s base salary (excludes all
fringe benefits (car allowance, etc.).

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Bonus Target	 
	Positions	 	as % of base	 
	CEO
	 	 	150	%
	CFO
	 	 	50	%
	Corp SVPs
	 	 	40	%
	Operations SVPs
	 	 	40	%
	Corp VPs
	 	 	30	%

BONUS CRITERIA

The bonus program for senior management has two components:

	 	1.	 	Maximize EBITDA: Up to 70% of senior management’s bonus opportunity is tied to
achieving adjusted EBITDA (which is after bonuses earned). The table below reflects various
EBITDA targets and the corresponding bonus that is earned. RMR Adjusted EBITDA will be the
target for all bonus eligible employees except the Senior VPs of Operations, who will be
tied to Controllable Profit less G & A expenses for their respective operating divisions.
Please note that the senior management team has a vested interest in maximizing profits as
10% of EBITDA earned in excess of the 100% targets below will be prorated and split amongst
the bonus eligible senior team members.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Bonus	 
	RMR adj EBITDA	 	ET/ACA CP-G&A	 	 	CH CP-G&A	 	 	Multiplier	 
	> $40.8M	 	(10% of plus EBITDA is added to bonus pool and allocated based on bonus targets above)
	$40.8M (100%)
	 	$	65.6M	 	 	$	39.3M	 	 	 	70	%
	$39.6M (97%)
	 	$	63.6M	 	 	$	38.1M	 	 	 	52.5	%
	$38.3M (94%)
	 	$	61.6M	 	 	$	36.9M	 	 	 	35	%
	$37.1M (91%)
	 	$	59.7M	 	 	$	35.7M	 	 	 	17.5	%
	Below $37.1M
	 	Below $59.7M	 	 	Below $35.7M	 	 	 	0	%

	 	2.	 	Maximize Cash Flow: Up to 30% of senior management’s bonus is tied to free
cash flow, which is defined as RMR adj EBITDA — debt service — capex — pre-opening costs -
income taxes. The table below reflects various cash flow targets and the corresponding
bonus that is earned.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Bonus	 
	RMR Free Cash	 	Multiplier	 
	$6.8M
	 	 	30	%
	$6.6M
	 	 	22.5	%
	$6.4M
	 	 	15	%
	$6.2M
	 	 	7.5	%
	Below $6.2M
	 	 	0	%

 

1

 

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for a full share of the bonus, participants must be employed in a bonus
eligible position on the first day of the fiscal year. Otherwise the following guidelines
apply:

	 	•	 	New Hire/Transfer/Promotion — Bonus payments will be prorated according
to the number of days during the year that the individual worked in bonus eligible
position(s).

	 	•	 	Demotion — Any bonus eligible individual who is demoted during the
year will be subject to the eligibility and award provisions for the position he or
she occupies at the end of the fiscal year.

	 	•	 	Termination — A bonus plan participant will not be eligible for bonus
if their employment terminates for any reason prior to the date that bonus checks are
issued by the Company. Additionally, if a plan participant should leave the Company
and then return to work before the bonus is paid, he/she will be ineligible for any
bonus payment.

ADDITIONAL RULES AND GUIDELINES

All bonuses are subject to the following criteria:

PAYMENTS

	 	•	 	Bonus payments will be prorated to reflect changes in base salary and promotions that
occur during the bonus eligibility period.

	 	•	 	Bonus payments will be subject to all applicable taxes.

	 	•	 	Annual payments are to be made following completion of the audit.

	 	•	 	In order to receive the annual bonus, participants must be employed and in good
standing with the Company when the bonus is paid.

	 	•	 	A significant goal of this plan is to foster loyalty and to encourage continued
employment by plan participants. Therefore, despite meeting all other eligibility
requirements under the plan, any participant who terminates his or her employment prior to
the payment will have forfeited any rights to payment of any portion of his/her bonus.

	 	•	 	If a plan participant should leave the company and then return to work for the company
before the bonus is paid, he/she will be ineligible for any bonus payment.

	 	•	 	The Company reserves the right to alter the bonus periods or payment dates at any time.

DISCRETIONARY ADJUSTMENTS

	 	•	 	Any bonus payment may be increased or decreased by the President/CEO, based on
individual performance factors or special circumstances deemed vital by the Company.

	 	•	 	Bonus calculations will be adjusted for any material change in Accounting Principles or
other factors, which occur after the start of the plan year if they have material impact on
the bonus.

	 	•	 	Budgets will be corrected for any material mathematical errors subsequent to final
bonus approvals.

	 	•	 	The Board of Directors reserves the right to amend or eliminate the bonus program at any time.

DETRIMENTAL CONDUCT

Management conduct deemed detrimental to the Company can result in forfeiture of bonus and
additional disciplinary action including termination.

This bonus plan may not be modified, except in writing, by the CEO of the Company.

 

2

 

APPENDIX “2”

ATTACHED AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF RM

RESTAURANT HOLDING CORP.

 

20

 

PAGE 1

Delaware

 

The first State

I, HARRIET SMITH WINDSOR,
SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO
HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF “RM
RESTAURANT HOLDING CORP.”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D.
2008, AT 11:58 O’CLOCK A.M.

A FILED COPY OF THIS CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY RECORDER
OF DEEDS.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 		 	 
	 

	 	 	/s/ Harriet Smith Windsor
	 

	 	 	Harriet Smith Windsor, Secretary of State
	4198165 8100

	 	 	AUTHENTICATION: 6963909
	 
	 	 	 
	081113562

	 	 	DATE: 11-13-08
	you may verify this certificate
online at
corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml
	 	 	 

 

 

 

	 	 	 
	 

	 	State of Delaware
	 

	 	Secretary of State
	 

	 	Division of Corporations
	 

	 	Delivered 11:58 AM 11/13/2008
	 

	 	FILED 11:58 AM 11/13/2008
	 

	 	SRV 081113562 - 4198165 FILE

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

RM RESTAURANT HOLDING CORP.

RM Restaurant Holding Corp. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and
existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the
“DGCL”), hereby certifies as follows:

	 	1.	 	The name of the Corporation is RM Restaurant Holding Corp. The original
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware on August 16, 2006.

	 	2.	 	This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted by
the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) by
unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting in accordance with Sections 141(f), 242
and 245 of the DGCL and by the stockholders of the Corporation by written consent in
lieu of a meeting thereof in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the DGCL, and
amends and supersedes in its entirety the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation.

	 	3.	 	The Certificate of Incorporation of this Corporation is hereby
amended, and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

NAME

The name of the corporation is RM Restaurant Holding
Corp. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE TWO 

 ADDRESS OF REGISTERED AGENT

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209
Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle 19801. The name of its
registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

 

 

ARTICLE THREE 

PURPOSE

The nature of the business or the purpose to be conducted or promoted is to engage in any
lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

ARTICLE FOUR

CAPITAL STOCK

(a) Designation
and Amount. The total number of shares of stock which the
Corporation has authority to issue is 500,000 shares, consisting of 400,000 shares of common stock,
with a par value of $.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and 100,000 shares of preferred
stock, with a par value of $.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

(i) Conversion.
Effective as of the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation
(the “Effective Time”), each one (1) share of Non-Voting Common Stock of the Corporation
issued and outstanding at such time shall automatically, without further action by the Corporation
or any holder or any person having the right to acquire such shares, be reclassified and converted
into one (1) share of voting Common Stock of the Corporation (the “Conversion”).

(ii) Reverse
Stock Split. Effective immediately after the Conversion at the
Effective Time, each one (1) share of Common Stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding at
such time shall automatically, without further action by the Corporation or any holder or any
person having the right to acquire such shares, be reclassified and converted into one hundredth
(0.01) of a share of Common Stock of the Corporation (the “Reverse Stock
Split”). No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the Reverse Stock
Split. If the Reverse Stock Split would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common
Stock, the Corporation shall, in lieu of issuing any such fractional share, issue to the holder
otherwise entitled to such fractional share the nearest whole share (with fractional shares equal
to exactly 0.5 being rounded up). Each certificate that represented shares of Common Stock of the
Corporation prior to the Reverse Stock Split shall automatically, without further action by the
Corporation or any holder or any person having the right to acquire such shares, represent the
number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Common Stock represented by such
certificate shall be reclassified and converted. Without limiting the foregoing, if any certificate
for shares of Common Stock in existence on or prior to the Effective Time is not surrendered after
the Effective Time in exchange for a new certificate representing shares of Common Stock as
reclassified and converted herein, the holder of such certificate for Common Stock shall be
entitled to that number of votes to which the holder would be entitled upon surrender of such
certificate and shall be entitled to the dividend, liquidation and other rights attributable to
shares of Common Stock to which the holder would be entitled upon surrender of such certificate, in
each case after giving effect to the reclassification and conversion effected hereby.

 

2

 

(b) Preferred
Stock. The board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is authorized, subject to the limitations prescribed by law and the provisions of
this Certificate of Incorporation, to provide for the issuance of shares of the Preferred Stock or
to provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, to establish from
time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the designations,
voting powers, preferences, rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the shares of
the Preferred Stock of each such series.

(c) Common Stock.

(i) Dividends. Subject to the terms of the Preferred Stock, the Board of
Directors may declare a dividend upon the Common Stock out of the unrestricted and unreserved
surplus of the Corporation. The holders of the Common Stock shall share ratably in any such
dividend in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by each such holder.

(ii) Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL, by this Certificate
of Incorporation or any amendments thereto or by resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors
providing for the issuance of Preferred Stock, all of the voting power of the Corporation shall be
vested in the holders of the Common Stock, and each holder of Common Stock shall have one (1) vote
for each share of Common Stock held by such holder on all matters voted upon by the stockholders.

(iii) Liquidation. Subject to the terms of the Preferred Stock, in the event of
any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, either voluntary or involuntary, the
assets and funds of the Corporation remaining available for distribution to stockholders, if any,
shall be distributed ratably among the holders of Common Stock based on the number of shares of
Common Stock held by each such holder.

ARTICLE FIVE 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(a) Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors shall consist of seven (7) members. In
the election of directors of the Corporation, each stockholder is entitled to the number of votes
that is equal to the number of shares owned by such stockholder multiplied by the number of
directors to be elected. Each stockholder may cast all of the resulting votes for a single
director, or may distribute them among the directors to be elected at the stockholder’s discretion.

(b) Restrictions. The Corporation shall not, without the prior vote or written consent
of the number of directors constituting at least seventy percent (70%) of the members of the Board
of Directors:

(i) appoint or remove the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation (which vote for this
purpose shall not include the vote of the Chief Executive Officer if he or she is then a
director);

 

3

 

(ii) conduct an initial public offering of any class of equity securities of the
Corporation or of any subsidiary;

(iii) incur indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of $5,000,000 in any one or a series
of related transactions;

(iv) guarantee the indebtedness of others in excess of $5,000,000;

(v) repurchase or redeem equity securities of the Corporation, except from employees or
consultants of the Corporation;

(vi) amend or modify the bylaws of the Corporation; or

(vii) declare or pay any dividends or make any other distributions on shares of the
Corporation’s Common Stock.

For the avoidance of doubt, if there are seven (7) members of the Board of Directors
entitled to vote, then the foregoing actions shall require the prior vote or written consent
of at least five (5) of the seven (7) members of the Board
of Directors.

(c) Additional Restrictions. The Corporation shall not, without the affirmative
vote or written consent of the holders of at least seventy percent (70%) in voting power of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting
together as a single class:

(i) effect, other than in the ordinary course of business, any sale, lease, assignment,
transfer, or other conveyance of any material assets of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries,
or any consolidation or merger involving the Corporation, or effect any transaction or series of
related transactions in which the securityholders of the Corporation own less than fifty percent
(50%) of the voting power of the surviving or continuing Corporation immediately thereafter
(provided that this provision shall be subject to and shall not limit or restrict in any
way Section 6.3 of the Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated as of
November 13, 2008, by and among the Corporation and the stockholders of the Corporation who are parties thereto (only at such times as
a such provision is then in effect));

(ii) acquire any other company or business, by merger or consolidation, purchase of
substantial assets or equity interests, or by any other manner, in a single transaction or a series
of related transactions, which constitute(s) a material transaction for the Corporation;

(iii) issue any equity or debt securities of the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries,
including creating or amending any stock option or stock purchase plan to change the number of
shares subject to such plan or adopt a new equity incentive plan;

(iv) amend or modify this Certificate of Incorporation;

(v) change the size of the Board of Directors;

 

4

 

(vi) enter into a new line of business not reasonably related to the restaurant business
or the business of manufacturing, distribution or marketing food products; or

(vii) enter into a recapitalization, liquidation, spinoff, split-up or dissolution of the
Corporation or cause the Corporation to file for protection under applicable bankruptcy laws.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment or modification of this Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the total number of shares of stock which the Corporation has authority
to issue as set forth in paragraph (a) of Article Four shall require the approval
of the Board but shall not require the approval of stockholders described in this paragraph
(c) of this Article Five, if (and only if) such increase is solely for the purpose of
complying with Section 6.2(a) of the Exchange Agreement, dated as of November 13,2008, by and among
the Corporation and the stockholders of the Corporation who are parties thereto (only at such times
as a such provision is then in effect).

(d) Committees. If the Board of Directors shall establish any committees of the Board,
each director (other than a director who is then an officer or other employee of the Corporation or
a subsidiary of the Corporation) shall have the right to serve as a member of any such committee.

(e) Termination of Provisions. Paragraphs
(b), (c) and (d) of this Article
Five shall terminate and be of no further force or effect immediately preceding the
effectiveness of the Corporation’s initial public offering.

ARTICLE SIX 

EXISTENCE

The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

ARTICLE SEVEN 

BYLAWS

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, but subject to
paragraph (b) of Article Five, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to
make, alter or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation.

 

5

 

ARTICLE EIGHT 

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, as the bylaws of
the Corporation may provide. The books of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware
at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the
bylaws of the Corporation. Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of
the Corporation so provide.

ARTICLE NINE 

INDEMNIFICATION

(a) Nature of Indemnity.  Each
person who was or is made a party or is threatened
to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (hereinafter, a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that
he or she (or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative), is or was a director or
officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director,
officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the
basis of such proceeding is an alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer,
employee, fiduciary or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer,
employee, fiduciary or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the
fullest extent which it is empowered to do so by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be
amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the
Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to
provide prior to such amendment) against all cost, expense, liability and loss (including
attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection, with such
proceeding) and such indemnification shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and
administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this
Article Nine, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in
connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by the
Board of Directors. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article Nine shall be a
contract right and, subject to paragraphs (b) and (d) of this Article Nine, shall
include the right to payment by the Corporation of the expenses incurred in defending any such
proceeding in advance of its final disposition. The Corporation may, by action of the Board of
Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same scope
and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

 

6

 

(b) Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and
Officers. Any indemnification of a
director or officer of the Corporation under paragraph (a) of this Article Nine or
advance of expenses under paragraph (d) of this Article Nine shall be made
promptly, and in any event within 30 days, upon the written request of the director or officer. If
a determination by the
Corporation that the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this
Article Nine is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty days to a
written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved the request. If the
Corporation denies a written request for indemnification or advancing of expenses, in whole or in
part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within 30 days, the right to
indemnification or advances as granted by this Article Nine shall be enforceable by the
director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such person’s costs and expenses
incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole
or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense
to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in
defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if
any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct
which make it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the
amount claimed, but the burden of such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of
the Corporation (including the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders)
to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the
claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of
conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board
of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such
applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the
claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(c) Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf
and on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the
Corporation or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any
liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or
not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this
Article Nine.

(d) Expenses. Expenses incurred by any person described in paragraph (a) of
this Article Nine in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of
such proceeding’s final disposition unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors in the
specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay
such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the
Corporation. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms
and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

(e) Employees and Agents. Persons who are not covered by the foregoing provisions of
this Article Nine and who are or were employees or agents of the Corporation, or who are or
were serving at the request of the Corporation as employees or agents of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, may be indemnified to the extent authorized
at any time or from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

7

 

(f) Contract Rights. The provisions of this Article Nine shall be deemed to be
a contract right between the Corporation and each director or officer who serves in any such
capacity at any time while this Article Nine and the relevant provisions of the DGCL or
other
applicable law are in effect, and any repeal or modification of this Article Nine or any
such law shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of
facts or proceeding then existing.

(g) Merger or Consolidation. For purposes of this Article Nine,
references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any
constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or
merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to
indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same
position under this Article Nine with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as
he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had
continued.

(h) Exculpation. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same exists
or may hereafter be amended, a director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation
or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Any repeal
or modification of this Article Nine shall not adversely affect any right or protection of
a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

(i) Nonexclusivity of Article Nine. The rights to indemnification and the
payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition
conferred in this Article Nine shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person
may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of this Certificate of Incorporation,
bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

ARTICLE TEN 

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

To the maximum extent permitted from time to time under the law of the State of Delaware, the
Corporation renounces any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an
opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from time to time presented to its
officers, directors or stockholders, other than those officers, directors or stockholders who are
employees of the Corporation. No amendment or repeal of this Article Ten shall apply to or
have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of an officer, director or stockholder of the
Corporation for or with respect to any opportunities of which such officer, director or stockholder
becomes aware prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

8

 

ARTICLE ELEVEN 

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

The Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.

ARTICLE TWELVE

AMENDMENTS

Subject to paragraph (c) of Article Five, the Corporation reserves the right
to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in
the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein or by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all
rights conferred herein are granted subject to this reservation.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

9

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been
signed on the 13th day of November, 2008, by the undersigned duly authorized officer.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	RM RESTAURANT HOLDING CORP.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Frederick F. Wolfe
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Frederick F. Wolfe  	 
	 	 	Title:  	CEO and President 	 

 

10

 

	 	 	 	 	 

Page 1 of 1

Division of Corporations - Online Services

The Secretary of State of Delaware issued a certificate for RM RESTAURANT HOLDING
CORP. whose file number is 4198165 on 11/13/2008 under request number 081113562 for
authentication number 6963909.exv10w1

Exhibit 10.1

AMENDMENT AGREEMENT TO THE INDIVIDUAL INDEFINITE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT OF APRIL 20, 2006, ENTERED
INTO BY THE PARTY OF KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN DE MÉXICO, S.A. DE C.V., REPRESENTED HEREIN BY MR.
CRISTIAN LOUSTAUNAU ARMAS, IN HIS CAPACITY AS ATTORNEY IN FACT (HEREAFTER, THE “COMPANY”),
AND BY THE PARTY OF MR. JOSÉ GUILLERMO ZOZAYA DÉLANO, OF HIS OWN FREE WILL (HEREAFTER, THE
“EXECUTIVE”, AND JOINTLY WITH THE COMPANY, HEREAFTER, THE “PARTIES”), IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE FOLLOWING ANTECEDENTS, RECITALS, AND CLAUSES (HEREAFTER, THE “AGREEMENT”):

ANTECEDENTS

SOLE. The Parties signed an Individual Indefinite Employment Contract on April 20, 2006,
(hereafter, the “Contract”), by which the Parties agreed the Executive would render their
personal services to, and subordinate of, the Company at the level and in the position of
“President and Executive Representative”, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth
therein.

RECITALS

The Parties declare:

	(a)	 	To agree to deem transcribed here the recitals chapter to the Contract, with the exception of
that stated in Recital II.f to the Contract, for which the Executive indicates his address to
be that located at Prolongación Paseo de La Reforma #2833 A-401, Lomas de Vista Hermosa,
Delegación Cuajimalpa, Mexico City, Mexico, CP 05109.
	 
	(b)	 	That the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement are integrally included in the
Contract.
	 
	(c)	 	To mutually acknowledge the capacity under which each party represents to sign this
Agreement, and the Parties acknowledge the legal force and effect of same.

The Parties acknowledge the Antecedents and Recitals preceding as true and agree to be bound
according to the following:

CLAUSES

FIRST.- The Parties agree to add a THIRTEENTH clause to the Contract, as follows:

“THIRTEENTH CLAUSE. TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF A CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDER
CONTROL.

(a) Termination of Employment without Just Cause. In the event the Company
terminates the employment of the Executive with the Company, during a period of two (2)
years following a Change in Shareholder Control (as defined in Paragraph (b) to this
Clause), by reason of any cause other than a Just Cause (as defined in Paragraph (d) to
this Clause) or the Executive terminates their employment by reason of any of the causes
indicated in Paragraph (c) to this Clause (the “Termination of Employment without
Just Cause”); and the Executive and the Company agree to the Termination of
Employment waiving the

 

 

Company of any liability related to, or resulting from, same (the “Acceptance of the
Termination of Employment”), the Company will be obliged to the Executive for:

	 	(i)	 	The severance payment to which the Executive is entitled under the terms of
Articles 48, 49, and 50 of the Federal Labor Law.
	 
	 	(ii)	 	Payment, to be made within five (5) days following that on which the
Executive has given written notice of their Acceptance of the Termination of
Employment, of an amount equal to: (A) the result of multiplying the annual gross
salary of the Executive on the Termination of Employment by two (2), less (B) the
total amount of the payments made to the Executive under the terms of section (i)
preceding; and
	 
	 	(iii)	 	Following the Termination of Employment and the Executive giving their
Acceptance of the Termination of Employment, any option to acquire, purchase, or
assign shares, restricted shares in circulation, performance shares, or other
rights of interest in the equity capital of the Company and/or any affiliate or
related entities of the Company, that were not payable on such date and to which
the Executive is entitled, will become payable and will be paid to the Executive
immediately, and any restriction or limitation inherent to same will be eliminated
and will be deemed non-existent insofar as the applicable laws and regulations so
permit.
	 
	 	(iv)	 	Granting the Executive the right to purchase the executive vehicle assigned
to the Executive at the time, in adherence of the Executive Vehicle Policy of the
Company.
	 
	 	(v)	 	The Company will transfer to the Executive all rights for the use of the
telephone line (number) corresponding to the cellular telephone assigned to the
Executive for the performing of their duties.

Any payment to be made in accordance with the terms of this clause will be subject to
deductions for taxes as required and stipulated by current legislation.

Following the Termination of Employment under the terms of this Clause, all benefits of
the Executive related to, or resulting from, any employment benefit or bonus plans
applied by the Company, including those not mentioned in this Contract, will be deemed
terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions established for such plans. The
foregoing notwithstanding, the Company will deliver and/or instruct the persons so
authorized to deliver to the Executive the resources accrued in their favor prior to the
date of the Termination of Employment, according to such employment benefit or bonus
plans.

(b) Change in Shareholder Control. For the purposes of this Clause, a “Change in
Shareholder Control” will have occurred when:

	 	(i)	 	The majority of the members of the Kansas City Southern (“KCS”) Board of
Directors are replaced over any twelve month period with board members whose election or

 

 

	 	 	 	appointment was not submitted or resolved by the majority of the members of the Board of
Directors serving immediately prior to such election or appointment; or

	 	(ii)	 	Any person or group of persons acquires capital shares of KCS representing 30% or
more of the total voting shares of KCS in circulation during the twelve months prior to
the last date of acquisition by such person or group of persons; or
	 
	 	(iii)	 	Any person or group of persons acquires KCS shares representing more than 50% of
the fair market value of the shares of KCS, or 50% of the total capital voting shares of
KCS; or
	 
	 	(iii)	 	Any person or group of persons acquires KCS assets representing more than 40% of
the gross fair market value of the total gross fair market value of the assets of KCS
during the twelve months prior to the last date of acquisition by such person or business
group; or
	 
	 	(iv)	 	Any individual person or legal entity or any group of persons other than KCS or its
affiliates, subsidiaries, or related entities (the “KCS Group”), directly or
indirectly acquires ownership of more than 50% of the capital shares of KCSM; or
	 
	 	(v)	 	Any individual person or legal entity or any group of persons other than the KCS
Group acquires KCSM assets representing a gross fair market value of more than 51% of the
total gross fair market price for all KCSM assets immediately prior to such acquisition;
or
	 
	 	(vi)	 	The majority of the members of the Company Board of Directors is replaced with
board members whose appointment or election has not been approved by the entities of the
KCS Group that are shareholders in the Company.

(c) Unjust Causes. For the purposes of this Contract, “Unjust Causes” or “without Just
Cause” will mean, without affecting other just causes for the termination of the employment of
the Executive as provided for by the Federal Labor Law:

	 	(i)	 	A significant reduction or other significant negative change in the
responsibilities, powers, or duties of the Executive;
	 
	 	(ii)	 	A reduction of the remunerations of the Executive;
	 
	 	(iii)	 	The Company requires the Executive to perform their regular duties from any office
or site located more than sixty (60) kilometers from the place where the Executive had
performed their duties prior to receiving such order; or
	 
	 	(iv)	 	Any other action or omission on the part of the Company that would constitute a
breach of this Contract or a violation of the Federal Labor Law.

The Executive will be entitled to the Termination of Employment without Just Cause as referred
to in section (a) to this Clause only when: (A) The Executive delivers written notice to the
Company within ninety (90) days of the initial occurrence of any Unjust Cause, describing same
in detail and providing statement that the employment of the Executive will conclude on the
date indicated in the notice (the “Date of Termination for Unjust Cause”), which will
not be less than thirty (30) calendar days or more than ninety (90) ninety [sic] calendar days
following the date on which such

 

 

notice is delivered to the Company, and (B) the Company does not resolve the Unjust Cause
prior to the Date of Termination for Unjust Cause.

(d) Termination with Cause. Any other provision to the contrary set forth in this
Contract notwithstanding, the Company may terminate the Employment of the Executive with Cause
at any time following the date of a Change in Shareholder Control. For the purposes of this
Contract, “Just Cause” or “with Cause” means the rescission of employment at no liability to
the employer as provided for by the Federal Labor Law, including the commission of any
criminal offense or the failure of the Executive to comply with their respective obligations
while performing their duties. The following are not considered Just Causes and therefore will
not be deemed as such:

	 	(i)	 	Any act or omission on the part of the Executive, which the Executive, in good
faith, has determined to be in the interests, or not against the interests, of the
Company (without the intention of the Executive being to directly or indirectly obtain a
benefit to which the Executive is not legally entitled) and,
	 
	 	(ii)	 	Any act or omission for which the Executive has delivered a Notice of Termination
of Employment more than twelve (12) months after the date on which the Company learns of
the act or omission in question.

SECOND.- The term of this Agreement will commence on the date of its signing and will conclude on
the termination date of the Contract. The foregoing notwithstanding, the parties expressly agree
that the effects of this Agreement will be retroactive to April 20, 2006.

THIRD.- With the exception of the amendments set forth in this Agreement, the Contract will remain
in effect under the same terms and conditions as originally agreed, except for the salary increases
the Executive may have received from the Company over the course of time without amendment of the
Contract.

FOURTH.- The Parties declare their agreement that this Agreement may be signed one or more
counterparts, jointly or separate, in the Mexican Republic or abroad, without such circumstance
affecting the force and effect of this Agreement in any manner.

FIFTH.- The Parties agree that the current laws in effect in Mexico City, Mexico will be applicable
for the interpretation of and compliance with this Agreement, and irrevocably submit to the
jurisdiction of the corresponding courts of Mexico City, Mexico, waiving any other jurisdiction
that may be invoked by reason of present or future residence, or by any other reason.

The Parties sign this Agreement in duplicate, each Party retaining one original copy, expressing
their full agreement and declaring that after having read same, the Parties acknowledge the legal
force and effect of this Agreement, in Mexico City, Mexico on the 27th day of the month of May,
2009.

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	“The Company”
	 	 	 	“The Executive”	 	 
	Kansas City Southern de México,	 	 	 	 	 	 
	S.A. de C.V.	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Cristian Loustaunau Armas
	 	 	 	/s/ Jose Guillermo Zozaya Delano	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 

	 	 
	Cristian Loustaunau Armas 

Attorney in Fact
	 	 	 	José Guillermo Zozaya Délano

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