Document:

Perdue Employment Agreement

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), effective as of April 2, 2003, the date Employee commences services for the Company (“Effective Date”), is made and entered into by and between DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION (the “Company”) and David A. Perdue (“Employee”). 

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Employee upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, and Employee desires to accept such employment;

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

Employment Terms

1.

Employment.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to employ Employee as Chief Executive Officer.

2.

Term.  The term of this Agreement shall be until March 31, 2007 (“Term”), unless otherwise terminated pursuant to Paragraphs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 hereof.

3.

Position, Duties and Administrative Support.

a.

Position.  Employee shall serve as Chief Executive Officer and as such will also serve as an employee Director on the Board of Directors of the Company.  Employee shall report to the Board of Directors and perform such duties and responsibilities as may be prescribed from time-to-time by the Board of Directors, which shall be consistent with the responsibilities of similarly situated executives of comparable companies in similar lines of business.

b.

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

c.

Administrative Support.  Employee shall be provided with office space and administrative support commensurate with his position as Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

d.

No Interference With Duties.  Employee shall not devote time to other activities which would inhibit or otherwise interfere with the proper performance of his duties, and shall not be directly or indirectly concerned or interested in any other occupation, activity or interest in any business whatsoever other than by reason of holding an interest as a minority shareholder, securities or debenture holder in a corporation quoted on a nationally recognized exchange provided, however, that it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Employee to (i) devote reasonable periods of time to charitable and community activities and industry or professional activities, (ii) to serve on the board of directors of one active for-profit company other than the Company during the first two years of the Term and, thereafter, to serve on the boards of directors of up to two active for-profit companies other than the Company; provided, however, that in its sole discretion the Board of Directors of the Company may permit Employee to serve on additional boards as it may determine from time to time, and/or (iii) manage personal business interests and investments, so long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of Employee’s responsibilities under this Agreement.

4.

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

5.

Compensation and Benefits.

a.

Base Salary.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall pay Employee, and Employee shall accept, an annual salary (“Base Salary”) in the amount of Nine Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($900,000.00).  The Base Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and may be increased from time to time at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company.

b.

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

(i)

Incentive Bonus.  Employee’s incentive compensation for the Term of this Agreement shall be determined under the Company’s bonus program for executives established by the Board of Directors of the Company in its discretion.  For the 2003 fiscal year, Employee shall receive a bonus equal to at least 50% of his Base Salary and is eligible to receive his target bonus of 80% of Base Salary up to a maximum payout of 160% of Base Salary.  For the period of the Term after fiscal year 2003, Employee’s annual target bonus shall be 80% of his Base Salary with an opportunity to achieve a bonus payout of up to 160% of Base Salary.  The actual bonus paid pursuant to this Paragraph 5(b)(i) shall be based on performance criteria established by the Board of Directors of the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions of the bonus program for executives.

(ii)

Stock Options.  The Company shall grant to Employee on the Effective Date under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, or any successor plan thereof five hundred thousand (500,000) non-qualified stock options to purchase Company stock (the “Initial Options”).  In addition, as an inducement to accept employment with the Company, the Company shall grant on the Effective Date and pursuant to resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company another five hundred thousand (500,000) non-qualified stock options to purchase Company stock (the “Inducement Grant”).  All options granted pursuant to this Paragraph 5(b)(ii) shall have a term of ten years and pursuant to the terms of grant agreements shall generally vest based on a schedule of three hundred thirty-three thousand three hundred thirty-three (333,333) shares, three hundred thirty-three thousand three hundred thirty-three (333,333) shares and three hundred thirty-three thousand three hundred thirty-four (333,334) shares respectively on each successive annual anniversary of the date of grant.  No later than the first anniversary of the Effective Date, the Company shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-8 covering the options in the Inducement Grant.  Except as otherwise provided herein, all unvested options shall be forfeited upon Employee’s termination prior to any respective anniversary date unless the Company and Employee otherwise agree in writing.  Employee shall not be eligible to receive another grant of options until the Board of Directors meeting during the Company’s 2006 fiscal year in which options are regularly granted to employees under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, or any successor plan thereof, unless the Board of Directors of the Company determines otherwise in its sole discretion.

(iii)

Signing Bonus.

(A)

Restricted Stock.  The Company shall grant to Employee on the Effective Date pursuant to resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company that number of shares of restricted common stock of the Company having a fair market value equal to $1,000,000, determined by reference to the closing price of such stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange as of the day of grant.  Subject to the following sentence, such restricted stock shall vest ratably over five (5) years (i.e. 20% per year) as of each successive annual anniversary of the date of grant.  No later than the first anniversary of the Effective Date, the Company shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-8 covering the restricted stock granted pursuant to this paragraph 5(b)(iii)(A).  Except as otherwise provided herein, all unvested restricted stock shall be forfeited upon Employee’s termination of employment with the Company prior to any respective anniversary date unless the Company and Employee otherwise agree in writing.  

(B)

Cash.  Within ten (10) business days, the Company shall pay to Employee on the Effective Date of this Agreement Two Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars and No/100 ($270,000.00).  

(iv)

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.  In lieu of participation in the Company’s supplemental executive retirement plan for key employees, the Company shall enter into an individual arrangement with Employee providing a mutually agreeable SERP benefit (“SERP”).  Such SERP shall provide benefits consistent with the formula and other terms outlined on Exhibit A to this Agreement.

c.

Welfare Benefit Plans.  During the Term, Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents shall be eligible for participation in, and shall receive all benefits under, the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) (“Welfare Plans”) to the extent applicable generally to Peer Employees.  Without limiting the foregoing, Employee shall be provided with life insurance which in the aggregate provides a death benefit of not less than two and one-half (2.5) times his Base Salary.

d.

Vacation.  Upon Employee’s employment date and each annual anniversary thereafter through the Term, Employee shall be granted four (4) weeks’ paid vacation.  Any granted but unused vacation as of an annual anniversary date shall be forfeited as of such applicable date.

e.

Business Expenses.  Employee shall be reimbursed for all reasonable business expenses incurred in carrying out the work hereunder. Employee shall follow the Company’s expense procedures that generally apply to other Company employees in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company to the extent applicable generally to Peer Employees.  

f.

Perquisites.  Employee shall be entitled to receive such executive perquisites, fringe and other benefits as are provided to the senior most executives and their families under any of the Company’s plans and/or programs in effect from time to time and such other benefits as are customarily available to executives of the Company and their families.  Perquisites shall include up to thirty (30) hours annually of personal use of the Company plane provided that Employee shall reimburse the Company for such use pursuant to the Company’s Aircraft Lease Agreement.

g.

Moving Expenses.  The Company will reimburse Employee for reasonable and customary moving expenses directly related to Employee's relocation from Sudbury, Massachusetts to the Nashville, Tennessee area in accordance with the terms of the Company’s relocation policy.

h.

Accounting and Legal Fees.  Within, ten (10) days following receipt of appropriate written documentation, the Company will reimburse Employee up to $20,000 for reasonable and customary accounting and legal fees and expenses incurred by Employee with respect to the negotiation and execution of this Agreement.  

6.

Termination for Cause.  This Agreement may be terminated immediately at any time by the Company without any liability owing to Employee or Employee’s beneficiaries under this Agreement, except Base Salary through the date of termination and benefits under any plan or agreement covering Employee which shall be governed by the terms of such plan or agreement, under the following conditions, each of which shall constitute “Cause” or “Termination for Cause”:

a.

Any act by Employee involving fraud and any breach by Employee of applicable regulations of competent authorities in relation to trading or dealing with stocks, securities, investments and the like or any act by Employee resulting in an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission which, in each case, the Board of Directors determines in its sole and absolute discretion materially adversely affects the Company or Employee’s ability to perform his duties under this Agreement;

b.

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

c.

Assault or other act of violence against any employee of the Company or other person during the course of his employment;

d.

Conviction of any felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

e.

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

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

7.

Termination Upon Death.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall terminate immediately upon Employee’s death, and the Company shall have no further liability to Employee or his beneficiaries under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations (as defined in Paragraph 10(a)(i)) and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits (as defined in Paragraph 10(e)), including without limitation benefits under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as are applicable to Employee on the date of his death.  In addition, upon Employee’s death during the Term, all of Employee’s stock options, restricted shares and other incentive awards from the Company shall vest and become fully exercisable, any such options or other rights in the nature of awards that may be exercised shall remain exercisable for one year from the date of death or the earlier expiration date of such award.

8.

Disability.  If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of Employee has occurred during the Term (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to Employee written notice of its intention to terminate Employee’s employment.  In such event, Employee’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such written notice by Employee (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, Employee shall not have returned to full-time performance of Employee’s duties.  If Employee’s employment is terminated by reason of his Disability, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to Employee, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations (as defined in Paragraph 10(a)(i)) and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits (as defined in Paragraph 10(e)), including without limitation benefits under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability benefits, if any, as are applicable to Employee on the Disability Effective Date.  In addition, upon Employee’s Disability during the Term:

a.

All of Employee’s stock options, restricted shares and other incentive awards from the Company shall vest and become fully exercisable, any such options or other rights in the nature of awards that may be exercised shall remain exercisable for three years from the Disability Effective Date or the earlier expiration date of such award, and

b.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee will be treated for purposes of the SERP as though the Employee continued employment with the Company during the period of Disability until such time as the Employee is entitled the full 25% benefit under the SERP and such SERP benefit is payable on an unreduced basis.  For purposes of calculating his Final Average Compensation under the SERP, Employee’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of termination shall be used as his Base Salary for such additional years of credited service, and Employee’s Applicable Annual Bonus (as defined in Paragraph 10(a)(ii) below) shall be used as his annual incentive bonus for such additional years of credited service.

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

9.

Employee’s Termination of Employment.  Employee’s employment may be terminated at any time by Employee for Good Reason or no reason.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:

a.

Without the written consent of Employee, the assignment to Employee of any duties inconsistent in any material respect with Employee’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as in effect on the Effective Date, or any other action by the Company which results in a demonstrable diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities (including without limitation a continuing shift of material responsibility from the Chief Executive Officer position to the Chairman position if Employee does not serve in both capacities), excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by Employee;

b.

A reduction by the Company in Employee’s Base Salary or target bonus level as in effect on the Effective Date or as the same may be increased from time to time;

c.

The failure by the Company to continue in effect any “pension plan or arrangement” or any “compensation plan or arrangement” in which Employee participates or the elimination of Employee’s participation in any such plan (except for across-the-board plan changes or terminations similarly affecting at least ninety-five percent (95%) of all executive employees of the Company, provided, however, that it is agreed that the SERP provided for in Paragraph 5(b)(iv) is not subject to this exception); 

d.

The Company’s requiring Employee, without his consent, to be based at any office or location other than in metropolitan Nashville, Tennessee; 

e.

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

f.

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

Good Reason shall not include Employee’s death or Disability.  Employee’s continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any circumstance constituting Good Reason hereunder, provided that Employee raises to the attention of the Board of Directors of the Company any circumstance he believes in good faith constitutes Good Reason within ninety (90) days after occurrence or be foreclosed from raising such circumstance thereafter.  The Company shall have an opportunity to cure any claimed event of Good Reason (other than under subparagraph (f) above) within 30 days of notice from Employee.  

If Employee terminates his employment for Good Reason, upon the execution and effectiveness of the Release attached hereto and made a part hereof (the “Release”), he shall be entitled to the same benefits he would be entitled to under Paragraph 10 if Terminated without Cause or Paragraph 11 if terminated after a Change in Control, but not both, as applicable.  If Employee terminates his employment without Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to Employee, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations (as defined in Paragraph 10(a)(i)) and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits (as defined in Paragraph 10(e)).

10.

Termination without Cause.  If Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause prior to the expiration of the Term (it being understood by the parties that termination by death, Disability or expiration of this Agreement shall not constitute termination without Cause), then Employee shall be entitled to the following benefits upon the execution and effectiveness of the Release; provided, however, that Employee shall not be entitled to payments under this Paragraph 10 if he is entitled to payments under Paragraph 11:

a.

The Company shall pay to Employee commencing after the later of the date of termination or the execution and effectiveness of the Release, the aggregate of the following amounts:

(i)

in a lump sum in cash within 30 days, the sum of (A) Employee’s Base Salary through the date of termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (B) any accrued expenses and vacation pay to the extent not theretofore paid, and (C) unless Employee has elected a different payout date in a prior deferral election, any compensation previously deferred by Employee (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in subparagraphs (A), (B) and (C) shall be referred to in this Agreement as the “Accrued Obligations”);

(ii)

in installment ratably over twenty-four (24) months in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll cycle and procedures, the amount equal to the two and one-half (2.5) times the sum of (A) Employee’s annual Base Salary in effect as of the date of termination, and (B) Employee’s Applicable Annual Bonus (as defined below).  For purposes of this Agreement, “Applicable Annual Bonus” means the greater of Employee’s actual annual incentive bonus from the Company earned in the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which Employee’s termination date falls or Employee’s target annual incentive bonus (i.e., 80% of Base Salary) for the year in which Employee’s termination date falls; and

(iii)  With respect to Paragraph 10(a)(ii), the Company may, at any time and in its sole discretion, make a lump sum payment of all amounts, or all remaining amounts, due to Employee; and

b.

Employee’s stock options and restricted shares granted pursuant to Paragraphs 5(b)(ii) and 5(b)(iii) respectively shall fully vest and shall remain exercisable as  provided in the applicable agreement evidencing such awards; and

c.

Employee will be treated for purposes of the SERP as having five (5) additional years of continuous service with the Company as determined by the SERP service formula set forth in Exhibit A of this Agreement.  For purposes of calculating his Final Average Compensation under the SERP, Employee’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of termination shall be used as his Base Salary for such additional years of credited service, and Employee’s Applicable Annual Bonus (as defined in Paragraph 10(a)(ii) above) shall be used as his annual incentive bonus for such additional years of credited service; and

d.

For thirty (30) months after Employee’s date of termination, the Company shall pay the premium for Employee’s participation in the Company’s retiree medical plan in accordance with his elected coverage in place at the time of termination of employment; provided, however, that if the Company’s retiree medical insurance benefits in effect as of Employee’s date of termination are materially less favorable to Employee than the Company’s retiree medical benefits as in effect on the Effective Date, the Company shall, at the request of Employee, pay for or provide medical benefits to Employee no less favorable than the Company’s retiree medical benefits in effect as of the Effective Date; and provided, further, that if Employee becomes re-employed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility.  If such payment of premiums by the Company is taxable to Employee, the Company shall make an additional payment to Employee equal to local, state and federal taxes owed on such premium payments; and

e.

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

11.

Change in Control.

a.

Defined Terms.

(i)

“Beneficial Ownership” shall mean beneficial ownership within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

(ii)

“Business Combination” shall mean a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

(iii)

“Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:

(A)

The Consummation of an acquisition after which any Person shall have Beneficial Ownership of 35% or more of the Voting Securities of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of the preceding sentence, the following acquisitions of Voting Securities of the Company shall not constitute a Change in Control: 

1.

ownership or an acquisition by Cal Turner, James Stephen Turner or a member or members of his or their immediate family or any trust, partnership, foundation or similar entity for the exclusive benefit of any such persons (collectively, the “Turner Family Interests”);

2.

any acquisition directly from the Company; 

3.

any acquisition by the Company or an affiliate which the Company Controls; 

4.

any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company; 

5.

any acquisition by a qualified pension plan or publicly held mutual fund;

6.

any acquisition by the Employee or a Group that includes the Employee; or 

7.

any Business Combination which would not otherwise constitute a Change in Control because of the application of clauses (1), (2) and (3) of Paragraph 11(a)(iii)(C).

(B)

A change in the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company whereby individuals who constitute the Incumbent Board cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors; or

(C)

Consummation of a Business Combination, unless, immediately following such Business Combination, all of the following three conditions are met:  

(1)

all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who held Beneficial Ownership, respectively, of the Voting Securities of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 65% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Securities of the corporation surviving or resulting from such Business Combination, (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction holds Beneficial Ownership of all or substantially all of the Voting Securities of the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets) (such surviving or resulting corporation to be referred to as “Surviving Company”), in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Voting Securities of the Company;

(2)

no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination, the Turner Family Interests, any qualified pension plan, a publicly held mutual fund, the Employee or a Group including the Employee, or an employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or Surviving Company) holds Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, of 35% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Securities of Surviving Company except to the extent that such ownership existed immediately prior to the Business Combination; and 

(3)

at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving Company were members of the Incumbent Board at the earlier of the date of execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board of Directors of the Company, providing for such Business Combination.

(iv)

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(v)

“Consummation” shall mean the completion of the final act necessary to complete a transaction as a matter of law, including, but not limited to, any required approvals by the corporation’s shareholders and board of directors, the transfer of legal and beneficial title to securities or assets and the final approval of the transaction by any applicable domestic or foreign governments or governmental agencies.

(vi)

“Control” shall mean, in the case of a corporation, Beneficial Ownership of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the corporation’s Voting Securities, or in the case of any other entity, Beneficial Ownership of more than 50% of such entity’s voting equity interests.

(vii)

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(viii)

“Group” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act.

(ix)

“Incumbent Board” shall mean those individuals who constitute the Board of Directors of the Company as of the Effective Date of this Agreement plus any individual who shall become a director subsequent to such date whose election or nomination for election by the shareholders was approved by a vote of at least 75% of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no individual who shall become a director of the Board of Directors of the Company subsequent to the Effective Date whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest (within the meaning of Rule 14a-11 of the Regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act) with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board of Directors shall be a member of the Incumbent Board.

(x)

“Person” shall mean any individual, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of Exchange Act.

(xi)

“Voting Securities” shall mean the outstanding voting securities of a company entitling the holder thereof to vote generally in the election of such company’s directors.

b.

Eligibility.  Except as otherwise provided herein, if Employee is involuntarily terminated by the Company at any time during the two year period following a Change in Control for reasons other than Cause or he shall voluntarily terminate his employment with the Company for Good Reason as defined in Paragraph 9 at any time during the two year period following a Change in Control, Employee shall be entitled to receive the benefits described in this Paragraph 11.

c.

Benefits.  Subject to the execution and effectiveness of the Release, Employee shall be entitled to receive the following benefits:

(i)

The Company shall pay to Employee, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the later of the date of termination or the execution and effectiveness of the Release, the aggregate of the following amounts:

(A)

the Accrued Obligations (as defined in Paragraph 10(a)(i)); and

(B)

the amount equal to three (3) times the sum of (x) Employee’s annual Base Salary as in effect as of the date of termination or, if higher, as of the date immediately preceding the Change in Control, and (y) Employee’s Applicable Annual Bonus (as defined in Paragraph 10(a)(ii)); and

(ii)

All of Employee’s stock options, restricted shares and other incentive awards from the Company shall fully vest and shall remain exercisable in accordance with the terms of the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, or any successor plan thereof whether or not granted under such plan; and

(iii)

Employee will be treated for purposes of the SERP as having five (5) additional years of continuous service with the Company as determined by the SERP service formula set forth in Exhibit A of this Agreement.  For purposes of calculating his Final Average Compensation under the SERP, Employee’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of termination or, if higher, as of the date immediately preceding the Change in Control, shall be used as his Base Salary for such additional years of credited service, and Employee’s Applicable Annual Bonus (as defined in Paragraph 10(a)(ii) above) shall be used as his annual incentive bonus for such additional years of credited service; and

(iv)

For thirty-six (36) months after Employee’s date of termination the Company shall pay the premium for Employee’s participation in the Company’s retiree medical plan in accordance with his elected coverage in place at the time of termination of employment; provided, however, that if the Company’s retiree medical insurance benefits in effect as of Employee’s date of termination are materially less favorable to Employee than the Company’s retiree medical benefits as in effect on the Effective Date, the Company shall, at the request of Employee, pay for or provide medical benefits to Employee no less favorable than the Company’s retiree medical benefits in effect as the Effective Date; and provided, further, that if Employee becomes re-employed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility.  If such payment of premiums by the Company is taxable to Employee, the Company shall make an additional payment to Employee equal to local, state and federal taxes owed on such premium payments; and  

(v)

To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to Employee any Other Benefits (as defined in Paragraph 10(e)).

12.

Excise Tax Gross-Up.

a.

Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined as provided below that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Paragraph 12) (a “Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by Employee with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by Employee of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.  

b.

All determinations required to be made under this Paragraph 12, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be used in arriving at such determination, shall be made by the tax department of an independent public accounting firm (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall be engaged by the Company prior to the time of the first Payment to Employee.  The Accounting Firm selected shall not be serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control. The Accounting Firm shall prepare and provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Employee within 15 business days of the later of (i) the Accounting Firm’s engagement to make the required calculations or (ii) the date the Accounting Firm obtains all information needed to make the required calculation.  Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Employee.  All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.

c.

Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Paragraph 12, shall be paid by the Company to Employee within five (5) days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination if the Payment is then required to satisfy an assessment or other current demand for payment made of the Employee by federal or state taxing authorities.  Gross-Up Payments due at a later date shall be paid to the Employee no later than fourteen days prior to the date that the Employee’s federal or state payment is due.  If required by law, the Company shall treat all or any portion of the Gross-Up Payment as being subject to income tax withholding for federal or state tax purposes.  Amounts determined by the Company to be subject to federal or state tax withholding will not be paid directly to Employee but shall be timely paid to the respective taxing authority.

d.

As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder.  In the event that Employee hereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee.  Conversely, if it is later determined that the actual required Gross-Up Payment was less than the amount paid to the Employee, the Employee shall refund the excess portion to the Company but only to the extent that the Employee has not yet paid the excess amount to the taxing authorities or is able to obtain a refund from the respective taxing authorities of amounts previously paid.  The Company may pursue at its own expense the refund on behalf of the Employee.

13.

Costs of Enforcement.  In any action taken in good faith relating to the enforcement of this Agreement or any provision herein, subject to the aggregate limit below, Employee shall be entitled to be paid any and all costs and expenses incurred by him in enforcing or establishing his rights thereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, whether suit be brought or not, and whether or not incurred in trial, bankruptcy or appellate proceedings.  Subject to the aggregate limit below, Employee shall also be entitled to be paid all reasonable legal fees and expenses, if any, incurred in connection with any tax audit or proceeding to the extent attributable to the application of Paragraph 4999 of the Code to any payment or benefit hereunder.  The Company’s aggregate limit to pay costs under this Paragraph 13 is Fifty Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($50,000).  Such payments, if any, shall be made within five (5) business days after delivery of Employee’s respective written requests for payment accompanied with such evidence of fees and expenses incurred as the Company reasonably may require.

14.

Publicity; No Disparaging Statement.  Employee and the Company covenant and agree that they shall not engage in any communi­cations which shall disparage one another or interfere with their existing or prospective business relationships. 

15.

Business Protection Provision Definitions.

a.

Preamble.  As a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, and its recognition of the valuable experience, knowledge and proprietary information Employee gained from his employment with the Company, Employee warrants and agrees he will abide by and adhere to the following business protection provisions in Paragraphs 15, 16, 17 and 18 herein.  In the event that there is a breach of any of such business protection provisions or other provisions of this Agreement, any unpaid amounts, for example those provided under Paragraph 10(a)(ii), shall be forfeited.  

b.

Definitions.  For purposes of Paragraphs 15, 16, 17 and 18 herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(i)

“Competitive Position” shall mean any employment, consulting, advisory, directorship, agency, promotional or independent contractor arrangement between the Employee and any person or Entity engaged wholly or in material part in the discount “dollar” retail business in which the Company is engaged including but not limited to such other similar businesses as Family Dollar Stores, Fred’s, the 99 Cents Store and Dollar Tree Stores whereby Employee is required to or does perform services on behalf of or for the benefit of such person or Entity which are substantially similar to the services Employee participated in or directed while employed by the Company or any of its affiliates (collectively the “DG Entities”).

(ii)

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

(iii)

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

(iv)

“Restricted Period” shall mean two (2) years following Employee’s termination date.  

(v)

“Territory” shall include those states in which the Company maintains stores at the time of termination.

(vi)

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

(vii)

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

16.

Nondisclosure:  Ownership of Proprietary Property.

a.

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

b.

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

c.

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

17.

Non-Interference With Employees.  Employee covenants and agrees that during the Restricted Period he will not, either directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other person or Entity:  (a) actively recruit, solicit, attempt to solicit, or induce any person who, during such Restricted Period, or within one year prior to Employee’s termination date, was an exempt employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or was an officer of any of the other DG Entities to leave or cease such employment for any reason whatsoever; or (b) hire or engage the services of any such person described in Paragraph 17(a) above in any business substantially similar or competitive with that in which the DG Entities were engaged during his employment.

18.

Non-Interference With Business.

a.

Employee and Company expressly covenant and agree that the scope, territorial, time and other restrictions contained in this entire Agreement constitute the most reasonable and equitable restrictions possible to protect the business interest of the Company given: (i) the business of the Company; (ii) the competitive nature of the Company’s industry; and (iii) that Employee’s skills are such that he could easily find alternative, commensurate employment or consulting work in his field which would not violate any of the provisions of this Agreement.  Employee further acknowledges that the payments described in Paragraphs 5, 10 and 11 are also in consideration of his covenants and agreements contained in Paragraphs 15 through 18 hereof.  

b.

Employee covenants and agrees to not obtain or work in a Competitive Position within the Territory for a period of two (2) years from his termination date. 

19.

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

20.

General Provisions.

a.

Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a writing signed by both of the parties hereto.

b.

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

c.

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

d.

Unsecured General Creditor.  The Company shall neither reserve nor speci­fically set aside funds for the payment of its obligations under this Agreement, and such obligations shall be paid solely from the general assets of the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to ensure the payment of the severance benefits provided for in Paragraph 11(c)(i) of this Agreement, immediately following the commencement of any action by a third party with the aim of effecting a Change in Control of the Company, or the publicly-announced threat by a third party to commence any such action, the Company shall establish an irrevocable standby Letter of Credit issued by a national bank in favor of Employee in the amount of the severance payment that would have been paid to Employee under Paragraph 11(c)(i) if the date of termination had occurred on the date of commencement, or publicly-announced threat of commencement, of such action by the third party.  Such Letter of Credit shall provide that the issuer thereof, subject only to Employee’s written certification to such issuer that Employee is entitled to payment of the severance benefits pursuant to Paragraph 11(c)(i) of this Agreement and that the Company shall have failed to make payment of such benefits to Employee, shall have the unconditional obligation to pay the amount of such Letter of Credit to Employee in a lump sum on the first day of the month following the receipt of Employee’s notice.  In the event that subsequent to payment to Employee pursuant to such Letter of Credit (i) the Company and Employee shall mutually agree that Employee shall not have been entitled to payment of the severance benefits pursuant to Paragraph 11(c)(i) of this Agreement or (ii) a court of competent jurisdiction shall finally adjudge Employee not to have been entitled to payment of such severance benefits and such judgment shall have been affirmed on appeal or shall not have been appealed within any time period specified for the filing of an appeal, Employee shall promptly pay to the Company the total amount previously paid to Employee by the issuer of such Letter of Credit and no further payment shall be made to Employee pursuant to such Letter of Credit.

e.

No Effect On Other Arrangements.  It is expressly understood and agreed that the payments made in accordance with this Agreement are in addition to any other benefits or compensation to which Employee may be entitled or for which he may be eligible, whether funded or unfunded, by reason of his employment with the Company.

f.

Tax Withholding.  There shall be deducted from each payment under this Agreement the amount of any tax required by any govern­mental authority to be withheld and paid over by the Company to such governmental authority for the account of Employee.

g.

Notices.

(i)

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

If to Company to:

Dollar General Corporation

Attn:  General Counsel’s Office

1 Mission Ridge

Goodlettsville, TN  37072-2171

Facsimile:  (615) 855-5180

If to Employee to:

David A. Perdue

314 Whitworth Way

Nashville, TN  37205

(ii)

All notices sent under this Agreement shall be deemed given twenty-four (24) hours after sent by facsimile or courier, seventy-two (72) hours after sent by certified or registered mail and when delivered if personal delivery.

(iii)

Either party hereto may change the address to which notice is to be sent hereunder by written notice to the other party in accordance with the provisions of this Paragraph.

h.

Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee (without giving effect to conflict of laws).

i.

Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the full and complete understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein and this Agreement supersedes and replaces any prior agreement, either oral or written, which Employee may have with Company that relates generally to the same subject matter.

j.

Assignment.  This Agreement may not be assigned by Employee without the prior written consent of Company, and any attempted assignment not in accordance herewith shall be null and void and of no force or effect.

k.

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

l.

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

m.

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

n.

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

(Signatures on following page)

#

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or caused their duly authorized representative to execute, this Agreement as of this 2nd day of April, 2003.

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION

By: /s/ Melissa J. Buffington____________________

Its: Senior V.P., H.R. and Strategic Planning_______

“EMPLOYEE”

/s/ David A. Perdue__________________________

David A. Perdue

Witnessed By:

 /s/ S. Lanigan__________________

#

Addendum to Employment

Agreement with David A. Perdue

RELEASE AGREEMENT

THIS RELEASE (“Release”) is made and entered into by and between David A. Perdue (“Employee”) and DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION, and its successor or assigns (“Company”).

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

WHEREAS, Employee and the Company have previously entered into that certain Employment Agreement, dated April 2, 2003 (“Agreement”), and this Release is incorporated therein by reference;

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

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

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

1.

Claims Released Under This Agreement

In exchange for receiving the severance benefits described in Paragraph 10 or 11 of the Agreement and except as provided in Paragraph 2 below, Employee hereby voluntarily and irrevocably waives, releases, dismisses with prejudice, and withdraws all claims, complaints, suits or demands of any kind whatsoever (whether known or unknown) which Employee ever had, may have, or now has against Company and other current or former subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company and their past, present and future officers, directors, employees, agents, insurers and attorneys (collectively, the “Releasees”), arising out of or relating to (directly or indirectly) Employee’s employment or the termination of his employment with the Company, including but not limited to:

(a)

claims for violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the National Labor Relations Act, the Labor Management Relations Act, Executive Order 11246, Executive Order 11141, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act;

(b)

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

(c)

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

(d)

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

(e)

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

2.

Claims Not Released Under This Agreement

In signing this Release, Employee is not releasing any claims that may arise under the terms of the Agreement, that enforce his rights under the Agreement, that arise out of events occurring after the date Employee executes this Release, that arise under any written non-employment related contractual obligations between the Company or its affiliates and Employee which have not terminated as of the execution date of this Release by their express terms, that arise under a policy or policies of insurance (including director and officer liability insurance) maintained by the Company or its affiliates on behalf of Employee, or that relate to any indemnification obligations to Employee under the Company’s bylaws, certificate of incorporation, Tennessee law or otherwise.  However, Employee understands and acknowledges that nothing herein is intended to or shall be construed to require the Company to institute or continue in effect any particular plan or benefit sponsored by the Company and the Company hereby reserves the right to amend or terminate any of its benefit programs at any time in accordance with the procedures set forth in such plans.  

Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit Employee from engaging in protected activities under applicable law or from communicating, either voluntarily or otherwise, with any governmental agency concerning any potential violation of the law.

  

3.

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

4.

Compensation.  In accordance with the Agreement, the Company agrees to pay Employee, or if he becomes eligible for payments under Paragraph 10 or 11 but dies before receipt thereof, his spouse or his estate, as the case may be, the amount provided in Paragraph 10 or 11 of the Agreement.

5.

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

6.

Voluntary Execution. Employee warrants, represents and agrees that he has been encouraged in writing to seek advice from anyone of his choosing regarding this Release, including his attorney and accountant or tax advisor prior to his signing it; that this Release represents written notice to do so; that he has been given the opportunity and sufficient time to seek such advice; and that he fully understands the meaning and contents of this Release. He further represents and warrants that he was not coerced, threatened or otherwise forced to sign this Release, and that his signature appearing hereinafter is voluntary and genuine. EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS THAT HE MAY TAKE UP TO TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS TO CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT HE DESIRES TO ENTER INTO THIS RELEASE.  

7.

Ability to Revoke Agreement.  EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS THAT HE MAY REVOKE THIS RELEASE BY NOTIFYING THE COMPANY IN WRITING OF SUCH REVOCATION WITHIN SEVEN (7) DAYS OF HIS EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE AND THAT THIS RELEASE IS NOT EFFECTIVE UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF SUCH SEVEN (7) DAY PERIOD.  HE UNDERSTANDS THAT UPON THE EXPIRATION OF SUCH SEVEN (7) DAY PERIOD THIS RELEASE WILL BE BINDING UPON HIM AND HIS HEIRS, ADMINISTRATORS, REPRESENTATIVES, EXECUTORS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS AND WILL BE IRREVOCABLE.

#

Acknowledged and Agreed To:

“COMPANY”

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION

By:

______________________________

Its:

______________________________

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

“EMPLOYEE”

_________________________

_____________________________________

Date

David A. Perdue

WITNESSED BY:

_________________________

_________________________

Date

#Perdue SERP

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

FOR DAVID A. PERDUE

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

FOR DAVID A. PERDUE

CONTENTS

DEFINITIONS

1

ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE

3

ELIGIBILITY FOR AND AMOUNT OF BENEFITS

4

VESTING

5

FORM AND COMMENCEMENT OF BENEFITS

5

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

7

MISCELLANEOUS

7

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN 

FOR DAVID A. PERDUE

Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement with David A. Perdue, Dollar General Corporation (the “Company”) has adopted the Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (the “SERP”), effective April 2, 2003, in order to attract, retain and motivate the executive to excel as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. 

The Company intends the SERP to be an unfunded plan maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation within the meaning of Sections 201, 301, and 401 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).

SECTION 1

DEFINITIONS

When used herein, the following words and phrases and any derivatives thereof shall have the meanings below unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.  Definitions of other words and phrases are set forth throughout the SERP.  Section references indicate Sections of the SERP unless otherwise stated.

1.1

“Actuarial Equivalent” means equal value computed on the basis of (i) the UP-94 Mortality Table (sex-distinct), and (ii) a discount rate of 6.0%, compounded annually.

1.2

“Agreement” means the Employee’s Employment Agreement dated April 2, 2003.

1.3

“Applicable Annual Bonus” has the meaning set forth in the Agreement.

1.4

“Base Salary” has the meaning set forth in the Agreement.

1.5

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

1.6

“Change in Control” has the meaning set forth in the Agreement.

1.7

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended from time to time, and regulations and rulings issued under the Code.

1.8

“Company” means Dollar General Corporation and any successor thereto.

1.9

“Compensation” means the Employee’s Base Salary plus annual incentive “team share” bonus paid for a fiscal year.

1.10

“Compensation Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

1.11

“Disability” has the meaning set forth in the Agreement.

1.12

“Early Retirement Factor” means 100% minus 0.41667% times the number of months the Employee’s age at his Early Retirement Date precedes his age 60.

1.13

“Employee” means David A. Perdue.

1.14

“Final Average Compensation” means the average of the Employee’s Compensation for the three (3) out of the last ten (10) consecutive fiscal years of service preceding retirement or termination of employment (or such fewer years of consecutive fiscal years of service if the Employee does not have ten consecutive fiscal years of service) in which the executive’s Compensation was the highest.

1.15

“Good Reason” has the meaning set forth in the Agreement.

1.16

“Joint and 50% Survivor Annuity” means an annuity payable for the life of the Employee, and, if the Employee predeceases his spouse, his Surviving Spouse shall receive a reduced benefit payable for her lifetime.  The Surviving Spouse’s benefit is the Actuarial Equivalent of a straight life annuity of 50% of the Employee’s benefit payable to a woman the same age as the Employee at his death.

1.17

“SERP” means the Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan.

 

1.18

“Supplemental Plan Benefit” means the benefit payable in accordance with the SERP.

1.19

“Surviving Spouse” means the person to whom the Employee is legally married on his date of death.

1.20

“Termination for Cause” or “Cause” has the meaning set forth in the Agreement.

1.21

“Years of Credited Service” means a twelve (12) consecutive month period commencing on executive’s effective date of employment and any subsequent twelve (12) consecutive month period commencing on an annual anniversary of such employment date.  Paid and authorized leaves of absence do not cause a break in consecutive employment periods.  Years of Credited Service shall be utilized for purposes of determining eligibility for Normal and Early Retirement, vesting percentages, and for calculating the Supplemental Plan Benefit.  In the normal course of employment, service shall be credited in accordance with the following schedule:

	If termination from the Company occurs on or after

	Years of Credited Service

	April 2, 2004

	2

	April 2, 2005

	4

	April 2, 2006

	6

	April 2, 2007

	8

	April 2, 2008

	10

	April 2, 2009

	11

	April 2, 2010

	12

	April 2, 2011

	13

	April 2, 2012

	14

	April 2, 2013

	15

In the event Employee is granted Years of Credited Service in accordance with Section 3.6 or 3.7, each such Year of Credited Service shall be treated as two (2) years in accordance with the above schedule until Employee has accrued or has been deemed to accrue ten (10) Years of Credited Service.  Thereafter, each additional year shall be treated as one (1) Year of Credited Service to a maximum of fifteen (15) Years of Credited Service.

SECTION 2

ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE

Only the Employee shall be eligible to participate in the SERP.  In the event Employee elects a Joint and 50% Survivor Annuity and predeceases his Surviving Spouse, she shall also participate as a beneficiary until her death.  If Employee is Terminated for Cause, Employee shall forfeit all rights to a Supplemental Plan Benefit.

SECTION 3

ELIGIBILITY FOR AND AMOUNT OF BENEFITS

3.1

Normal Retirement Benefit.  The Normal Retirement Benefit of the Employee upon his attainment of his Normal Retirement Date shall be a Supplemental Plan Benefit equal to 25% of Final Average Compensation payable as a Joint and 50% Survivor Annuity.

3.2

Early Retirement Benefit.  The Early Retirement Benefit of the Employee who attains his Early Retirement Date shall be a Supplemental Plan Benefit payable as a Joint and 50% Survivor Annuity equal to 25% of Final Average Compensation multiplied by

a)

the ratio of Years of  Credited Service at his Early Retirement Date to 15; times

b)

the Early Retirement Factor.

3.3

Late Retirement Benefit.  The Late Retirement Benefit of the Employee shall be the Supplemental Plan Benefit calculated as set forth in Section 3.1 above and based on his Final Average Compensation as of his Late Retirement Date.

3.4

Disability.  In the event the Employee incurs a Disability, the Employee will receive a benefit calculated as set forth in Section 3.1 above.  For purposes of calculating his Final Average Compensation, the Employee’s Base Salary as in effect on his date of termination shall be used as his Base Salary for Employee’s deemed additional Years of Credited Service and his Applicable Annual Bonus shall be used as his bonus for such additional Years of Credited Service. 

 

3.5

Death Prior to Termination of Employment.  If the Employee dies after he is eligible for an Early or Normal Retirement Benefit, but prior to termination of employment with the Company, his Surviving Spouse, if any, shall be entitled to a Supplemental Plan Benefit determined in accordance with Section 3.1 and 3.2 based on the Employee’s Years of Credited Service and Final Average Compensation as of his date of death.  The Surviving Spouse shall receive the Surviving Spouse’s benefit under a Joint and 50% Survivor Annuity as if the Employee had retired on his date of death.

3.6

Termination without Cause.  If the Employee incurs a termination for reasons other than Cause, the Employee will be treated for purposes of the SERP as having five (5) additional Years of Credited Service with the Company.  For purposes of calculating his Final Average Compensation under the SERP, the Employee’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of Employee’s termination shall be used as his Base Salary for Employee’s deemed additional Years of Credited Service and the Employee’s Applicable Annual Bonus shall be used as his bonus for such additional fiscal Years of Credited Service.

 

3.7

Change in Control.  If the Employee incurs a termination  for reasons other than Cause at any time during the two-year period following a Change in Control or he shall voluntarily terminate his employment with the Company for Good Reason at any time during the two year period following a Change in Control, the Employee shall be treated for purposes of the SERP as having five (5) additional Years of Credited Service with the Company.  For purposes of calculating his Final Average Compensation under the SERP, the Employee’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of termination or, if higher, as of the date immediately preceding the Change in Control, shall be used as his Base Salary for Employee’s deemed additional Years of Credited Service, and the Employee’s Applicable Annual Bonus shall be used as his bonus for such additional Years of Credited Service.

 

SECTION 4

VESTING

The Employee’s Supplemental Plan Benefit will become 100% vested after ten (10) Years of  Credited Service.  Notwithstanding that the Employee’s benefit becomes 100% vested under the terms of this Article, no payment of the benefit may be made unless and until the Employee retires from employment with the Company, dies or becomes disabled as contemplated in Section 5.2.

SECTION 5

FORM AND COMMENCEMENT OF BENEFITS

5.1

Form of Benefits.  Supplemental Plan Benefits payable to the Employee or Surviving Spouse pursuant to Section 3 may be paid in any annuity form that is the Actuarial Equivalent of the Supplemental Plan Benefit payable as a Joint and 50% Survivor Annuity.  In addition, the Employee may elect a lump sum distribution of his Supplemental Plan Benefits calculated as the Actuarial Equivalent of his Normal Retirement Benefit.  His election of an optional form of benefit must be in writing and must be received by the Company no later than twelve (12) months prior to the date on which he actually begins to receive the benefit.  If not received by said date, any such election shall have no effect.  Should there be a final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction or through a binding agreement or settlement, prior to the receipt of all benefits hereunder, that a subsequent election to defer is a violation of the constructive receipt doctrine or any other legal doctrine or theory which would preclude the continued deferral of recognition of income, then this provision will be null and void, and the Employee will be deemed to have elected a lump sum benefit as the form of distribution effective as of such final determination.

5.2

Commencement.

a)

The Employee shall commence receipt of a Supplemental Plan Benefit upon his retirement from the Company beginning on one of the following dates:

1)

“Normal Retirement Date,” which is the first day of the month coincident with or next following the month in which Employee terminates from the Company having fifteen (15) Years of  Credited Service or, if later, attainment of age sixty (60),

2)

“Early Retirement Date,” which is the first day of any month coincident with or next following the month in which the Employee terminates from the Company having at least ten (10) Years of  Credited Service, and

3)

“Late Retirement Date,” which is the first day of the month coincident with or next following the Employee’s termination of employment with the Company after his Normal Retirement Date.

(b)

The Employee shall commence receipt of a Supplemental Plan Benefit upon incurring a Disability upon what would have been Employee’s Normal Retirement Date if he had continued to work for the Company but for such Disability until such date.  If the Employee recovers from a Disability prior to commencement of receipt of a benefit, and the Employee does not return to work for the Company, or if the Employee’s period of Disability ceases by reason of death prior to commencement of a benefit, employment with the Employer will be deemed terminated as of the day of recovery or death and in such event the Employee or Surviving Spouse, as the case may be, will be entitled only to the benefit otherwise provided under Sections 3 and 5.

(c)

The Employee shall commence receipt of a Supplemental Plan Benefit upon a termination for reasons other than Cause at his Early, Normal or Late Retirement Date.

(d)

The Employee shall commence receipt of a Supplemental Plan Benefit upon a Termination for reasons other than Cause within the two (2) year period following a Change in Control or upon termination of his employment for Good Reason during such two (2) year period at this Early, Normal or Late Retirement Date.

(e)

The Surviving Spouse shall commence receipt of a Joint and 50% Survivor Annuity on the first day of the month following the Employee’s death provided that no such benefit shall commence if Employee has prior to his death received a lump sum distribution of the Supplemental Plan Benefit. 

(f)

If the Agreement requires that Employee effectuate a Release prior to commencement of payments, including but not limited to Supplemental Plan Benefits, then such requirement must also be met prior to commencement of payments under this Section 5.

SECTION 6

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

The SERP may be amended or terminated only by a writing signed by both the Company and Employee.  The SERP is based on the current provisions of the law applicable to such types of plan.  If there is a material change in the law, the Company will work with Employee in good faith to provide a comparable plan taking into account any such changes in the law.

SECTION 7

MISCELLANEOUS

7.1

No Effect on Employment Rights.  Nothing contained herein will confer upon the Employee the right to be retained in the service of the Company nor limit the right of the Company to discharge or otherwise deal with the Employee without regard to the existence of the SERP.

7.2

Funding.  The SERP at all times shall be unfunded such that Supplemental Plan Benefits shall be paid solely from the general assets of the Company. Neither the Employee nor his Surviving Spouse shall have any interest in any particular assets of the Company by reason of the right to receive a benefit under the SERP and the Employee or his Surviving Spouse shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to any rights under the SERP.  Nothing contained in the SERP shall constitute a guaranty by the Company or any other entity or person that the assets of the Company will be sufficient to pay any benefit hereunder.

7.3

Administration. The Compensation Committee shall administer the SERP.  The Compensation Committee shall be entitled to rely conclusively upon all tables, valuations, certificates, opinions and reports furnished by any actuary, accountant, controller, counsel or other person employed or engaged by the Company with respect to the SERP.

7.4

Disclosure. The Employee shall be a signatory to and shall receive a copy of the SERP.

7.5

State Law.  The SERP is established under and will be construed according to the laws of the State of Tennessee, to the extent that such laws are not preempted by ERISA and valid regulations published thereunder.

7.6

Spendthrift Provisions.  No benefit payable under the SERP will be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or charge prior to actual receipt thereof by the payee.  Any attempt so to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge prior to such receipt will be void.  The Company will not be liable in any manner for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any person entitled to any benefit under the SERP.  The amounts payable under this SERP will be exempt from the claims of the Employee’s creditors to the fullest extent permitted by law.

7.7

Incapacity of Recipient.  In the event the Employee or Surviving Spouse is declared incompetent and a conservator or other person legally charged with the care of his person or of his estate is appointed, any benefits under the SERP to which such person is entitled shall be paid to such conservator or other person legally charged with the care of this person or his estate.  Except as provided above in this paragraph, when the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, determines that a Employee or Surviving Spouse is unable to manage his or her financial affairs, the Compensation Committee may direct the Company to make distributions to a duly authorized person for the benefit of such Employee or Surviving Spouse.

7.8

Unclaimed Benefit.  The Employee shall keep the Compensation Committee informed of his current address and the current address of his spouse.  The Compensation Committee shall not be obligated to search for the whereabouts of any person.  If the location of the Employee is not made known to the Compensation Committee within three (3) years after the date on which any payment of the Employee’s Supplemental Plan Benefit may be made, payment may be made as though the Employee had died at the end of the three-year period.  If, within one additional year after such three-year period has elapsed, or, within three years after the actual death of a Employee, the Compensation Committee is unable to locate any Surviving Spouse of the Employee, then the Company shall have no further obligation to pay any benefit hereunder to such Employee or Surviving Spouse or any other person and such benefit shall be irrevocably forfeited.

7.9

Limitations on Liability.  Notwithstanding any of the preceding provisions of the SERP, except for payment of Supplemental Plan Benefits due under the SERP by the Company, neither the Company nor any individual acting as an agent of the Company or as a member of the Compensation Committee shall be liable to the Employee, Surviving Spouse or any other person for any claim, loss, liability or expense incurred in connection with the SERP.

7.10

Claims Procedure. The Compensation Committee has full discretion and the exclusive right to determine eligibility for benefits under the SERP pursuant to its terms.  The determination of the Compensation Committee may only be appealed to the Board of Directors.

7.11

No Enlargement of Rights.  The Employee will have no right to or interest in any portion of the SERP except as specifically provided in the SERP.

7.12

Withholding for Taxes.   Payment under the SERP will be subject to withholding for payroll taxes as required by law, including state and federal income taxes and FICA taxes.

 

7.13

All Prior Agreements Superseded.  The SERP, as set forth in this document, is intended to provide the benefit described in Exhibit A of the Agreement.  As such, the Agreement and the SERP should be read together to determine Employee’s rights to a Supplemental Plan Benefit.  The Agreement and the SERP constitute the sole and complete understanding between the Company and the Employee with respect to all issues arising from the Company’s obligation under the Agreement.  Except with respect to the terms of the Agreement, the SERP replaces and supersedes all previous written documents and all oral agreements, of any nature whatsoever, regarding the Company’s obligation to provide such supplemental retirement benefits (but only such benefits) to the Employee, and the Employee has indicated his acknowledgement of said fact by signing this agreement in the space below.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF Dollar General Corporation has caused this Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan to be executed by its authorized officer this 21st day of April, 2003, to be effective as of April 2, 2003.

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION

By: /s/ Melissa J. Buffington___________________

Its: SVP, HR and Strategic Planning_____________

“EMPLOYEE”

/s/ David A. Perdue___________________________

David A. Perdue

Witnessed By: /s/ S. Lanigan____________________

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