Document:

Amended and Restated Employment and Non-Competition Agreement

 Exhibit 10.17 
 AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AND NON-COMPETITION 
 AGREEMENT 
 This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) made as of this 12th day of June, 2006, by and among Anthony Truesdale (the “Executive”), VS Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(“Parent”), Vitamin Shoppe Industries Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), and VS Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”). 
 W I T N E S S E T H: 
 WHEREAS, the Executive is a party to an Employment Agreement with the Company and Holdings dated as of April     , 2006 (the “Existing Agreement”); 
 WHEREAS, Holdings and Parent have entered into a merger agreement whereupon Holdings will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent through a merger
with VS Mergersub, Inc. in which Holdings will be the surviving corporation (the “Merger”); and 
 WHEREAS, the parties have
agreed that the Existing Agreement shall be deemed to have been amended and restated and superceded by this Agreement upon the consummation of the Merger (the “Effective Date”). 
 NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of the mutual
covenants and obligations herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows: 
 1. Position and Responsibilities. The Executive
shall serve as President and Chief Merchandising Officer of each of Parent, Holdings and the Company and, in such capacity, shall be responsible for the general management of the merchandising, marketing and distribution affairs and operations of
Parent, Holdings and the Company, shall perform such duties as are customarily performed by an officer with similar responsibilities of a company of a similar size, together with such other responsibilities that may be assigned to him by the Chief
Executive Officer and the Board of Directors of Parent, Holdings or the Company, and shall have such power and authority as shall reasonably be required to enable him to perform his duties hereunder; provided, however, that in
exercising such power and authority and performing such duties, he shall at all times be subject to the authority of the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors of Parent, Holdings and the Company. The Executive agrees to devote
substantially all of his business time, attention and services to the diligent, faithful and competent discharge of such duties for the successful operation of Parent’s, Holdings’ and the Company’s business. It is anticipated that
within eighteen (18) months of the commencement of Executive’s employment with Company, Executive may be asked by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors of the Company to assume responsibility for retail store operations
(and if so requested, Executive agrees to assume such additional responsibilities); provided, however, that such increased responsibilities are not guaranteed and shall remain in the sole discretion of the Company. In the event Executive’s
responsibilities are expanded to include retail store operations, at such time Executive’s title shall be changed to President and Chief Operating Officer. 

 2. Compensation; Salary, Bonus and Other Benefits. During the term of this Agreement, the Company
shall pay the Executive the following compensation, including the following annual salary, bonus and other fringe benefits, subject to all applicable federal and state withholding, payroll and other taxes. 
 (A) Salary. In consideration of the services to be rendered by the Executive to the Company, the Company shall pay to the Executive
a base salary of $450,000 per annum (such salary as it may be increased from time to time being hereinafter referred to as the “Base Salary”). Except as may otherwise be agreed, the Base Salary shall be payable in conformity with
the Company’s customary practices for executive compensation as such practices shall be established or modified from time to time but shall be payable not less frequently than monthly. The Executive shall receive such increases in his Base
Salary as the Board of Directors of the Company may from time to time approve in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed not less often than annually, with the first performance
and financial review to occur by March 31, 2007. The Executive’s Base Salary may not be decreased without his written consent. 
 (B) Bonus. Each calendar year during the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be eligible for a cash bonus award (the “Annual Cash Bonus”) in an amount not to exceed fifty percent
(50%) of his then current base salary pursuant to the Company’s then current Management Incentive Program (“MIP”). As currently constituted the MIP is based upon (i) the Company’s satisfaction of operating
objectives specified by the Company’s Board of Directors each year in its sole discretion, and (ii) individual members of management’s satisfaction of certain individual operating objectives based upon their area of responsibility as
specified by the Company’s Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer in their sole discretion. Executive acknowledges that Company reserves the right to change the structure of the MIP from time to time, provided that any change will not
affect Executive’s ability to receive an Annual Cash Bonus of up to fifty percent (50%) of Executive base salary. Executive shall be paid his Annual Cash Bonus on or after March 16th of the calendar year following the year to which such bonus relates, but before the end of such calendar year. The parties acknowledge that the determination
of the Annual Cash Bonus for the year in which Executive’s employment terminates (and possibly for the prior year) shall not be known on the date Executive’s employment terminates, and, if any, shall be paid by Company to Executive not
more than thirty (30) days after the determination thereof, but in all events on or after March 16th of
the calendar year following the calendar year of termination, but before the end of such calendar year. 
 (C)
Benefits. The Executive will be entitled to participate, in accordance with the provisions thereof, in any health, disability and life insurance and other employee benefit plans and programs made available by the Company to its management
employees generally. 
 (D) Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for any and all
out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the Executive during the term of his employment in connection with his duties and responsibilities as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, provided that the Executive complies with the
policies, practices and procedures of the Company regarding expense reimbursement, including submission of expense reports, receipts or similar documentation of such expenses. 
  

 -2- 

 (E) Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to vacation time in accordance with
the plans, practices, policies, and programs applicable to the Company’s management employees generally, but in no event less than four (4) weeks per year. 
 3. Term. The term of Executive’s employment hereunder shall commence on the April __, 2006 (the “Original Effective Date”) and shall terminate on March 31, 2009 (the “Initial
Term”), unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 5 of this Agreement. Following the Initial Term, this Agreement and the Executive’s employment hereunder shall automatically renew for up to three (3) successive one
(1) year periods (each a “Renewal Term”), unless either the Company or the Executive shall notify the other in writing not later than six (6) months prior to the end of the Initial Term or the then current Renewal Term
that such party elects for this Agreement and the Executive’s employment hereunder to terminate at the end of the Initial Term or such Renewal Term, as applicable; provided, however, that each Renewal Term shall be subject to
earlier termination as provided in Section 5 of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement “Termination Date” shall mean the last day of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term for which the six-month period for such Renewal
Term to be canceled by either party has transpired without the same having been canceled, as applicable. 
 4. Key Man Life Insurance.
The Company may apply for and obtain and maintain a Key Man Life Insurance policy in the name of the Executive in such amount as the Company may determine, the beneficiary of which shall be the Company. The Executive shall submit to physical
examinations and answer reasonable questions in connection with the application for and, if obtained, the maintenance of, as may be required, such insurance policy. 
 5. Termination. The Executive’s term of employment under this Agreement may be earlier terminated as follows: 
 (A) At the Executive’s Option. The Executive may terminate his employment at any time upon at least six (6) months’ advance written notice to the Company. In such event, the Executive shall be
entitled to no severance or other termination benefits from and after the termination of his employment, except as provided in Section 5(I) hereof. 
 (B) At the Election of the Company With Cause. The Company may, unilaterally, terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder “with cause” at any time during the term of this Agreement upon
written notice to the Executive. Termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company shall constitute a termination “with cause” under this Section 5(B) only if such termination is for one or more of the following causes:
(i) wrongful misappropriation of Company assets of a material value; (ii) alcoholism or drug addiction, any of which materially impairs the ability of the Executive to perform his duties and responsibilities hereunder or is seriously
injurious to the business of the Company; (iii) the conviction of a felony; (iv) intentionally causing the Company to violate a material local, state or federal law in any material respect; (v) gross negligence or willful misconduct
in the conduct or management of the Company; (vi) willful refusal to comply with any significant policy, directive or decision of the Chief Executive Officer or the Board in furtherance of a lawful business purpose or willful refusal to perform
the duties lawfully assigned to the Executive by Chief Executive Officer and/or the Board consistent with the Executive’s functions, duties and responsibilities set forth in Section 1 hereof, in each case, in any material respect, and only
if not remedied within ten (10) 

  

 -3- 

 
days after receipt of written notice from the Company; or (vii) breach by the Executive of this Agreement, in any material respect, not remedied within
ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from the Company (including any termination by Executive without notice as required in Section 5(A)). In the event of a termination “with cause” pursuant to the provisions of clauses
(i) through (vii) above, inclusive, the Executive shall be entitled to no severance or other termination benefits, except as provided in Section 5(I) hereof. 
 (C) At the Election of the Company for Reasons Other than With Cause. The Company may, unilaterally, terminate the Executive’s
employment hereunder at any time during the term of this Agreement without cause upon five (5) business days prior written notice to the Executive of the Company’s election to terminate. Upon a termination under this Section 5(C), the
Company shall: 
 (i) Pay the Executive his Base Salary from the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment
through the earlier to occur of (1) the Termination Date, and (2) the date that is twelve (12) months following Executive’s termination. Such payments shall be payable on a weekly basis following the Executive’s termination
in the same manner as the same was paid prior to Executive’s termination and shall be subject to all applicable federal and state withholding taxes. 
 (ii) Pay to the Executive (x) the full amount of any unpaid Annual Cash Bonus for any calendar year of the Company prior to the calendar year in which the Executive’s employment is terminated, and
(y) if the Executive’s employment is terminated after one-half (1/2) or more of a calendar year has transpired, pay to the Executive a portion of the Annual Cash Bonus for such calendar year in an amount, if any, provided for in
Section 5(L). 
 (iii) Until the earlier to occur of (x) twelve (12) months from the date of termination of
Executive’s employment, and (y) the time when the Executive becomes eligible for insurance coverage offered by any subsequent employer (the “Insurance Continuation Period”), allow the Executive to continue to participate
in all life, health, disability and similar insurance plans and programs of the Company to the extent that such continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans and programs, with the Company and the Executive
paying the same portion of the cost of each such plan or program as existed at the time of the Executive’s termination. In the event that the Executive’s continued participation in any group plans and programs is not permitted, then in
lieu thereof, Executive shall acquire individual insurance policies providing comparable coverage for the Executive for the Insurance Continuation Period and Company shall reimburse Executive for the portion of the costs that Executive shall pay,
such that Executive shall pay a net amount equal to the amount that he would have paid had he remained an employee of the Company; provided, that the Company shall not be obligated to pay for any such individual coverage more than three
(3) times the Company’s cost of such group coverage. 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, if during the period from the
date of the termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder through the end of the period for which any severance is payable pursuant to this Section 5(C) (the “Severance Period”), the Executive (i) becomes
employed or (ii) performs 390 or more hours of consulting services for a single client in any ninety (90) day period, the Executive shall promptly notify the Company of 

  

 -4- 

 
such employment or consulting engagement, and the severance payable pursuant to paragraph 5(C)(i) hereof shall be reduced by the gross amount of the
compensation or consulting fees earned by the Executive during the Severance Period pursuant to such employment or consulting engagement (the “Alternate Compensation”). Executive agrees that in the event his employment with Company
is terminated as provided in this Section 5(C), at all times more than thirty (30) days after the date Executive’s employment with Company is terminated, Executive shall endeavor diligently and in good faith to obtain alternate
employment that is appropriate for Executive’s training and experience (“Reasonable Alternate Employment”). Company shall have the right to request evidence that Executive has used good faith efforts to obtain Reasonable
Alternate Employment and has not been successful in obtaining the same and/or that Executive has not received Alternate Compensation. If Company has provided to Executive any “outplacement” or other employment assistance in order to
facilitate him finding alternative employment, Executive hereby irrevocably authorizes any such party to respond directly to Company with information on Executive’s efforts to obtain Reasonable Alternate Employment. 
 (D) At the Election of the Executive for Certain Reasons. The Executive may terminate his employment immediately upon written
notice to the Company upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below) followed, within twelve (12) months after the date of the Change of Control, by a material adverse change in the Executive’s function, duties or
responsibilities from those described in Section 1 hereof without the written consent of the Executive which is not remedied by the Company within 30 days after Executive gives written notice to the Parent’s Board of Directors of such
change (an “Adverse Change in Status”). Executive shall provide notice to Parent’s Board of Directors as aforesaid not more than ninety (90) days after the occurrence of the events that Executive believes has created the
Adverse Change in Status. In the event the Executive exercises his right to terminate his employment under this Section 5(D), the Company shall: 
 (i) pay to the Executive his Base Salary from the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment for a period of twelve (12) months following the Adverse Change in Status. Such payments shall be
payable on a weekly basis following the Executive’s termination in the same manner as the same was paid prior to Executive’s termination and shall be subject to all applicable federal and state withholding taxes. 
 (ii) pay to the Executive (x) the full amount of any unpaid Annual Cash Bonus for any calendar year of the Company prior to the year
in which the Executive’s employment is terminated, and (y) if the Executive’s employment is terminated after one-half (1/2) or more of a calendar year has transpired, pay to the Executive a portion of the Annual Cash Bonus for
such calendar year in an amount, if any, provided for in Section 5(L). 
 (iii) during the Insurance Continuation Period,
allow the Executive to continue to participate in all life, health, disability and similar insurance plans and programs of the Company to the extent that such continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans
and programs, with the Company and the Executive paying the same portion of the cost of each such plan or program as existed at the time of the Executive’s termination. In the event that the Executive’s continued participation in any group
plans and programs is not permitted, then in lieu thereof, Executive shall acquire individual insurance policies providing comparable coverage for the Executive for the Insurance 

  

 -5- 

 
Continuation Period and Company shall reimburse Executive for a portion of the costs that Executive shall pay, such that Executive shall pay a net amount
equal to the amount that he would have paid had he remained an employee of the Company; provided, that the Company shall not be obligated to pay for any such individual coverage more than three (3) times the Company’s cost of such
group coverage. 
 For the purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” of the Company shall be deemed
to have occurred if any person (including any individual, firm, partnership or other entity) together with all Affiliates and Associates (as defined under Rule 12b-2 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the “Exchange Act”) of such person, becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company, Parent or Holdings representing a
majority of the combined voting power of the Company’s, Parent’s or Holdings’ then outstanding securities, but excluding (A) any person who is a Beneficial Owner of Holdings’, Parent’s or the Company’ securities
outstanding as of the Original Effective Date or any Affiliate of such person, (B) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, Parent or Holdings, or any subsidiary of the Company, Parent or
Holdings, or (C) Parent, Holdings, the Company or any subsidiary of Holdings or the Company. 
 (E) Disability of
Executive. In the event of the disability of the Executive, the Company may, unilaterally, terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time upon written notice to the Executive. In the event the Executive’s employment is
terminated pursuant to this Section 5(E), the Executive shall be entitled to no severance or other termination benefits from and after the termination of his employment except as provided in Section 5(I) hereof. For purposes of this
Agreement, “disability” shall mean the inability, by reason of bodily injury or physical or mental disease, or any combination thereof, of the Executive to perform his customary or other comparable duties with the Company for ninety
(90) consecutive days. In the event the parties are unable to agree as to whether the Executive is suffering a disability, the Executive and the Company shall each select a physician and the two physicians so chosen shall make the determination
or, if they are unable to agree, they shall select a third physician, and the determination as to whether the Executive is suffering a disability shall be based upon the determination of a majority of the three physicians. Any other rights and
benefits the Executive may have under employee benefit plans and programs of the Company generally in the event of the Executive’s disability shall be determined in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs. 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 5(E), the
Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) the full amount of any unpaid Annual Cash Bonus for any calendar year of the Company prior to the year in which the Executive’s employment is terminated, and (ii) if the Executive’s
employment is terminated after one-half (1/2) or more of a calendar year has transpired, pay to the Executive a portion of the Annual Cash Bonus for such calendar year in an amount, if any, provided for in Section 5(L). 
 (F) Executive’s Death. The Executive’s employment shall be terminated upon the death of the Executive. Any rights and
benefits that the Executive’s estate or any other 

  

 -6- 

 
person may have under employee benefit plans and programs of the Company generally in the event of the Executive’s death shall be determined in
accordance with the terms of such plans and programs. In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 5(F), the Executive shall be entitled to no severance or other termination benefits from and after the
termination of his employment except as provide in Section 5(I) hereof. 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event
that the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 5(F), the Executive (or his estate) shall be entitled to receive (i) the full amount of any unpaid Annual Cash Bonus for any calendar year of the Company prior to
the year in which the Executive’s employment is terminated, and (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated after one-half (1/2) or more of a calendar year has transpired, pay to the Executive a portion of the Annual Cash
Bonus for such calendar year in an amount, if any, provided for in Section 5(L). 
 (G) Accrued and Unpaid Base
Salary. If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 5, the Executive (or his estate) shall be entitled to receive any and all accrued but unpaid Base Salary earned through the date of termination. 

(H) Reimbursement of Expenses. In the event of the Executive’s termination pursuant to this Section 5, the Company
shall reimburse the Executive (or his estate) for any and all out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the Executive consistent with Company policy prior to the date of such termination. 
 (I) Continuing Benefits. Termination pursuant to this Section 5 shall not modify or affect in any way whatsoever any vested
right of the Executive to benefits payable under any retirement or pension plan or under any other employee benefit plan of the Company, and all such benefits shall continue, in accordance with, and subject to, the terms and conditions of such
plans, to be payable in full to or on account of the Executive after such termination. 
 (J) Company’s
Obligation. The Company’s obligation to make the severance payments and provide benefits in each case required under this Section 5 is conditioned upon Executive’s (i) execution and delivery to the Company of a general
release of legal claims, including, but not limited to, employment-related claims (but not claims as a shareholder) in form satisfactory to the Company, and (ii) continued observance in all material respects of the covenants contained in
Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement. 
 (K) Revisions to Payment Schedule. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, the parties hereby agree that (i) all payments required to be made under Sections 5(C)(i) and 5(D)(i) hereof that have not been paid on or before March 15 of the following calendar year shall be due and payable on
March 15 of the following calendar year, and (ii) all payments required to be made under Sections 5(C)(ii) and 5(D)(ii) hereof shall be made before the end of the calendar year following the calendar year of termination. In the event that
the adjustments in timing of payments pursuant to this Section 5(K) shall result in Executive receiving money that would otherwise not be paid to Executive due to Executive obtaining Reasonable Alternate Employment as provided in the last
paragraph of Section 5(C) after the acceleration in the payment thereof, Executive shall repay to the Company, as and when payments of Alternate Compensation are received by Executive, but not more frequently than 

  

 -7- 

 
monthly, an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the amount paid under Section 5(C)(i) that was accelerated and that is attributable to the period
when Executive was engaged in Reasonable Alternate Employment, and (2) the amount of Alternate Compensation received by Executive on account of the Reasonable Alternate Employment. 
 (L) Partial Year Bonus. If Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to any of Sections 5(C, D, E or F) after more than
one-half (1/2) of the calendar year shall have transpired, the Company shall pay to the Executive at the time specified below the Fraction (hereinafter defined) times the portion of the Annual Cash Bonus based upon Executive’s salary and
maximum bonus percentage at that time that is attributable to the performance of the Company as a whole, but not any portion thereof that is attributable to the performance of the Executive and/or a portion of the Company of which the Executive is a
part. The numerator of the Fraction shall be the number of months (including any fractional month as a full month) that Executive was an employee of the Company during such calendar year, minus six (6), and the denominator of the Fraction shall be
six (6). As an example, if the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated in the first week of the tenth (10th) month, the Fraction shall be four-sixths (4/6), determined as follows: (x) ten (10) minus six (6), divided by (y) six (6). Any payment on account of a partial year bonus shall be made at the same time as payment
is made to other executives of the Company under the MIP as stated in Section 2(B). If in connection with or following the termination of Executive’s employment the Company shall amend the MIP and the Executive is entitled to benefits
under any of Section 5(C, D, E or F) hereof, the amount of the Annual Cash Bonus to be paid thereunder shall equal the amount determined under the MIP as the same existed prior to the amendment thereof. 
 6. Noncompetition Covenant. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the business of the Company is conducted primarily in the United States (the
“Territory”), and that the Company’s reputation and goodwill are an integral part of its business success throughout the Territory. If Executive deprives the Company of any of the Company’s goodwill or in any manner
utilizes its reputation and goodwill in competition with the Company, the Company will be deprived of the benefits it has bargained for. Accordingly, Executive agrees that during the term of Executive’s employment by the Company and for a
period of two (2) years thereafter (the “Non-competition Period”), the Executive shall not, without the Company’s prior written consent, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, join, control or participate in the
ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected as a director, officer, employee, partner, consultant or otherwise with, any profit or non-profit business or organization in the Territory that, directly or indirectly, manufactures,
markets, distributes or sells (through wholesale, retail or direct marketing channels including, but not limited to, mail order and internet distribution) (i) vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, herbal products, sports nutrition
products, bodybuilding formulas or homeopathic remedies or (ii) any other product category sold by the Company or its subsidiaries which represented four percent (4%) or more of the Company’s consolidated gross revenue in the quarter
preceding Executive’s termination (any such business being a “Competitive Business”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may be a passive owner (which shall not prohibit the exercise of any rights as a shareholder) of not
more than 5% of the outstanding stock of any class of any public corporation that engages in a Competitive Business. 
  

 -8- 

 7. Nonsolicitation. 
 (A) For a period commencing on the Original Effective Date and ending on the second (2nd) anniversary of the termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly either for himself or for any other
person, business, partnership, association, firm, company or corporation, hire from the Company or its subsidiaries or attempt to hire, divert or take away from the Company or its subsidiaries, any of the business of the Company or its subsidiaries
or officers or employees of the Company or its subsidiaries in existence from time to time during his employment with the Company. 
 (B) For a period commencing on the Original Effective Date and ending on the second (2nd) anniversary
of the termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, knowingly make any statement or other communication that impugns or attacks the reputation or character of the Company or its subsidiaries or
joint venture entities, directors, officers or employees or damages the goodwill of the Company or its subsidiaries or joint venture entities, or knowingly take any action, directly or indirectly, that would interfere with any contractual or
customer or supplier relationships of the Company or its subsidiaries or joint venture entities. 
 8. Nondisclosure Obligation. The
Executive shall not at any time, whether during or after the termination of his employment, reveal to any person, association or company marketing plans, strategies, pricing policies, product formulations and other specifications, customer lists and
accounts, business finances or financial information of the Company or its subsidiaries or other information that the Company or its subsidiaries considers proprietary or confidential so far as they have come or may come to his knowledge, except as
may be required in the ordinary course of performing his duties as an officer of the Company or as may be in the public domain through no fault of his or as may be required by law. 
 9. Intellectual Property, Inventions and Patents. Executive acknowledges that all discoveries, concepts, ideas, inventions, innovations,
improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, patent applications, copyrightable work and mask work (whether or not including any confidential information) and all registrations or applications related thereto, all other
proprietary information and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) which relate to the Company’s or its subsidiary’s actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or
services and which are conceived, developed or made by Executive (whether alone or jointly with others) while employed by the Company whether before or after the date of this Agreement (“Work Product”), belong to the Company or such
subsidiary. Executive shall promptly disclose such Work Product to the Board and, at the Company’s expense, perform all actions reasonably requested by the Board (whether during or after Executive’s employment with the Company) to
establish and confirm such ownership (including, without limitation, assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments). 
 10.
Remedies Upon Breach. The Executive agrees that any breach of Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement by him could cause irreparable damage to the Company and that in the event of such breach the Company shall have, in addition to any and
all remedies of law, the right to an injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief to prevent the violation of any obligations hereunder, without the necessity of posting a bond, plus, if the Company finally prevails with respect to any
dispute between the Company and the Executive as to the 

  

 -9- 

 
interpretation, terms, validity or enforceability of (including any dispute about the amount of any payment pursuant to) this Agreement, the recovery of any
and all costs and expenses incurred by the Company, including reasonable attorneys’ fees in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement. 
 11. Excise Taxes. Company and Executive acknowledge that certain payments to be made under this Agreement or in connection with stock options granted to Executive pursuant to the Amended and Restated VS Holdings, Inc. 2002 Stock
Option Plan (the “Plan”) may be subject to section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Section 280G of the Code, or other provisions of tax law which may impose penalties or
excise taxes on certain types of compensation or payments made to Executive (collectively “Penalty Taxes”). During the period of employment and thereafter, the Company, in its sole discretion, may propose any amendments or changes
to the terms of this Agreement or the Plan for the purpose of avoiding the imposition of any such Penalty Taxes. Executive shall fully cooperate with any such amendments or changes proposed by Company in order to avoid the imposition of any Penalty
Taxes on any payments made to or received by Executive, including but not limited to requesting that Company’s shareholders approve the payment of any moneys due to Executive hereunder and/or under the Plan. 
 12. Indemnification. If the Executive becomes a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit
or proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was an officer, director, agent or employee of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an officer, director, agent or employee of another corporation or other entity, he
shall be indemnified by the Company to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and not inconsistent with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company. The right of indemnification herein provided for shall not
be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the Executive may be entitled as a matter of law and any rights of indemnity under any policy of insurance carried by the Company. 
 13. Indemnification and Reimbursement of Payments on Behalf of Executive. The Executive shall be solely responsible for all applicable taxes
imposed upon him as a result of any payment made to him by the Company, Parent or Holdings, including any such payments that are subject to withholding taxes. In the event the Company, Parent or Holdings is required to make any payment of such
taxes, Executive shall indemnify the Company, Parent and Holdings for any amounts so paid (excluding any interest and penalties related thereto). 
 14. Acknowledgements. The Executive hereby acknowledges that the enforcement of the provisions of Sections 6 and 7 hereof may potentially interfere with his ability to pursue a proper livelihood. The Executive recognizes and agrees
that the enforcement of this Agreement is necessary to ensure the preservation, protection and continuity of the business, trade secrets and goodwill of the Company. The Executive agrees that, due to the proprietary nature of the Company’s
business, the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are reasonable as to time and scope and do not unreasonably impair his ability to earn a living. The Executive hereby acknowledges that he has been advised to consult with an attorney before
executing this Agreement and that he has done so or, after careful reading and consideration, he has chosen not to do so of his own volition. 
  

 -10- 

 15. Consent and Waiver by Third Parties. The Executive hereby represents and warrants that his
employment with the Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein and his execution and performance of this Agreement do not constitute a breach or violation of any other agreement, obligation or understanding with any third party. The
Executive represents that he is not bound by any agreement or any other existing or previous business relationship which conflicts with, or may conflict with, the performance of his obligations hereunder or prevent the full performance of his duties
and obligations hereunder. 
 16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal
laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any conflict of law provisions thereof. 
 17. Severability. In case any one
or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement for any reason shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement but
this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions has never been contained herein. Moreover, if one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as
to the scope, activity or subject so as to be unenforceable at law, such provision or provisions shall be construed and reformed by the appropriate judicial body by limiting and reducing such provision or provisions, so as to be enforceable to the
maximum extent compatible with the applicable law. 
 18. Waivers and Modifications. This Agreement may be modified, and the rights
and remedies of any provisions hereof may be waived, only in accordance with this Section 18. No modification or waiver by the Company shall be effective without the express written consent of the Chief Executive Officer then in office at the
time of such modification or waiver. No waiver by either party of any breach by the other or any provision hereof shall be deemed to be a waiver of any later or other breach thereof or as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement. Moreover,
in the event that the Company determines reasonably and in good faith that there is any provision of this Agreement that could cause Executive or the Company to be subject to the provisions of section 409A of the Code, such provision shall be
interpreted and resolved in the manner the Company reasonably and in good faith deems necessary to prevent the application of Section 409A, provided that the Company shall act in a good faith to minimize the amount of any the reduction in any
benefits or compensation paid to or received by Executive (including either the delay or acceleration in the payment thereof) in order to prevent the imposition of Section 409A from applying to such provision. 
 19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth all of the terms of the understandings between the parties with reference to the subject matter
set forth herein and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Company and the Executive, including, without limitation, the offer letter dated March 14, 2006 setting forth the terms of
Executive’s employment, and may not be waived, changed, discharged or terminated orally or by any course of dealing between the parties, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom any waiver, change, discharge or
termination is sought. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions set forth in Executive’s employment offer letter with respect to the provision of relocation assistance (and repayment thereof) shall remain in effect. 
  

 -11- 

 20. Assignment. The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by him are unique and
personal. Accordingly, the Executive may not assign any of his rights or delegate any of his duties or obligations under this Agreement. The Company shall have the right to assign this Agreement to its successors and assigns, and the rights and
obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the successors and assigns of the Company. 
 21. Notices. Unless otherwise state, all notices hereunder shall be (i) delivered by hand, (ii) sent by first-class certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or (iii) delivered
by overnight commercial courier, to the following address of the party to whom such notice is to be made, or to such other address as such party may designate in the same manner provided herein: 
 If to the Company, Parent or Holdings: 
 Vitamin Shoppe Industries Inc. 
 2101 91st Street 
 North Bergen, New Jersey 07047 
 Attention:    Chief Executive Officer 
 with copies to: 
 Bear Stearns Merchant Banking 
 c/o Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. 
 383
Madison Avenue, 40th Floor 
 New York, New York 10179 
 Attention:    Richard L. Perkal 
 and 
 Vitamin Shoppe Industries Inc. 
 2101
91st Street 
 North Bergen, NJ 07047 
 Attention:    General Counsel 
 If to the Executive: to the Executive’s last known address on the records of the Company 
 22. Survival of Obligations. The provisions of Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement as a
continuing agreement of the Company, Holdings and Parent and the Executive. The existence of any claim or cause of action by Executive against the Company shall not constitute and shall not be asserted as a defense to the enforcement by the Company
of this Agreement. 
 23. Arbitration. Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or
related to Executive’s employment by Company shall be submitted to and resolved by arbitration in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration shall be

  

 -12- 

 
conducted in Manhattan, New York. Any award rendered shall be final and conclusive upon the parties and a judgment thereon may be entered in a court having
competent jurisdiction. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY FOR ANY DISPUTES HEREUNDER. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 23 shall prevent the parties from exercising their right to bring an action in any
court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive or other provisional relief to compel the other party hereto to comply with its obligations under Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement. 
 24. Use of the Term “Company”. The term Company as used herein shall mean Company, Parent and/or Holdings and any subsidiaries of
Company, unless the context shall dictate otherwise, and the obligations of Company, Parent and Holdings hereunder shall be joint and several. 
 25. Effect of Agreement. As of the Effective Date, the Company, Parent, Holdings and Executive agree that the Existing Agreement shall be superceded by this Agreement and that the Existing Agreement shall have no further force and
effect. 
 [END OF PAGE] 
 [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS] 
  

 -13- 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

  

					
	VS HOLDINGS, INC.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Thomas Tolworthy
		 	 Name:
	 	 Thomas Tolworthy

		 	 Title:
	 	 Chief Executive Officer

  

					
	VITAMIN SHOPPE INDUSTRIES INC.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Thomas Tolworthy
		 	 Name:
	 	 Thomas Tolworthy

		 	 Title:
	 	 Chief Executive Officer

  

					
	VS PARENT, INC.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Thomas Tolworthy
		 	 Name:
	 	 Thomas Tolworthy

		 	 Title:
	 	 Chief Executive Officer

  

	
	
	 /s/ Anthony Truesdale

	 Anthony TruesdaleAmendment to Employment Agreement

 Exhibit 10.18 
 AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 THIS AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this
“Agreement”) made as of this 12th day of June, 2006, by and among COSMO LA FORGIA (the
“Executive”), VS Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), Vitamin Shoppe Industries Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), and VS Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(“Holdings”). 
 W I T N E S S E T H:

 WHEREAS, the Executive has entered into that certain Employment Agreement dated June 7, 2005 (the “Original Effective
Date”) with Company and Holdings (the “Original Agreement”) pursuant to which the parties set forth certain terms and provisions related to Executive’s employment with and possible separation from employment with the Company; and

 WHEREAS, Holdings and Parent have entered into a merger agreement whereupon Holdings will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent
through a merger with VS Mergersub, Inc. in which Holdings will be the surviving corporation (the “Merger”); and 
 WHEREAS,
the parties have agreed that the Existing Agreement shall be deemed to have been amended and restated and superceded by this Agreement upon the consummation of the Merger (the “Effective Date”). 
 NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of the mutual
covenants and obligations herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows: 
 1. Position and Responsibilities. The Executive
shall serve as Vice President – Finance of each of Parent, Holdings and the Company and, in such capacity, shall be responsible for the general management of certain portions of the business, affairs and operations of Parent, Holdings and the
Company, shall perform such duties as are customarily performed by an officer of a company of a similar size, and shall have such power and authority as shall reasonably be required to enable him to perform his duties hereunder; provided,
however, that in exercising such power and authority and performing such duties, he shall at all times be subject to the authority of the Chief Executive Officer, any other executive(s) of the Company to whom the Executive reports, and the
Boards of Directors of Parent, Holdings and the Company. The Executive agrees to devote substantially all of his business time, attention and services to the diligent, faithful and competent discharge of such duties for the successful operation of
Parent’s, Holdings’ and the Company’s business. 
 2. Term. Subject to the terms and provisions of Section 3, the
employment relationship between Executive and Company shall be “employment-at-will” and shall not be for any definite period of time and may be terminated by either Executive, or by Company, at any time and for any, or for no, reason. The
provisions of this Agreement, including but not limited to the provisions of Section 3 hereof, shall be in effect through three (3) years from the Effective Date (the third anniversary of the Effective Date being herein called the
“Expiration Date”), after which this Agreement shall be of no further force or effect, other than the first sentence of this 

 
Section 2 and those provisions hereof that are stated to survive the termination or expiration hereof. Executive shall have the right to request that
Company review the term of this Agreement and extend the term hereof for an additional year, provided that Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, decline to do so. The first sentence of this Section 2 may be amended only by a written
agreement signed by Executive and the Chief Executive Officer of Company. 
 3. Termination. The Executive’s term of employment
under this Agreement may be terminated as follows: 
 (A) At the Executive’s Option. The Executive may terminate
his employment at any time upon at least sixty (60) days advance written notice to the Company. In such event, the Executive shall be entitled to no severance or other termination benefits from and after the termination of his employment,
except as provided in Section 3(I) hereof. 
 (B) At the Election of the Company With Cause. The Company may,
unilaterally, terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder “with cause” at any time during the term of this Agreement upon written notice to the Executive. Termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company shall
constitute a termination “with cause” under this Section 3(B) only if such termination is for one or more of the following causes: (i) wrongful misappropriation of Company assets of a material value; (ii) alcoholism or drug
addiction, any of which materially impairs the ability of the Executive to perform his duties and responsibilities hereunder or is seriously injurious to the business of the Company; (iii) the conviction of a felony; (iv) intentionally
causing the Company to violate a material local, state or federal law in any material respect; (v) gross negligence or willful misconduct in the conduct or management of the Company; (vi) willful refusal to comply with any significant
policy, directive or decision of the Chief Executive Officer, any other executive of the Company to whom Executive reports, or the Board in furtherance of a lawful business purpose or willful refusal to perform the duties lawfully assigned to the
Executive by the Chief Executive Officer, any other executive of the Company to whom Executive reports, or the Board consistent with the Executive’s functions, duties and responsibilities set forth in Section 1 hereof, in each case, in any
material respect, and only if not remedied within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from the Company; or (vii) breach by the Executive of this Agreement, in any material respect, not remedied within ten (10) days after
receipt of written notice from the Company (including any termination by Executive without notice as required in Section 3(A)). In the event of a termination “with cause” pursuant to the provisions of clauses (i) through
(vii) above, inclusive, the Executive shall be entitled to no severance or other termination benefits, except as provided in Section 3(I) hereof. Employee acknowledges (i) that the aforesaid definition of “cause” is
different from the stated definition of “cause” set forth in Parent’s Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”), but that pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Plan, such definition of “cause”
is superseded by the terms and provisions of any “Employment Agreement” between Executive and Parent, and (ii) that the aforesaid definition of “cause” shall be applicable to Executive’s options under the Plan from and
after the date hereof. 
 (C) At the Election of the Company for Reasons Other than With Cause. The Company may,
unilaterally, terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time during the term of this Agreement without cause upon five (5) business days’ prior written notice 

  

 2 

 
to the Executive of the Company’s election to terminate. Upon a termination under this Section 3(C), and subject to reduction as provided in
Section 3(L), the Company shall: 
 (i) Pay the Executive his then base salary (“Base Salary”) from the date of
the termination of the Executive’s employment through the date that is the earlier of (1) the Expiration Date, and (2) twenty-four (24) months following Executive’s termination. Such payments shall be payable under a fixed
payment schedule on a weekly basis following the Executive’s termination in the same manner as the same was paid prior to Executive’s termination and shall be subject to all applicable federal and state withholding taxes. 

 (ii) Pay to the Executive (x) the full amount of any unpaid cash Annual Cash Bonus (hereinafter defined) for any
calendar year prior to the calendar year in which the Executive’s employment is terminated, and (y) if the Executive’s employment is terminated after one-half (1/2) or more of the calendar year has transpired, pay to the
Executive a portion of the Annual Cash Bonus for such calendar year in the amount, if any, provided for in Section 3(M). 
 (iii) Until the earlier to occur of (x) twelve (12) months following the date of termination of Executive’s employment, and (y) the time when the Executive becomes eligible for insurance coverage offered by any
subsequent employer (the “Insurance Continuation Period”), allow the Executive to continue to participate in all life, health, disability and similar insurance plans and programs of the Company to the extent that such continued
participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans and programs, with the Company and the Executive paying the same portion of the cost of each such plan or program as existed at the time of the Executive’s
termination. In the event that the Executive’s continued participation in any group plans and programs is not permitted, then in lieu thereof, Executive shall acquire individual insurance policies providing comparable coverage for the Executive
for the Insurance Continuation Period and Company shall reimburse Executive for a portion of the costs that Executive shall pay, such that Executive shall pay a net amount equal to the amount that he would have paid had he remained an employee of
the Company; provided, that the Company shall not be obligated to pay for any such individual coverage more than three (3) times the Company’s cost of such group coverage. 
 (D) At the Election of the Executive for Certain Reasons. The Executive may terminate his employment immediately upon written
notice to the Company following a material adverse change in the Executive’s base compensation and bonus potential (in the aggregate), function, duties or responsibilities from those described in Section 1 hereof without the written
consent of the Executive which is not remedied by the Company within 30 days after Executive gives written notice to Parent’s Board of Directors of such change (an “Adverse Change in Status”). Executive acknowledges that
Company may elect to engage a chief financial officer, chief operating officer and/or other senior executive(s) to whom Executive may report, and that his function, duties or responsibilities are likely to be modified or reduced in connection
therewith from those in existence or the date hereof, none of which will be deemed to be an Adverse Change in Status, provided that at all times Executive’s functions, duties and responsibilities shall be no less than that of either a chief
accounting officer or a vice president of finance who reports to a senior officer at a company of a similar size to Company. Executive shall provide notice to Parent’s Board of Directors as aforesaid not more than ninety (90) days 

  

 3 

 
after the occurrence of the event that Executive believes created the Adverse Change in Status. In the event the Executive exercises his right to terminate
his employment under this Section 3(D), and subject to reduction as provided in Section 3(L), the Company shall: 
 (i) Pay to the Executive his Base Salary from the date of the termination through the date that is the earlier of (1) the Expiration Date, and (2) twenty-four (24) months following the Adverse Change in Status. Such payments
shall be payable under a fixed payment schedule on a weekly basis following the Executive’s termination in the same manner as the same was paid prior to Executive’s termination and shall be subject to all applicable federal and state
withholding taxes. 
 (ii) Pay to the Executive (x) the full amount of any unpaid Annual Cash Bonus for any calendar year
prior to the calendar year in which the Executive’s employment is terminated, and (y) if the Executive’s employment is terminated after one-half (1/2) or more of the calendar year has transpired, pay to the Executive a portion of
the Annual Cash Bonus for such calendar year in the amount, if any, provided for in Section 3(M). 
 (iii) Until the
earlier to occur of (x) twelve (12) months following the date of termination of Executive’s employment, and (y) the time when the Executive becomes eligible for insurance coverage offered by any subsequent employer (the
“Extended Insurance Continuation Period”), allow the Executive to continue to participate in all life, health, disability and similar insurance plans and programs of the Company to the extent that such continued participation is
possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans and programs, with the Company and the Executive paying the same portion of the cost of each such plan or program as existed at the time of the Executive’s termination. In the event
that the Executive’s continued participation in any group plans and programs is not permitted, then in lieu thereof, Executive shall acquire individual insurance policies providing comparable coverage for the Executive for the Extended
Insurance Continuation Period and Company shall reimburse Executive for a portion of the costs that Executive shall pay, such that Executive shall pay a net amount equal to the amount that he would have paid had he remained an employee of the
Company; provided, that the Company shall not be obligated to pay for any such individual coverage more than three (3) times the Company’s cost of such group coverage. 
 (E) Disability of Executive. In the event of the disability of the Executive, the Company may, unilaterally, terminate the
Executive’s employment hereunder at any time upon written notice to the Executive. In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 3(E), the Executive shall be entitled to no severance or other
termination benefits from and after the termination of his employment except as provided in Section 3(I) hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, “disability” shall mean the inability, by reason of bodily injury or physical or
mental disease, or any combination thereof, of the Executive to perform his customary or other comparable duties with the Company for ninety (90) consecutive days. In the event the parties are unable to agree as to whether the Executive is
suffering a disability, the Executive and the Company shall each select a physician and the two physicians so chosen shall make the determination or, if they are unable to agree, they shall select a third physician, and the determination as to
whether the Executive is suffering a disability shall be based upon the determination of a majority of the three physicians. Any other rights and benefits the Executive may have under employee benefit plans and programs of the Company generally in
the event of 

  

 4 

 
the Executive’s disability shall be determined in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs. 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 3(E), the
Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) the full amount of any unpaid Annual Cash Bonus for any calendar year prior to the year in which the Executive’s employment is terminated, and (ii) if the Executive’s employment is
terminated after one-half (1/2) or more of the calendar year has transpired, pay to the Executive a portion of the Annual Cash Bonus for such calendar year in the amount, if any, provided for in Section 3(M). 
 (F) Executive’s Death. The Executive’s employment shall be terminated upon the death of the Executive. Any rights and
benefits that the Executive’s estate or any other person may have under employee benefit plans and programs of the Company generally in the event of the Executive’s death shall be determined in accordance with the terms of such plans and
programs. In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 3(F), the Executive shall be entitled to no severance or other termination benefits from and after the termination of his employment except as provide
in Section 3(I) hereof. 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated
pursuant to this Section 3(F), the Executive (or his estate) shall be entitled to receive (i) the full amount of any unpaid Annual Cash Bonus for any calendar year prior to the year in which the Executive’s employment is terminated,
and (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated after one-half (1/2) or more of the calendar year has transpired, pay to the Executive a portion of the Annual Cash Bonus for such calendar year in the amount, if any, provided for
in Section 3(M). 
 (G) Accrued and Unpaid Base Salary and Vacation Pay. If the Executive’s employment is
terminated pursuant to this Section 3, the Executive (or his estate) shall be entitled to receive any and all accrued but unpaid Base Salary and vacation pay earned through the date of termination consistent with Company policy prior to the
date of such termination. 
 (H) Reimbursement of Expenses. In the event of the Executive’s termination pursuant
to this Section 3, the Company shall reimburse the Executive (or his estate) for any and all out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the Executive consistent with Company policy prior to the date of such termination. 
 (I) Continuing Benefits. Termination pursuant to this Section 3 shall not modify or affect in any way whatsoever any vested
right of the Executive to benefits payable under any retirement or pension plan or under any other employee benefit plan of the Company, and all such benefits shall continue, in accordance with, and subject to, the terms and conditions of such
plans, to be payable in full to or on account of the Executive after such termination. 
 (J) Company’s
Obligation. The Company’s obligation to make the severance payments and provide benefits in each case required under this Section 3 is conditioned upon Executive’s (i) execution and delivery to the Company of a general
release of legal claims, including, but not limited to, employment-related claims in a form satisfactory to 

  

 5 

 
the Company, and (ii) continued observance in all material respects of the covenants contained in Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7 of this Agreement. 

(K) Annual Cash Bonus. For purposes hereof, the term “Annual Cash Bonus” shall mean a bonus that shall be achieved by
the satisfaction of operating objectives specified by the Company’s Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (to the extent the same shall be delegated by the Board) from time to time in their sole discretion and the
term “Performance-Based Plan” shall mean the then-current Company plan(s) under which any Annual Cash Bonus has been established and is determined, as the same may be changed from time to time. The Annual Cash Bonus may consist of
multiple components, including components based upon the performance (1) of the Company as a whole, (2) of the Executive and employees under the direction of the Executive, and/or (3) of a subset of the Company which may include the
Executive (and employees under the direction of the Executive) and employees who are not under the direction of the Executive but which components are not Company-wide objectives. Currently, the maximum amount payable under the Performance-Based
Plan for Executive does not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the Executive’s Base Salary, and consists solely of objectives determined on an individual basis and on a company-wide basis, any of which may change from time to time.
Executive acknowledges that Company reserves the right to change the structure of the Annual Cash Bonus from time to time, provided that any change will not affect Executive’s ability to receive an Annual Cash Bonus of up to 25% of
Executive’s base salary. Executive shall be paid his Annual Cash Bonus on or after March 16th of the
calendar year following the year to which such bonus relates, but before the end of such calendar year. The parties acknowledge that the determination of the Annual Cash Bonus for the year in which Executive’s employment terminates (and
possibly for the prior year) shall not be known on the date Executive’s employment terminates, and such amounts, if any, shall be paid by Company to Executive in all events before the end of the calendar year following the calendar year of
termination. 
 (L) Other Employment of Executive. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 3(C and D), if during the
period from the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder through the end of the period for which any severance is payable pursuant to this Section 3(C) or Section 3(D), as applicable (the “Severance
Period”), the Executive (i) becomes employed, or (ii) performs 390 or more hours of consulting services for a single client in any ninety (90) day period, the Executive shall promptly notify the Company of such employment or
consulting engagement, and the severance payable pursuant to Sections 3(C)(i) and 3(C)(ii)(y) or Sections 3(D)(i) and 3(D)(ii)(y) hereof (but not Section 3(C)(x) or Section 3(D)(x)) shall be reduced by the gross amount of the compensation
or consulting fees (“Alternate Compensation”) earned by the Executive during the Severance Period pursuant to such employment or consulting engagement. Executive agrees that in the event his employment with Company is terminated for any
reason whatsoever, at all times more than thirty (30) days after the date of termination of Executive’s employment, Executive shall endeavor diligently and in good faith to obtain alternate employment that is appropriate for
Executive’s training and experience (“Reasonable Alternate Employment”). Company shall have the right to request evidence that Executive has used good faith efforts to obtain Reasonable Alternate Employment and has not been successful
in obtaining the same and/or that Executive has not received Alternate Compensation. If Company has provided to Executive any “outplacement” or other employment assistance in order to facilitate him finding alternative employment,
Executive 

  

 6 

 
hereby irrevocably authorizes any such party to respond directly to Company with information on Executive’s efforts to obtain Reasonable Alternate
Employment. 
 (M) Partial Year Bonus. If Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to any of Sections 3(C, D,
E or F) after more than one-half (1/2) of the calendar year shall have transpired, the Company shall pay to the Executive at the time specified below the Fraction (hereinafter defined) times the portion of the Annual Cash Bonus based upon
Executive’s salary and maximum bonus percentage at that time that is attributable to the performance of the Company as a whole, but not any portion thereof that is attributable to the performance of the Executive and/or a portion of the Company
of which the Executive is a part. The numerator of the Fraction shall be the number of months (including any fractional month as a full month) that Executive was an employee of Company during such calendar year, minus six (6), and the denominator of
the Fraction shall be six (6). As an example, the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated in the first week of the tenth (10th) month, the Fraction shall be four-sixths (4/6), determined as follows: (x) ten (10) minus six (6), divided by (y) six (6). Any payment on account of a partial year bonus shall be
made at the same time as payment is made to other executives of the Company under the Performance-Based Plan as stated in Section 3(K). If in connection with or following the termination of Executive’s employment the Company shall amend
the Performance-Based Plan and the Executive is entitled to benefits under any of Section 3(C, D, E or F) hereof, the amount of the Annual Cash Bonus to be paid thereunder shall equal the amount determined under the Performance-Based Plan as
the same existed prior to the amendment thereof. 
 4. Noncompetition Covenant. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the business of
the Company is conducted primarily in the United States (the “Territory”), and that the Company’s reputation and goodwill are an integral part of its business success throughout the Territory. If Executive deprives the Company
of any of the Company’s goodwill or in any manner utilizes its reputation and goodwill in competition with the Company, the Company will be deprived of the benefits it has bargained for. Accordingly, Executive agrees that during the term of
Executive’s employment by the Company and for a period of two (2) years thereafter (the “Non-competition Period”), the Executive shall not, without the Company’s prior written consent, directly or indirectly, own,
manage, operate, join, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected as a director, officer, employee, partner, consultant or otherwise with, any profit or non-profit business or organization in the
Territory that, directly or indirectly, derives ten percent (10%) or more or its revenue or profits from the manufacturing, marketing, distribution or sale (through retail or direct marketing channels including, but not limited to, mail order
and internet distribution) of (i) vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, herbal products, sports nutrition products, bodybuilding formulas or homeopathic remedies or (ii) any other product category sold by the Company which
represents ten percent (10%) or more of the Company’s gross revenue in the quarter preceding Executive’s termination (any such business being a “Competitive Business” and the products and product categories identified
herein being called “Competitive Products”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may be a passive owner (which shall not prohibit the exercise of any rights as a shareholder) of not more than 5% of the outstanding stock of any class
of any public corporation that engages in a Competitive Business. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the parties agree that the entities conducting business as “Whole Foods,” “Wild 

  

 7 

 
Oats” and “Trader Joe’s,” any successors thereto, and any person or entity that is affiliated with any of such entities, shall be deemed
to be a Competitive Business. 
 5. Nonsolicitation. 
 (A) For a period commencing on the Original Effective Date and ending on the second anniversary of the termination of the Executive’s
employment, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly either for himself or for any other person, business, partnership, association, firm, company or corporation, hire from the Company or its subsidiaries or attempt to hire, divert or take
away from the Company or its subsidiaries, any of the business of the Company or its subsidiaries or officers or employees of the Company or its subsidiaries in existence from time to time during his employment with the Company. 
 (B) For a period commencing on the Original Effective Date and ending on the second anniversary of the termination of the Executive’s
employment, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, knowingly make any statement or other communication that impugns or attacks the reputation or character of the Company or its subsidiaries, joint venture entities, directors, officers or
employees or damages the goodwill of the Company or its subsidiaries or joint venture entities, or knowingly take any action, directly or indirectly, that would interfere with any contractual or customer or supplier relationships of the Company or
its subsidiaries or joint venture entities. 
 6. Nondisclosure Obligation. The Executive shall not at any time, whether during or
after the termination of his employment, reveal to any person, association or company marketing plans, strategies, pricing policies, product formulations and other specifications, customer lists and accounts, business finances or financial
information of the Company or its subsidiaries or other information that the Company considers proprietary so far as they have come or may come to his knowledge, except as may be required in the ordinary course of performing his duties as an officer
of the Company or as may be in the public domain through no fault of his or as may be required by law. 
 7. Intellectual Property,
Inventions and Patents. Executive acknowledges that all discoveries, concepts, ideas, inventions, innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, patent applications, copyrightable work and mask work
(whether or not including any confidential information) and all registrations or applications related thereto, all other proprietary information and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) which relate to the Company’s or
its subsidiaries’ actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and which are conceived, developed or made by Executive (whether alone or jointly with others) while employed by the Company
whether before or after the date of this Agreement (“Work Product”), belong to the Company or such subsidiary. Executive shall promptly disclose such Work Product to the Board and, at the Company’s expense, perform all actions
reasonably requested by the Board (whether during or after Executive’s employment with the Company) to establish and confirm such ownership (including, without limitation, assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments).

  

 8 

 8. Remedies Upon Breach. The Executive agrees that any breach of Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7 of this
Agreement by him could cause irreparable damage to the Company and that in the event of such breach the Company shall have, in addition to any and all remedies of law, the right to an injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief to
prevent the violation of any obligations hereunder, without the necessity of posting a bond, plus, if the Company finally prevails with respect to any dispute between the Company and the Executive as to the interpretation, terms, validity or
enforceability of (including any dispute about the amount of any payment pursuant to) this Agreement, the recovery of any and all costs and expenses incurred by the Company, including reasonable attorneys’ fees in connection with the
enforcement of this Agreement. 
 9. Acknowledgements. The Executive hereby acknowledges that the enforcement of the provisions of
Sections 4 and 5 hereof may potentially interfere with his ability to pursue a proper livelihood. The Executive recognizes and agrees that the enforcement of this Agreement is necessary to ensure the preservation, protection and continuity of the
business, trade secrets and goodwill of the Company. The Executive agrees that, due to the proprietary nature of the Company’s business, the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are reasonable as to time and scope and do not unreasonably
impair his ability to earn a living. The Executive hereby acknowledges that he has been advised to consult with an attorney before executing this Agreement and that he has done so or, after careful reading and consideration, he has chosen not to do
so of his own volition. 
 10. Consent and Waiver by Third Parties. The Executive hereby represents and warrants that his employment
with the Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein and his execution and performance of this Agreement do not constitute a breach or violation of any other agreement, obligation or understanding with any third party. The Executive
represents that he is not bound by any agreement or any other existing or previous business relationship which conflicts with, or may conflict with, the performance of his obligations hereunder or prevent the full performance of his duties and
obligations hereunder. 
 11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of
the State of New York, without giving effect to any conflict of law provisions thereof. 
 12. Severability. In case any one or more
of the provisions contained in this Agreement for any reason shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement but this
Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions has never been contained herein. Moreover, if one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to
the scope, activity or subject so as to be unenforceable at law, such provision or provisions shall be construed and reformed by the appropriate judicial body by limiting and reducing such provision or provisions, so as to be enforceable to the
maximum extent compatible with the applicable law. 
 13. Waivers and Modifications. This Agreement may be modified, and the rights
and remedies of any provisions hereof may be waived, only in accordance with this Section 13. No modification or waiver by the Company shall be effective without the express 

  

 9 

 
written consent of the Chief Executive Officer of Company then in office at the time of such modification or waiver. No waiver by either party of any breach
by the other or any provision hereof shall be deemed to be a waiver of any later or other breach thereof or as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement. Moreover, in the event that the Company determines reasonably and in good faith that
there is any provision of this Agreement that could cause Executive or the Company to be subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, such provision shall be interpreted and resolved in the manner
the Company reasonably and in good faith deems necessary to prevent the application of Section 409A, provided that the Company shall act in a good faith to minimize the amount of any the reduction in any benefits or compensation paid to or
received by Executive (including either the delay or acceleration in the payment thereof) in order to prevent the imposition of Section 409A from applying to such provision. 
 14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth all of the terms of the understandings between the parties with reference to the subject matter
set forth herein and, supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Company and the Executive, and may not be waived, changed, discharged or terminated orally or by any course of dealing between the parties,
but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom any waiver, change, discharge or termination is sought. 
 15.
Assignment. The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by him are unique and personal. Accordingly, the Executive may not assign any of his rights or delegate any of his duties or obligations under this Agreement. The Company
shall have the right to assign this Agreement to its successors and assigns, and the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the successors and assigns of the Company.

 16. Notices. Unless otherwise stated, all notices hereunder shall be (i) delivered by hand, (ii) sent by first-class
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or (iii) delivered by overnight commercial courier, to the following address of the party to whom such notice is to be made, or to such other address as such party may designate in the
same manner provided herein: 
 If to the Company, Parent or Holdings: 
 Vitamin Shoppe Industries Inc. 
 2101
91st Street 
 North Bergen, New Jersey 07047 
 Attention:    Chief Executive Officer 
 With a copy to: 
 Vitamin Shoppe Industries
Inc. 
 2101 91st Street 
 North Bergen, New Jersey 07047 
 Attention:    General Counsel 
 If to the Executive – to the Executive’s last
known address on the records of the Company. 
  

 10 

 17. Survival of Obligations. The provisions of Sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive the
termination or expiration of this Agreement as a continuing agreement of the Company, Holdings, Parent and the Executive. The existence of any claim or cause of action by Executive against the Company shall not constitute and shall not be asserted
as a defense to the enforcement by the Company of this Agreement. 
 18. Use of the Term “Company”. The term Company as used
herein shall mean Company, Parent and/or Holdings and any subsidiaries of Company, unless the context shall dictate otherwise, and the obligations of Company, Parent and Holdings hereunder shall be joint and several. 
 19. Arbitration. Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or relating to Executive’s employment
by the Company that cannot be resolved by the Executive and the Company, shall be submitted to and resolved by arbitration in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association. The
arbitration shall be conducted in Manhattan, New York. Any award rendered shall be final and conclusive upon the parties and a judgment thereon may be entered in a court having competent jurisdiction. THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A
TRIAL BY JURY FOR ANY DISPUTES HEREUNDER. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 19 shall prevent the parties from exercising their right to bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive or other
provisional relief to compel the other party hereto to comply with its obligations under Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7 of this Agreement. 
  

 11 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment to Employment Agreement as of the
date first above written. 
  

					
	VS HOLDINGS, INC.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Thomas Tolworthy
		 	 Name:
	 	 Thomas Tolworthy

		 	 Title:
	 	 Chief Executive Officer

  

					
	VITAMIN SHOPPE INDUSTRIES INC.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Thomas Tolworthy
		 	 Name:
	 	 Thomas Tolworthy

		 	 Title:
	 	 Chief Executive Officer

  

					
	VS PARENT, INC.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Thomas Tolworthy
		 	 Name:
	 	 Thomas Tolworthy

		 	 Title:
	 	 Chief Executive Officer

  

	
	
	 /s/ Cosmo La Forgia

	COSMO LA FORGIA

  

 12

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00105-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00105-of-00352.parquet"}]]