Document:

rad_Ex4_9

		
			Exhibit 4.9
		

		
			DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES
		

		
			REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES
		

		
			EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
		

		
			As of April 16, 2020, Rite Aid Corporation (“Rite Aid,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer solely to Rite Aid Corporation and not its subsidiaries and any person that succeeds thereto) has one class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”): our common stock.
		

		
			DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
		

		
			The following description of our common stock is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and our Amended and Restated By-Laws (the “By-Laws”), each of which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Annual Report on Form 10-K. We encourage you to read our Certificate of Incorporation, our By-Laws and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, for additional information.
		

		
			General
		

		
			The authorized capital stock of Rite Aid consists of 95,000,000 shares, of which (i) 20,000,000 shares are preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, and (ii) 75,000,000 shares are common stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of April 16, 2020, there are no outstanding shares of preferred stock. As of April 16, 2020, the total number of outstanding shares of common stock is 54,704,579.  The common stock are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. All of the shares of common stock issued and outstanding are fully paid and nonassessable.
		

		
			Voting Rights
		

		
			Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held on record on all matters submitted to a vote of our security holders. Except as otherwise provided by law, the holders of our common stock vote as one class. The shares of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. As a result, subject to the voting rights of the holders of any shares of our preferred stock, the holders of our common stock entitled to exercise more than 50% of the voting rights in an election of directors can elect 100% of the directors to be elected in a particular year if they choose to do so. In such event, the holders of the remaining common stock voting for the election of directors will not be able to elect any persons to our board of directors.
		

		
			Dividends
		

		
			Subject to preferences that may apply to any preferred stock outstanding, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available at the time and in the amounts that the Board may determine from time to time.
		

		
			Liquidation Rights
		

		
			In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Rite Aid, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in the assets of Rite Aid, if any, remaining after the payment of all debts and liabilities of Rite Aid and the liquidation preference of any outstanding series of preferred stock.
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

		
			Other Rights and Preferences
		

		
			Our common stock has no sinking fund, redemption provisions, or preemptive, conversion, or exchange rights.
		

		
			Listing
		

		
			Our common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “RAD.”
		

		
			Transfer Agent and Registrar
		

		
			The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions.
		

		
			ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS
OF OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS
		

		
			Some provisions of Delaware law and our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws could make the following more difficult: acquisition of us by means of a tender offer; acquisition of control of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or removal of our incumbent officers and directors. These provisions are designed to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection give us the potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us, and that the benefits of this increased protection outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging those proposals, because negotiation of those proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
		

		
			Charter and By-Laws Provisions
		

		
			Our Certificate of Incorporation specifies that our board of directors shall consist of not less than three nor more than 15 directors elected for terms of one year. Our By-Laws provide that the number of directors on our board may be fixed by our board only. The number of directors may be increased or decreased by our board only. In the interim period between annual meetings of security holders or of special meetings of security holders, vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled by our board. Any directors so elected will hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until such directors’ successor shall have been elected and qualified. Our Certificate of Incorporation and our By-Laws do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
		

		
			Our Certificate of Incorporation requires that any mergers, consolidations, asset dispositions and other transactions involving a Related Person (as defined below) be approved, unless certain conditions are satisfied, by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing not less than 75% of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote. These special voting requirements do not apply if the transaction is approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors (as defined below) or the consideration offered to our security holders meets specified fair price standards (including related procedural requirements as to the form of consideration and continued payment of dividends). “Continuing Director” as defined in our Certificate of Incorporation means a member of our board who was not affiliated with a Related Person (as defined below) and was a member of our board prior to the time that the Related Person acquired the last shares of common stock entitling such Related Person to exercise, in the aggregate, in excess of 10% of the total voting power of all classes of voting stock, or any individual, corporation, partnership, person or other entity (“Person”) recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of Continuing Directors. “Related Person,” as defined in our Certificate of Incorporation, means any Person, together with any affiliate or associate of such Person, who has beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of shares of stock of Rite Aid entitling such Person to exercise more than 10% of the total voting power of all classes of voting stock.
		

		
			Under our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, security holders may consent to any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of security holders without prior notice or a vote if a written consent or consents, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Our By-Laws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders to bring matters before a meeting of stockholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to our board, other
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			than nominations made by or at the direction of our board. These procedures specify the information stockholders must include in their notice and the timeframe in which they must give us notice. Our By-Laws also permit stockholders representing ownership of not less than 10% of the outstanding shares of our common stock to request that the our secretary call a special meeting of the stockholders, provided that the stockholders satisfy the requirements specified therein and subject to certain other limitations. Our-By-Laws provide that business transacted at a special meeting is limited to the purpose(s) stated in a valid special meeting request and any additional matters our Board determines to include in the notice of the special meeting.
		

		
			Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our board to establish one or more series of undesignated preferred stock, the terms of which can be determined by our board at the time of issuance.
		

		
			Our By-Laws authorize the board to alter, amend or repeal the By-Laws and to adopt new By-Laws.
		

		
			Exclusive Forum
		

		
			Our By-Laws provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or our stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or our Certificate of Incorporation or our By-Laws; or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers, employees or agents governed by the internal affairs doctrine; provided, however, that in the event the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks jurisdiction over any such action or proceeding, the sole and exclusive forum for such action or proceeding shall be another state or federal court located within the State of Delaware. Our By-Laws also provide that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to this choice of forum provision. It is possible that a court of law could rule that the choice of forum provision contained in our By-Laws is inapplicable or unenforceable if it is challenged in a proceeding or otherwise.
		

		
			Other Limitations on Stockholder Actions
		

		
			Our Certificate of Incorporation also provides that no director shall be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except as required by law, as in effect from time to time. Currently, Delaware law requires that liability be imposed for the following: any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to our company or our stockholders; any act or omission not in good faith or which involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; and any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
		

		
			Our By-Laws also provide that we will indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of us) by reason of the fact that such person is or was our director or officer, or served any other enterprise at our request as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary. We will reimburse the expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful.
		

		
			Delaware Anti-Takeover Law
		

		
			 We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 203 prohibits Delaware corporations from engaging in a wide range of specified transactions with any interested stockholder for three years following the date that person became an interested stockholder, unless the transaction is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, an interested stockholder is any person, other than the corporation and any of its majority-owned subsidiaries, who owns 15% or more of any class or series of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Section 203 may tend to deter any potential unfriendly offers or other efforts to obtain control of our
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			company that are not approved by our board of directors. This may deprive the stockholders of opportunities to sell shares of our common stock at prices higher than the prevailing market price.
		

		 

		

			4rad_Ex10_41

		
			Exhibit 10.41
		

		
			EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
		

		
			THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the 26th day of October 2015 by and between Rite Aid Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and James J. Comitale  (“Executive”).
		

		
			WHEREAS, the Company desires to hire and employ Executive and Executive desires to provide the Company with Executive’s services subject to the conditions set forth herein.
		

		
			NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and Executive (individually a “Party” and together the “Parties”), intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
		

		
			1.                     Term of Employment.
		

		
			The term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on October 26, 2015 (the “Effective Date”) and, unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 5 below, shall continue for a period ending on the date that is two (2) years following the Effective Date (the “Original Term of Employment”). The Original Term of Employment shall be automatically renewed for successive one (1) year terms (the “Renewal Terms”) unless at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the expiration of the Original Term of Employment or any Renewal Term, either Party notifies the other Party in writing that Executive or it is electing to terminate this Agreement at the expiration of the then current Term of Employment. “Term” shall mean the Original Term of Employment and all Renewal Terms. For purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise provided herein, the phrases “year during the Term” or similar language shall refer to each twelve (12) month period commencing on the Effective Date or applicable anniversaries thereof.
		

		
			2.                     Position and Duties.
		

		
			2.1       Generally. During the Term, Executive shall serve as the Senior Vice President and General Counsel and shall have such officer level duties, responsibilities and authority as are customary for Senior Vice President and shall have such other officer level duties, responsibilities and authorities as shall be assigned by the Company from time to time consistent with such position. Executive shall devote Executive’s full working time, attention, knowledge and skills faithfully and to the best of Executive’s ability, to the duties and responsibilities assigned by the Company in furtherance of the business affairs and activities of the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates and strategic partners. Executive shall report to the Company’s Chief Administrative Officer. Contemporaneously with termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall automatically resign from all offices and positions Executive holds with the Company or any subsidiary without any further action on the part of Executive or the Company.
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			2.2       Other Activities. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Executive from engaging in the following activities: (i) serving on the board of directors of a reasonable number of other corporations or the boards of a reasonable number of trade associations and/or charitable organizations, subject to the Company’s approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, (ii) engaging in charitable activities and community affairs, and (iii) managing Executive’s personal investments and affairs, provided that Executive’s activities pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) do not violate Sections 6 or 7 below or materially interfere with the proper performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. Executive shall at all times be subject to, observe and carry out such rules, regulations, policies, directions, and restrictions as the Company may from time to time establish for officers of the Company or employees generally.
		

		
			3.                     Compensation.
		

		
			3.1       Base Salary. During the Term, as compensation for Executive’s services hereunder, Executive shall receive a salary at the annualized rate of three hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars ($375,000) per year (“Base Salary” as may be adjusted from time to time), which shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and procedures, less such deductions or offsets required by applicable law or otherwise authorized by Executive.
		

		
			3.2       Annual Performance Bonus. The Executive shall participate each fiscal year during the Term in the Company’s annual bonus plan as adopted and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) from time to time. For the fiscal year ongoing as of the Effective Date (“FY 16”), Executive’s annual bonus opportunity pursuant to such plan shall equal fifty percent (50%) (the “Annual Target Bonus”) of the Base Salary and for each subsequent year, equal the bonus opportunity of other Senior Vice Presidents of the Company or a higher level as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Payment of any bonus earned shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Company’s annual bonus plan as in effect for the year for which the bonus is earned.
		

		
			3.3       Equity Awards.
		

		
			Executive will be eligible to participate during the Term in the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). Executive’s target long term incentive opportunity shall be seventy-five percent (75%) of Executive’s Base Salary. In the discretion of the Board, on each regular grant date occurring during the Term, Executive will be granted long-term incentive awards under the Company’s 2014 Omnibus Equity Plan or any successor plan thereto (the “Equity Plan”), a copy of which Equity Plan has been filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 23, 2014, pursuant to the LTIP valued at seventy-five percent (75%) of Base Salary calculated in a manner consistent with and containing the same terms and conditions as other senior executives.
		

		
			4.                     Additional Benefits.
		

		
			4.1       Employee Benefits. During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans (including, but not limited to medical, dental and life insurance plans, short-term and long-term disability coverage, the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and 401(k) plans in which executive employees of the Company are generally
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			eligible to participate), subject to satisfaction of any eligibility requirements and the other generally applicable terms of such plans. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Company from amending or terminating any employee benefit plans of the Company from time to time as the Company deems appropriate.
		

		
			4.2       Expenses. During the Term, the Company shall reimburse Executive for any expenses reasonably incurred by Executive in furtherance of Executive’s duties hereunder, including without limitation, travel, meals and accommodations, upon submission of vouchers or receipts and in compliance with such rules and policies relating thereto as the Company may from time to time adopt or as may be required in order to permit such payments to be taken as proper deductions by the Company or any subsidiary under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto now or hereafter in effect (the “Code”).
		

		
			4.3       Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to five (5) weeks paid vacation during each year of the Term.
		

		
			4.4       Automobile Allowance. During the Term, the Company shall provide Executive with an automobile allowance of $1,000.00 per month.
		

		
			4.5       Annual Financial Planning Allowance. During the Term, the Company shall provide Executive with an annual financial planning allowance in the amount of $3,000.00.
		

		
			4.6       Relocation. Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s Level 1 relocation plan for executives subject to the terms and conditions of such plan.
		

		
			4.7       Indemnification. The Company shall (a) indemnify and hold Executive harmless, to the full extent permitted under applicable law, for, from and against any and all losses, claims, costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or actions (including security holder actions, in respect thereof) relating to or arising out of the Executive’s employment with and service as an officer of the Company, and (b) pay all reasonable costs, expenses and attorney’s fees incurred by Executive in connection with or relating to the defense of any such loss, claim, cost, expense, damage, liability or action, subject to Executive’s undertaking to repay in the event it is ultimately determined that Executive is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. Following termination (except for termination by the Company for Cause) of the Executive’s employment or service with the Company or any subsidiaries of the Company, the Company shall cause any director and officer liability insurance policies applicable to the Executive prior to such termination to remain in effect for six (6) years following the date of termination of employment.
		

		
			5.                     Termination.
		

		
			5.1       Termination of Executive’s Employment by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause (as defined below). Such termination shall be effected by written notice thereof delivered by the Company to Executive, indicating in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances alleged to provide a basis for such termination, and shall be effective as of the date of such notice in accordance with Section 12 hereof. “Cause,” as determined in reasonable good faith by a committee comprised of
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			three (3) senior officers (one of which shall be Executive’s supervisor) of the Company, shall mean: (i) Executive’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of the duties or responsibilities of Executive’s position with the Company or any subsidiary, or failure to timely carry out any lawful directive of the Company; (ii) Executive’s misappropriation of any funds or property of the Company or any subsidiary; (iii) the conduct by Executive which is a material violation of this Agreement or Company Policy or which materially interferes with the Executive’s ability to perform Executive’s duties; (iv) the commission by Executive of an act of fraud or dishonesty toward the Company or any subsidiary; (v) Executive’s misconduct or negligence which damages or injures the Company or the Company’s reputation; (vi) Executive is convicted of or pleads guilty to a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or any felony; or (vii) the use or disclosure to any third party by Executive of any confidential or proprietary information of the Company or any subsidiary.
		

		
			5.2       Compensation upon Termination by the Company for Cause or by  Executive without Good Reason. In the event of Executive’s termination of employment (i) by the Company for Cause or (ii) by Executive voluntarily without Good Reason:
		

		
			(a)     Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) all amounts of accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the effective date of such termination, (ii) reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by Executive through the date of notice of such termination, to the extent otherwise provided under Section 4.2 above, and (iii) all other vested payments and benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled pursuant to the terms of the applicable benefit plan or arrangement through the effective date of such termination ((i), (ii) and (iii) collectively, the “Accrued Benefits”). All other rights of Executive (and, except as provided in Section 5.6 below, all obligations of the Company) hereunder or otherwise in connection with Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective as of the date of such termination of employment and Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits not specifically described in this subsection (a) or (b) below.
		

		
			(b)     Any portion of any restricted stock or any other equity incentive awards as to which the restrictions have not lapsed or as to which any other conditions shall not have been satisfied prior to the date of termination shall be forfeited as of the date of termination date and any portion of Executive’s stock options that have vested and become exercisable prior to the date of termination shall remain exercisable for a period of ninety (90) days following the date of termination of employment (or, such later date as may be permitted by the relevant stock option or equity plan, or, if earlier, until the expiration of the respective terms of the options), whereupon all such options shall terminate; provided, however, in the event of termination of Executive by the Company for Cause, any stock options that have not been exercised prior to the date of termination shall immediately terminate as of such date.
		

		
			Any termination of Executive’s employment by Executive voluntarily without Good Reason shall be effective upon a thirty (30) day notice to the Company or such earlier date as the Company determines in its discretion and designates in writing. A termination of Executive’s employment by the Company for Cause or by the Executive other than for Good Reason shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			5.3       Compensation upon Termination of Executive’s Employment by the  Company Other Than for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason. Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company other than for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason. In the event that Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason:
		

		
			(a)     Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) the Accrued Benefits, (ii) an amount equal to two (2) times the sum of the Executive’s then Base Salary and Annual Target Bonus as of the date of termination of employment, such amount payable in equal installments pursuant to the Company’s standard payroll procedures for management employees over a period of two (2) years following the date that the release of claims (referred to below) becomes irrevocable (provided, if as of the date of termination the release of claims could become irrevocable in either of two taxable years of Executive, payments shall not commence before the first day of the later such taxable year), and (iii) with respect to health insurance coverage, the cost of COBRA benefits (and equivalent benefits which shall be provided by the Company following expiration of any COBRA continuation period) to Executive and his immediate family for a period of two (2) years following the date of termination of employment.
		

		
			(b)     The stock option awards held by Executive shall vest and become immediately exercisable and the restrictions with respect to any awards of non-performance based restricted stock (“Restricted Stock”) shall lapse, in each case to the extent such options would otherwise have become vested and exercisable (or such restrictions would have lapsed) had Executive remained in the employ of the Company for a period of two (2) years following the date of termination. Such portion of Executive’s stock options (together with any portion of Executive’s stock options that have vested and become exercisable prior to the date of termination) shall remain exercisable for a period of ninety (90) days following the date of termination of employment (or, such later date as may be permitted by the relevant stock option or equity plan, or, if earlier, until the expiration of the respective terms of the options), whereupon all such options shall terminate. Any remaining portion of Executive’s stock options that have not vested (or deemed to have vested) as of the date of termination shall terminate as of such date; and all shares of Restricted Stock as to which the restrictions shall not have lapsed as of the date of termination shall be forfeited as of such date.
		

		
			(c)     If a termination pursuant to Section 5.3 of the Agreement occurs following the start of the Company’s fiscal year, Executive shall also be entitled to receive, to the extent not previously paid (which shall be paid at the same time paid to other eligible participants in the bonus plan) and following determination by the Compensation Committee (or the Board) that the Company has achieved or exceeded its annual performance targets for the fiscal year, a pro rata annual bonus determined by multiplying the performance level achieved (relative to Executive’s Annual Target Bonus amount) by the fraction (x) the numerator of which is the number of days between the beginning of the then current fiscal year of the Company and the date of termination of employment and (y) the denominator of which is 365. Executive shall also receive any unpaid annual bonus earned for any completed fiscal year preceding the date of termination.
		

		
			(d)     All other rights of Executive (and, except as provided in Section 5.6 below, all obligations of the Company) hereunder or otherwise in connection with Executive’s
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			employment with the Company shall terminate effective as of the date of such termination of employment and Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits not specifically described in 5.3(a) through (c).
		

		
			Any termination of employment pursuant to this Section 5.3 shall be effective upon a thirty (30) day notice thereof or the Company may elect in its sole discretion to reduce or eliminate the notice period and pay the Executive’s Base Salary for some or all of the notice period in lieu of notice. A termination of Executive’s employment by the Company other than for Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. To be eligible for the payment, benefits and stock rights described in Section 5.3(a)(ii) and (iii), (b) and (c) above, Executive must execute within sixty (60) days of the date of termination, not revoke, and abide by a release (which shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix A) of all claims , cooperate with the Company in the event of litigation and fully comply with Executive’s obligations under Sections 6 and 7 below.
		

		
			5.4       Definition of Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following:
		

		
			(a)     the assignment to Executive of any duties or responsibilities materially inconsistent with Executive’s status and position as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company or any material adverse change in Executive’s title or reporting relationships; or
		

		
			(b)     any decrease in Executive’s then Base Salary to which Executive has not agreed to in writing; or
		

		
			(c)     a material breach by the Company of this Agreement;
		

		
			provided,  however, that the Executive has provided written notice (which shall set forth in reasonable detail the specific conduct of the Company that constitutes Good Reason and the specific provisions of this Agreement on which Executive relies) to the Company of the existence of any condition described in any one of the subparagraphs (a), (b), or (c) within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of such condition, and the Company has not cured the condition within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such notice. Any termination of employment by the Executive for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5.3 must occur no later than the date that is the three (3) month anniversary of the initial existence of the condition giving rise to the termination right.
		

		
			5.5       Compensation upon Termination of Executive’s Employment by  Reason of Executive’s Death or Total Disability. In the event that Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by reason of Executive’s death or Total Disability (as defined below), subject to the requirements of applicable law:
		

		
			(a)     Executive or Executive’s estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive (i) the Accrued Benefits, (ii) any other benefits payable under the then current disability and/or death benefit plans, as applicable, in which Executive is a participant and (iii) continued health insurance coverage for Executive and/or Executive’s immediate family, as applicable (or reimbursement to the Executive for the cost of purchasing health insurance
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			coverage substantially comparable to the coverage provided by the Company, excepting payments for such periods that the Company provides such coverage) for a period of two (2) years following the date of death or Total Disability as the case may be. Executive or Executive’s estate shall also be entitled to receive, at the same time as is paid to other eligible participants in the bonus plan, following determination by the Compensation Committee (or the Board) of the Company’s performance under the applicable annual performance goals for the fiscal year , a pro rata annual bonus determined by multiplying the performance level achieved (relative to Executive’s Annual Target Bonus amount) by the fraction (x) the numerator of which is the number of days between the beginning of the then current fiscal year of the Company and the date of termination of employment and (y) the denominator of which is 365. Executive or Executive’s estate shall also be entitled to any unpaid annual bonus earned for any completed fiscal year preceding the date of termination.
		

		
			(b)     All stock option awards held by Executive shall vest and become immediately exercisable and the restrictions with respect to any awards of Restricted Stock shall lapse, in each case to the extent such options would otherwise have become vested and exercisable (or such restrictions would have lapsed) had Executive remained in the employ of the Company for a period of two (2) years following the date of death or Total Disability as the case may be. Such portion of Executive’s stock options (together with any portion of Executive’s stock options that have vested and become exercisable prior to the date of termination) shall remain exercisable for a period of ninety (90) days following the date of termination of employment (or, such later date as may be permitted by the relevant stock option or equity plan, or, if earlier, until the expiration of the respective terms of the options), whereupon all such options shall terminate. Any remaining portion of Executive’s stock options that have not vested (or deemed to have vested) as of the date of termination shall terminate as of such date; and all shares of Restricted Stock as to which the restrictions shall not have lapsed as of the date of termination shall be forfeited as of such date.
		

		
			(c)     All other rights of Executive (and, except as provided in Section 5.6 below, all obligations of the Company) hereunder or otherwise in connection with Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective as of the date of such termination of employment and Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits not specifically described in Section 5.5(a) and (b).
		

		
			“Total Disability” shall mean any physical or mental disability that has prevented Executive from (a)(i) performing one or more of the essential functions of Executive’s position for a period of not less than ninety (90) days in any twelve (12) month period and (ii) which is expected to be of permanent or indeterminate duration but expected to last at least twelve (12) continuous months or result in death of the Executive as determined (y) by a physician selected by the Company or its insurer or (z) pursuant to the Company’s benefit programs; or (b) reporting to work for ninety (90) or more consecutive business days and being unable to engage in any substantial activity.
		

		
			5.6       Survival. In the event of any termination of Executive’s employment, Executive and the Company nevertheless shall continue to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in Section 4.7 and Sections 5 through 10 below, which shall survive the expiration of the Term; provided, however, the indemnification obligations in Section 4.7 shall not survive
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			expiration of the Term in the event of termination of Executive’s employment by the Company for Cause.
		

		
			5.7       Change in Control Best Payments Determination. Any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if any portion of any payment or benefit under this Agreement either individually or in conjunction with any payment or benefit under any other plan, agreement or arrangement (all such payments and benefits, the “Total Payments”) would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 280G, that is subject to the tax imposed by Section 4999 of such Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Total Payments to be made to Executive shall be reduced, but only to the extent that Executive would retain a greater amount on an after-tax basis than he would retain absent such reduction, such that the value of the Total Payments that Executive is entitled to receive shall be $1 less than the maximum amount which the Employee may receive without becoming subject to the Excise Tax. For purposes of this Section 5.7, the determination of whichever amount is greater on an after-tax basis shall be (x) based on maximum federal, state and local income and employment tax rates and the Excise Tax that would be imposed on Executive and (y) made at the Company’s expense by independent accountants selected by the Company and Executive (which may be the Company’s income tax return preparers if Executive so agrees) which determination shall be binding on both Executive and the Company. Any such reduction as may apply under this Section 5 7 shall be applied in the following order: (i) payments that are payable in cash the full amount of which are treated as parachute payments under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a) will be reduced (if necessary, to zero), with amounts that are payable last reduced first; (ii) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity the full amount of which are treated as parachute payments under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a), with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; (iii) payments that are payable in cash that are valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24, with amounts that are payable last reduced first, will next be reduced; (iv) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24, with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; and (v) all other non-cash benefits not otherwise described in clauses (ii) or (iv) will next be reduced pro-rata.
		

		
			5.8       No Other Severance or Termination Benefits. Except as expressly set forth herein, Executive shall not be entitled to damages or to any severance or other benefits upon termination of employment with the Company under any circumstances and for any or no reason, including, but not limited to any severance pay under any Company severance plan, policy or practice.
		

		
			6.                     Protection of Confidential Information.
		

		
			Executive acknowledges that during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates and strategic partners, Executive will be exposed to documents and other information regarding the confidential affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates and strategic partners, including without limitation, information about their past, present and future financial condition, pricing strategy, prices, suppliers, cost
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			information, business and marketing plans, the markets for their products, key personnel, past, present or future actual or threatened litigation, trade secrets and other intellectual property, current and prospective customer lists, operational methods, acquisition plans, prospects, plans for future development and other business affairs and information about the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates and strategic partners not readily available to the public (the “Confidential Information”). Executive further acknowledges that the services to be performed under this Agreement are of a special, unique, unusual, extraordinary and intellectual character. In recognition of the foregoing, the Executive covenants and agrees as follows:
		

		
			6.1       No Disclosure or Use of Confidential Information. At no time shall Executive ever divulge, disclose, or otherwise use any Confidential Information (other than as necessary to perform Executive’s duties under this Agreement and in furtherance of the Company’s best interests), unless and until such information is readily available in the public domain by reason other than Executive’s disclosure or use thereof in violation of the first clause of this Section 6.1. Executive acknowledges that Company is the owner of, and that Executive has not rights to, any trade secrets, patents, copyrights, trademarks, know-how or similar rights of any type, including any modifications or improvements to any work or other property developed, created or worked on by Executive during the Term of this Agreement.
		

		
			6.2       Return of Company Property, Records and Files. Upon the termination of Executive’s employment at any time and for any reason, or at any other time the Board may so direct, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company’s offices in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania all of the property and equipment of the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates and strategic partners (including any cell phones, pagers, credit cards, personal computers, etc.) and any and all documents, records, and files, including any notes, memoranda, customer lists, reports or any and all other documents, including any copies thereof, whether in hard copy form or on a computer disk or hard drive, which relate to the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns, and/or their respective past and present officers, directors, employees or consultants (collectively, the “Company Property, Records and Files”); it being expressly understood that, upon termination of Executive’s employment at any time and for any reason, Executive shall not be authorized to retain any of the Company Property, Records and Files, any copies thereof or excerpts therefrom.
		

		
			7.                     Noncompetition and Other Matters.
		

		
			7.1       Noncompetition. During the Executive’s employment with the Company or one of its subsidiaries and during the twelve (12) month period following the termination of Executive’s employment (the “Restricted Period”), Executive will not directly, or indirectly knowingly cause any other person to, engage in Competition with the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the Restricted Area (as defined below). “Competition” shall mean engaging in any activity for a Competitor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, whether as a principal, agent, partner, officer, director, employee, independent contractor, investor, consultant or stockholder (except as a less than five percent (5%) shareholder of a publicly traded company) or otherwise. A “Competitor” shall mean any individual or entity that engages in the same or similar business as one or more business units of the Company or its subsidiaries. As of the Effective Date, it is understood that the Company’s business units include: (1) pharmacy benefits management (“PBM”), including the administration of pharmacy benefits for businesses, government agencies
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			or health plans; mail order pharmacy; specialty pharmacy and Medicare Part D services; (2) the sale of prescription drugs either at retail or over the internet; and (3) retail health care (“RediClinic”). It is understood and agreed that PBM competitors include, but are not limited to, CVS Health, Express Scripts and Catamaran Corp., as well as health plans or insurers that provide PBM services. It is also understood and agreed that retail pharmacy competitors include any individual or entity that sells or has imminent plans to sell prescription drugs, including but not limited to, drugstore companies such as Walgreens Boots Alliance and CVS Health; mass merchants such as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Target Corp.; and food/drug combinations such as Kroger Co., Albertsons LLC and Ahold USA. It is understood and agreed that RediClinic competitors include, but are not limited to, Walgreen’s Take Care Clinics, CVS Health’s Minute Clinics and The Little Clinic. During Executive’s employment by the Company or one of its subsidiaries and during the Restricted Period, Executive will not directly, or indirectly knowingly cause any other person to, engage in any activity that involves providing audit review or other consulting or advisory services with respect to any relationship between the Company and any third party. The “Restricted Area” means those states within the United States in which the Company, including its subsidiaries, conducts its business, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
		

		
			7.2       Noninterference. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, induce, or attempt to solicit or induce any officer, director, employee, agent or consultant of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns to terminate his, her or its employment or other relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns for the purpose of associating with any competitor of the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns, or otherwise encourage any such person or entity to leave or sever his, her or its employment or other relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns for any other reason.
		

		
			7.3       Nonsolicitation. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, induce, or attempt to solicit or induce any customers, clients, vendors, suppliers or consultants then under contract to the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns, to terminate, limit or otherwise modify his, her or its relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns, for the purpose of associating with any competitor of the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns, or otherwise encourage such customers, clients, vendors, suppliers or consultants then under contract to terminate his, her or its relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns for any reason. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not hire, either directly or through any employee, agent or representative, any field and corporate management employee of the Company or any subsidiary or any such person who was employed by the Company or any subsidiary within 180 days of such hiring.
		

		
			7.4       Rules of Professional Conduct. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this this Section 7 shall restricts the right of Executive to practice law after termination of employment with the Company.
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			8.                     Rights and Remedies upon Breach.
		

		
			If Executive breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the provisions of Sections 6 or 7 above (the “Restrictive Covenants”), the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns shall have the following rights and remedies, each of which shall be independent of the others and severally enforceable, and each of which shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights or remedies available to the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns at law or in equity.
		

		
			8.1       Specific Performance. The right and remedy to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction by injunctive decree or otherwise, it being agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns.
		

		
			8.2       Accounting. The right and remedy to require Executive to account for and pay over to the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns, as the case may be, all compensation, profits, monies, accruals, increments or other benefits derived or received by Executive as a result of any transaction or activity constituting a breach of any of the Restrictive Covenants.
		

		
			8.3       Severability of Covenants. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable and valid in geographic and temporal scope and in all other respects. If any court determines that any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Restrictive Covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full force and effect without regard to the invalid portions.
		

		
			8.4       Modification by the Court. If any court determines that any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is unenforceable because of the duration or scope of such provision, such court shall have the power (and is hereby instructed by the parties) to modify or reduce the duration or scope of such provision, as the case may be (it being the intent of the parties that any such modification or reduction be limited to the minimum extent necessary to render such provision enforceable), and, in its modified or reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable.
		

		
			8.5       Enforceability in Jurisdictions. Executive intends to and hereby confers jurisdiction to specifically enforce the Restrictive Covenants by issuing an injunction in aid of arbitration upon the courts of any jurisdiction within the geographic scope of such covenants. If the courts of any one or more of such jurisdictions hold the Restrictive Covenants unenforceable by reason of the breadth of such scope or otherwise, it is the intention of Executive that such determination not bar or in any way affect the right of the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns to the relief provided herein in the courts of any other jurisdiction within the geographic scope of such covenants, as to breaches of such covenants in such other respective jurisdictions, such covenants as they relate to each jurisdiction being, for this purpose, severable into diverse and independent covenants.
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			8.6       Extension of Restriction in the Event of Breach. In the event that Executive breaches any of the provisions set forth in this Section 8, the length of time of the Restricted Period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period of time during which Executive is in breach of such provision.
		

		
			9.                     No Violation of Third-Party Rights. Executive represents, warrants and covenants that Executive:
		

		
			(i)         will not, in the course of employment, infringe upon or violate any proprietary rights of any third party (including, without limitation, any third party confidential relationships, patents, copyrights, mask works, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights);
		

		
			(ii)        is not a party to any conflicting agreements with third parties, which will prevent Executive from fulfilling the terms of employment and the obligations of this Agreement;
		

		
			(iii)      does not have in Executive’s possession any confidential or proprietary information or documents belonging to others and will not disclose to the Company, use, or induce the Company to use, any confidential or proprietary information or documents of others; and
		

		
			(iv)       agrees to respect any and all valid obligations which Executive may now have to prior employers or to others relating to confidential information, inventions, discoveries or other intellectual property which are the property of those prior employers or others, as the case may be.
		

		
			Executive agrees to indemnify and save harmless the Company from any loss, claim, damage, cost or expense of any kind (including without limitation, reasonable attorney fees) to which the Company may be subjected by virtue of a breach by Executive of the foregoing representations, warranties, and covenants.
		

		
			10.                   Arbitration.
		

		
			Except as necessary for the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns or Executive to specifically enforce or enjoin a breach of this Agreement (to the extent such remedies are otherwise available), the parties agree that any and all disputes that may arise in connection with, arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or any dispute that relates in any way, in whole or in part, to Executive’s employment with the Company or any subsidiary, affiliate or strategic partner, the termination of that employment or any other dispute by and between the parties or their subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns, shall be submitted to final and binding arbitration in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania according to the National Employment Dispute Resolution Rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association at the time in effect. The Company shall be responsible for any filing, administrative or arbitrator fees that exceed the amount it would cost to file a claim in a court of competent jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This arbitration obligation extends to any and all claims that may arise by and between the parties or their subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns, and expressly extends to, without
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			limitation, claims or causes of action for wrongful termination, impairment of ability to compete in the open labor market, breach of an express or implied contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, slander, infliction of emotional distress, disability, loss of future earnings, and claims under the Pennsylvania Constitution, the United States Constitution, and applicable state and federal fair employment laws, federal and state equal employment opportunity laws, and federal and state labor statutes and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, and any other state or federal law. Executive understands that by entering into this Agreement, Executive is waiving Executive’s rights to have a court determine Executive’s rights, including under federal, state or local statutes prohibiting employment discrimination, including sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other factor prohibited by governing law. Executive further understands that there is no intent herein to interfere with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s right to enforce the laws it oversees or your right to file an administrative charge of employment discrimination or a similar state or local administrative agency.
		

		
			11.                   Assignment.
		

		
			Neither this Agreement, nor any of Executive’s rights or obligations hereunder, may be assigned or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Executive. The Company may assign its rights and obligations hereunder, and Executive hereby consents to any such assignment, in whole or in part, (i) to any of the Company’s subsidiaries, affiliates, or parent corporations; or (ii) to any other successor or assign in connection with the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or stock or in connection with any merger, acquisition and/or reorganization involving the Company.
		

		
			12.                   Notices.
		

		
			All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by fax or first class mail, certified or registered with return receipt requested, and shall be deemed to have been duly given three (3) days after mailing or twenty-four (24) hours after transmission of a fax to the respective persons named below:
		

		
			If to the Company:                  Rite Aid Corporation
30 Hunter Lane
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011
Attention: Chief Administrative Officer
Fax: (717) 760-7867
		

		
			If to Executive:                        James J. Comitale, at Executive’s last address shown on the payroll records of the Company.
		

		
			Any party may change such party’s address for notices by notice duly given pursuant hereto.
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			13.                   General.
		

		
			13.1     No Offset or Mitigation. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in, and otherwise to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action that the Company may have against the Executive or others whether in respect of claims made under this Agreement or otherwise. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts, benefits and other compensation payable or otherwise provided to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement, and such amounts shall not be reduced, regardless of whether the Executive obtains other employment.
		

		
			13.2     Governing Law. This Agreement is executed in Pennsylvania and shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles thereof which might refer such interpretations to the laws of a different state or jurisdiction. Any court action instituted by Executive relating in any way to this Agreement shall be filed exclusively in state or federal court in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Executive consents to the jurisdiction and venue of said courts in any action instituted by or on behalf of the Company against Executive.
		

		
			13.3     Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties relating to Executive’s employment with the Company and cancels and supersedes all agreements, arrangements and understandings relating thereto made prior to the date hereof, written or oral, between the Executive and the Company and/or any subsidiary or affiliate.
		

		
			13.4     Amendments: Waivers. This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms or covenants hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument executed by the parties, or in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. The failure of any party at any time or times to require performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect the right of such party at a later time to enforce the same. No waiver by any party of the breach of any term or covenant contained in this Agreement, whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be, or construed as, a further or continuing waiver of any such breach, or a waiver of the breach of any other term or covenant contained in this Agreement.
		

		
			13.5     Conflict with Other Agreements. Executive represents and warrants that neither Executive’s execution of this Agreement nor the full and complete performance of Executive’s obligations hereunder will violate or conflict in any respect with any written or oral agreement or understanding with any person or entity.
		

		
			13.6     Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Company (and its successors and assigns) and Executive and Executive’s heirs, executors and personal representatives.
		

		
			13.7     Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company may withhold from amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state, local and foreign taxes that are required to be withheld by applicable laws or regulations.
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			13.8     Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in part, the remaining portion of such provision, together with all other provisions of this Agreement, shall remain valid and enforceable and continue in full force and effect to the fullest extent consistent with law.
		

		
			13.9     No Assignment. The rights and benefits of the Executive under this Agreement may not be anticipated, assigned, alienated or subject to attachment, garnishment, levy, execution or other legal or equitable process except as required by law. Any attempt by the Executive to anticipate, alienate, assign, sell, transfer, pledge, encumber or charge the same shall be void. Payments hereunder shall not be considered assets of the Executive in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy.
		

		
			13.10   Survival. This Agreement shall survive the termination of Executive’s employment and the expiration of the Term to the extent necessary to give effect to its provisions.
		

		
			13.11   Captions. The section headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
		

		
			13.12   Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in separate counterparts; each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
		

		
			14.                   Compliance with Code Section 409A.
		

		
			(a)     Interpretation: The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code, to the extent subject thereto, and accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted and administered to be in compliance therewith. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Executive shall not be considered to have terminated employment with the Company for purposes of any payments under this Agreement which are subject to Section 409A of the Code until the Executive has incurred a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.
		

		
			(b)     Payment of Benefits: To the extent necessary to avoid adverse tax consequences, and except as described below, any payment to which Executive becomes entitled under the Agreement, or any arrangement or plan referenced in this Agreement, that constitutes “deferred compensation” under section 409A of the Code (“409A”), and is (a) payable upon Executive’s termination; (b) at a time when the Executive is a “specified employee” as defined by 409A shall not be made until the first payroll date after the earliest of:  (1) the expiration of the six (6) month period (the “Deferral Period”) measured from the date of Executive’s  “separation from service” within the meaning of such term under 409A; or (2) the date of Executive’s death.
		

		
			On the first payroll date after the expiration of the Deferral Period, all payments that would have been made during the Deferral Period (whether in a single lump sum or in
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			installments) shall be paid as a single lump sum to Executive or, if applicable, Executive’s beneficiary. This section shall not apply to any payment which meets the short term deferral exception to 409A or constitutes “separation pay” as described in Treasury Regulation Section 409A-1(b)(9) (in general, payments (i) that are made on an involuntary separation from service which (ii) do not exceed the lesser of two (2) times (x) the Executive’s annualized compensation for the taxable year preceding the year in which the separation from service occurs or (y) the Code Section 401(a)(17) limit on compensation for the year in which separation from service occurs and (iii) are paid in total by the end of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which the separation from service occurs).
		

		
			For purposes of 409A, each payment and each installment described in this Agreement shall be considered a separate payment from each other payment or installment and to the extent required by 409A, a payment due upon termination of employment will only be paid upon Executive’s separation from service within the meaning of such term under 409A.
		

		
			(c)     Reimbursements: To the extent required by 409A, with regard to any provision that provides for the reimbursement of costs and expenses, or for the provision of in-kind benefits: (i) the right to such reimbursement or in-kind benefit shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; (ii) the amount of expenses or in-kind benefits available or paid in one (1) year shall not affect the amount available or paid in any subsequent year; and (iii) such payments shall be made on or before the last day of the Executive’s taxable year in which the expense occurred.
		

		
			IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive and the Company have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
		

		
			 
		

			
					
						 

					
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						RITE AID CORPORATION

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						/s/ Darren Karst

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						By:

					
					
						Darren Karst

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						Its:

					
					
						Senior EVP, CAO & CFO

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						EXECUTIVE

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						/s/ James J. Comitale

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						James J. Comitale

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						 

				

		
			 
		

		
			 
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			Appendix A to Employment Agreement
		

		
			Date                                                            
		

		
			Name
		

		
			Address
		

		
			City, State Zip
		

		
			 
		

		
			Re:       Severance Agreement and General Release
		

		
			Dear Name:
		

		
			We are interested in resolving cooperatively your separation of employment with Rite Aid Corporation (the “Company”), which will take place on [DATE], (your “Separation Date”). Toward this end, we propose the following Severance Agreement, which includes a General Release.
		

		
			Whereas, the Company has previously entered into an employment agreement with you, dated [DATE] (the “Employment Agreement”), which contains among other things, certain provisions regarding severance compensation payable upon termination of your employment with the Company under certain circumstances. Other than what is expressly set forth herein, the terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
		

		
			The terms and conditions set forth in Paragraph 1 below will apply regardless of whether you decide to sign this Severance Agreement and General Release. However, you will not be eligible to receive the payments and benefits set forth in Paragraph 2 below unless you sign on or after the Separation Date and do not revoke this Severance Agreement and General Release, within the time period specified below.
		

		
			You may consider for twenty-one (21) days whether you wish to sign this Severance Agreement and General Release starting on the Separation Date. Since this Severance Agreement and General Release (“Agreement”) is a legal document, you are advised to review it with an attorney prior to signing it.
		

		
			1.         General Terms of Termination. As noted above, whether or not you sign this Agreement:
		

		
			(a)        Your last day of employment with the Company is your Separation Date. You will be paid for all time worked up to and including your termination.
		

		
			(b)        You will be paid for earned but unused vacation days and any properly documented reasonable expenses incurred in connection with your employment through your Separation Date.
		

		
			(c)        Except as contemplated by the Employment Agreement, your eligibility to participate in all other group benefits except Company sponsored health insurance including medical, dental, vision and prescription as an employee of the Company will end on the last day of the calendar month in which separation occurs.
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			(d)        You acknowledge (i) receipt of all compensation and benefits due through the Separation Date as a result of services performed for the Company with the receipt of a final paycheck, except as provided in this Agreement; (ii) you have reported to the Company any and all work-related injuries incurred during employment; (iii) the Company properly provided any leave of absence because of your or your family member’s health condition and you have not been subjected to any improper treatment, conduct or actions due to a request for or taking such leave; and (iv) you have provided the Company with written notice of any and all concerns regarding suspected ethical and compliance issues or violations on the part of the Company or any of the Released Parties.
		

		
			2.         Separation Payment. Except with respect to the Accrued Benefits as defined in the Employment Agreement, if you sign this Agreement, agreeing to be bound by the General Release in Paragraph 3 below and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement described below, and comply with the requirements of this Paragraph 2 (other than the Accrued Benefits), you will receive the compensation and benefits as contemplated by the Employment Agreement. You will not be eligible for the payment and benefits described in this Paragraph 2 unless: (i) you sign this Agreement no later than twenty-one (21) days after you receive it, promptly return the Agreement to the Company after you sign it, and do not timely revoke it; and (ii) you have returned all Company property and documents in accordance with Paragraph 15 below.
		

		
			3.         General Release. In consideration of the benefits provided by the Company, you personally and for your heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, fully, finally and forever release and discharge the Company and its parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates, as well as their respective successors, assigns, officers, owners, directors, agents, representatives, attorneys, and employees (collectively, the “Released Parties”), of and from all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, damages, losses, and expenses, of any and every nature whatsoever, (a) as a result of actions or omissions occurring through the date Employee signs this Agreement or (b) arising at any time under or relating to any agreements between you and any Releasee existing as of the Separation Date. Specifically included in this waiver and release are, among other things, any and all claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, or any other federal, state or local statute, rule, ordinance, or regulation, as well as any claims under common law for tort, contract, or wrongful discharge (the “Released Claims”). The above release does not waive claims (i) for unemployment or workers’ compensation benefits, (ii) for vested rights under ERISA-covered employee benefit plans as applicable on the date Employee signs this Agreement, (iii) to the extent prohibited by law, as a whistleblower under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iv) to interpret or enforce this Agreement, (v) that may arise after Employee signs this Agreement and (iv) which cannot be released by private agreement. Nothing in this release generally prevents you from filing a charge or complaint with or from participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, NLRB or any other federal, state or local agency charged with the enforcement of any employment laws, although by signing this release you waive the right to individual relief based on claims asserted in such a charge or complaint, except with the NLRB or anywhere else such a waiver is prohibited.
		

		
			4.         The parties agree and acknowledge that this Agreement and the considerations exchanged herein shall not constitute and shall not be interpreted as an admission on the part of
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			the Company of a violation of any statute, law, or ordinance or of any other wrongdoing by the Company.
		

		
			5.         The parties further agree that this Agreement is in full, complete, and final settlement by you of any and all claims, actions, causes of action, damages, or costs against the Company resulting from or pertaining to the Released Claims, your employment with, treatment at, severance from, or separation of employment from the Company.
		

		
			6.         The parties agree that this Agreement shall supersede and replace any and all prior written or oral agreements previously entered into between them, which agreements shall be null and void and of no consequence, except that the parties agree that this paragraph does not apply to any agreements referenced in this Agreement or to any applicable confidentiality, noncompetition, noninterference, and/or nonsolicitation agreements.
		

		
			7.         The parties agree that the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall apply to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and they consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania courts with respect to the enforcement of this Agreement.
		

		
			8.         You agree not to seek future employment with and waive any and all claims or rights to reemployment or reinstatement to your former position or any position within the Company or any of its affiliates.
		

		
			9.         You understand and agree that in the event any claim, suit, or action whatsoever shall be commenced by you, your heirs, executors, or administrators against the Company, based upon the Released Claims, this Agreement shall constitute a complete defense to any such claim, suit, or action.
		

		
			10.       Except as specifically set forth herein, you waive any common law and/or statutory right to recover attorneys’ fees and costs, if any.
		

		
			11.       It is intended that this Agreement, and all payments or income to you contemplated by it, comply with, or are exempt from, the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. This Agreement shall be construed, administered, and governed in a manner consistent with this intent. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold you harmless on an after-tax basis for any federal or state taxes imposed under Code section 409A (or similar state law) and any interest, penalties, or additions to tax imposed with respect thereto (collectively, “409A Taxes”) as well as related reasonable out-of-pocket expenses resulting from contesting the imposition of 409A Taxes that result from the payment of, or right to, any amount or property provided for in this Agreement. Any such indemnity payment shall be made within thirty (30) days of the date you remit the 409A Taxes to the applicable taxing authority imposing the 409A Taxes.
		

		
			12.       It is agreed that the terms and provisions of this Agreement are to remain strictly confidential and that any disclosure of the terms of this Agreement by you to any employee or former employee of the Company, or to any other person, other than your legal counsel, tax advisors, or your immediate family members will constitute a material breach of this Agreement.
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			13.       You agree that you will not make any disparaging statements, oral or written, regarding the Company to any person, firm or other entity. You further agree, without limiting any other applicable remedies, that in the event of any breach of this provision, the Company’s obligation to provide any and all consideration provided for in Paragraph 2 above will terminate. The Company agrees that members of its senior management team will not disparage you for so long as they remain members of such management team.
		

		
			14.       Regardless of whether you sign this Agreement, and as a condition of receiving the consideration set forth in Paragraph 2 above, you must return to your supervisor, retaining no copies, all Company property, including computers, wireless devices, papers, files, documents, reference guides, equipment, keys, access key tag/card, identification cards, credit cards, software, computer access codes, disks, supplies and institutional manuals, and you shall not retain any copies, duplicates, reproductions or excerpts of any of the foregoing, whether in hardcopy or electronic format and are prohibited from using or disclosing confidential and/or proprietary information which you accrued in the course of your employment with the Company.
		

		
			15.       You agree to make yourself available at mutually agreeable times to cooperate with the Company with respect to any legal proceedings that the Company believes, in its sole discretion, may be in any way related to your employment with the Company. Such cooperation encompasses your assistance with matters preliminary to the investigation of any legal proceedings and assistance during and throughout any litigation or legal proceeding, including, but not limited to, participating in any fact-finding or investigation, speaking with the Company’s attorneys, testifying in depositions Upon submission of appropriate documentation, you shall be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in rendering such cooperation, which shall not include any attorneys’ fees, testifying at hearings or at trial, and assisting with any post-litigation matter or appeal. Nothing in this paragraph should be construed as suggesting or implying in any way that you should testify untruthfully.
		

		
			16.       No provision of this Agreement shall be construed or enforced in a manner that would prevent Employee from testifying fully and truthfully under oath in any court, arbitration or administrative agency proceeding, or from filing a charge or providing complete and truthful information in the course of any government investigation. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed or enforced in a manner that would interfere with Employee’s rights under the National Labor Relations Act, if any, to discuss or comment on terms and conditions of employment.
		

		
			17.       You are advised to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Agreement. You have 21 days from the Separation Date to consider whether to sign this Agreement (the “Consideration Period”). You must return this signed Agreement to the Company’s representative set forth below within the Consideration Period but not prior to the Separation Date. If you sign and return this Agreement before the end of the Consideration Period, it is because you freely chose to do so after carefully considering its terms. Additionally, you shall have seven (7) days from the date of the signing of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement by delivering a written notice of revocation within the seven-day revocation period to the same person as you returned this Agreement. If the revocation period expires on a weekend or holiday, you will have until the end of the next business day to revoke. This Agreement will become effective on the eighth day after you sign this Agreement provided you do not revoke your
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			consent to this Agreement prior to such day. Any modification or alteration of any terms of this Agreement by you voids this Agreement in its entirety. You agree with the Company that changes, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the commencement of the Consideration Period.
		

		
			18.       In the event that, any one or more provisions (or portion thereof) of this Agreement is held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable for any reason, the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable provision (or portion thereof) shall be construed or modified so as to provide the Company with the maximum protection that is valid, lawful and enforceable, consistent with the intent of the Company and you in entering into this Agreement. If such provision (or portion thereof) cannot be construed or modified so as to be valid, lawful and enforceable, that provision (or portion thereof) shall be construed as narrowly as possible and shall be severed from the remainder of this Agreement (or provision), and the remainder shall remain in effect and be construed as broadly as possible, as if such invalid, unlawful or unenforceable provision (or portion thereof) had never been contained in this Agreement.
		

		
			19.       No changes to this Agreement can be effective except by another written agreement signed by you and by the Company’s authorized representative.
		

		
			20.       You and the Company execute this Agreement voluntarily, with full knowledge of its significance, and you acknowledge that you have read and fully understand the meaning of this Agreement, intend to be legally bound by the Agreement, and that no inducement, duress, or coercion caused either party to enter into this understanding.
		

		
			PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
		

		
			1.         THIS AGREEMENT CONSTITUTES A RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS. IT DOES NOT WAIVE RIGHTS OR CLAIMS THAT MAY ARISE AFTER THE DATE IT IS EXECUTED;
		

		
			2.         YOU AGREE THAT YOU ARE WAIVING RIGHTS AND CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE IN EXCHANGE FOR CONSIDERATION IN ADDITION TO THINGS OF VALUE TO WHICH YOU ARE ALREADY ENTITLED;
		

		
			3.         YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT;
		

		
			4.         YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS WITHIN WHICH TO CONSIDER THIS AGREEMENT;
		

		
			5.         YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE SEVEN (7) DAYS FOLLOWING YOUR EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED. REVOCATION MUST BE IN WRITING AND TIMELY DELIVERED TO: CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, RITE AID CORPORATION, 30 HUNTER LANE, CAMP HILL, PENNSYLVANIA, 17011.
		

		
			 
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

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			In witness whereof, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and date indicated below.
		

			
					
						RITE AID CORPORATION

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						By:

					
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						Its:

					
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						 

				

		
			 
		

			
					
						Dated:

					
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						EXECUTIVE

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						Dated:

					
					
						 

					
					
						 

				

		
			 
		

		
			 
		

		 

		

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