Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.15

                         The Yankee Candle Company, Inc.
                               102 Christian Lane
                               Whately, MA 0 1093

March 31, 2001

Mr. Michael D. Parry
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Yankee Candle Company, Inc.
102 Christian Lane
Whately, MA 0 1093

Dear Mike:

     This letter confirms our agreement as to your resignation as Chief
Executive Officer of Yankee Candle. Our goal is to acknowledge your years of
service with the company, as well as to secure your assistance and support
during the transition to a new Chief Executive Officer.

     1.   REPURCHASE OF SHARES. You currently hold an aggregate of 451,234
shares of common stock of the company, all of which are subject to a
Stockholder's Agreement, dated as of July 6, 1999. Of these shares, 326,768 are
unvested, After your resignation, the company will exercise its right to
repurchase 217,845 of these unvested shares but will not exercise its right to
repurchase the other 108,923 shares. The purchase price (which will be based on
book value, as defined) and the procedures for the repurchase of the unvested
shares are set forth in the Stockholder's Agreement. You acknowledge your
understanding that, even after your termination of employment the terms and
conditions of the Stockholder's Agreement will continue to apply to you. This
includes the fact that the company may repurchase all of your shares of common
stock, regardless of whether they are vested or unvested, at the lower of your
cost or book value, as defined, if you engage in any "Prohibited Activity" or
"Competitive Activity," in each case as defined in the Stockholder's Agreement.
These activities include, among other things, your solicitation or your
assistance in the solicitation of employees of the company or making disparaging
remarks about the company.

     2.   CONTINUING PAYMENTS. Subject to paragraph 3 of this letter, the
company will continue to pay you $275,000 per year for the two years beginning
on March 30, 2001 and ending on March 30, 2003 on the same payroll schedule as
the other senior executives of the Company. Before your resignation, these
payments will be your sole compensation from the company, and, after your
resignation, these payments will be your sole severance payments from the
company. In addition, you and your eligible dependents will receive continued
medical coverage for the next two years at the same rates as are paid during
this period by employees generally.

     3.   CONTINUING COVENANTS. The company expects you to be helpful and
supportive to it and the new Chief Executive Officer. Thus, you agree that,
while the company has any obligation to make any of the payments set forth in
paragraph 2, you will not engage in any "Prohibited Activity" as defined in
Section 3.1 of the Stockholder's Agreement or "Competitive Activity" as defined
in Section 3.2 of the Stockholder's Agreement. These sections of the
Stockholder's Agreement are incorporated into this letter by reference. You also
agree that, during this period, you will. not undermine the company's
relationships with its executives and other key employees. If you do engage in
any of these activities during this period, the company will stop making these
payments and will have the right to pursue any other legal remedies

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available to it.

     4.   CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL. You acknowledge that you had the
opportunity to consult with a lawyer (of your own choosing and at your own
expense) before signing this letter and that you have signed this letter
voluntarily and free from any coercion or duress.

     We appreciate all you have done for the company, and we wish you well in
your future endeavors. Please indicate your acceptance and agreement to the
foregoing in the space below.

                                          Sincerely yours,

                                          THE YANKEE CANDLE COMPANY, INC

                                          /s/ Sandra J. Horbach
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          By: Sandra J. Horbach
                                          Its: Director and Member of the
                                               Executive Committee

                                          /s/ Robert R. Spellman
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          By: Robert R. Spellman
                                          Its: Chief Financial Officer

ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED this
31st day of March, 2001

/s/ Michael D. Parry
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        Michael D. Parry<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10.16

August 31, 2000

Mr. Paul J. Hill
Nine Ringed Neck Lane
Camden-Wyoming, DE 19934

Dear Paul:

On behalf of the entire Yankee Candle team, I am delighted to confirm our offer
of employment as the Senior Vice President, Operations of the Yankee Candle
Company, Inc. In this position you will report to me, Yankee's, President and
Chief Executive Officer. Your start date is to be as determined and agreed to
with me.

The key components of our offer are as follows:

BASE SALARY

$3846.15 per week $200,000.00 annualized

Subject to annual review beginning one year from start date.

TARGET BONUS

30% of base salary beginning fiscal 2001

FISCAL 2000 BONUS AWARD

In consideration of the bonus you will forfeit in connection with terminating
employment with your current employer and the time you will be employed by
Yankee Candle during 2000; Yankee Candle will pay a $55,000 bonus in March 2001
(when bonuses are paid to Yankee Candle management).

EQUITY PARTICIPATION

You will be awarded a stock option grant that will allow you to acquire 60,000
shares of common stock. The exercise price for the shares will be the closing
price on the New York Stock Exchange on the day you accept this offer or on
September 11, 2000 (the day before the next meeting of the Board of Directors),
whichever is lower. The stock option grant vests 25% per year at each
anniversary of the grant date.
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Mr. Paul J. Hill
Page Two
August 31, 2000

EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

You will be eligible to participate in The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. Executive
Deferred Compensation Plan beginning fiscal 2001. This plan allows you to defer
up to $30,000 of salary which you can invest in Fidelity funds offered by the
plan. Yankee Candle will match 100% of the first $10,000 and 50% of the next
$20,000 which you choose to defer/invest. The company contribution is deposited
after the close of the fiscal year. You are 100% vested in your account balance.

SEVERANCE

Yankee Candle agrees that in the event that your employment is terminated by
Yankee Candle prior to the second anniversary date of hire for any reason other
than for "Cause", then you shall be paid a lump sum severance payment in an
amount equal to one year of your current annual base salary.

For purposes of this letter agreement, the term "Cause" shall mean (i)
intentional failure to perform reasonably assigned duties, (ii) dishonesty or
willful misconduct in the performance of duties, (iii) involvement in a
transaction in connection with the performance of duties to Yankee Candle or any
of its subsidiaries, which transaction is adverse to the interests of Yankee
Candle or any of its subsidiaries, and which is engaged in for personal profit
or (iv) willful violation of any law, rule or regulation in connection with the
performance of duties (other than traffic violations or similar offenses).

VACATION

You will be eligible for one week of paid vacation during the balance of 2000.
Beginning with calendar year 2001, you will be eligible for three weeks of paid
vacation each year until such time as you are eligible for additional paid
vacation pursuant to the standard vacation policy of Yankee Candle.

BENEFITS

Pursuant to the documentation you have previously received.

RELOCATION

Yankee Candle agrees to pay for relocation from your present home. Specifically,
Yankee Candle agrees to pay: a real estate commission up to 6% on the sale of
your home; points associated with obtaining a mortgage on your new home to a
maximum of two points; usual and customary fees associated with a real estate
attorney and home inspection; packing, movement and unpacking of your household
goods; movement of up to two vehicles; up to two house hunting trips; and to
reimburse you for reasonable costs to store your household goods and temporary
living expenses for a period of up to six months. I must approve temporary
living expenses and storage costs. Where applicable, the forgoing items will be
grossed up for tax purposes.
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Mr. Paul J. Hill
Page Three
August 31, 2000

Your regular work schedule will be full time hours, which will vary due to
operational need.

Due to the nature of this position, we do require a signed Agreement Not to
Compete and Proprietary and Confidential Information Agreement. These documents
are enclosed. Please return this signed Offer Letter and the signed Agreements
in the envelope enclosed.

I expect that these conditions are understood and acceptable to you. If you have
any questions or concerns, please contact me. Please return the necessary signed
documents by one week from the date of acceptance.

We all look forward to having you join our team and to the contributions you can
make in helping us achieve our goals. On a personal note, I very much look
forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Michael D. Parry
President and Chief Executive Officer

MDP/jb

         I agree that the terms outlined in this offer of employment are as
         described to me verbally, and I do accept these terms. I understand
         that this is an offer of employment, and is not an employment contract.

         Signed:

         /s/ Paul J. Hill                      August 31, 2000
         ---------------------------           -------------------
         Paul J. Hill                          Date

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