Document:

EX-10.8

 Exhibit 10.8 

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT 

Issued Pursuant to the 

Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan 

THIS RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), effective as of the grant date (“Grant Date”) set forth in the
attached Restricted Stock Award Certificate (the “Certificate”), represents the grant of such number of Shares of Restricted Stock set forth in the Certificate by Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (the “Company”), to the
person named in the Certificate (the “Participant”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, the Certificate and the provisions of the Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). 

All capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan, unless specifically set forth otherwise herein. The parties hereto
agree as follows: 
 1. Grant of Restricted Stock. The Company hereby grants to the Participant the number of Shares of Restricted
Stock set forth in the Certificate, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. As soon as practicable after the Grant Date, the Company shall cause to be transferred on the books of the Company, Shares registered in the name
of the Company, as nominee for the Participant, evidencing the Restricted Stock covered by this Agreement, but subject to forfeiture to the Company retroactive to the Grant Date, if the Certificate is not duly executed by the Participant and timely
returned to the Company. Until the lapse or release of all restrictions applicable to a grant of Restricted Stock, the share certificates representing such Restricted Stock shall be held in custody by the Company or its designee. 

2. Vesting Period. (a) In General. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Certificate and the Plan, Shares of
Restricted Stock granted hereunder are eligible to vest as indicated in the Certificate. For such vesting to occur on any vesting date set forth therein, the Participant must be continuously employed by or providing services to the Company or any of
its Affiliates from the Grant Date through such vesting date. Except as set forth in Section 6 below, if the Participant’s employment or service terminates before the last vesting date set forth in the Certificate, all Shares of Restricted
Stock granted hereunder that are unvested as of the date of termination of employment or service shall be forfeited. 
 (b) Vesting.
Except as set forth in Section 6 or Section 12 below, in no event shall a Participant have any rights to these Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder prior to the date such Shares vest pursuant to the vesting schedule set forth in
the Certificate. 
 3. Voting Rights. All Shares of Restricted Stock issued hereunder, whether vested or unvested, shall have full
voting rights accorded to outstanding Shares. 
 4. Dividend Rights. (a) Cash Dividends. The Participant shall be
entitled to receive any cash dividends paid with respect to Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder. Any such cash dividends shall be distributed to the Participant at the same time cash dividends are paid to holders of Shares. 

(b) Non-Cash Dividends. Any stock dividends or other distributions or dividends of property other than cash with respect to Shares of
Restricted Stock granted hereunder shall be subject to the same forfeiture restrictions and restrictions on transferability as apply to the Restricted Stock with respect to which such property was paid. 

 5. Nontransferability. (a) In General. Except as may be provided in
Section 5(b) below, these Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, until such Shares
have vested in accordance with Section 2 hereof and except as provided in the Plan. No assignment or transfer of any Shares of Restricted Stock in violation of this Section 5, whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or
otherwise, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise required by applicable law, shall vest in the assignee or transferee any interest whatsoever. 

(b) Transfers With The Consent of the Committee. With the consent of the Committee, a Participant may assign or transfer unvested
Shares of Restricted Stock to the Participant’s spouse, domestic partner and/or children (and/or trusts and/or partnerships established for the benefit of the Participant’s spouse, domestic partner and/or children or in which the
Participant is a beneficiary or partner) (each transferee thereof, a “Permitted Assignee”); provided, however, that such Permitted Assignee(s) shall be bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Certificate
and this Agreement relating to the transferred Shares of Restricted Stock and shall execute an agreement satisfactory to the Company evidencing such obligations; and provided further that such Participant shall remain bound by the terms and
conditions of the Plan, the Certificate and this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Shares of Restricted Stock (or any rights and obligations thereunder) be transferred to a third party in exchange for value unless such
transfer is specifically approved by the Company’s stockholders. The Company shall cooperate with any Permitted Assignee and the Company’s transfer agent in effectuating any transfer permitted under this Section 5(b). 

6. Termination. (a) Death. In the event a Participant dies while employed by or providing services to the Company or any of
its Affiliates, all restrictions set forth herein shall lapse and any unvested Shares of Restricted Stock held by such Participant (or his or her Permitted Assignee) shall immediately vest in the estate of such Participant or in any person who
acquired such Shares of Restricted Stock by bequest or inheritance, or by the Permitted Assignee. References in this Agreement to a Participant shall include any person who acquired Shares of Restricted Stock from such Participant by bequest or
inheritance. 
 (b) Disability. In the event a Participant ceases to perform services of any kind (whether as an employee or
Director) for the Company or any of its Affiliates due to permanent and total disability, all restrictions set forth herein shall lapse and all unvested Shares of Restricted Stock shall immediately vest in the Participant, or his guardian or legal
representative, or a Permitted Assignee, as of the first date of permanent and total disability (as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee). For purposes of this Agreement, the term “permanent and total disability” means the
Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period
of not less than 12 months, and the permanence and degree of which shall be supported by medical evidence satisfactory to the Committee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Committee shall determine, in its sole and
absolute discretion, (1) whether a Participant has ceased to perform services of any kind due to a permanent and total disability and, if so, (2) the first date of such permanent and total disability. 

7. Administration. (a) Generally. This Agreement and the rights of the Participant hereunder and under the Certificate are
subject to all the terms and conditions of the Plan, as the same may be amended from time to time, as well as to such rules and regulations as the Committee may adopt for administration of the Plan. It is expressly understood that the Committee is
authorized to administer, construe, and make all determinations necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan, this Agreement and the 

  
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Certificate, all of which shall be binding upon the Participant and Permitted Assignees. Any inconsistency between this Agreement or the Certificate (on the one hand) and the Plan (on the other
hand) shall be resolved in favor of the Plan. 
 (b) Conflicts. The order of precedence as between the Plan, this Agreement or the
Certificate, and any written employment agreement between the Participant and the Company shall be as follows: If there is any inconsistency between (i) the terms of this Agreement or the Certificate (on the one hand) and the terms of the Plan
(on the other hand); or (ii) any such written employment agreement (on the one hand) and the terms of the Plan (on the other hand), the Plan’s terms shall completely supersede and replace the conflicting terms of this Agreement, the
Certificate or the written employment agreement (as the case may be). If there is any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement or the Certificate (on the one hand) and the terms of Participant’s written employment agreement, if any (on
the other hand), the terms of this Agreement or the Certificate (as the case may be) shall completely supersede and replace the conflicting terms of the written employment agreement unless such written employment agreement was approved by the
Committee, in which event such written employment agreement shall completely supersede and replace the conflicting terms of this Agreement or the Certificate (as the case may be). 

8. Adjustments. The number of Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with
Section 12.2 of the Plan. 
 9. Exclusion from Other Computations. By acceptance of these Shares of Restricted Stock granted
hereunder, the Participant hereby agrees that any income or gain realized upon the receipt or disposition of the Shares is special incentive compensation and shall not be taken into account, to the extent permissible under applicable law, as
“wages”, “salary” or “compensation” in determining the amount of any payment under any pension, retirement, incentive, profit sharing, bonus, severance or deferred compensation plan of the Company or any of its
Affiliates. 
 10. Withholding Taxes. The Company shall have the right to withhold from wages or other amounts otherwise payable to
the Participant (or a Permitted Assignee thereof), or otherwise require the Participant or Permitted Assignee to pay, any federal, state, local or foreign income taxes, withholding taxes, or employment taxes required to be withheld by law or
regulations (“Withholding Taxes”) arising as a result of the grant or vesting of Shares of Restricted Stock, the transfer of any Shares of Restricted Stock, the making of an election under [Section 83(b)] (or any similar provision) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), or any other taxable event occurring pursuant to the Plan (including, without limitation, the payment of dividends on unvested Shares of Restricted Stock), this Agreement or the Certificate. If,
notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant (or Permitted Assignee) shall fail to actually or constructively make such tax payments as are required, the Company (or its Affiliates) shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct
any such Withholding Taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such Participant or Permitted Assignee or to take such other action as may be necessary to satisfy such Withholding Taxes. In satisfaction of the requirement to pay Withholding
Taxes (but only if the [Section 83(b)] Election defined below has not been made with respect to the Restricted Stock granted hereunder), the Company, in its sole discretion, may elect to satisfy the obligation for Withholding Taxes by retaining a
sufficient number of Shares of Restricted Stock that it would otherwise deliver on a particular vesting date equal to the amount of any Withholding Taxes due on such vesting date. Notwithstanding the foregoing discretion, the Company shall satisfy
the obligation for Withholding Taxes by retaining a sufficient number of Shares of Restricted Stock that it would otherwise deliver on a particular vesting date equal to the amount of any Withholding Taxes due on such vesting date, unless the
Participant has either (a) made the [Section 83(b)] Election defined below or (b) provided the Company with written notice at least 30 days (or such lesser period as may be permitted by the Company in its sole

  
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discretion) in advance of such vesting date that the Participant will pay the Withholding Taxes in cash. For purposes of the preceding two sentences, where the Company is to retain Shares to
satisfy the obligation for Withholding Taxes, the net amount of Shares to be delivered to the Participant on a vesting date shall equal the total number of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant on such vesting date (pursuant to
Section 1 hereof and the Certificate), less such number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such Withholding Taxes (as determined in the Committee’s sole discretion). 

11. Registration; Legend. The Company may postpone the issuance and delivery of these Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder
until (a) the admission of such Shares to listing on any stock exchange or exchanges on which Shares of the Company of the same class are then listed and (b) the completion of such registration or other qualification of such Shares under
any state or federal law, rule or regulation as the Company shall determine to be necessary or advisable. The Participant shall make such representations and furnish such information as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be appropriate
to permit the Company, in light of the then existence or non-existence with respect to such Shares of an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to issue the Shares in compliance with the provisions of that or
any comparable act. 
 The Company may cause the following or a similar legend to be set forth on each certificate representing Shares of
Restricted Stock granted hereunder unless counsel for the Company is of the opinion as to any such certificate that such legend is unnecessary: 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE AND OTHER LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS AS SET FORTH IN A
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT ON FILE WITH THE COMPANY. IN ADDITION, THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT, THE AVAILABILITY OF WHICH IS ESTABLISHED BY AN OPINION FROM COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY. 

12. Change of Control. (a) In the event of the occurrence of a Change of Control of the Company, the Shares of Restricted Stock
shall be treated in accordance with Article 11 of the Plan. 
 (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a termination of the
Participant’s employment or services by the successor company following such Change of Control, these Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder or any award substituted therefor held by such Participant at the time of the Change of Control
shall vest as of the day immediately preceding the date of termination unless the termination was made by the successor company for cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “cause” shall mean either (i) material failure by the
Participant to perform his or her duties (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) during his or her employment with or service to the Company after written notice of such breach or failure and the Participant failed
to cure such breach or failure to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction within five days after receiving such written notice; or (ii) any act of fraud, misappropriation, misuse, embezzlement or any other material act of dishonesty in
respect of the Company or its funds, properties, assets or other employees 

  
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 13. Miscellaneous. 

(a) No Right to Employment. Neither this Agreement nor the Certificate shall confer upon the Participant any right to continuation of
employment by the Company, nor shall this Agreement or the Certificate interfere in any way with the Company’s right to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time. 

(b) Successors. All obligations of the Company under the Plan, this Agreement and the Certificate, with respect to these Shares of
Restricted Stock granted hereunder, shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the
business and/or assets of the Company. 
 (c) Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more
provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable. 

(d) Consent to Board or Committee Action. By accepting this grant of Shares of Restricted Stock, the Participant and each person
claiming under or through the Participant shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated their acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan by the Company, the Board or the Committee. 

(e) Amendment. The Committee may, with the consent of the Participant, at any time or from time to time amend the terms and conditions
of this grant of Shares of Restricted Stock. In addition, the Committee may at any time or from time to time amend the terms and conditions of this grant of Shares of Restricted Stock in accordance with the Plan. 

(f) Governmental Approvals. This Agreement and the Certificate shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to
such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. 
 (g) Governing Law. To the extent
not preempted by federal law, this Agreement and the Certificate shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. 

[(h) Section 83(b) Election. If the Participant makes the election contemplated by Section 83(b) of the Code (a “Section
83(b) Election”) (or any similar provision of federal, state or local law) with respect to the Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder, the Participant shall provide the Company with a copy of such election within 30 days after the Grant
Date (or such earlier date required by law) and otherwise comply with the provisions of this Section 13(h). The Participant hereby agrees, as a condition precedent to any issuance of Shares of Restricted Stock under this Agreement, that on or
prior to the date of filing of any Section 83(b) Election with respect to such Shares of Restricted Stock, Participant shall satisfy the Company’s Withholding Tax obligations with respect to such Section 83(b) Election by tendering
payment to the Company, in readily available funds, of an amount equal to such Withholding Tax obligation (or enter into such other arrangement as shall be acceptable to the Company to satisfy such Withholding Tax obligation).] 

(i) No Tax Advice. Participant hereby acknowledges that the Company has not provided any specific tax advice to Participant in
connection with his or her participation in the Plan. Participant understands and acknowledges that the Section 83(b) Election is valid only if made within 30 days after the Grant Date. Participant will consult with his or her own tax advisors
with respect to any tax consequences relating to a grant of Restricted Stock, participation in the Plan, and the decision of whether or not to make a Section 83(b) Election. 

  
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 (j) Waiver of Trial by Jury. The Participant, every person claiming under or through the
Participant, and the Company hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law any right to a trial by jury with respect to any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under, or in connection with the Plan, this Agreement or
the Certificate. 
 (k) Exculpation. These Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder and all documents, agreements, understandings
and arrangements relating hereto have been issued on behalf of the Company by officers acting on its behalf and not by any person individually. None of the Directors, officers or stockholders of the Company nor the Directors, officers or
stockholders of any Affiliate of the Company shall have any personal liability hereunder or thereunder. The Participant shall look solely to the assets of the Company for satisfaction of any liability of the Company in respect of these Shares of
Restricted Stock granted hereunder and all documents, agreements, understandings and arrangements relating hereto and will not seek recourse or commence any action against any of the Directors, officers or stockholders of the Company or any of the
Directors, officers or stockholders of any Affiliate, or any of their personal assets, for the performance or payment of any obligation hereunder or thereunder. The foregoing shall also apply to any future documents, agreements, understandings,
arrangements and transactions between the parties hereto with respect to these Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder. 
 (l)
Captions. The captions in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and are not intended to narrow, limit or affect the substance or interpretation of the provisions contained herein. 

(m) Notices. Any notice that either party hereto may be required or permitted to give to the other shall be in writing, and may be
delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed as follows: if to the Company, at its office at 120 Mountain View Blvd, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, Attn: Human Resources, or at such other address as the Company by
notice to the Participant may designate in writing from time to time; and if to the Participant, at the address shown below his or her signature on the Certificate, or at such other address as the Participant by notice to the Company may designate
in writing from time to time. Notices shall be effective upon receipt. 

  
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 [Insert Barnes & Noble Education Logo] 

Restricted Stock Award Certificate 
  

 
  

			
	Granted To:		Name
			Street Address
			City, State Zip Code

 You have been granted Restricted Stock of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (the “Company”), par value $0.01
per share. 
  

							
	Grant Date:		X/X/15		Number of Restricted Stock Granted:            X,XXX
			
	Vesting Schedule:				

 By your signature below, you agree that these Shares of Restricted Stock are awarded under and governed by the terms and
conditions of the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan, the Restricted Stock Award Agreement and the Insider Trading Policy, all of which are attached and made a part of this document. 

 

									
	Signature:		  
				Date:		  

 NOTE: If there are any discrepancies in the name or address shown above, please make the appropriate correction on this form.

 PLEASE RETURN TO: 
 Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.

 120 Mountain View Blvd 
 Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 

Attn: Human Resources 
 [Phone] 

  
 7EX-10.9

 Exhibit 10.9 
  

 
 June 23, 2015 

Mr. Max Roberts 
 c/o Barnes & Noble College
Booksellers, LLC 
 120 Mountain View Boulevard 
 Basking Ridge,
NJ 07920 
 Dear Mr. Roberts: 
 This letter agreement
(the “Agreement”) is intended to set forth our mutual understanding regarding your employment as Chief Executive Officer of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (“Education”) and Barnes & Noble College Booksellers,
LLC (the “Company”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. This Agreement is intended to replace the letter agreement with you dated as of June 24, 2014 (the “Prior Agreement”) effective as of
the distribution by Barnes & Noble, Inc. to its stockholders of all shares of common stock of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc., and the indirect ownership of all membership interests in the Company (the “Distribution”). For
the avoidance of doubt, the Prior Agreement shall remain effective through the effectiveness of the Distribution and shall be replaced by this Agreement upon the effectiveness of the Distribution; provided, however, Barnes & Noble, Inc. may
at any time prior to the proposed Distribution provide notice to you in accordance with Section 6.5 of this Agreement that the proposed Distribution will not occur, in which case, this Agreement shall be null and void ab initio. 

Accordingly, we are pleased to agree as follows: 
 1.
Duties. You agree to be Chief Executive Officer of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. for the term of this Agreement. In this capacity, you shall perform such duties and have such responsibilities as are typically associated with such
position, including such duties and responsibilities as are prescribed by the Board of Directors of Education (the “Board”) consistent with such position. During your employment, you agree to devote your full business time and attention to
the performance of your duties and responsibilities hereunder. You shall report to the Executive Chairman or Chairman of the Board. Education shall (a) nominate you for election to the Board or, if earlier, shall appoint you to fill a vacancy
on the Board and (b) re-nominate you at the expiration of each term of office as a member of the Board during the term of this Agreement. Subject to Section 2(b), you shall serve as a member of the Board for each period for which you are
so elected or appointed without any additional compensation. 
 2. Term. (a) The initial term of this Agreement shall be for a period beginning
on the date hereof (the “Effective Date”) and ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Date or, if earlier, the termination of your employment in accordance with the provisions set forth below (the “Initial Term”). At the
expiration (but not earlier termination) of the Initial Term, and any subsequent “Renewal Term” (as defined below), the term of this Agreement shall automatically renew for additional periods of one year (each, a “Renewal Term”),
unless your employment has earlier terminated or either party hereto has given the other party written notice of non-renewal at least 90 days prior to the expiration date of the Initial Term or the Renewal Term, as applicable. In the event that
either party has given written notice of non-renewal, and your employment with the Company continues after the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, such post-expiration employment shall be “at-will” and either party may
terminate such employment with or without notice and for any reason or no reason. 
 (b) Your employment hereunder shall terminate upon your death and may
be terminated by the Company upon written notice to you following your Disability (as defined below). Your employment hereunder may also be terminated by the Company immediately for Cause (as defined below) or following two weeks written notice to
you for any other reason. Your employment hereunder may also be terminated by you following written notice to the Company of your intention to resign with or without Good Reason (as defined below); provided that a resignation for Good Reason shall
comply with Section 2(c)(iv). If as of the date of your employment for any reason, you are a member of the Board or the board of directors of any of Education’s affiliates, or hold any other position with Education or its affiliates, you
shall automatically be deemed to have resigned from all such positions as of such date. You agree to execute such documents and take such other actions as Education may request to reflect such resignation. 

 

 
  
 (c) For purposes of this Agreement: 

(i) “Cause” means (A) your engaging in intentional misconduct or gross negligence that, in either case, is injurious to Company;
(B) your indictment, entry of a plea of nolo contendere or conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction with respect to any crime or violation of law involving fraud or dishonesty (with the exception of misconduct based in good faith on the
advice of professional consultants, such as attorneys and accountants) or any felony (or equivalent crime in a non-U.S. jurisdiction); (C) any gross negligence, intentional acts or intentional omissions by you (as determined by a majority vote
of the Board in its reasonable discretion and judgment) that constitute fraud, dishonesty, embezzlement or misappropriation in connection with the performance of your employment duties and responsibilities; (D) your engaging in any act of
intentional misconduct or moral turpitude (as determined by a majority vote of the Board in its reasonable discretion and judgment) reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company or its business; (E) your abuse of or dependency on alcohol or
drugs (illicit or otherwise) that adversely affects your job performance; (F) your willful failure or refusal to properly perform (as determined by a majority vote of the Board in its reasonable discretion and judgment) the duties,
responsibilities or obligations of your employment for reasons other than Disability or authorized leave, or to properly perform or follow (as determined by a majority vote of the Board in its reasonable discretion and judgment) any lawful direction
by the Company (with the exception of a willful failure or refusal to properly perform based in good faith on the advice of professional consultants, such as attorneys and accountants); or (G) your material breach of this Agreement or of any
other contractual duty to, written policy of, or written agreement with the Company (with the exception of a material breach based in good faith on the advice of professional consultants, such as attorneys and accountants). 

(ii) “Disability” shall mean a written determination by a majority of three physicians (one of which shall be your most recent
primary care provider) mutually agreeable to the Company and you (or, in the event of your total physical or mental disability, your legal representative) that you are physically or mentally unable to perform your duties as Chief Executive Officer
of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. and Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC under this Agreement and that such disability can reasonably be expected to continue for a period of six consecutive months or for shorter periods
aggregating 180 days in any 12-month period. 
 (iii) “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following
events without your written consent: (A) there shall have been a material diminution of your authority, duties or responsibilities; (B) there shall have been a greater than 10% reduction in your Annual Base Salary (as defined below) in
effect as of the Effective Date pursuant to Section 3.1; (C) the principal executive offices of the Company shall be relocated to a location more than 50 miles from both New York City, NY and Basking Ridge, NJ; or (D) the Company
fails to make material payments to you as required by this Agreement. 
 (iv) You shall only be deemed to terminate employment for Good
Reason if (A) you provide the Company with written notice of Good Reason within a period not to exceed 90 days after the initial existence of the condition alleged to give rise to Good Reason, (B) the Company fails to remedy the condition
within 30 days of such notice and (C) your termination is within six months following the initial existence of the condition alleged to give rise to Good Reason. 

3. Compensation. 
 3.1 Annual Base Salary. During
the Initial Term and any Renewal Term, the Company shall pay you, for all services you perform hereunder, an annual base salary of U.S. $900,000.00, or such higher amount as the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation
Committee”) may determine, payable in accordance with the Company’s payroll schedule applicable to executive officers of the Company (“Annual Base Salary”). 

3.2 Bonus Compensation. During the Initial Term and any Renewal Term, the Company shall pay you annual bonus compensation, as determined by the
Compensation Committee, with an annual target amount of not less than 150% of your Annual Base Salary, which shall be paid by the Company in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the incentive or compensation plan or arrangement
specified by the Compensation Committee. 

  
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 3.3 Employee Benefits. During the Initial Term
and any Renewal Term, you shall be eligible to participate in and receive any benefits to which you are entitled under the employee benefit plans that the Company provides for its employees generally, as well as any employee benefit plans that
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. provides for its executive officers generally. 
 3.4 Expenses. During the Initial Term and any Renewal Term,
the Company shall reimburse you for all reasonable expenses incurred by you in the performance of your duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, including entertainment and travel expenses, in accordance with the policies and procedures
established by the Compensation Committee. 
 3.5 Equity Awards. During the Initial Term and any Renewal Term, you shall be eligible to receive
equity awards of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. under the terms of the Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan, as determined by the Compensation Committee. 

3.6 Car Allowance. During the Initial Term and any Renewal Term, the Company shall pay you in cash a monthly car allowance of U.S. $1,500.00, or such
higher amount as may be determined by the Compensation Committee. 
 3.7 Life and Disability Insurance. During the Initial Term and any Renewal Term,
the Company shall obtain in your name (a) a life insurance policy providing for a death benefit of U.S. $1,000,000.00 payable to any beneficiary or beneficiaries named by you and (b) a disability insurance policy providing for monthly
payments to you of at least U.S. $12,800.00 during the period of any disability until the earlier of your attaining age 65 or death; provided that the term “disability” in any such disability insurance policy shall be defined in a manner
consistent with the definition in Section 2(c)(ii). During the Initial Term and the Renewal Term, the Company shall pay all premiums due on such policies. 

3.8 Severance. In the event that, during the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, (a) your employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or
(b) you voluntarily terminate your employment for Good Reason, the Company shall pay you an amount equal to two times the sum of (i) your then Annual Base Salary, (ii) the average of the annual bonuses actually paid to you with
respect to the three completed years preceding the date of your termination of employment and (iii) the aggregate annual dollar amount of the payments made or to be made to you or on your behalf for purposes of providing you with the benefits
set forth in Sections 3.3, 3.6 and 3.7 above, less all applicable withholding and other applicable taxes and deductions (“Severance Amount”); provided that (x) you execute and deliver to the Company, and do not revoke, a release of
all claims against the Company substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (“Release”) and (y) you have not materially breached as of the date of such termination any provisions of this Agreement and do not materially
breach such provisions at any time during the Relevant Period (as defined below). The Company’s obligation to make such payment shall be cancelled upon the occurrence of any such material breach and, in the event such payment has already been
made, you shall repay to the Company such payment within 30 days after demand therefor; provided, however, such repayment shall not be required if the Company shall have materially breached this Agreement prior to the time of your breach. The
Severance Amount shall be paid in cash in a single lump sum on the later of (1) the first day of the month following the month in which such termination occurs and (2) the date the Revocation Period (as defined in the Release) has expired.
Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph to the contrary, if a Release is not executed and delivered to the Company within 60 days of such termination of employment (or if such Release is revoked in accordance with its terms), the Severance Amount
shall not be paid. Upon the expiration of this Agreement due to non-renewal, or upon the termination of your employment hereunder for Cause or by your death or Disability, or by your voluntary termination of your employment hereunder without Good
Reason, you shall be entitled only to the payment of such installments of your Annual Base Salary that have been earned through the date of such expiration and/or termination. 

3.9 Change of Control Payments. (a) If at any time during the Initial Term and any Renewal Term (i) there is a Change of Control (as defined
below) and (ii) your employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or you voluntarily terminate your employment for Good Reason, in either case, within the greater of two years following the Change of Control or the remainder of the
Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as applicable, then the Company shall pay you an amount equal to three times the sum of (a) your then Annual Base Salary, (b) the average of the annual bonuses actually paid to you with respect to the
three completed years preceding the date of your termination of employment and (c) the aggregate annual dollar amount of the payments made or to be made by the Company for 

  
 3 

 

 
  
 
purposes of providing you with the benefits set forth in Sections 3.3, 3.6 and 3.7 above, less all applicable withholding and other applicable taxes and deductions (“Change of Control
Amount”). The Change of Control Amount shall be paid to you in cash in a single lump sum within 30 days after the date your employment terminates. In the event that it is determined that the aggregate amount of the payments and benefits that
could be considered “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (collectively, with the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder, the “Code”; and such
payments and benefits, the “Parachute Payments”) that, but for this Section 3.9 would be payable to you under this Agreement or any other plan, policy or arrangement of the Company or Barnes & Noble Education, Inc., exceeds
the greatest amount of Parachute Payments that could be paid to you without giving rise to any liability for any excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the aggregate amount of Parachute Payments
payable to you shall not exceed the amount that produces the greatest after-tax benefit to you after taking into account any Excise Tax to be payable by you. Any reduction in Parachute Payments pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be
made in the following order: (1) cash payments that do not constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, (2) welfare or in-kind benefits, (3) equity compensation awards and (4) cash
payments that do constitute deferred compensation, in each case, such reductions shall be made in the manner that maximizes the present value to you of all such payments. Subject to the Section 280G limitation referred to above, to the extent
that you are not fully vested in any retirement benefits from any pension, profit-sharing or other retirement plan or program maintained by the Company or Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. and your employment terminates in the circumstances
contemplated by this Section 3.9(a), the Company shall pay directly to you within 30 days after the date on which your employment terminates the difference between the amounts that would have been paid to you had you been fully vested on the
date that your employment terminates and the amounts actually paid or payable to you pursuant to such plans or programs. The amounts payable to you under this Section 3.9(a) shall be in lieu of any amounts payable to you under Section 3.8
above. 
 (b) As used herein, “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events: 

(i) after the Effective Date hereof, any person, entity or “group” as identified in Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), other than you or any of your affiliates becomes a beneficial owner (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of Barnes &
Noble Education, Inc. representing 40% or more of the total number of votes that may be cast for the election of directors of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.; or 

(ii) within two years after a merger, consolidation, liquidation or sale of assets involving Barnes & Noble Education, Inc., or a
contested election of a Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. director, or any combination of the foregoing, the individuals who were directors of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. immediately prior thereto shall cease to constitute a
majority of the board of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.; or 
 (iii) within two years after a tender offer or exchange offer for
voting securities of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc., the individuals who were directors of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. immediately prior thereto shall cease to constitute a majority of the board of Barnes & Noble
Education, Inc. 
 4. Non-Competition and Confidential Information. 

4.1 Non-Competition. You agree that during the Initial Term and any Renewal Term and for a period of two years (the “Relevant Period”) after
the termination for any reason of your employment, you shall not, directly or indirectly, (a) employ or retain, or induce or cause any other person or entity to employ or retain, any person who is, or who at any time in the twelve-month period
prior to such time had been, employed or retained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; or (b) provide services, whether as principal or as agent, officer, director, employee, consultant, shareholder, or otherwise, alone or
in association with any other person, corporation or other entity, to any Competing Business (as defined below); provided, however, that you may provide services to a Competing Business (other than Amazon.com, Inc. and its subsidiaries and
affiliates and their respective successors (collectively, “Amazon”)) that is engaged in one or more businesses other than the Business Area (as defined below) but only to the extent that you do not provide services, directly or indirectly,
to the segment of such Competing Business that is engaged in the Business Area. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Competing Business” shall mean (i) Amazon 

  
 4 

 

 
  
 
or (ii) any person, corporation or other entity engaged in the Business Area. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Business Area” shall mean the sale, distribution or
attempted sale or distribution of books, textbooks, periodicals, newspapers, digital or audio versions of any of the foregoing or e-reading devices and related software. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions of this Section 4.1 shall
not apply to the placement of general advertisements or the use of general search firm services with respect to a particular geographic area, but which are not targeted, directly or indirectly, towards employees of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries. 
 4.2 Ownership of Other Securities. Nothing in Section 4.1 shall be construed as denying you the right to own securities of any
corporation listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in the NASDAQ System in an amount up to 5% of the outstanding number of such securities. 

4.3 Confidential Information. (a) You shall use best efforts and diligence both during and after any employment with the Company, regardless of
how, when or why such employment ends, to protect the confidential, trade secret and/or proprietary character of all Confidential Information and Trade Secret Information (as defined below). You shall not, directly or indirectly, use (for your
benefit or for the benefit of any other person) or disclose any Confidential Information or Trade Secret Information, for so long as it shall remain proprietary or protectable, except as may be necessary for the performance of your duties for the
Company. For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean all confidential information of the Company, regardless of the form or medium in which it is or was created, stored, reflected or preserved, information that is
either developed by you (alone or with others) or to which you shall have had access during any employment with the Company. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, Trade Secret Information, and also includes information that is
learned or acquired by the Company from others with whom the Company has a business relationship in which, and as a result of which, such information is revealed to the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, “Trade Secret Information”
shall mean all information, regardless of the form or medium in which it is or was created, stored, reflected or preserved, that is not commonly known by or generally available to the public and that: (i) derives or creates economic value,
actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under
the circumstances to maintain its secrecy. The Company’s Trade Secret Information may include, but is not limited to, all confidential information relating to or reflecting the Company’s research and development plans and activities;
compilations of data; product plans; sales, marketing and business plans and strategies; pricing, price lists, pricing methodologies and profit margins; current and planned incentive, recognition and rewards programs and services; personnel;
inventions, concepts, ideas, designs and formulae; current, past and prospective customer lists; current, past and anticipated customer needs, preferences and requirements; market studies; computer software and programs (including object code and
source code); and computer and database technologies, systems, structures and architectures. You understand that Confidential Information and/or Trade Secret Information may or may not be labeled as such, and you shall treat all information that
appears to be Confidential Information and/or Trade Secret Information as confidential unless otherwise informed or authorized by the Company. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to mean that Company owns any intellectual property or ideas
that were conceived by you before you commenced employment with Company and which you have previously disclosed to the Company. Subject to Section 4.3(b), nothing in this Section 4.3(a) shall prevent you from complying with a valid legal
requirement (whether by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process) to disclose any Confidential Information or Trade Secret Information. 

(b) You agree that both during and after any employment with the Company, regardless of how, when or why such employment ends, if you are legally required
(whether by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process) to disclose any Confidential Information or Trade Secret Information, you shall promptly notify the Company
of such request or requirement so that the Company may seek to avoid or minimize the required disclosure and/or to obtain an appropriate protective order or other appropriate relief to ensure that any information so disclosed is maintained in
confidence to the maximum extent possible by the agency or other person receiving the disclosure, or, in the discretion of the Company to waive compliance with the provisions of this Section 4.3. Thereafter, you shall use reasonable efforts, in
cooperation with the Company or otherwise, to avoid or minimize the required disclosure and/or to obtain such protective order or other relief. If, in the absence of a protective order or the receipt of a waiver hereunder, you are compelled to
disclose the Confidential Information or Trade Secret Information or else stand liable for contempt or suffer other sanction, censure or penalty, you shall disclose only so much of the Confidential Information or Trade Secret Information to the
party compelling 

  
 5 

 

 
  
 
disclosure as you believe in good faith on the basis of advice of counsel is required by law, and you shall give the Company prior notice of the Confidential Information or Trade Secret
Information you believe you are required to disclose. The Company shall reimburse any reasonable legal fees and related expenses you incur in order to comply with this Section 4.3(b). 

4.4 Inventions. You shall promptly disclose and provide to the Company, any original works of authorship, designs, formulas, processes, improvements,
compositions of matter, computer software programs, data, information or databases, methods, procedures or other inventions, developments or improvements of any kind that you conceive, originate, develop, improve, modify and/or create, solely or
jointly with others, during the period of your employment, or as a result of such employment (collectively, “Inventions”), and whether or not any such Inventions also may be included within “Confidential Information” or
“Trade Secret Information” (as defined under this Agreement), or are patentable, copyrightable or protectable as trade secrets. You acknowledge and agree that the Company is and shall be the exclusive owner of all rights, title and
interest in and to the Inventions and, specifically, that any copyrightable works prepared by you within the scope of your employment are “works for hire” under the Copyright Act, that such “works for hire” are Inventions and
that the Company shall be considered the author and owner of such copyrightable works. In the event that any Invention is deemed not to be a “work for hire”, or in the event that you should, by operation of law, be deemed to be entitled to
retain any rights, title or interest in and to any Invention, you hereby irrevocably waive all rights, title and interest and assign to the Company, without any further consideration and regardless of any use by the Company of any such Inventions,
all rights, title and interest, if any, in and to such Invention. You agree that the Company, as the owner of all Inventions, has the full and complete right to prepare and create derivative works based upon the Inventions and to use, reproduce,
publish, print, copy, market, advertise, distribute, transfer, sell, publicly perform and publicly display and otherwise exploit by all means now known or later developed, such Inventions and derivative works anywhere throughout the world and at any
time during or after your employment hereunder or otherwise. 
 4.5 Return of Information. You shall promptly deliver to the Company, upon the
termination for any reason of your employment, or at any other time at the Company’s request, without retaining any copies, all documents, information and other material in your possession or control containing, reflecting and/or relating,
directly or indirectly, to any Confidential Information and/or Trade Secret Information. 
 4.6 Cooperation. You agree that both during and after any
employment with the Company, regardless of how, when or why such employment ends, you shall provide reasonable cooperation to the Company and its affiliates in connection with any pending or future lawsuit, arbitration, or proceeding between the
Company and/or any affiliate and any third party, any pending or future regulatory or governmental inquiry or investigation concerning the Company and/or any affiliate and any other legal, internal or business matters of or concerning the Company
and/or any affiliate. Such cooperation shall include meeting with and providing information the Company, any affiliate and/or their respective attorneys, auditors or other representatives as reasonably requested by the Company. The Company shall
reimburse any reasonable legal fees and related expenses you incur in order to comply with this Section 4.6. 
 4.7 Non-Disparagement. During
and after any employment with the Company, regardless of how, when or why such employment ends, (a) you shall not make, either directly or by or through another person, any oral or written negative, disparaging or adverse statements or
representations of or concerning the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, any of their clients or businesses or any of their current or former officers, directors, employees or shareholders and (b) Company Parties (as defined below) shall
not make any oral or written negative, disparaging or adverse statements or representations of or concerning you; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit (i) critical communications between you and the Company or Company Parties
during the Initial Term and any Renewal Term and in connection with your employment or (ii) you or any Company Party from disclosing truthful information if legally required (whether by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information
or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process). For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Company Parties” shall mean the executive officers and designated spokespersons of the Company. 

4.8 Severability. If any of the restrictions in this Section 4 should for any reason whatsoever be declared invalid, the validity or
enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement shall not be adversely affected thereby. 

  
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 4.9 Equitable Relief. (a) You acknowledge
that your services to the Company are of a unique character that gives them a special value to the Company. You further recognize that any violation of the restrictions in this Section 4 may give rise to losses or damages for which the Company
cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in an action at law and that such violation may result in irreparable and continuing harm to the Company. Accordingly, you agree that, in addition to any other remedy that the Company may have at law or
in equity, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief to restrain any violation by you of the restrictions in this Section 4. 
 (b) In
addition, the Company recognizes that any violation of the restrictions in Section 4.7(b) may give rise to losses or damages for which you cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in an action at law and that such violation may result in
irreparable and continuing harm to you. Accordingly, the Company agrees that, in addition to any other remedy that you may have at law or in equity, you shall be entitled to injunctive relief to restrain any violation by the Company of the
restrictions in Section 4.7(b). 
 4.10 Reasonableness. You acknowledge that the limitations and obligations contained in this Section 4
are, individually and in the aggregate, reasonable and properly required by the Company and that in the event that any such limitations are found to be unreasonable and unenforceable, you shall submit to such limitations and/or obligations in such
form as the arbitrator shall determine. You agree that you shall not challenge or contest the reasonableness, validity or enforceability of any such limitations and obligations. 

4.11 Governmental Agencies. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement is not intended to, and shall
not, limit or restrict you from: (a) filing and, as provided for under Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, maintaining the confidentiality of a claim with a government agency that is responsible for enforcing a law;
(b) providing Confidential Information (as defined in Section 4.3(a)) to the extent required by law or legal process or permitted by Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or (iii) cooperating, participating or
assisting in any government or regulatory entity investigation or proceeding. 
 5. Indemnification. You shall be indemnified by the Company, as
an officer of the Company and its affiliates, against all actions, suits, claims, legal proceedings and the like to the fullest extent permitted by law, including advancement of expenses, partial indemnification, indemnification following the
termination of this Agreement, indemnification of your estate and similar matters. For purposes of this Agreement, such indemnification shall extend to, to the fullest extent permitted by law, legal fees, costs, expenses, judgments, settlements,
claim resolution payments, arbitration fees, arbitrator fees, mediation fees, negotiation fees and hold harmless obligations. 
 6. Miscellaneous.

 6.1 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Company with respect to the terms and conditions of your
employment by the Company and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements, oral or written, between you and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, including the Prior Agreement. 

6.2 Binding Effect; Benefits. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon you and the Company and our respective heirs,
legal representatives, successors and assigns. 
 6.3 Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument
or instruments in writing signed by both parties to this Agreement. Electronic communications, even if receipt is acknowledged, shall not constitute an amendment or modification of this Agreement. 

6.4 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations that either party may have by reason of this Agreement shall be assignable by
either party without the prior written consent of the other party. 
 6.5 Notices. Any notice that may or must be given under this Agreement shall be
in writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, or reputable overnight courier, addressed to you at the address set forth on the first page hereof, or to the Company at 120 Mountain View
Boulevard, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 to the attention of the Vice President for Human Resources for the Company (with a copy to the General Counsel for the Company), or to such other address as you or the Company, as the case may be, may designate in
writing in accordance with the provisions of this section. 
  

  
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 6.6 Section and Other Headings; Other. The
section and other headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are not deemed to be a part of this Agreement or to affect the meaning and interpretation of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the term
“including” shall mean “including, without limitation.” 
 6.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed (both as to
validity and performance) and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey applicable to agreements made and to be performed wholly within the State of New Jersey, without giving effect to any choice of law or
conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New Jersey or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New Jersey. Except as provided in Section 6.9, exclusive
jurisdiction for all disputes or claims arising under or in connection with this Agreement, and any and all claims by or against you relating to your employment with the Company, shall lie in any Federal or state court located within Somerset County
of New Jersey. 
 6.8 Survival of Rights and Obligations. All rights and obligations arising hereunder shall continue to have full force and effect
after the termination of this Agreement unless otherwise provided herein to the extent necessary to preserve the intended benefits of such provisions. If any section of this Agreement is determined to be void, voidable or unenforceable, it shall
have no effect on the remainder of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect, and the provisions so held invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed modified as to give such provisions the maximum effect permitted by applicable law.

 6.9 Arbitration. The parties agree that all disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement, and any and all claims by you relating to
your employment with the Company, including any claims of discrimination or other employment-related claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with
Disabilities Act or any other employment-related Federal, state or local law, shall be submitted to arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its rules then prevailing for the type of claim in issue before one
arbitrator and to be held at the AAA’s office located in Somerset County of New Jersey. In any arbitration hereunder, the arbitrator shall have the power to issue appropriate injunctive or other non-monetary relief, and award appropriate
compensatory damages. The parties agree that no damages other than compensatory damages shall be sought or claimed by either party and each party waives any claim, right or entitlement to punitive, exemplary or consequential damages, or any other
damages, and each relevant arbitrator is specifically divested of any power to award any damages in the nature of punitive, exemplary or consequential damages, or any other damages of any kind or nature in excess of compensatory damages. Nothing in
this arbitration provision shall preclude, and the parties expressly acknowledge that either party may seek, temporary injunctive relief from any Federal or state court located within Somerset County of New Jersey in connection with or as supplement
to an arbitration hereunder, including regarding any claim under Section 4 of this Agreement. For purposes of any such action or proceeding, the parties each hereby specifically submit to the personal jurisdiction of any Federal or state court
located within Somerset County of New Jersey and further agree that service of process may be made within or without the State of New Jersey by giving notice in the manner provided in Section 6.5 of this Agreement. 

6.10 Section 409A of the Code. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code, and all provisions
of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. If, at the time of your separation from service (within the meaning of
Section 409A of the Code), (a) you shall be a specified employee (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time) and (b) the Company shall make a
good faith determination that an amount payable under this Agreement or any other plan, policy, arrangement or agreement of or with the Company or Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (this Agreement and such other plans, policies, arrangements
and agreements, the “Company Plans”) constitutes deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) the payment of which is required to be delayed pursuant to the six-month delay rule set forth in Section 409A
of the Code in order to avoid taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code, then the Company shall not pay any such amount on the otherwise scheduled payment date but shall instead accumulate such amount and pay it, without interest, on
the first day of the seventh month following 

  
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such separation from service. Except as permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable to or for your
benefit under any Company Plan may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by you to the Company. Except as specifically permitted by Section 409A of the Code, the benefits and reimbursements provided to you under this Agreement
and any Company Plan during any calendar year shall not affect the benefits and reimbursements to be provided to you under the relevant section of this Agreement or Company Plan in any other calendar year, and the right to such benefits and
reimbursements cannot be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit and shall be provided in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) or any successor thereto. Further, in the case of reimbursement payments, such payments shall
be made to you on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the underlying fee, cost or expense is incurred. Notwithstanding the preceding, the Company makes no representations concerning the tax consequences
of your participation in this Agreement under Section 409A of the Code or any other Federal, state or local tax law. Your tax consequences shall depend, in part, upon the application of relevant tax law, including Section 409A of the Code,
to the relevant facts and circumstances. You should consult a competent and independent tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of this Agreement. 

6.11 Representations and Warranties. You hereby represent and warrant to the Company that (a) your execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement do not and shall not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which you are a party or by which you are bound; (b) you are not a party to or bound by any
employment agreement, noncompete agreement or confidentiality agreement with any other person or entity that has not been disclosed to the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement; (c) in the performance of any duties and
responsibilities on behalf of the Company, you shall not divulge or use in any way any trade secrets or confidential or proprietary information that are within your possession or knowledge (if any), are owned by any other person or entity and
regardless of whether or not such trade secrets or confidential or proprietary information are subject to any written agreement; and (d) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, it shall be a valid and binding obligation, enforceable
in accordance with its terms. You hereby acknowledge and represent that you fully understand the terms and conditions contained herein. 
 6.12
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 

  
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 If the foregoing accurately reflects our agreement, kindly sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate copy of this
Agreement. 
  

					
	Very truly yours,
		
			BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.
			
			By:		  

			Name:		Michael P. Huseby
			
			Date:		June     , 2015

  

			
	Accepted and Agreed to:
	
	MAX ROBERTS
		
	By:		 
		
	Date:	 	

	
	

 [Signature Page to Employment Agreement] 

 EXHIBIT A 

GENERAL RELEASE AND WAIVER 
 1.
[Name] (“Employee”) hereby acknowledges and agrees that Employee’s employment with Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC and Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (together, the “Company”) terminated on
            , 20     (the “Termination Date”). 
 2. Employee
acknowledges and agrees that Employee’s executing this General Release and Waiver (“Release”) is a condition precedent to the Company’s obligation to pay (and the Employee’s right to retain) the payments and benefits set
forth in Section 3.8 of the employment letter agreement, dated as of June [•], 2015, between Employee and the Company (such agreement referred to herein as the “Employment Agreement” and such payments and benefits collectively
referred to herein as the “Separation Benefit”), that the Separation Benefit is adequate consideration for this Release, and that any monetary or other benefits that, prior to the execution of this Release, Employee may have earned or
accrued, or to which Employee may have been entitled, have been paid or such payments or benefits have been released, waived or settled by Releasor (as defined below) except as expressly provided in this Release. 

3. (a) THIS SECTION PROVIDES A COMPLETE RELEASE AND WAIVER OF ALL EXISTING AND POTENTIAL CLAIMS EMPLOYEE MAY HAVE AGAINST EVERY PERSON AND ENTITY INCLUDED
WITHIN THE DESCRIPTION BELOW OF “RELEASEE.” BEFORE EMPLOYEE SIGNS THIS RELEASE, EMPLOYEE MUST READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY, AND MAKE SURE THAT EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS IT FULLY. 

(b) In consideration of Employee’s receipt and acceptance of the Separation Benefit from the Company, and on behalf of the Company and each Releasee (as
defined below), Employee, on Employee’s behalf and on behalf of Employee’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns (collectively, “Releasor”), hereby irrevocably, unconditionally and generally releases the
Company, its current and former officers, directors, shareholders, trustees, parents, members, managers, affiliates, subsidiaries, branches, divisions, benefit plans, agents, attorneys, advisors, counselors and employees, and the current and former
officers, directors, shareholders, agents, attorneys, advisors, counselors and employees of any such parent, affiliate, subsidiary, branch or division of the Company and the heirs, executors, administrators, receivers, successors and assigns of all
of the foregoing (each, a “Releasee”), from or in connection with, and hereby waives and/or settles, except as provided in Section 3(c), any and all actions, causes of action, suits, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, controversies,
agreements, promises, damages, judgments, executions, or any liability, claims or demands, known or unknown and of any nature whatsoever, whether or not related to employment, and which Releasor ever had, now has or hereafter can, shall or may have
as of the date of this Release, including, without limitation, (i) any rights and/or claims arising under any contract, express or implied, written or oral, including, without limitation, the Employment Agreement; (ii) any rights and/or claims
arising under any applicable foreign, Federal, state, local or other statutes, orders, laws, ordinances, regulations or the like, or case law, that relate to employment or employment practices, including, without limitation, family and medical,
and/or, specifically, that prohibit discrimination based upon age, race, religion, sex, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, veteran status or any other unlawful bases,
including, without limitation, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, as amended, the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1871, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended, the Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended, and any similar applicable statutes, orders, laws, ordinances, regulations or the like, or case law, of the State of New Jersey and any State in which any Releasee is subject to
jurisdiction, or any political subdivision thereof, including, without limitation, the New York State Human Rights Law, the New York State Labor Law, the New York City Human Rights Law, the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and the New Jersey
Wage and Hour Law, and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to or concerning any of the foregoing statutes, orders, laws, ordinances, regulations or the like; (iii) any waivable rights and/or claims relating to wages and hours,
including under state or local labor or wage payment laws; (iv) any rights and/or claims to benefits that Employee may have or become entitled to receive under any severance, termination, change of control, bonus or similar policy, plan, program,
agreement or similar or related arrangements, including, without limitation, any offer letter, letter agreement or employment 

  
 A-1 

 
agreement between Employee and the Company; (v) any rights and/or claims that Employee may have to receive any equity in the Company (whether restricted or unrestricted) in the future; and (vi)
and any rights and/or claims for attorneys’ fees. Employee agrees not to challenge or contest the reasonableness, validity or enforceability of this Release. 

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee does not release any Releasee from any of the following rights and/or claims: (i) any rights and/or claims
Employee may have that arise after the date Employee signs this Release; (ii) any rights and/or claims that by law cannot be waived by private agreement; (iii) Employee’s right to file a charge with or participate in any investigation or
proceeding conducted by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) or similar government agency; provided that even though Employee can file a charge or participate in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC or
similar government agency, by executing this Release, Employee is waiving his ability to obtain relief of any kind from any Releasee to the extent permitted by law; (iv) Employee’s non-forfeitable rights to accrued benefits (within the meaning
of Sections 203 and 204 of ERISA); (v) any rights and/or claims to insurance coverage under any directors’ and officers’ personal liability insurance or fiduciary insurance policy; and (vi) any rights and/or claims to enforce the
Employment Agreement in accordance with its terms. 
 4. Nothing in or about this Release prohibits Employee from: (i) filing and, as provided for
under Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, maintaining the confidentiality of a claim with a government agency that is responsible for enforcing a law; (ii) providing Confidential Information (as defined in Section 4.3(a) of the
Employment Agreement) to the extent required by law or legal process or permitted by Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or (iii) cooperating, participating or assisting in any government or regulatory entity investigation or
proceeding. 
 5. Employee represents and warrants that Employee has not filed or commenced any complaints, claims, actions or proceedings of any kind
against any Releasee with any Federal, state or local court or any administrative, regulatory or arbitration agency or body. Employee hereby waives any right to, and agrees not to, seek reinstatement or employment of any kind with any Releasee and,
without waiver by any Releasee of the foregoing, the existence of this Release shall be a valid, nondiscriminatory basis for rejecting any such application or, in the event Employee obtains such employment, for terminating such employment. This
Release and the Separation Benefit are not intended to be, shall not be construed as and are not, an admission or concession by any Releasee of any wrongdoing or illegal or actionable acts or omissions. 

6. (a) Employee hereby represents and agrees that Employee shall keep confidential and not disclose orally or in writing, to any person, except as may be
required by law, any and all information concerning the existence or terms of this Release and the amount of any payments made hereunder. Employee further agrees that, except as shall be required by law, Employee shall keep confidential and not
disclose orally or in writing, directly or indirectly, to any person (except Employee’s immediate family, attorneys and accountant), any and all information concerning any facts, claims or assertions relating or referring to any experiences of
Employee or treatment Employee received by or on behalf of any Releasee through the date of this Release. 
 (b) If Employee is requested or required (by
oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process) to disclose any information covered by Section 6(a), Employee shall promptly notify the Company of such request or
requirement so that the Company may seek to avoid or minimize the required disclosure and/or to obtain an appropriate protective order or other appropriate relief to ensure that any information so disclosed is maintained in confidence to the maximum
extent possible by the agency or other person receiving the disclosure, or, in the discretion of the Company, to waive compliance with the provisions of this Release. Employee shall use reasonable efforts, in cooperation with the Company or
otherwise, to avoid or minimize the required disclosure and/or to obtain such protective order or other relief. If, in the absence of a protective order or the receipt of a waiver hereunder, Employee is compelled to disclose such information or else
stand liable for contempt or suffer other sanction, censure or penalty, Employee shall disclose only so much of such information to the party compelling disclosure as he believes in good faith on the basis of advice of counsel is required by law,
and Employee shall give the Company prior notice of such information he believes he is required to disclose. 
 7. (a) Employee shall not make, either
directly or by or through another person, any oral or written negative, disparaging or adverse statements or representations of or concerning any Releasee. 

  
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 (b) Without limitation to the survival of any other terms of the Employment Agreement subsequent to the end of
Employee’s employment, the expiration or termination of the Employment Agreement, and/or the execution and effectiveness of this Release, Employee and the Company expressly acknowledge that the terms of Sections 4 and 5 of the Employment
Agreement survive and shall be in full force and effect as provided in the Employment Agreement. 
 8. The covenants, representations and acknowledgments
made by Employee in this Release shall continue to have full force and effect after the execution and effectiveness of this Release and the delivery of the Separation Benefit, and this Release shall inure to the benefit of each Releasee, and the
successors and assigns of each of them, to the extent necessary to preserve the intended benefits of such provisions. If any section of this Release is determined to be void, voidable or unenforceable, it shall have no effect on the remainder of
this Release, which shall remain in full force and effect, and the provisions so held invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed modified as to give such provisions the maximum effect permitted by applicable law. Without limitation to Section 3.8 of
the Employment Agreement, the Company shall be excused and released from any obligation to make payment of the Separation Benefit, and Employee shall be obligated to return to the Company the Separation Benefit, in the event that Employee is found
to have (a) made a material misstatement in any term, condition, covenant, representation or acknowledgment in this Release, or (b) Employee is found to have committed or commits a material breach of any term, condition or covenant in this Release.

 9. This Release and the Employment Agreement constitute the sole and complete agreement between the parties with respect to the matters set forth therein
and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements, oral or written, between Employee and the Company with respect to the subject matter thereof. This Release may not be amended or modified except by an instrument or instruments in
writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such modification or amendment is sought. Either party may, by an instrument in writing, waive compliance by the other party with any term or provision of this Release to be performed or
complied with by such other party. 
 10. With respect to any claims or disputes under or in connection with this Release or any claims released under
Section 3 of this Release, Employee and the Company hereby acknowledge and agree that Sections 6.7 and 6.9 of the Employment Agreement shall govern. Employee acknowledges that a breach or threatened breach of the provisions of this Release may give
rise to losses or damages for which the Company cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in an action at law, and that such violation may result in irreparable and continuing harm to the Company. Accordingly, Employee agrees that, in addition
to any other remedy that the Company may have at law or in equity, the Company shall be entitled to seek equitable relief, including, without limitation, injunction and specific performance and Employee hereby waives any requirements for security or
posting of any bond in connection with such relief. No specification in this Release of any particular remedy shall be construed as a waiver or prohibition of any other remedies (including claims for damages) in the event of a breach or threatened
breach of this Release. 
 11. Employee agrees and acknowledges that (a) Employee has had an adequate opportunity to review this Release and all of its
terms, (b) Employee understands all of the terms of this Release, which are fair, reasonable and are not the result of any fraud, duress, coercion, pressure or undue influence exercised by or on behalf of any Releasee and (c) Employee has agreed to
and/or entered into this Release and all of the terms hereof, knowingly, freely and voluntarily. 
 12. By executing this Release, Releasor
acknowledges that (a) Employee has been advised by the Company to consult with an attorney before executing this Release; (b) Employee was provided adequate time (i.e., at least 21 days) to review this Release and to consider whether to sign this
Release and (c) Employee has been advised that Employee has 7 days following execution to revoke this Release (“Revocation Period”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in the Employment Agreement, this Release
shall not be effective or enforceable, and the Separation Benefit is not payable and shall not be delivered or paid by the Company, until the Revocation Period has expired and provided that Employee has not revoked this Release. Employee agrees that
any revocation shall be made in writing and delivered to             , [Vice President, Human Resources, Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.], 120 Mountain View Boulevard, Basking Ridge, NJ
07920. Employee acknowledges that revocation of this Release shall result in the Company’s not having an obligation to pay the Separation Benefit. 
  

									
	Signature:	 	  
	 	 	 	Date:	 	 
		 	        [Name]	 		 		 	

  
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