Document:

Ex. 10.43

                  Agreement Regarding SPT Grant

This Agreement Regarding SPT Grant (the "Agreement") is made effective as of
August 27, 2008 by and between Aspera Corp. ("Aspera") and BioForce
Nanosciences, Inc. ("BioForce").

Whereas, Aspera and BioForce are both parties to a Shareholder Agreement
relating to Aspera Corp. dated August 11, 2008 (the "Shareholder Agreement"),
pursuant to which, among other things, Bioforce was to transfer, subject to
grantor permission, certain grants identified in Exhibit F as referenced in
paragraph 12.4 of the shareholder Agreement or enter into a subcontract to
perform related services if permission to transfer was not received, and

Whereas, The grantor of the 'Microfabricated' grant identified therein will not
consent to such transfer,

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the premises, the mutual agreements herein
set forth below and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1.	The existing Microfabrication Deposition Tools for Creating NanoArrays,
R44-HG004244-03A1 grant will remain with BioForce rather than being transferred
to Aspera.

2.	Aspera shall have no obligation to contract with BioForce for the
microfabrication services described in Section 12.5 of the Shareholder
Agreement.

3.	BioForce shall purchase contract services from Aspera, in the amount of
$122,000, as described in the Subcontract between BioForce and Aspera, dated
August 27, 2008, and attached hereto as Exhibit A to this Agreement

4.	BioForce shall provide Aspera with an operational subsidy, in the amount
of $4,609 per month, for the months of September 2008 through August 2009.

In Witness Whereof, each party represents that it has full power and authority
to enter into and has carefully reviewed the Agreement, and consulted with such
experts and advisors as each deemed appropriate.

BioForce Nanosciences, Inc.

By /s/ Gregory D. Brown
__________________________________
Gregory D. Brown, Exec. VP and CFO

Aspera Corp.

By/s/ Saju Nettikadan
__________________________
Saju Nettikadan, President

Exhibit A to Agreement Regarding SPT Grant dated August 27, 2008 between Aspera
Corp. and BioForce Nanosciences, Inc.

SubcontractExhibit
10.1

 

SEPARATION
AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS

 

THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT
AND GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS (this “Agreement”) is
made and entered into as of this 5th day of September, 2008, by and between
Thomas G. Conforti, an individual (the “Executive”),
and DineEquity, Inc., f/k/a IHOP Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

 

WHEREAS, Executive and the Company, are parties to that
certain Employment Agreement, effective as of December 9, 2006 (the “Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which Executive is
employed by the Company as its Chief Financial Officer;

 

WHEREAS, Executive and
the Company now desire to terminate their employment relationship and to
resolve amicably, fully and finally all matters between them, including, but in
no way limited to, those matters relating to the employment relationship
between them and the termination of that relationship;

 

WHEREAS, the Company has
agreed to provide Executive with certain additional rights and benefits (as
described below) in exchange for Executive’s full release of any and all claims
that Executive may have against the Company and/or any of the “Released Parties”
(as that term is defined herein) as provided herein, Executive’s cooperation in
certain matters relating to the business of the Company and the Released
Parties as provided herein, and all of the other covenants, promises and terms
contained in this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of
Directors of the Company has approved Executive’s separation from service
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in
consideration of the recitals above and the mutual promises and obligations
contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are expressly acknowledged, it is agreed as follows:

 

1.     Executive hereby resigns from his employment and any
and all offices, directorships and other positions with the Company, as well as
each subsidiary or affiliate of the Company as set forth in the resignation
letter appended as Attachment A
hereto, and the Company hereby accepts such resignation, effective September 5,
2008 (the “Separation Date”).  Executive agrees to remain available after
the Separation Date, in accordance with Paragraph 18 hereof, for purposes of
effectuating a smooth transition of his responsibilities to a successor (and/or
interim successor) without additional compensation or benefits other than as
specifically provided in this Agreement or as Executive and the Company may
otherwise agree.  Executive acknowledges
and agrees that he will have no further duties or responsibilities and no
further authority on behalf of the Company or its affiliates after the
Separation Date, other than as specifically set forth herein.

 

2.     The Company will issue a press release
contemporaneously with Executive’s resignation hereunder that is consistent
with the text of Attachment B
hereto, and Executive agrees to provide his reasonable cooperation and
assistance to the Company in issuing any such press release or other
announcements concerning his departure consistent with Attachment B.

 

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3.     The Company will pay to Executive his full base
salary, at the rate in effect on the Separation Date, along with all accrued,
unused vacation in accordance with Company policy, through the Separation Date,
regardless of whether Executive signs this Agreement (the “Accrued Obligations”).  For avoidance of doubt, the parties
acknowledge that Executive currently has 240 hours of accrued, unused vacation
as of the date hereof.

 

4.     In consideration of Executive’s release of all claims
and his other covenants and agreements contained herein, and provided that this
Agreement has been executed by Executive by the twenty-second (22nd)
day following the date of presentation hereof and has not been revoked by
Executive as of the eighth (8th) calendar day following Executive’s
execution of this Agreement, and further provided that Executive has not
breached this Agreement in any material respect, the Company shall provide
Executive with the following separation benefits:

 

(a)           The Company
shall pay Executive the following cash payments, which, subject to Paragraph 6
hereof, shall be payable as soon as practicable in a lump sum following the “Effective
Date” (as that term is defined in Paragraph 9 hereof), but in no event earlier
than the Separation Date, and in no event later than 15 days following the
Separation Date:

 

(i)            The Company shall
pay Executive a cash payment equal to $435,000.00, which represents twelve (12)
months of base salary at Executive’s salary rate in effect as of the date
hereof, less all applicable Federal, state, and/or local taxes and all other
authorized payroll deductions; and

 

(ii)           The Company shall
also pay Executive a cash payment equal to $289,430.00, which represents the
average of the annual bonuses paid by the Company to Executive with respect to
the three (3) fiscal years ended immediately prior to the Separation Date,
less all applicable federal, state, and/or local taxes and all other authorized
payroll deductions.

 

(b)           For twelve
(12) months following the Separation Date (the “Welfare
Benefit Continuation Period”), the Company shall, at the Company’s
expense and in accordance with the Company’s established payment practices,
provide Executive with continued life, disability, accident and health
insurance benefits (which includes, for avoidance of doubt, the Exec-U-Care
plan that covers medical expenses for Executive and his family members covered
thereunder as of the date of this Agreement that are not otherwise covered
under a group health plan) substantially similar to those which Executive and
his covered family members are receiving immediately prior to the Separation
Date; provided, however, that such continued benefits shall be
reduced to the extent comparable benefits are actually received by or made
available to Executive without cost during such 12-month period; and provided,
further, that Executive shall promptly report to the Company any such
benefits actually received.  The coverage
period for purposes of the group health continuation requirements of Section 4980B
(“COBRA”) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the “Code”) shall
commence as of the Separation 

 

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Date,
and shall run concurrently with the Welfare Benefit Continuation Period, and
Executive acknowledges that, with respect to benefits covered by COBRA, such
benefit continuation shall be deemed to satisfy the obligations of the Company
to provide continuation of benefits under COBRA for the Welfare Benefit
Continuation Period and that the Company may satisfy such obligation by paying
any applicable COBRA premiums or causing such premiums to be paid.

 

(c)           The Company shall
provide Executive with a cash payment equal of $10,200.00, less applicable
withholding, representing twelve (12) months of automobile allowance, at the
rate currently in effect for chief-level officers under the Company’s executive
perquisites policy; provided, however, that all expenses for gas,
car washes, maintenance, insurance, registration, and other operating expenses
shall be Executive’s sole responsibility.

 

(d)           The Company
shall make available to Executive for a period of up to 18 months following the
Effective Date, at the Company’s expense, executive-level outplacement
assistance benefits through Right Management or another outplacement firm of
Executive’s choice, provided that such benefits shall be capped at
$12,000.00 and will be paid by the Company directly to the provider.

 

(e)           Subject to
Executive’s continued compliance in all material respects with the terms of
this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, the
remaining unvested portion (consisting of 6,375 restricted shares) of the 8,500
restricted shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, of the Company, granted to
Executive pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award Agreement dated August 27,
2007 (the “Grant Agreement”, and the shares
granted thereunder, the “Restricted Share Grant”)
under the IHOP Corp. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”),
shall become immediately vested and the restrictions thereon will lapse.  The Restricted Share Grant shall otherwise continue
to be subject to such other terms and conditions as are contained in the Plan
and the Grant Agreement.

 

(f)            Subject to
Executive’s continued compliance in all material respects with the terms of
this Agreement, effective as of December 31, 2008, the Company shall issue
and pay out to Executive, in the form of common stock, the target amount
of 5,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, of the Company, granted to
Executive pursuant to the Performance Shares Award Agreement dated January 1,
2006 for the three (3)-year period ending December 31, 2008 (the “Performance Share Agreement”, and the shares granted
thereunder, the “Cycle 3 LTIP Grant”) under the
Terms and Conditions of Performance Share Awards Issued Pursuant to the
Deferred Stock Provisions of the Plan (the “Terms and
Conditions”) and the Plan.  Such
shares shall be issued and paid out to Executive irrespective of whether the
performance goals set forth in the 

 

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Performance
Share Agreement (and if applicable, the Terms and Conditions and the Plan) are
or have been attained.  The Cycle 3 LTIP
Grant shall otherwise continue to be subject to such terms and conditions as
are contained in the Terms and Conditions, the Plan and the Performance Share
Agreement.

 

(g)           Except as
otherwise provided herein, all other stock options, deferred stock, performance
shares, and restricted stock or any other equity grants held by Executive, to
the extent not already vested as of the date immediately prior to the
Separation Date, shall lapse and terminate immediately thereon.

 

(h)           The Company
shall continue in effect for the benefit of Executive all insurance or other
provisions for indemnification and defense of officers and directors of the
Company which are in effect as of the Separation Date with respect to all of
Executive’s acts and omissions while an officer or director until the final
expiration or running of all periods of limitation against legal actions which
may be applicable to such acts or omissions.

 

(i)            The Company
shall reimburse Executive for his reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and
expenses, up to a maximum of $7,500.00, incurred prior to September 15,
2008 in connection with negotiating this Agreement.  Such documentation shall be submitted by
Executive within 60 days following the Effective Date, and the Company shall
make such reimbursement payments not later than 30 days following the date on
which Executive submits such documentation.

 

(j)            Executive
hereby acknowledges and agrees that, except for the Accrued Obligations, he
shall not be eligible to receive any payments or other consideration under this
Agreement until after the Effective Date. 
For avoidance of doubt, Executive acknowledges and agrees that if he
does not sign this Agreement with respect to the release provisions of
Paragraphs 7, 8 and 9 hereof, or if he revokes or breaches this Agreement, he
will have no right to receive any of the payments or benefits under this
Agreement, and the Company shall have no further obligation to him hereunder
(with the exception of the Accrued Obligations, which will be paid to him
whether or not he signs this Agreement).

 

5.     As of the Effective Date, the payments and benefits
provided hereunder are in lieu of any severance payment or severance benefits
under the Employment Agreement or any Company severance plan or any other
Company plan, policy, program or arrangement whatsoever, whether written or
unwritten, formal or informal, Executive’s rights to any severance compensation
or severance benefits from the Company, other than as set forth herein, shall
cease as of the Separation Date, and Executive’s active participation in any
other Company plan, policy, program or arrangement whatsoever, whether written
or unwritten, formal or informal, shall cease as of the Separation Date and
Executive’s rights and benefits thereunder shall be governed in accordance with
the terms of such plan, policy, program or arrangement.

 

4

 

6.     The payments and benefits under this Agreement are not
intended to constitute non-compliant “nonqualified deferred compensation”
within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury
Regulations relating thereto, and the parties intend that Executive shall not
be subject to the payment of additional taxes and interest under Section 409A
of the Code.  In furtherance of this
intent, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, this
Agreement shall be interpreted, operated, and administered in a manner
consistent with these intentions, and the payment of consideration, compensation,
and benefits pursuant to this Agreement shall be interpreted and administered
in a manner intended to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A
of the Code.

 

(a)           Notwithstanding
any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, no payment or distribution
under this Agreement which constitutes an item of deferred compensation under Section 409A
of the Code and becomes payable by reason of Executive’s termination of
employment with the Company will be made to Executive unless Executive’s
termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” (as such term
is defined in Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A of the Code).

 

(b)           In addition,
no such payment or distribution will be made to Executive prior to the earlier
of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period (the “Six-Month Delay”) measured from the date of Executive’s “separation
from service” (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A
of the Code) or (ii) the date of Executive’s death, if Executive is deemed
at the time of such separation from service to be a “key employee” within the
meaning of that term under Section 416(i) of the Code and to the
extent such delayed commencement is otherwise required in order to avoid a
prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2) of the Code.  All payments and benefits which had been
delayed pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be paid to
Executive in a lump sum upon expiration of such six-month period (or, if
earlier, upon the Executive’s death).

 

(c)           Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions, to the extent permitted under Section 409A, any
separate payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise shall not be “deferred
compensation” subject to Section 409A and the Six-Month Delay to the
extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and
(b)(9) and any other applicable exception or provision under Section 409A.
Further, each individual installment payment that becomes payable under this
Agreement shall be a “separate payment” under Section 409A. Specifically,
to the extent the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) are
applicable to any individual installment payment that becomes payable under
this Agreement, the portion of the such payment that is less than the limit
prescribed under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A) (or
any successor provision) (the “Separation Pay Amount”)
shall be payable to the Executive in the manner prescribed herein without any
regard to the Six-Month Delay.

 

5

 

(d)           To the
extent that any reimbursable expenses hereunder are deemed to constitute
compensation to Executive, such expenses shall be paid or reimbursed reasonably
promptly, but not later than by December 31 of the year following the year
in which the expense was incurred.  The
amount of such expenses eligible for reimbursement in one calendar year shall
not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar
year, and Executive’s right to reimbursement of any such expenses shall not be
subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

 

7.     Subject to Paragraph 8 below, Executive hereby
releases and discharges forever the Company, and each of its divisions,
affiliates and subsidiaries, and each of their present and former directors,
officers, employees, trustees, agents, attorneys, administrators, plans, plan
administrators, insurers, parent corporations, subsidiaries, divisions, related
and affiliated companies and entities, shareholders, members, representatives,
predecessors, successors and assigns, and all persons acting by, through, under
or in concert with them (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Released Parties”), from and against all liabilities,
claims, demands, liens, causes of action, charges, suits, complaints,
grievances, contracts, agreements, promises, obligations, costs, losses,
damages, injuries, attorneys’ fees, and other legal responsibilities
(collectively referred to as “Claims”), of
any form whatsoever, including, but not limited to, any claims in law, equity,
contract, tort, or any claims under the California Labor Code, the California
Civil Code, the California Business and Professions Code, the California Fair
Employment and Housing Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as
amended, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act (“ADEA”), as amended by the Older
Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990 (29 U.S.C. §§ 621, et seq.), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or any other local
ordinance or federal or state statute, regulation or constitution, whether
known or unknown, unforeseen, unanticipated, unsuspected or latent, which
Executive or Executive’s successors in  interest now
own or hold, or have at any time heretofore owned or held, or may at any time
own or hold by reason of any matter or thing arising from any cause whatsoever
prior to the date of execution of this Agreement, and without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, from all claims, demands and causes of action
based upon, relating to, or arising out of: 
(a) Executive’s employment relationship with the Company and/or any
of the Released Parties and the termination of that relationship; (b) Executive’s
relationship as a shareholder, optionholder or holder of any interest
whatsoever in any of the Released Parties; (c) Executive’s relationship
with any of the Released Parties as a member of any boards of directors; and (d) any
other type of relationship (business or otherwise) between Executive and any of
the Released Parties.

 

8.     Notwithstanding the generality of Paragraph 7,
Executive does not release the following claims and rights:

 

(a)           Executive’s
rights under this Agreement;

 

(b)           any claims
for unemployment compensation or any state disability insurance benefits
pursuant to the terms of applicable state law;

 

6

 

(c)           claims to
continued participation in certain of the Company’s group benefit plans
pursuant to the terms and conditions of the federal law known as COBRA or the
comparable California law known as Cal-COBRA;

 

(d)           any rights
vested prior to the Separation Date to benefits under any Company-sponsored
retirement or welfare benefit plan;

 

(e)           Executive’s
rights, if any, to indemnity and/or advancement of expenses pursuant to
applicable state law, the Company’s articles, bylaws or other corporate
governance documents, and/or to the protections of any director’ and officers’
liability policies of the Company or any of its affiliates; and

 

(f)            any other right that may not be released by private
agreement.

 

(collectively, the “Executive Unreleased
Claims”).

 

9.     Without limiting the scope of the foregoing release of
Claims in any way, Executive certifies that this release constitutes a knowing
and voluntary waiver of any and all rights or claims that exist or that
Executive has or may claim to have under ADEA. 
This release does not govern any rights or claims that might arise under
the ADEA after the date this Agreement is signed by the parties.  Executive acknowledges that:  (a) the consideration provided pursuant
to this Agreement is in addition to any consideration that he would otherwise
be entitled to receive; (b) he has been and is hereby advised in writing
to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Agreement; (c) he has
been provided a full and ample opportunity to review this Agreement, including
a period of at least twenty-one (21) days within which to consider it; (d) to
the extent that Executive takes less than twenty-one (21) days to consider this
Agreement prior to execution, Executive acknowledges that he had sufficient
time to consider this Agreement with counsel and that he expressly, voluntarily
and knowingly waives any additional time; and (e) Executive is aware of
his right to revoke this Agreement at any time within the seven (7)-day period
following the date on which he executes the Agreement and that the Agreement
shall not become effective or enforceable until the calendar day immediately
following the expiration of the seven (7)-day revocation period (the “Effective Date”). 
Executive further understands that he shall relinquish any right he has
to the consideration specified in this Agreement if he exercises his right to
revoke it.  Notice of revocation must be
made in writing and must be received by John Jakubek, Senior Vice President,
Human Resources of the Company, no later than 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on
the seventh (7th) calendar day immediately following the date on which
Executive executes this Agreement.

 

10.   It is further understood and agreed that all rights
under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code and/or any statute or
common law principle of similar effect in any jurisdiction are hereby expressly
waived by Executive with respect to any Claims other than the Executive
Unreleased Claims.  Said Section 1542
reads as follows:

 

“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES
NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN
HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF 

 

7

 

EXECUTING THE RELEASE,
WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER
SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.”

 

Notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 1542 or any statute or common law principle of
similar effect in any jurisdiction, and for the purpose of implementing a full
and complete release and discharge of all claims, Executive expressly
acknowledges that this Agreement is intended to include in its effect, without
limitation, all claims which Executive does not know or suspect to exist in
Executive’s favor at the time of execution hereof, and that the general release
agreed upon contemplates the extinguishment of any such claims.

 

11.   Executive represents and covenants that he has not
filed, initiated or caused to be filed or initiated, any Claim, charge, suit,
complaint, grievance, action or cause of action against the Company or any of
the Released Parties.  Except to the
extent that such waiver is precluded by law, Executive further promises and
agrees that he will not file, initiate, or cause to be filed or initiated any
Claim, charge, suit, complaint, grievance, action, or cause of action based
upon, arising out of, or relating to any Claim, demand, or cause of action
released herein, nor shall Executive participate, assist or cooperate in any
Claim, charge, suit, complaint, grievance, action or proceeding regarding any
of the Released Parties, whether before a court or administrative agency or
otherwise, unless required to do so by law. 
The parties acknowledge that this Agreement will not prevent the
Executive from filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(or similar state agency) or participating in any investigation conducted by
the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (or similar state agency); provided,
however, that Executive acknowledges and agrees that any Claims by
Executive, or brought on his behalf, for personal relief in connection with
such a charge or investigation (such as reinstatement or monetary damages)
would be and hereby are barred.

 

12.   Executive represents and warrants that he has made no
assignment or other transfer, and covenants that he will make no assignment or
other transfer, of any interest in any Claim which he may have against the Released
Parties, or any of them.

 

13.   Executive agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Released
Parties, and each of them, against any loss, claim, demand, damage, expenses,
or any other liability whatsoever, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and
costs resulting from:  (a) any
breach of this Agreement by Executive or Executive’s successors in interest; (b) any
assignment or transfer, or attempted assignment or transfer, of any Claims
released hereunder; or (c) any action or proceeding brought by Executive
or Executive’s successors in interest, or any other, if such action or
proceeding arises out of, is based upon, or is related to any Claims, demands,
or causes of action released herein; provided, however, that this
indemnification provision shall not apply to any challenge by Executive of the
release of claims under the ADEA, Title VII, or similar discrimination laws,
and any right of the Release Parties to recover attorneys’ fees and/or expenses
for such breach shall be governed by applicable law.  It is the intention of the parties that this
indemnity does not require payment as a condition precedent to recovery by any
of the Released Parties under this indemnity.

 

14.   Executive and the Company each understands that the
foregoing payments and consideration are received by Executive and the Company
in connection with the parties’ 

 

8

 

resolution of all
matters between them, including, but not limited to, all matters relating to
their employment relationship and the termination of that relationship, and
that neither this Agreement nor the aforesaid payments and consideration are to
be construed as an admission on the part of any of the Released Parties of any
wrongdoing or liability, nor to be admissible as evidence in any proceeding,
other than for enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

15.   Executive hereby acknowledges and reaffirms his
obligations to comply with Section 14(a), (c) and (d) of the
Employment Agreement for the period(s) specified therein.  Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he
shall at all times comply with Section 14(a), (c) and (d) of the
Employment Agreement for the period(s) specified therein, and that such
compliance is an express and absolute condition of this Agreement, violation of
which by Executive shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement.

 

16.   Subject to Paragraph 19, Executive agrees not to
publish or disseminate, directly or indirectly, any statements, whether written
or oral, or other verbal or non-verbal communications that clearly
communicate an affirmative or negative response to a question or statement, that are disparaging of any of the Released
Parties and/or their businesses, or any of their past or present or future officers,
directors, employees, advisors, or agents in their capacity as such,
or any of their
policies, procedures, practices, decision-making, conduct, professionalism or
compliance with standards.  For avoidance
of doubt, statements by Executive, which Executive reasonably and in good faith
believes to be accurate and truthful, made to the Company, or its subsidiaries,
affiliates or representatives pursuant to Executive’s obligations under
Paragraph 18 hereof shall not be deemed a violation of this Paragraph 16.

 

17.   The Company agrees not to publish or disseminate,
directly or indirectly, any statements, whether written or oral, that are
disparaging of Executive, or any of his past or present practices, decision
marking, conduct, professionalism or compliance with standards.  The foregoing portion of this Paragraph shall
apply only to representatives of the Company at the level of executive officer
or director or individuals acting at their direction.  The Company agrees that, provided Executive directs
any potential employer to contact the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for
purposes of a reference, the Company shall provide a reference for Executive in
a form mutually agreed by the parties.

 

18.   Subject to Paragraph 19, for the three (3)-year period
following the Separation Date, Executive agrees to cooperate fully with the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates concerning reasonable requests for
information about the business of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates
or Executive’s involvement and participation therein; the defense or
prosecution of any claims or actions now in existence or which may be brought
in the future against or on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries or
affiliates which relate to event or occurrences that transpired while Executive
was employed by the Company; and in connection with any investigation or review
by any federal, state or local regulatory, quasi-regulatory or self-governing
authority (including, without limitation, the Securities and Exchange
Commission) as any such investigation or review relates to events or
occurrences that transpired while Executive was employed by the Company.  Executive’s full cooperation shall include,
but not be limited to, being available to meet and speak with officers or
employees of the Company and/or its counsel at reasonable times and locations,
executing accurate and truthful documents, appearing at the Company’s request
as a witness at depositions, trials or other proceedings

 

9

 

without the
necessity of a subpoena, and taking such other actions as may reasonably be
requested by of the Company and/or its counsel to effectuate the
foregoing.  In requesting such services,
the Company will consider other commitments that Executive may have at the time
of the request, and Executive’s availability and obligations under this
Paragraph shall in all instances reasonably be subject to Executive’s other
commitments.  The Company agrees to
reimburse Executive for any reasonable, out-of-pocket travel, hotel and meal
expenses incurred in connection with Executive’s performance of obligations
pursuant to this Paragraph 18 for which Executive has obtained prior, written
approval from the Company.  In addition,
the Company shall compensate Executive at an hourly fee of $209.00/hour for time
expended by Executive, at the Company’s specific request, in providing services
hereunder in excess of (i) 25 hours per month prior to the first
anniversary of the Separation Date or (ii) 10 hours per month after the
first anniversary of the Separation Date.

 

19.   Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall
preclude either party from providing testimony that such party reasonably and
in good faith believes to be truthful in response to a valid subpoena, court
order, regulatory request or other judicial, administrative or legal process or
otherwise as required by law.  Executive
shall notify the Company in writing as promptly as practicable after receiving
any such request of the anticipated testimony and at least ten (10) days
prior to providing such testimony (or, if such notice is not possible under the
circumstances, with as much prior notice as is possible) to afford the Company
a reasonable opportunity to challenge the subpoena, court order or similar
legal process.  Moreover, nothing in this
Agreement shall be construed or applied so as to limit any person from
providing candid statements that such party reasonably and in good faith believes to be truthful to any
governmental or regulatory body or any self-regulatory organization.

 

20.   Executive represents and warrants that he is not aware
of any actions or omissions by any current or former officer, director,
employee, agent, consultant, or representative of the Company (including
Executive) through the date hereof that were or have been alleged to be (individually
or in the aggregate) materially harmful or detrimental to the Company, its
business, or its shareholders, including, without limitation, violations of any
laws or accounting policies or principles, the taking of unreasonable tax
positions, or the furnishing of inaccurate statements, invoices or other
reports to any person or entity.

 

21.   Executive covenants and agrees that he shall
immediately return to the Company, on or before the
Separation Date, all Company property in his possession, custody or control,
including, but not limited to, Executive’s Company ID card, keys, parking and
building access cards and any cellular phone, computer or electronic devices
allocated to or otherwise in the possession, custody or control of Executive; provided,
however, that Executive shall be entitled to keep, and shall not be
required to return to the Company, his laptop computer, his Blackberry, and his
computer printer (and all accessories with respect thereto); provided,
further, that such equipment is first returned to the Company’s IT Department
which shall delete any and all confidential and/or proprietary information of
the Company that may be contained on the hard drive of such computer or
otherwise stored on such equipment and that this Paragraph shall not in any way
diminish Executive’s obligations to the Company under Section 14 of the
Employment Agreement as set forth herein.

 

10

 

22.   Except as is necessary for any of the Released Parties
or Executive to enforce its or his rights under this Agreement through
provisional or interim injunctive relief or specific performance, the parties
agree that any disputes or controversies arising out of, relating to or in
connection with this Agreement and/or Executive’s employment relationship with
the Company and the termination of that relationship shall be submitted to
binding arbitration before a single neutral arbitrator in Los Angeles,
California, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration
Association governing employment disputes then in effect, as the exclusive
remedy for resolving any and all such disputes. 
Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having
jurisdiction.  Except in the case where
the Executive initiates the arbitration and is found by the arbitrator not to
be the prevailing party, the Company shall bear the cost of any arbitration
fees or expenses.

 

23.   Executive and the Company understand that this
Agreement is deemed to have been drafted jointly by the parties.  Any uncertainty or ambiguity shall not be
construed for or against any party based on attribution of drafting to any
party.

 

24.   This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.  The parties may execute more than one copy of
this Agreement, each of which copies shall constitute an original.  A facsimile signature shall be deemed to be
the same as an original signature.

 

25.   Executive and the Company understand that this
Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof and, except as expressly stated in
this Agreement, supersedes any prior agreement, understanding or negotiations
respecting such subject matter, including but not limited to the Employment
Agreement.  No change to or modification
of this Agreement shall be valid or binding unless it is in writing and signed
by Executive and a duly authorized representative of the Company.

 

26.   Executive and the Company understand and acknowledge
that reliance is placed wholly upon Executive’s and the Company’s own judgment,
belief and knowledge as to the propriety of entering into this Agreement.  Executive and the Company further acknowledge
that each of them is relying solely upon the contents of this Agreement, that
there have been no other representations or statements made by any of the Released
Parties or Executive, and that Executive and the Company are not relying on any
other representations or statements whatsoever of any of the Released Parties
or Executive as an inducement to enter into this Agreement, and if any of the
facts upon which Executive or the Company now relies in making this Agreement
shall hereafter prove to be otherwise, this Agreement shall nonetheless remain
in full force and effect.

 

27.   No waiver of any breach of any term or provision of
this Agreement shall be construed to be, nor shall be, a waiver of any other
breach of this Agreement.  No waiver
shall be binding unless in writing and signed by the party waiving the breach.

 

28.   This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the heirs, representatives, successors and assigns of each of the
parties to it.

 

11

 

29.   This Agreement shall be governed and construed under
the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of laws
rules.

 

30.   Executive acknowledges that Executive has personally
read this Agreement and that Executive has reviewed, or has had the opportunity
to review, this Agreement with legal counsel of Executive’s own choosing.  Executive further acknowledges that he has
been provided a full and ample opportunity to study this Agreement, that it fully
and accurately reflects the content of any and all understandings and
agreements between the parties concerning the matters referenced herein.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

12

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed by the
parties hereto as of the date indicated by the signature.

 

 

	
   

  	
  THOMAS G. CONFORTI

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
  DATED:

  	
  September 5,
  2008

  	
   

  	
  /s/ Thomas G. Conforti

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  DINE EQUITY, INC. f/k/a IHOP CORP.,

  
	
   

  	
  a Delaware corporation

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
  DATED:

  	
  September 5, 2008

  	
   

  	
  By:

  	
  /s/ John Jakubek

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Its:

  	
  Senior Vice President,
  Human Resources

  
						

 

13

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