CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between Delchamps, Inc., an Alabama corporation (the
"Company"), and (the "Executives") dated as of the
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day of 1994.
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The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined that
it is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders to assure that
the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control
(as defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to
diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the
personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of
Control and to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the
Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of
Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits
arrangements upon a Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and
benefits expectations of the Executive will be satisfied and which are
competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order to
accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to enter into
this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain Definitions. (a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the first
date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section l(b)) on
which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and
if the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the
date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably
demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at
the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to
effect the Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or
anticipation of the Change of Control, then for all purposes of this
Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the
date of such termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on
the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of such date; provided,
however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on
each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary
thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"), the Change
of Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate three
years from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal
Date the Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of
Control Period shall not be so extended.
2. Change of Control. For the purposes of this Agreement, a "Change of
Control" shall mean:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) of beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of
either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
"Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");
provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute a
Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any
acquisition by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (iii) any acquisition
by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iv) any acquisition by any
corporation with respect to which, following such acquisition, more than 60%
of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such
corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial
owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Company
Voting Securities immediately prior to such acquisition in substantially
the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such
acquisition, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company
Voting Securities, as the case may be; provided further, however, that
notwithstanding anything in the foregoing definition of beneficial ownership
to the contrary, Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company
Voting Securities beneficially owned by any individual or entity who is a
party to the Agreement Among Shareholders dated as of October 14, 1988 or any
renewal or extension of such agreement (such agreements being referred to as
the "Stockholders' Agreements") shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned
by any other individual or entity who is a party to the Stockholders'
Agreements by virtue of the terms of such Stockholders' Agreements; or
(b) A development whereby the individuals who, as of the date hereof
constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any
individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election,
or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a
vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent
Board shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for
this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs
as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms
are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act)
or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents; or
(c) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization,
merger or consolidation, in each case, with respect to which all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial
owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
consolidation do not, following such reorganization, merger or consolidation,
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the
then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such
reorganization, merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportions
as their ownership, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
consolidation of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company
Voting Securities, as the case may be; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of (i) a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) the sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other
than to a corporation, with respect to which following such sale or other
disposition, more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who
were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such
sale or other disposition in substantially the same proportion as their
ownership, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities,
as the case may be.
3. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue the
Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the
employ of the Company, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and
ending on the third anniversary of such date (the "Employment Period").
4. Terms of Employment. (a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position
(including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority,
duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material
respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at
a time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and
(B) the Executive's services shall be performed at the location where the
Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office
or location less than 35 miles from such location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation
and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to
devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the
business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the
Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently
such responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a
violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate,
civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill
speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and (C) manage
personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an
employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly
understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been
conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct
of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope
thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities to the
Company.
(b) Compensation. (i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall receive an annual base salary, payable in equal monthly
installments, at least equal to twelve times the highest monthly base salary
paid or payable to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies
during the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month in which the
Effective Date occurs ("Annual Base Salary"). During the Employment Period,
the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually and shall be
increased at any time and from time to time as shall be substantially
consistent with increases in base salary generally awarded in the ordinary
course of business to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or
reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual
Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual
Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary
as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated companies"
shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control
with the Company.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period,
an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the average
annual bonus paid or payable to the Executive by the Company and its
affiliated companies in respect of the three fiscal years (annualized for any
fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or with respect to
which the Executive has been employed by the Company for less than twelve
full months) immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Effective
Date occurs (the "Recent Average Bonus"). Each such Annual Bonus shall be
paid no later than the end of the third month of the fiscal year next
following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the
Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus.
(iii) Special Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus
payable as hereinabove provided, if the Executive remains employed with the
Company and its affiliated companies through the first anniversary of the
Effective Date, the Company shall pay to the Executive a special bonus (the
"Special Bonus") in recognition of the Executive's services during the
crucial one-year transition period following the Change of Control in cash
equal to the sum of (A) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (B) the
greater of (1) the Annual Bonus paid or payable to the Executive (and
annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months
or for which the Executive has been employed for less than twelve full
months) for the most recently completed fiscal year during the Employment
Period, if any, and (2) the Recent Average Bonus (such greater amount shall
be hereinafter referred to as the "Highest Annual Bonus"). The Special Bonus
shall be paid no later than 30 days following the first anniversary of the
Effective Date.
(iv) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive,
savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to
both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that
such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit
opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for
the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect
at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date
or if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies at any time after the
Effective Date.
(v) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive
and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for
participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans,
practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated
companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death
and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the
aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and
programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, those provided generally to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies at any time after the Effective Date.
(vi) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred
by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices
and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies at any time thereafter.
(vii) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
be entitled to fringe benefits in accordance with the most favorable plans,
practices, programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies
in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in
effect generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies at any time thereafter.
(viii) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to secretarial and other assistance,
at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to the
Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during the
90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable
to the Executive, as provided generally with respect to other peer executives
of the Company and its affiliated companies at any time thereafter.
(ix) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans,
policies, programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies
as in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally with respect to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies at any time thereafter.
5. Termination of Employment. (a) Death or Disability. The Executive's
employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during
the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period
(pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to
the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this
Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such
event, the Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective
on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the
"Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such
receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of
the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall
mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties with the
Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of
incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total
and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and
acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative (such
agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during
the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause"
shall mean (i) repeated violations by the Executive of the Executive's
obligations under Section 4(a) of this Agreement (other than as a result of
incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which are demonstrably willful
and deliberate on the Executive's part, which are committed in bad faith or
without reasonable belief that such violations are in the best interest of the
Company and which are not remedied in a reasonable period of time after
receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such violations or (ii)
the conviction of the Executive of a felony involving moral turpitude.
(c) Good Reason: Window Period. The Executive's employment may be
terminated (i) during the Employment Period by the Executive for Good Reason
or (ii) during the Window Period by the Executive without any reason. For
purposes of this Agreement, the "Window Period" shall mean the 30-day period
immediately following the first anniversary of the Effective Date. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any
respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as
contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the
Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the
Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of
Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the
Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any office or
location other than that described in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section ll(c)
of this Agreement, provided that such successor has received at least ten
days prior written notice from the Company or the Executive of the
requirements of Section ll(c) of the Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good
Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or
by the Executive without any reason during the Window Period or for Good
Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party
hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement. For purposes
of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice which (i)
indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon,
(ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) if the Date of
Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such
notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than
fifteen days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive
or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not
waive any right of the Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude the
Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in
enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive during the Window Period or for Good Reason, the date of receipt of
the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case
may be, (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other
than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on
which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination and (iii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the
Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.
6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination. (a) Good Reason or
during the Window Period; Other Than for Cause. Death or Disability. If,
during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's
employment other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall
terminate employment either for Good Reason or without any reason during the
Window Period:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within
30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts
(such aggregate shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Special Termination
Amount"):
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the
Highest Annual Bonus and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number
of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the
denominator of which is 365 and (3) the Special Bonus, if due to the
Executive pursuant to Section 4(b)(iii) of this Agreement, to the extent not
theretofore paid and (4) any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any
accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the
sum of the amounts described in clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) shall be
hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and
B. the amount equal to the product of (l) three and (2) the sum of (x)
the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus;
provided, however, that such amount shall be paid in lieu of, and the
Executive hereby waives the right to receive, any other amount of severance
relating to salary or bonus continuation to be received by the Executive
upon such termination of employment under any severance plan, policy or
arrangement of the Company; and
(ii) for the remainder of the Employment Period, or such longer period
as any plan, program, practice or policy may provide, the Company shall
continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at least
equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the
plans, programs, practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(v) of this
Agreement if the Executive's employment had not been terminated in accordance
with the most favorable plans, practices, programs or policies of the Company
and its affiliated companies applicable generally to other peer executives
and their families during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies and their families at any time thereafter, provided, however, that
if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to
receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer provided
plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be
secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable
period of eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility of the
Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs
and policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed
until the end of the Employment Period and to have retired on the last day of
such period; and
(iii) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall
timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required
to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive pursuant
to this Agreement and any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or
agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and
benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").
(b) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under
this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely
payment or provision of Other Benefits. All Accrued Obligations shall be paid
to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. Anything in this Agreement to
the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive's family shall be entitled to
receive benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by
the Company and any of its affiliated companies to surviving families of peer
executives of the Company and such affiliated companies under such plans,
programs, practices and policies relating to family death benefits, if any,
as in effect with respect to other peer executives and their families at any
time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if
more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect
on the date of the Executive's death with respect to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies and their families.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for
payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other
Benefits. All Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive shall be entitled
after the Disability Effective Date to receive disability and other benefits
at least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the
Company and its affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their
families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies
relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other
peer executives and their families at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any time thereafter
generally with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies and their families.
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's employment
shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the
obligation to pay to the Executive Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination plus the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid, and the timely
payment or provision of Other Benefits. If the Executive terminates
employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination either for
Good Reason or without any reason during the Window Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for
Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits; in
such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
7. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Except as provided in Sections 6(a)(i)(B)
and 6(a)(ii) of this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or
limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein
limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any
contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies.
Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise
entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any
contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at
or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with
such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as
explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8. Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against
the Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek
other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and,
except as provided in Section 6(a)(ii) of this Agreement, such amounts shall
not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The
Company agrees to pay, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees
and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any
contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or
others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any
provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof
(including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of
any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any
delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section
7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company
to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or
distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise (a "Payment"), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the
Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any
such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the
Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with
respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and
any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax
imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of
the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and when a
Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the
assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made
by Peat, Marwick Main & Co. (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide
detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within
15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has
been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the
event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the
individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive
and the Company shall mutually appoint another accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder. All fees and expenses of the Accounting
Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as
determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the
Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's
determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is
payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a written
opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executive's applicable
federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence
or similar penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding
upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the
application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial
determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up
Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made
("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of
any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the
Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly
paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by
the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment
by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as
soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive
is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the
nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be
paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the
30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company
(or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with
respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in
writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest
such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company
relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the
Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including,
without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim
by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to
contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to
such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation
and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing
provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings
taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or
forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at
its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and xxx
for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the
Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any
administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or
more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however,
that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and xxx for a
refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the
Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the
Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax
(including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect
to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such
advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of
limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the
Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is
limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control
of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up
Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to
settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal
Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the
Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive
any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to
the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by
the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c),
a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any
refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the
Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to
the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be
forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such
advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment
required to be paid.
10. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary
capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its
affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been
obtained by the Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or
any of its affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public
knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the
Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the
Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the
prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law
or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or
data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In no event
shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a
basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the
Executive under this Agreement.
11. Successors. (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and
without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by
the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Executive's legal representative.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect,
by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all
of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to
perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the
Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.
As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore
defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which
assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
12. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama without reference to
principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part
of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement
may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed
by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representative.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
If to the Executive:
At the home address reflected in the Company's personnel records.
If to the Company:
Delchamps, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
P. O. Box 1668
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: The President
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the
other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be
effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of this Agreement
or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may have
hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to
terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this
Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or
any other provision or right of this Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may
otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive
and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will"
and, prior to the Effective Date, may be terminated by either the Executive
or the Company at any time. Moreover, if prior to the Effective Date the
Executive's employment with the Company terminates, then the Executive shall
have no further rights under this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company
has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of
the day and year first above written.
---------------------------
[Executive]
DELCHAMPS, INC.
By:
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