EXHIBIT 10.82
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EFFECTIVE AS OF FEBRUARY 12, 2004 BETWEEN
AFC ENTERPRISES, INC. (THE "COMPANY") AND
HENRY HOPE, III ("EMPLOYEE")
WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue the employment of Employee and
to enter into an agreement embodying the terms of such employment; and
WHEREAS, Employee desires to accept such employment and to enter into
such agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties
agree as follows:
1. Term of Agreement.
This Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and, unless
earlier terminated pursuant to Section 8 or Section 9 hereof, shall be for an
initial term of one (1) year (the "Term"). The Term of this Agreement and
Employee's employment hereunder will automatically be extended for an additional
one-year period following the expiration of each year of employment hereunder
(the "Renewal Date"), without further action by Employee or the Company. Such
automatic one-year renewal shall continue from year to year unless and until
either the Company or Employee gives to the other written notice not less than
thirty (30) days prior to the applicable Renewal Date of its decision not to
renew for an additional one year.
For purposes of this Section 1 only, the first "year" of the Term shall
be deemed to begin as of the date hereof and end on December 31, 2004, and each
one (1) year period thereafter shall coincide with the calendar year.
2. Employment.
2.01 Position. Employee shall serve as Senior Vice-President
and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company and shall perform such duties
consistent with his position as may be assigned to him from time to time by the
Chief Financial Officer or the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.02 Time and Efforts. Employee, so long as he is employed
hereunder, shall devote his full business time and attention to the services
required of him hereunder, except as otherwise agreed and for vacation time and
reasonable periods of absence due to sickness or personal injury, and shall use
his best efforts, judgment and energy to perform, improve and advance the
business and interests of the Company in a manner consistent with the duties of
his position.
3. Base Salary.
The Company shall pay Employee, in equal installments no less
frequently than monthly, a base salary at the rate of no less than Two Hundred
Thirty Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($230,000.00 U.S.) per annum (the "Base
Salary") during the term hereof. The Employee's Base Salary shall be reviewed by
the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors of the Company on an
annual basis.
4. Incentive Pay.
4.01 Annual Plan. The Board of Directors of the Company, acting in its
sole discretion, shall annually, at the beginning of each fiscal year of the
Company, approve an annual incentive plan (the "Annual Incentive Plan") for
Employee, which Plan shall contain such terms and provisions as the Board of
Directors shall determine. Any amounts payable to Employee pursuant to the
Annual Incentive Plan is hereinafter referred to as "Incentive Pay".
4.02 Target Incentive Pay. The target Incentive Pay ("Target Incentive
Pay") for Employee for the 2004 fiscal year of the Company shall be as follows:
Sixty Thousand and No/100 Dollars (U.S. $60,000.00); provided, however, that the
Target Incentive Pay with respect to any fiscal year is subject to, and may be
modified by, the Annual Incentive Plan approved by the Board of Directors
pursuant to Section 4.01 above and this Section 4.02 shall be read accordingly.
After 2004, the Target Incentive Pay for Employee will be set by the Chief
Executive Officer or the Board of Directors of the Company for each fiscal year
and will be included in the Annual Incentive Plan for such year.
4.03 Payment of Incentive Pay. If Employee is entitled to payment of
any Incentive Pay for any fiscal year, an accounting will be furnished and
payment will be made to Employee as set forth in the Annual Incentive Plan, but
in no event later than 105 days following the end of each fiscal year.
4.04 Termination of Employment. If Employee's employment hereunder
shall terminate other than pursuant to Sections 8.03 or 8.04, the Employee shall
receive, at the time contemplated by the Annual Incentive Plan, such Incentive
Pay, if any, to which he would have been entitled under the terms of the Annual
Incentive Plan had Employee remained in the employ of the Company for the entire
fiscal year in which such termination occurs. If Employee's employment hereunder
shall terminate pursuant to (a) Section 8.03, the provisions of Section 8.03
shall determine the amount of Incentive Pay payable to Employee; or (b) Section
8.04, no Incentive Pay shall be payable to Employee after such termination.
5. Stock Options.
As part of the Employee's compensation, Employee may be granted stock
options in the future based upon Employee's performance as determined in the
sole discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company.
6. Employee Benefits.
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6.01 Executive Flex Perk. Employee shall be entitled to participate in
the Company's Executive Flex Perk Plan subject to the terms, conditions and
limitations thereof. Subject to Section 6.07 below and the terms of the Plan,
the Company will pay to, or for the benefit of Employee, an amount equal to
$15,000.00 per year payable in the same manner as Employee's Base Salary is
paid.
6.02 Life Insurance. Subject to Section 6.07 below, in the event of the
death of Employee during the term of his employment with the Company and after
the Company first obtains the Life Insurance Policy described herein, the
Employee's named beneficiary shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to
five (5) times Employee's Base Salary as of the date hereof (the "Death
Benefit") payable solely from, and to the extent of, the death benefit proceeds
payable under such Life Insurance Policy.
(a) As soon as practicable after the execution of this
Agreement, the Company will procure and maintain on the life of Employee life
insurance protection in an amount not less than the Death Benefit determined
based upon the Base Salary in effect as of the date hereof (any and all such
policies are referred to herein, collectively, as the "Life Insurance Policy").
The Company may, at its option, purchase term or permanent life insurance
protection on Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the premiums for the
Life Insurance Policy on Employee shall exceed regular, non-rated premiums, the
Company may, but shall have no obligation to, fund such excess premium payments.
In the event the Company determines not to fund such excess it shall promptly
notify Employee and Employee may, at his option, elect to pay the excess. If
Employee fails to pay such excess or if for any other reason the Company, after
reasonable efforts, is not able to obtain the Life Insurance Policy required
herein for Employee, then Employee shall not be entitled to any benefits
whatsoever under this Section 6.02 except as may otherwise be determined in the
discretion of the Company and set forth in writing. The Company shall have and
may exercise all ownership rights in such Life Insurance Policy, except as
provided in this Section 6.02.
(b) Upon issuance of the Life Insurance Policy, the
Company and Employee shall enter into an insurance agreement (the "Insurance
Agreement") which shall specify in detail the relative rights and obligations of
the Company and Employee with respect to the Life Insurance Policy including,
but not limited to, (i) obligations of the Company and the Employee with respect
to the payment of premiums, (ii) designation of beneficiaries, (iii) policy
ownership and the exercise of rights incident thereto and (iv) the relative
rights of Employee and the Company upon Employee's termination of employment.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or the
Insurance Agreement, the obligations of the Company and Employee under this
Section 6.02 and the Insurance Agreement shall automatically terminate upon
Employee's termination of employment for any reason prior to his death.
6.03 Disability Insurance.
(a) The Company shall procure for Employee as soon as
practical after the date hereof and shall maintain in full force and effect
during the Term a Supplemental Disability
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Policy which will supplement the benefits payable under any disability benefit
provided to Employee by the Company under its basic employee health care benefit
program, so that, subject to Section 6.07 below, with respect to a disability as
defined in the Supplemental Disability Policy occurring after the Company has
obtained the Supplemental Disability Policy, the total monthly disability
benefit (the "Disability Benefit") payable to Employee under all disability
policies maintained by the Company, after a maximum elimination period of ninety
(90) days, shall equal 70% of the sum of Employee's Base Compensation and
Incentive Pay for the year immediately preceding the year in which the
termination for Disability occurs.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if
the premiums for the Supplemental Disability Income Policy for Employee shall
exceed regular, non-rated premiums, the Company may, but shall have no
obligation to, fund such excess. In the event the Company determines not to fund
such excess it shall promptly notify Employee and Employee may, at his option,
elect to pay the excess. If Employee fails to pay such excess or if for any
other reason the Company, after reasonable efforts, is not able to obtain the
Supplemental Disability Income Policy required herein, then Employee shall not
be entitled to any Disability Benefit hereunder except as may otherwise be
determined in the discretion of the Company and set forth in writing.
6.04 Executive Medical Benefit. Subject to Section 6.07, the Company,
at its expense, shall provide Employee with an annual physical examination to be
conducted by a physician or physicians as determined by the Company, or by
Employee with the approval of the Company.
6.05 Other Benefits. Employee shall be provided additional employee
benefits, including health, accident and disability insurance under the
Company's regular and ongoing plans, policies and programs available, from time
to time, to senior officers of the Company, in accordance with the provisions of
such plans, policies and programs governing eligibility and participation;
provided, however, that such benefits may be modified, amended or rescinded by
the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion.
6.06 Vacation. Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid
vacation each year during the term hereof. Any vacation not used in any year
shall not accrue for use in subsequent years and shall be forfeited as of the
end of such year.
6.07 Paramount Provisions.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in Sections 6.02 and 6.03
above or any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Company
has met all of its obligations under this Agreement (and the Insurance
Agreement, if applicable) with respect to obtaining and maintaining in force (i)
the Life Insurance Policy described in Section 6.02 hereof on the life of
Employee to fund the Death Benefit or (ii) the Supplemental Disability Policy
maintained for Employee pursuant to Section 6.03 hereof to fund such Employee's
Disability Benefit, but all or any portion of the proceeds under any such policy
are not actually received by the Company for any reason whatsoever, including
without limitation the insolvency of the insurer or any misrepresentation made
by Employee in the application for such insurance, then the right of Employee or
his designated beneficiary to receive a Disability Benefit or a Death Benefit,
as the
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case may be, shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount by which the
Disability Benefit or Death Benefit otherwise payable exceeds the insurance
proceeds actually received.
(b) Anything in Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, and 6.04 to
the contrary notwithstanding, the amount of the benefits provided for in Section
6 are subject to adjustment as shall be provided for in the plan or insurance
contract, as the case may be, pursuant to which such benefit is being paid and
the Employee will be given written notice of any such change. Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Chief Executive Officer or the
Board of Directors shall have full authority to make all determinations deemed
necessary or advisable for the administration of the benefits described in this
Section 6. Subject to Section 12.04, the good faith interpretation and
construction by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors of the
terms of this Section 6 or the benefit programs described herein shall be final,
conclusive and binding on Employee.
7. Business Expenses.
All reasonable and customary business expenses incurred by Employee in
the performance of his duties hereunder shall be paid or reimbursed by the
Company in accordance with the Company's policies in effect, from time to time.
8. Termination of Employment.
8.01 Definitions. For purposes of this Section 8, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:
(a) Cause. The term "Cause" shall mean (i) Employee
commits fraud or is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, (ii)
Employee, in carrying out his duties hereunder, has been guilty of gross neglect
or gross misconduct resulting in harm to the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or affiliates, (iii) Employee shall have failed to materially comply with the
policies of the Company or shall have refused to follow or comply with the duly
promulgated directives of the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors
of the Company, (iv) Employee has breached any of the provisions of Section
10.02 through and including 10.04 or (v) Employee otherwise materially breaches
this Agreement.
(b) Disability. The term "Disability" shall mean the good
faith determination by the Chief Executive Officer or of the Board of Directors
of the Company that Employee has failed to or has been unable to perform his
duties as the result of any physical or mental disability for a period of ninety
(90) consecutive days during any one period of Disability.
8.02 Termination upon Death or Disability. If Employee's employment is
terminated due to his death or Disability, the Company shall pay to the estate
of the Employee or to the Employee, as the case may be, within fifteen (15) days
following Employee's death or upon his termination in the event of Disability,
all amounts then payable to Employee pro rated through the date of termination
pursuant to Sections 3, 6.01, and 7, and the amount of any accrued but unused
vacation under Section 6.06 for the year in which such termination occurs. In
addition,
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the Company shall pay to Employee any Incentive Pay payable pursuant to Section
4.04 hereof in accordance with the terms thereof.
8.03 Termination by the Company for other than Death or Disability or
for Cause. The Company may terminate Employee's employment hereunder without
cause at any time, upon written notice. If upon expiration of the term of this
Agreement or if Employee's employment is terminated by the Company prior to the
expiration of the term of this Agreement without cause or other than (i) by
reason of Employee's death or Disability or (ii) for Cause, the Company shall
pay or provide to Employee, in lieu of all other amounts payable hereunder or
benefits to be provided hereunder the following: (a) a payment equal to the sum
of one (1) times Employee's Base Salary at the time of termination; (b) a
payment equal to one (1) times Employee's Target Incentive Pay for the year in
which such termination occurs (or, if no Target Incentive Pay has been
designated for such year, then the Target Incentive Pay for the last year in
which it was designated prior to such termination), and (c) the acceleration of
any unvested rights of Employee under any stock options or other equity
incentive programs such that they shall immediately vest under the terms of such
plans. As a condition precedent to the requirement of Company to make such
payments or grant such accelerated vesting, Employee shall not be in breach of
his obligations under Section 10 hereof and Employee shall execute and deliver
to Company a general release in favor of the Company in substantially the same
form as the general release then contained in the latest Severance Agreement
being used by the Company.
Any payments required to be made under this Section 8.03 shall be made
to Employee, at the election of the Company, either within thirty (30) days
after the date of Employee's termination of employment or, at the Company's
election, in fifty-two (52) equal installments, payable at the same time and on
the same basis as was the payment of Employee's Base Salary prior to such
termination.
8.04 Voluntary Termination by Employee or Termination for Cause.
Employee may terminate his employment hereunder at any time whatsoever, with or
without cause, upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Company. The
Company may terminate Employee's employment hereunder at any time without notice
for Cause. In the event Employee's employment is terminated voluntarily by
Employee or by the Company for Cause:
(a) The Company shall pay to Employee upon such termination
all amounts then due under sections 3, 4 (but only to the extent of earned but
unpaid Incentive Pay), 6, and 7, prorated, through the date of termination for
the year in which he is terminated; and
(b) The Company shall be under no obligation to make severance
payments to Employee or continue any benefits being provided to Employee beyond
the date of such termination.
9. Change of Control, Change in Responsibilities.
Upon the occurrence of both of the following events:
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(a) The dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a
reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more
corporations as a result of which the owners of all of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation
own in the aggregate, directly and indirectly, less than 50% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Company or any other entity into which the Company
shall be merged or consolidated immediately following the consummation thereof,
or the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets or more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Company in a single transaction or series of related transactions (a "Change in
Control"); and
(b) Within one (1) year of such Change in Control there is a
termination of employment without cause or a material diminution of or change in
Employee's responsibilities or duties,
Employee may elect, in writing, within ninety (90) days following the occurrence
of such events, to terminate this Agreement and his employment with the Company
will terminate, effective thirty (30) days after the Company's receipt of such
notice. In such event Employee shall be deemed to have been terminated by the
Company other than for Cause and all amounts payable to Employee pursuant to
Section 8.03 shall become immediately due and payable.
A Change in Control of the Company shall not be deemed to
occur by reason of any public offering of the Common Stock of the Company.
Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, if the
aggregate of the payments provided for in this Agreement which result from
Employee's election to terminate his employment under this Section 9 and the
other payments and benefits which the Employee has the right to receive from the
Company as a result thereof (the "Total Payments") would constitute a "parachute
payment," as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), the Employee shall receive, instead of the Total
Payments, an increased amount (the "Gross Up Total") equal to the product of (x)
the Total Payments and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is 1 and the
denominator of which is 1 minus the maximum effective combined tax rate with
respect to all federal, state, and local income taxes payable by the Employee
under Code Section 4999 (the "Excise Taxes"). It is the intention of this
provision that the Gross Up Total minus the Excise Taxes shall equal the Total
Payments and this provision shall be read and interpreted accordingly.
Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, or in any
other agreement referred to in Section 5 hereof, no merger, reorganization,
recapitalization, sale of stock, sale of assets or other change in the capital
structure of the Company or in the identity of the legal or beneficial owners of
the Company shall affect the rights or obligations of the Company or Employee
hereunder.
10. Confidentiality and Non-Competition.
10.01 Definitions. For purposes of this Section 10, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:
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"Affiliate" means any corporation, limited liability company,
partnership or other entity of which the Company owns at least fifty percent
(50%) of the outstanding equity and voting rights, directly or indirectly,
through any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other
entity.
"Businesses" means the businesses engaged in by the Company
directly or through its Affiliates immediately prior to termination of
employment.
"Confidential Information" means information which does not
rise to the level of a Trade Secret, but is valuable to the Company or any
Affiliate and provided in confidence to Employee.
"Proprietary Information" means, collectively, Trade Secrets
and Confidential Information.
"Restricted Period" means the period commencing as of the date
hereof and ending on that date two years (2) year after the termination of
Employee's employment with the Company for any reason, whether voluntary or
involuntary.
"Trade Secrets" means information which derives 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 is the subject of efforts that are
reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.
10.02 Covenant Not-To-Disclose. The Company and Employee recognize
that, during the course of Employee's employment with the Company, the Company
has disclosed and will continue to disclose to Employee Proprietary Information
concerning the Company and the Affiliates, their products, their franchisees,
their services and other matters concerning their Businesses, all of which
constitute valuable assets of the Company and the Affiliates. The Company and
Employee further acknowledge that the Company has, and will, invest considerable
amounts of time, effort and corporate resources in developing such valuable
assets and that disclosure by Employee of such assets to the public shall cause
irreparable harm, damage and loss to the Company and the Affiliates.
Accordingly, Employee acknowledges and agrees:
(a) that the Proprietary Information is and shall remain
the exclusive property of the Company (or the applicable Affiliate);
(b) to use the Proprietary Information exclusively for
the purpose of fulfilling the obligations under this Agreement;
(c) to return the Proprietary Information, and any copies
thereof, in his possession or under his control, to the Company (or the
applicable Affiliate) upon request of the Company (or the Affiliate), or
expiration or termination of Employee's employment hereunder for any reason; and
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(d) to hold the Proprietary Information in confidence and
not copy, publish or disclose to others or allow any other party to copy,
publish or disclose to others in any form, any Proprietary Information without
the prior written approval of an authorized representative of the Company.
The obligations and restrictions set forth in this Section 10.02 shall
survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement, for any reason, and
shall remain in full force and effect as follows:
(a) as to Trade Secrets, indefinitely, and
(b) as to Confidential Information, for a period of two
(2) years after the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.
The confidentiality, property, and proprietary rights protections
available in this Agreement are in addition to, and not exclusive of, any and
all other corporate rights, including those provided under copyright, corporate
officer or director fiduciary duties, and trade secret and confidential
information laws. The obligations set forth in this Section 10.02 shall not
apply or shall terminate with respect to any particular portion of the
Proprietary Information which (i) was in Employee's possession, free of any
obligation of confidence, prior to his receipt from the Company or its
Affiliate, (ii) Employee establishes the Proprietary Information is already in
the public domain at the time the Company or the Affiliate communicates it to
Employee, or becomes available to the public through no breach of this Agreement
by Employee, or (iii) Employee establishes that he received the Proprietary
Information independently and in good faith from a third party lawfully in
possession thereof and having no obligation to keep such information
confidential.
10.03 Covenant of Non-Disparagement and Cooperation. Employee agrees
that he shall not at any time during or following the term of this Agreement
make any remarks disparaging the conduct or character of the Company or the
Affiliates or any of the Company's or the Affiliates' current or former agents,
employees, officers, directors, successors or assigns (collectively the "Related
Parties"). In addition, Employee agrees to cooperate with the Related Parties,
at no extra cost, in any litigation or administrative proceedings (e.g., EEOC
charges) involving any matters with which Employee was involved during
Employee's employment with the Company. The Company shall reimburse Employee for
travel expenses approved by the Company or the Affiliates incurred in providing
such assistance.
10.04 Covenant Not-To-Induce. Employee covenants and agrees that during
the Restricted Period, he will not, directly or indirectly, on his own behalf or
in the service or on behalf of others, hire, solicit, take away or attempt to
hire, solicit or take away any person who is or was an employee of the Company
or any Affiliate during the one (1) year period preceding the termination of
Employee's employment.
10.05 Remedies. The Company and Employee expressly agree that a
violation of any of the covenants contained in subsections 10.02 through and
including 10.04 of this Section 10, or
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any provision thereof, shall cause irreparable injury to the Company and that,
accordingly, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to any other rights and
remedies it may have at law or in equity, to an injunction enjoining and
restraining Employee from doing or continuing to do any such act and any other
violation or threatened violation of said Sections 10.02 through and including
10.04 hereof.
10.06 Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall
be found to be void, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall
nevertheless be binding with the same effect as though the void part were
deleted; provided, however, if subsections 10.02 through and including 10.04 of
this Section 10 shall be declared invalid, in whole or in part, Employee shall
execute, as soon as possible, a supplemental agreement with the Company,
granting the Company, to the extent legally possible, the protection afforded by
said subsections. It is expressly understood and agreed by the parties hereto
that the Company shall not be barred from enforcing the restrictive covenants
contained in each of subsections 10.02 through and including 10.04, as each are
separate and distinct, so that the invalidity of any one or more of said
covenants shall not affect the enforceability and validity of the other
covenants.
10.07 Ownership of Property. Employee agrees and acknowledges that all
works of authorship and inventions, including but not limited to products,
goods, know-how, Trade Secrets and Confidential Information, and any revisions
thereof, in any form and in whatever stage of creation or development, arising
out of or resulting from, or in connection with, the services provided by
Employee to the Company or any Affiliate under this Agreement are works made for
hire and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company or such
Affiliate. Employee agrees to execute such documents as the Company may
reasonably request for the purpose of effectuating the rights of the Company or
the Affiliate in any such property.
10.08 No Defense. The existence of any claim, demand, action or cause
of action of the Employee against the Company shall not constitute a defense to
the enforcement by the Company of any of the covenants or agreements herein.
11. Indemnification.
11.01 Company Obligations. The Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to
hold harmless Employee, to the extent allowed by applicable law, against all
liabilities, obligations, claims, demands, actions, causes of action, lawsuits,
judgments, expenses and costs, including but not limited to the reasonable costs
of investigation and attorney's fees, incurred by the Employee as a result of
any threat, demand, claim action or lawsuits, made, instituted or initiated
against the Employee, which arises out of, results from or relates to this
Agreement or any action taken by Employee in the course of performance of
Employee's duties hereunder, except for Employee's own gross negligence or
willful misconduct.
11.02 Notice and Defense of Claim. If any claim suit or other legal
proceeding shall be commenced, or any claim or demand be asserted against the
Employee and Employee desires indemnification pursuant to this paragraph, the
Company shall be notified to such effect with reasonable promptness and shall
have the right to assume at its full cost and expense the entire control of any
legal proceeding, subject to the right of the Employee to participate at his
full cost
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and expense and with counsel of his choice in the defense, compromise or
settlement thereof. The Employee shall cooperate fully in all respects with the
Company in any such defense, compromise or settlement, including, without
limitation, making available to the Company all pertinent information under the
control of the Employee. The Company may compromise or settle any such action,
suit, proceeding, claim or demand without Employee's approval so long as the
Company obtains for Employee's benefit a release of liability with respect to
such claim from the claimant and the Company assumes and agrees to pay any
amounts due with respect to such settlement. In no event shall the Company be
liable for any settlement entered into by the Employee without the Company's
prior written consent.
11.03 Survival. The provisions of this paragraph 11 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement for a period of four (4) years, unless Employee is
terminated for Cause, in which event the provisions of this Section 11 shall not
survive termination of this Agreement.
12. Dispute Resolution.
12.01 Agreement to Arbitrate. In consideration for his continued
employment with the Company, and other consideration, the sufficiency of which
is hereby acknowledged, but subject to Section 6.07(b) above, Employee
acknowledges and agrees that any controversy or claim arising out of or relating
to Employees employment, termination of employment, or this Agreement including,
but not limited to, controversies and claims that are protected or covered by
any federal, state, or local statute, regulation or common law, shall be settled
by arbitration pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act. This includes, but is
not limited to, violations or alleged violations of any federal or state statute
or common law (including, but not limited to, the laws of the United States or
of any state, or the Constitution of the United States or of any state), or of
any other law, statute, ordinance, including but not limited to, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as
amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and any other
statute or common law. This provision shall not, however, preclude the Company
from seeking equitable relief as provided in Section 10.06 of this Agreement.
12.02 Procedure. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with
the Employment Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association: a
single arbitrator who is experienced in employment law shall be selected under
those Rules, and the arbitration shall be initiated in Atlanta, Georgia, unless
the parties agree in writing to a different location or the Arbitrator directs
the arbitration to be held at a different location. Except for filing fees, all
costs of the arbitrator shall be allocated by the arbitrator. The award rendered
by the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the parties hereto and judgment
thereon may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. In addition to
that provided for in the Employment Arbitration Rules, the arbitrator has sole
discretion to permit discovery consistent with the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure and the judicial interpretation of those rules upon request by any
party; provided, however, it is the intent of the parties that the arbitrator
limit the time and scope of any such discovery to the greatest extent
practicable and provide a decision as rapidly as possible given the
circumstances of the claims to be determined. The arbitrator also shall have the
power and authority to grant injunctive relief for any violation of Sections
10.02 through and including
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10.04 and the arbitrator's order granting such relief may be entered in any
court of competent jurisdiction. The agreement to arbitrate any claim arising
out of the employment relationship or termination of employment shall not apply
to those claims which cannot be made subject to this provision by statute,
regulation or common law. These include, but are not limited to, any claims
relating to work related injuries and claims for unemployment benefits under
applicable state laws.
12.03 Rights of Parties. Nothing in this clause shall be construed to
prevent the Company from asking a court of competent jurisdiction to enter
appropriate equitable relief to enjoin any violation of this Agreement by
Employee. The Company shall have the right to seek such relief in connection
with or apart from the parties' rights under this clause to arbitrate all
disputes. With respect to disputes arising under this Agreement that are
submitted to a court rather than an arbitrator, including actions to compel
arbitration or for equitable relief in aid of arbitration, the parties agree
that venue and jurisdiction are proper in any state or federal court lying
within Atlanta, Georgia and specifically consent to the jurisdiction and venue
of such court for the purpose of any proceedings contemplated by this paragraph.
By entering into this Agreement the parties have waived any right which may
exist for a trial by jury and have expressly agreed to resolve any disputes
covered by this Agreement through the arbitration process described herein.
12.04 Employee Benefit Plan Issues. With respect to any benefits
provided to Employee hereunder which may be subject to the provisions of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (the "Covered
Plans"), and notwithstanding Section 6.07(b) above, the adjudication of any
claims under the Covered Plans shall be administered in accordance with the
terms and conditions of such Covered Plan. If the Covered Plan does not contain
a claims adjudication provision then, if for any reason, a claim for benefits
under a Covered Plan is denied by the Company, the Company shall deliver to the
Employee or his representative (the "claimant") a written explanation setting
forth the specific reasons for the denial, pertinent references to the Agreement
section or section of the Covered Plan on which the denial is based, such other
data as may be pertinent and information on the procedures to be followed by the
claimant in obtaining a review of his claim, all written in a manner calculated
to be understood by the claimant. For this purpose: (A)The claimant's claim
shall be deemed filed when presented orally or in writing to the individual at
the Company then performing the duties currently being performed by the
individual in charge of the People Services and Development Department (the
"Claims Manager"). (B) The Claims Manager's explanation shall be in writing
delivered to the claimant within 90 days of the date the claim is filed. The
claimant shall have 60 days following his receipt of the denial of the claim to
file with the Claim's Manager a written request for review of the denial. The
claimant or his representative may review pertinent documents related to this
Agreement and in the Claim's Manager's possession in order to prepare the
request for review. The Claims Manager shall decide the issue on review and
furnish the claimant with a copy of its decision within 60 days of receipt of
the claimant's request for review of his claim. The decision on review shall be
in writing and, if denied, shall include specific reasons for the decision,
written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, as well as
specific references to the pertinent provisions on which the decision is based.
If a copy of the decision is not so furnished to the claimant within such 60
days, the claim shall be deemed denied on review. Any payment to a claimant
shall to the extent thereof be in full satisfaction of all claims
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hereunder against the Company and the Claims Manager, either of whom may require
such claimant, as a condition to such payment, to execute a receipt and release
therefor in such form as shall be determined by the Company and the Claims
Manager. If a receipt and release is required by the claimant and the claimant
does not provide such receipt and release in a timely enough manner to permit a
timely distribution in accordance with the general timing of distribution
provisions in this Agreement, the payment of any affected distribution may be
delayed until the Company and the Claims Manager receive a proper receipt and
release.
13. Employee Acknowledgment.
By signing this Agreement, Employee acknowledges that the Company has
advised Employee of his right to consult with an attorney prior to executing
this Agreement; that he has the right to retain counsel of his own choosing
concerning the agreement to arbitrate or any waiver of rights or claims; that he
has read and fully understands the terms of this Agreement and/or has had the
right to have it reviewed and approved by counsel of choice, with adequate
opportunity and time for such review; and that he is fully aware of its contents
and of its legal effect. Accordingly, this Agreement shall not be construed
against any party on the grounds that the party drafted this Agreement. Instead,
this Agreement shall be interpreted as though drafted equally by all parties.
14. Amendments.
This Agreement may not be altered, modified or amended except by a
written instrument signed by each of the parties hereto.
15. Successors.
As used in this Agreement, the term the Company shall include any
successors to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement.
16. Assignment.
Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations of either
party hereunder shall be assigned or delegated by any party hereto without the
prior written consent of the other party, except that the Company may without
the consent of Employee assign its rights and delegate its duties hereunder to
any successor to the business of the Company. In the event of the assignment by
the Company of its rights and the delegation of its duties to a successor to the
business of the Company and the assumption of such rights and obligations by
such successor, the Company shall, effective upon such assumption, be relieved
from any and all obligations whatsoever to Employee hereunder.
17. Waiver.
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Waiver by any party hereto of any breach or default by any other party
of any of the terms of this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of any other
breach or default, whether similar to or different from the breach or default
waived.
18. Severability.
In the event that any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained
herein shall not be affected thereby.
19. Survival.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the provisions of
Sections 6.07, 7, 8.03, 9, 10, and 12 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
20. Entire Terms.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with
respect to the employment of Employee by the Company. There are no restrictions,
agreements, promises, warranties, covenants or undertakings other than those
expressly set forth herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements,
arrangements and understandings between the parties, whether oral or written,
with respect to the employment of Employee.
21. Notices.
Notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally
delivered or when mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to Employee:
Henry Hope III
000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xx, X.X.
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
If to the Company to:
AFC Enterprises, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Office of General Counsel
or to such other address or such other person as Employee or the Company shall
designate in writing in accordance with this Section 21 except that notices
regarding changes in notices shall be effective only upon receipt.
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22. Headings.
Headings to Sections in this Agreement are for the convenience of the
parties only and are not intended to be a part of, or to affect the meaning or
interpretation of, this Agreement.
23. Governing Laws.
The Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia
without reference to the principles of conflict of laws.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed and Employee has hereunto set his hand this 4th day of March,
2004, effective as of December 29, 2003.
COMPANY:
AFC ENTERPRISES, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
EMPLOYEE:
/s/ Henry Hope, III
--------------------------------------
Henry Hope, III
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