SEVERANCE, NON-COMPETITION AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
SEVERANCE, NON-COMPETITION AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT (the
"Agreement") dated as of March 18, 1996, by and between Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
("Employee") and Americana Dining Corp. ("Americana").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Employee is employed by Americana as President pursuant to
that certain Employment Agreement dated March 28, 1994 (the "1994 Employment
Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, reference is made to the Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of
March 18, 1996, by and among Americana and New Brighton Ventures, Inc. ("New
Brighton Ventures") (together with any amendments thereto or modifications
thereof, the "Asset Purchase Agreement") pursuant to which New Brighton Ventures
will acquire the assets, subject to certain liabilities, of the New Brighton,
Minnesota Champps Americana restaurant (the "Restaurant") from Americana for a
purchase price of One Million Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,350,000)
(the "Restaurant Acquisition") subject to the terms and conditions set forth in
the Asset Purchase Agreement; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the Restaurant Acquisition, and by the
mutual agreement of the parties, Employee will be relieved of his employment
duties with Americana following the closing of such transaction, upon the terms
and conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, Employee and Americana desire to settle fully and finally all
differences between them, including any claims relating to Employee's employment
and termination from employment with Americana;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
set forth in this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, Employee and Americana agree as follows:
1. Termination of Employment. Employee agrees that his employment with
Americana will terminate effective July 1, 1996, that he will not be reemployed
by Americana, and that he will not apply for or otherwise seek employment with
Americana or any of its divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates at any time.
Effective as of the Effective Time (as defined below), the duties and
responsibilities of Employee as an employee of Americana will be as described in
Section 3(c) of this Agreement, it being agreed and acknowledged that between
the Effective Date and June 30, 1996 the primary business activity of Employee
shall be to manage the Restaurant on behalf of New Brighton Ventures.
2. Effective Date of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective
as of the closing date of the Restaurant Acquisition in accordance with the
terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Effective Date"), but subject in all
events to the consummation of the Restaurant Acquisition and effective only if
the Restaurant Acquisition is actually consummated. Subject to the closing of
the Restaurant Acquisition, on the Effective Date, upon this Agreement becoming
effective, the 1994 Employment Agreement shall terminate and have no further
force or effect and shall be replaced and superseded for all purposes by this
Agreement. If the Restaurant Acquisition is not consummated for any reason
whatsoever, or if the Asset Purchase Agreement is terminated in accordance with
the provisions thereof for any reason whatsoever, this Agreement shall not
become effective and shall be null and void and shall have no force and effect
to the same extent as if this Agreement had never been executed and delivered by
the parties hereto and there shall be no liability under or by reason of the
terms hereof on the part of Americana or any of its affiliates, officers,
directors, employees, agents, successors or assigns, or of the Employee, without
limitation of any other rights any of them may have. If this Agreement does not
become effective in accordance with the preceding sentence, the 1994 Employment
Agreement shall remain in effect in accordance with its presently existing
terms.
3. Settlement with Employee. As a material inducement to Employee to
enter into this Agreement and in consideration for the release given by Employee
in paragraph 4 of this Agreement, Americana and the Employee agree to the
following:
(a) On the Effective Date, Americana will pay to Employee a
one-time, lump sum payment of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) less all
applicable taxes and withholdings;
(b) Americana will continue to pay Employee his base salary
and fringe benefits through June 30, 1996, in accordance with the terms of the
1994 Employment Agreement, so long as Employee continues to perform the duties
and responsibilities set forth in Section 3(c) hereof, but will not be obligated
to pay Employee any bonus with respect to the fiscal year ending on or about
June 30, 1996; and
(c) Employee agrees that between the Effective Date and June
30, 1996, Employee's duties and responsibilities will be limited to such of the
following duties and responsibilities as Americana from time to time may in its
discretion request Employee to perform: (i) managing and overseeing all aspects
of the pre-opening and opening of the Champps Americana restaurant in Columbus,
Ohio, by devoting thereto such time and effort, both on-site and off-site, as
Employee has in the past devoted to the pre-opening and opening by Americana of
other similar restaurants, including, most recently, the Champps Americana
restaurant located in Cleveland, Ohio, (ii) overseeing the management and
operations of the Champps Americana restaurants located in Cleveland, Ohio and
Richfield, Minnesota during this transition period (consistent with the
understanding the Employee will after the Effective Date primarily manage the
Restaurant on behalf of New Brighton Ventures) and (iii) performing such other
services in a senior management capacity as may be mutually agreed to by
Americana and Employee. After June 30, 1996, Employee agrees to make himself
available as an independent consultant to render such services at Americana's
request, in which case Americana shall compensate Employee for such consulting
services at a rate of $500 per day plus reasonable out-of-pocket, travel and
lodging expenses. Any such consulting requested by Americana shall not be deemed
to constitute employment by Americana of Employee, who shall at all times be
construed to be an independent contractor. Employee shall not hold himself out
as a partner, employee or agent of Americana, or incur, assume or create, in
writing or otherwise, any warranty, liability or other obligation of any kind,
express or implied, in the name of or on behalf of Americana.
4. General Release of Claims by Employee. As a material inducement to
Americana to enter into this Agreement and in consideration for the payments and
benefits to be provided by Americana to Employee as outlined in paragraph 3,
Employee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases, acquits and forever
discharges Americana, and each of its current and former owners, stockholders,
predecessors, successors, assigns, agents, directors, officers, employees,
representatives, attorneys, divisions, subsidiaries, whether wholly or partially
owned, and affiliates (and current and former agents, directors, officers,
employees, representatives and attorneys of such divisions, subsidiaries and
affiliates), and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of
them (collectively "Releasees"), or any of them, from any and all charges,
complaints, claims, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements,
controversies, damages, actions, causes of action, suits, rights, demands,
costs, losses, debts and expenses (including attorneys' fees and costs actually
incurred), of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, including, without
limitation, any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended
("Claim" or "Claims"), which Employee now has, owns or holds, or claims to have,
own or hold or which Employee at any time heretofore had, owned or held, or
claimed to have, own or hold against each or any of the Releasees.
5. Non-Competition. In view of the fact that Employee, as a co-founder,
shareholder, director and officer of Americana, has had access to confidential
and proprietary information relating to Americana, and as a material inducement
to and a condition precedent to Americana's agreement to compensate Employee as
provided herein and to sell to New Brighton Ventures the Restaurant pursuant to
the Asset Purchase Agreement, in order to preserve the goodwill associated with
the business of Americana, Employee hereby agrees to the following restrictions
on his activities:
(a) The Employee hereby agrees that during the period
commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the date which is three (3) years
after the Effective Date, he will not, other than as provided in paragraph 5(b)
hereof, without the express written consent of Americana, directly or
indirectly, anywhere in the geographic area set forth in paragraph 5(c) below,
engage or participate in any activity, invest in or otherwise assist (whether as
owner, part-owner, shareholder, partner, director, officer, trustee, employee,
agent or consultant, or in any other capacity) any business organization (other
than Americana pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) whose activities,
products or services are in the Designated Industry (as defined below); except
that the Employee may make passive investments in a competitive enterprise the
shares of which are publicly traded if such investment constitutes less than one
(1) percent of the equity of such enterprise. For purposes of this paragraph 5,
the term "Designated Industry" shall mean the business of owning, licensing,
franchising, operating or otherwise participating in the ownership or operation
of one or more restaurants that Americana is able to show are substantially
similar in trade dress and concept to "Champps Americana" restaurants, as such
trade dress and concept is either incorporated as of the Effective Date in
restaurants owned and operated or being developed by Americana or Champps
Entertainment, Inc. or articulated in plans, designs or proposals drawn or
formulated prior to the Effective Date, but is not intended to cover all "casual
dining" or sports-themed concepts. Without implied limitation, the foregoing
covenant shall include: (i) until March 1, 1997, not hiring for or on behalf of
Employee or any such business organization any officer or employee of Americana
or any of its affiliates, except that Employee or an affiliate of Employee shall
be permitted to employ (A) all staff currently employed by Americana in the
operation of the Restaurant ("Restaurant Personnel") and (B) Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
after the later of (x) June 30, 1996 or (y) such date on which Employee ceases
to be an employee of Americana; and (ii) not soliciting for hire by Employee or
any such business organization any officer or employee of Americana or any of
its affiliates and not encouraging for or on behalf of Employee or any such
business organization any officer, employee, licensee, franchisee, supplier or
other service provider to terminate his or her relationship with Americana or
any of its affiliates except as permitted by clause (B) above. As of the date of
this Agreement, other than with respect to Americana or its affiliates, Employee
is not performing any consulting or other duties for, and is not a party to any
similar agreement with, any business or venture competing with Americana or any
of its affiliates.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
nothing herein shall restrict, limit or impair in any manner the ability or
right of Employee to engage in the following activities:
(i) Employee may, directly or through New Brighton Ventures or another
affiliate, manage or provide consulting services to other licensees or
franchisees of Americana with respect to Champps Americana restaurants,
including the licensee for the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Champps restaurant, at
their request, provided that such services comply with the terms and
conditions of the license or franchise agreement in effect with respect to
such location; and
(ii) Employee may own and operate, through New Brighton Ventures or another
entity owned or controlled by him, the Restaurant in accordance with the
Sub-License Agreement to be dated as of the Effective Date by and between
Americana, as sublicensor, and New Brighton Ventures, as sublicensee.
(c) The provisions of this paragraph 5 shall apply in the
following geographic areas:
(i) all states in which Americana or any of its affiliates is, as of the date
hereof, conducting any business activities;
(ii) all states in which Americana or any of its affiliates commences conducting
business activities during the term of this Agreement; and
(iii) the United States of America.
(d) The parties acknowledge that the time, scope, geographic
area and other provisions of this paragraph 5 have been specifically negotiated
by sophisticated commercial parties and agree that (i) all such provisions are
reasonable under the circumstances, (ii) all such provisions are given as an
integral and essential part of the transactions contemplated hereby and (iii)
but for the covenants of the Employee contained in this paragraph 5, Americana
would neither enter into this Agreement nor the Asset Purchase Agreement nor
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. The Employee has
independently consulted with his counsel and has been advised in all respects
concerning the reasonableness and propriety of the covenants contained herein,
with specific regard to the businesses conducted by Americana and its
affiliates.
(e) It is specifically understood and agreed that any breach
of the provisions of this paragraph 5 by the Employee will result in irreparable
injury to Americana and its affiliates, that the remedy at law alone will be an
inadequate remedy for such breach and that, in addition to any other remedy it
may have, Americana and its affiliates shall be entitled to seek specific
performance of this paragraph 5 by the Employee through such temporary and
permanent injunctive relief as a court of competent jurisdiction may award or
decree irrespective of whether Americana may be entitled to compensatory
damages. The parties hereto agree that the liability of the Employee for
breaches of the provisions of this paragraph 5 shall not be limited to the
amount of the payment received by the Employee pursuant to paragraph 3 of this
Agreement. In the event that any covenant contained in this paragraph 5 shall be
determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason
of its extending for too great a period of time or over too great a geographic
area or by reason of its being too extensive in any other respect, it shall be
interpreted to extend only over the maximum period of time for which it may be
enforceable and/or over the maximum geographic area as to which it may be
enforceable and/or to the maximum extent in all other respects as to which it
may be enforceable, all as determined by such court in such action. In any such
action brought to enforce the Agreement, the prevailing party shall be awarded
reasonable attorneys' fees and costs and expenses incurred therein. The
existence of any claim or cause of action which the Employee may have against
Americana or any of its affiliates under this paragraph 5 shall not constitute a
defense or bar to the enforcement of any of the provisions of this Agreement and
shall be pursued through separate court action by the Employee.
6. Confidentiality of Agreement. Employee agrees that all matters
relating to the existence and content of this Agreement are confidential and
agrees that he shall not disclose such matters to any person or entity except
his counsel, financial advisors and immediate family, but only if those
individuals agree to keep such matters confidential; provided, however, that
Employee may disclose this agreement in connection with good faith negotiations
with prospective employers, clients or business associates who agree to keep all
such matters so disclosed confidential and may, upon written notice to
Americana, disclose this Agreement to the extent required by applicable law or
regulation.
7. Non-Disparagement. Employee agrees not to make any statements which
disparage Americana or any of its affiliates or their respective employees,
officers, directors, stockholders, products or services. Americana agrees to
undertake good faith efforts to prevent its stockholders, directors, officers or
employees who are informed of this Agreement from making any statements which
disparage Employee.
8. Confidential Information. Employee acknowledges that by virtue of
his past employment with Americana, and by virtue of any services to be rendered
hereunder, he has had and will have access to confidential information and trade
secrets. Employee agrees not to reproduce or disclose to any other person or
entity or use for his own benefit or for the benefit of any other person or
entity any such confidential information or trade secrets of Americana or any of
its affiliates, except as is necessary for compliance with paragraph 3(c) and as
is appropriate to allow Employee to conduct the activities that he is permitted
to conduct pursuant to paragraph 5(b) hereof, to the extant that Employee
complies with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Employee further
acknowledges that such information will be entrusted to him by Americana and
that Employee will take all steps necessary to protect the confidentiality of
such information. The term "confidential information" includes, but is not
limited to, financial information, business plans, customer lists, restaurant
design information or concepts, advertising concepts, recipes, matters which are
subject to trademark or copyright protection, trade secrets, marketing or sales
information, price and cost information, information regarding suppliers,
personnel information, prospects and opportunities which have been discussed or
considered by Americana or any of its affiliates, except that the term
"confidential information" does not include any information that is common
knowledge in the restaurant industry and is in the public domain (such as basic
restaurant business practices and skills which Employee acquired prior to his
association with Americana and its predecessors and possesses without
infringement upon any intellectual property or similar rights of Americana or
any of its affiliates), other than information that has become public on account
of Employee's failure to comply with the provisions of this Agreement. Employee
agrees to execute any documents reasonably necessary to protect the rights or
interests of Americana in confidential information.
9. Litigation Cooperation. Employee hereby agrees to cooperate fully
with Americana in the defense or prosecution of any claims or actions now in
existence or which may be brought or threatened in the future against or on
behalf of Americana which relate to events that transpired while Employee was
employed by Americana. Employee's full cooperation in connection with such
claims or actions shall include, but not be limited to, his being available to
meet with counsel to prepare for trial or discovery, to assist in connection
with any audit, inspection, proceeding or inquiry, to act as a witness in
connection with litigation affecting Americana and, at the direction of
Americana, to cooperate with any auditor or governmental agency. Americana
agrees that it will pay Employee for any expenses he reasonably incurs and for
the reasonable value of his time spent in connection with such cooperation.
10. Non-Cooperation. Employee agrees that he shall not voluntarily
provide information to or otherwise cooperate with any individual, corporation,
firm, partnership, or other entity who is contemplating or pursuing litigation
against Americana and he shall not otherwise voluntarily participate in any
threatened or pending litigation against Americana, other than any action
brought by Employee to enforce this Agreement or to construe its terms.
11. Indemnification.
(a) As a further inducement to Americana to enter into this
Agreement, Employee hereby agrees to indemnify and hold each and all of the
Releasees harmless from and against any and all loss, cost, damage, or expense,
including, without limitation, attorneys' fees incurred by Releasees or any of
them arising out of any breach of this Agreement by Employee. In addition,
Employee recognizes that Americana would suffer irreparable injury in the event
he were to breach any of his obligations under this Agreement and agrees that
Americana will have the right to seek injunctive relief to enforce the terms of
this Agreement.
(b) Americana hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Employee
harmless from and against loss, cost, damage or expense, including, without
limitation, attorneys' fees incurred by Employee, arising out of actions or
omissions of Employee while employed by Americana to the extent that such
indemnification would be provided by Americana in the ordinary course of
business to other employees similarly situated with respect to similar actions
or omissions.
12. Non-Admission. This Agreement shall not in any way be construed as
an admission by Americana of any liability or any act of wrongdoing whatsoever
by Americana against Employee and Americana specifically disclaims any liability
or wrongdoing whatsoever against Employee or any other person on the part of
itself, its employees and its agents.
13. Advice of Counsel. Employee represents and agrees that he has been
advised to discuss all aspects of this Agreement with his attorney, that he has
carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Agreement and
that he is voluntarily entering into this Agreement.
14. Attorneys' Fees. Each party agrees that they will bear their own
costs and attorneys' fees in connection with this Agreement.
15. No Transfer. Employee represents that he has not heretofore
assigned or transferred, or purported to assign or transfer, to any person or
entity, any Claim against the Releasees or any portion thereof or interest
therein.
16. No Reliance. Employee represents and acknowledges that in executing
this Agreement he does not rely and has not relied upon any representation or
statement made by any of the Releasees or by any of the Releasees' agents,
representatives or attorneys with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect
of this Agreement, other than the promises and representations made in this
Agreement.
17. Binding Nature of Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon
each of the parties and upon their heirs, administrators, representatives,
executors, successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of each party
and to their heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and
assigns.
18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made and
entered into in the State of Minnesota, and shall in all respects be
interpreted, enforced and governed under the laws of said State. The language of
all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole,
according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any of the
parties.
19. Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be declared or
be determined by any court to be illegal or invalid, the validity of the
remaining parts, terms, or provisions shall not be affected thereby and said
illegal or invalid part, term, or provision shall be deemed not to be a part of
this Agreement.
20. Modification of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended, revoked,
changed, or modified only upon a written agreement executed by both parties. No
waiver of any provision of this Agreement will be valid unless it is in writing
and signed by the party against whom such waiver is charged.
21. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement
between the parties hereto, and fully supersedes any and all prior agreements or
understandings between the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter
hereof.
22. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered in person or via
facsimile (promptly followed by hard copy confirmation) or mailed by certified
or registered mail, postage prepaid, or by express courier service, service fee
prepaid, to the addresses as specified below or to such other address of which
any party may notify the other parties as provided herein. Notices shall be
effective as of the date of such delivery or mailing.
To Americana: With a copy to:
One Corporate Place Xxxxxxx, Procter & Xxxx LLP
00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xx., Esq. Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, P.C.
To Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx: With a copy to:
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx, P.A.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000 0000 XXX Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
23. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be
deemed to be one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Severance,
Non-Competition and Confidentiality Agreement as of the date first set forth
above.
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
-----------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Then personally appeared before me Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx and stated that
the execution of the within Severance, Non-Competition and Confidentiality
Agreement was his free act and deed.
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
-------------------------
Notary Public
My commission expires: January 21, 2000
AMERICANA DINING CORP.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xx.
-----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xx.
Title: Senior Vice President
and Secretary
Then appeared before me Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xx. for Americana
Dining Corp. and stated that he executed the within Severance, Non-Competition
and Confidentiality Agreement in his capacity as Senior Vice President and
Secretary for Americana Dining Corp., and that execution of this document was
within his authority.
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
-------------------
Notary Public
My commission expires: Dec.21, 2001
