EXHIBIT 10.1
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
This Separation Agreement and Release is made by and between Papa
John's International, Inc. (hereinafter "Papa John's") and E. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
(hereinafter "Xxxxx").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Xxxxx has been employed by Papa John's; and
WHEREAS, Papa John's and Xxxxx have agreed to terminate Xxxxx'x
employment; and
WHEREAS, Xxxxx acknowledges that she was given this agreement on
February 20, 2001, and informed that she has twenty-one (21) days to consider it
and she has voluntarily agreed to its terms; and
WHEREAS, the parties wish to clarify and memorialize certain agreements
made between them in regard to Xxxxx'x employment and the termination of her
employment from Papa John's;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the terms
stated herein, it is mutually agreed between the parties as follows:
1. Xxxxx'x employment with Papa John's will terminate effective April 30, 2001
at 5:00 p.m., or upon Xxxxx'x commencement of employment with another
employer, whichever is earlier (the "Separation Date"). Xxxxx agrees she
will inform Papa John's in a timely manner, by notice to Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx,
Senior Counsel, if she commences employment with another employer prior to
April 30, 2001.
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2. As specific consideration for the release and waiver contained in Paragraph
3 of this Separation Agreement and Release, Papa John's shall provide Xxxxx
the following benefits, to which Xxxxx is not otherwise entitled:
A. For the period between the execution of this Separation Agreement and
Release and the Separation Date (the "Continuation Period"), Papa John's
shall pay Xxxxx her regular salary at the rate of pay in effect on the date
of the execution of this Separation Agreement and Release ($225,000
annually), less all applicable withholdings (her "regular salary").
B. During the Continuation Period, Xxxxx shall receive from Papa John's the
continuation of all health and life benefits, as described in the Papa
John's plan and any amendments or modifications to that plan during the
Continuation Period. Xxxxx shall continue to pay her portion of the costs
for those benefits through payroll deductions.
C. Within fifteen (15) business days after the Separation Date, Papa John's
shall pay to Xxxxx an additional lump sum payment equaling Xxxxx'x regular
salary, less all applicable withholdings, inclusive of any vacation days,
through December 31, 2001. Should Xxxxx'x termination date be prior to
April 30, 2001, Xxxxx shall also receive, within fifteen (15) business days
after the Separation Date, a lump sum payment equaling Xxxxx'x regular
salary, less all applicable withholdings, from the Separation Date through
April 30, 2001.
D. Within fifteen (15) business days after the Separation Date, Papa John's
shall pay to Xxxxx an additional gross sum of $4,000, less all applicable
withholdings, representing unpaid car allowance for the year 2001.
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E. All other benefits cease effective the date of termination set forth in
Paragraph One above; provided, however, any amounts held in trust in the
Papa John's 401(k) Plan for the benefit of Xxxxx shall continue to be held
in trust for Xxxxx within the parameters of the existing plan. In addition,
the stock options held by Xxxxx that are vested as of the Separation Date
shall remain exercisable pursuant to the terms of the Papa John's
International, Inc. 1993 and 1999 Team Member Stock Ownership Plan. Xxxxx
will be eligible for COBRA benefits as required by law.
3. Xxxxx, for herself and her heirs, personal representatives, successors and
assigns, does hereby release and forever discharge Papa John's, its
successors, assigns, agents, representatives, employees, officers,
directors, trustees, and shareholders, insurers, and any affiliated
corporations or entities of any type or nature, from any and all causes of
action, claims, demands, suits, damages, sums of money and/or judgments
(hereinafter "damages") arising at any time prior to and through the date
of the execution of this Agreement and Release which might have been
asserted against Papa John's, its successors, agents, representatives,
employees, officers, directors, trustees, shareholders, insurers, and any
affiliated corporations or entities by Xxxxx, or on her behalf, including
but not limited to any which may have been asserted against Papa John's by
or on behalf of Xxxxx relating to her employment by Papa John's or the
termination of her employment, including accrued vacation pay, profit
sharing plans, stock option plans, retirement plans or any benefit plans of
any type or nature, and any claims for discrimination of any type under any
federal, state or local law or regulation, including, but not limited to,
claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended,
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and
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the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the
Americans with Disabilities Act, except for any claims arising under this
Agreement and Release.
4. Xxxxx understands and agrees that should any amount of the payments made to
Xxxxx by Papa John's under this Agreement and Release be deemed taxable,
Xxxxx is solely liable for any taxes of whatever kind due by reason of this
payment of money, and should any state or federal tax authority determine
that any or all of such payment constitutes income subject to federal or
state taxes, including but not limited to income tax, or social security
laws, then Xxxxx agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Papa John's for any
and all liability of whatever kind incurred by it on this payment,
including, but not limited to taxes, levies, assessments, fines, interest,
and penalties.
5. Xxxxx agrees she will abide by all covenants and agreements contained in
her September 25, 1996 Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement with
Papa John's, which is attached and incorporated by reference as Exhibit 1
hereto, specifically including but not limited to the covenants
not-to-compete, not to appropriate and disclose confidential information,
and not to solicit customers or employees contained in Paragraph one of the
agreement.
6. Xxxxx agrees that during the Continuation Period, she will make herself
available for any questions from Papa John's, provide any information
requested by Papa John's, conduct herself in a professional manner
consistent with the best interests of Papa John's, and take no action
detrimental to Papa John's or which will place Papa John's in jeopardy.
Failure to comply with any of these obligations will result in immediate
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termination of Xxxxx'x employment and immediate forfeiture of the
consideration described in Paragraph two above.
7. Papa John's acknowledges that, during the course of her employment, Xxxxx
was exposed to information confidential and proprietary to Papa John's, and
information confidential, private and personal to Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx and/or
his family and/or other officers or employees of Papa John's. Xxxxx agrees
that, unless otherwise required by law, she will not disclose to any third
party any information that is confidential or proprietary to Papa John's or
confidential, private or personal to Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx and/or his family
and/or other officers or employees of Papa John's, and that she has
returned to Papa John's all documents containing any confidential or
proprietary information relating to Papa John's or Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx and/or
his family and/or other officers or employees of Papa John's, including all
documents and electronic files, and any other mediums whatsoever. In the
event Xxxxx is notified she may be required by law to disclose any such
information to a third party, Xxxxx agrees to contact Papa John's General
Counsel in writing at least three business days prior to the date of the
proposed disclosure so that Papa John's may take any steps it deems
necessary to evaluate and protect against such disclosure.
8. Xxxxx further warrants that within 15 days of the execution of this
Agreement, she will return any and all property of Papa John's, including
but not limited to her laptop computer, cell phone and accessories, desktop
computer, key card, key fob, garage door opener, corporate credit card and
telephone credit card. Xxxxx also agrees she will submit any outstanding
expense reports within 15 days of the execution of this Agreement to
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx.
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9. Xxxxx agrees to cooperate fully with Papa John's in all its business
dealings and make herself available to Papa John's for participation in all
business and/or legal proceedings, as needed by Papa John's. Xxxxx agrees
she will not voluntarily participate or testify in any proceeding adverse
to Papa John's, except to the extent required by law. Xxxxx further agrees
not to disparage or make derogatory comments about Papa John's, its
successors, agents, representatives, employees, officers, directors,
trustees, shareholders, insurers, and any affiliated corporations or
entities, or Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx and/or his family and/or other officers or
employees of Papa John's at any time during or after her employment with
Papa John's ceases. Papa John's and its representatives agree not to
disparage or make derogatory comments about Xxxxx.
10. Xxxxx acknowledges and agrees that, in return for a portion of the
consideration described above, Xxxxx will not be eligible for future
employment with Papa John's and that, should Xxxxx apply for employment,
Papa John's shall have no obligation to consider Xxxxx for any position.
11. Papa John's and its representatives, hereby agree not to publish, discuss
or release any information to any person concerning Xxxxx'x employment by
Papa John's or the termination of her employment, except as required by
law, and except that upon request for employment information, Papa John's
will verify Xxxxx'x employment dates and position held. Papa John's and
Xxxxx, their agents and representatives, agree to keep the fact and terms
of this agreement in strict confidence, and not to disclose this document,
its contents, or the subject matter to any person other than their
attorneys, spouses, income tax preparers, or accountants, except as
required by law.
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12. The parties declare each has carefully read this Agreement and Release.
Xxxxx was informed, and both parties understand they have the right to and
should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Separation
Agreement and Release. After appropriate consultation, both parties agree
to the terms of this Separation Agreement and Release for purposes of
making a full and final adjustment and resolution of the matters contained
herein.
13. It is understood and agreed this Separation Agreement and Release does not
and shall not constitute an admission by Papa John's of any violation of
any law or right of Xxxxx.
14. This Agreement and Release constitutes the entire understanding and
agreement between the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the terms
of this Agreement and Release may not be waived, modified or supplemented
except in writing by all parties hereto. The parties further acknowledge
that this Agreement and Release may be revoked within seven (7) days from
the execution hereof, and that the Agreement and Release shall not become
effective or enforceable until after the revocation period has ended. Xxxxx
agrees that any revocation shall be submitted to Papa John's in writing to
the attention of its General Counsel.
15. Should this Separation Agreement and Release be held invalid or
unenforceable (in whole or in part) with respect to any particular claims
or circumstances, it shall remain fully valid and enforceable as to all
other claims and circumstances.
16. This Separation Agreement and Release shall be construed in accordance with
the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
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17. This Separation Agreement and Release is hereby executed by signature of E.
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx this 9th day of March 2001.
/s/ E. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
E. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Date: 3/9/01
Papa John's International, Inc.
By: Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Senior Counsel
Date: 3/12/01
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