Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q

(Mark One)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended April 23, 2016
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to ________.

Commission file number 001-16797
________________________

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
________________________

  Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
    54-2049910
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
5008 Airport Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24012
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(540) 362-4911
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Registration S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

As of May 26, 2016 , the registrant had outstanding 73,556,053 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the only class of common stock of the registrant outstanding).
 



Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Table of Contents

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
April 23, 2016 and January 2, 2016
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
April 23,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
 
Assets
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
103,708

 
$
90,782

 
Receivables, net
650,993

 
597,788

 
Inventories, net
4,432,968

 
4,174,768

 
Other current assets
78,558

 
77,408

 
Total current assets
5,266,227

 
4,940,746

 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,541,340 and $1,489,766
1,432,698

 
1,434,577

 
Goodwill
993,742

 
989,484

 
Intangible assets, net
676,427

 
687,125

 
Other assets, net
69,869

 
75,769

 
 
$
8,438,963

 
$
8,127,701

 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 

 
 

 
Current liabilities:
 

 
 

 
Current portion of long-term debt
$
598

 
$
598

 
Accounts payable
3,318,048

 
3,203,922

 
Accrued expenses
534,674

 
553,163

 
Other current liabilities
55,243

 
39,794

 
Total current liabilities
3,908,563

 
3,797,477

 
Long-term debt
1,229,888

 
1,206,297

 
Deferred income taxes
442,294

 
433,925

 
Other long-term liabilities
229,079

 
229,354

 
Commitments and contingencies


 


 
Stockholders' equity:
 

 
 

 
Preferred stock, nonvoting, $0.0001 par value

 

 
Common stock, voting, $0.0001 par value
8

 
7

 
Additional paid-in capital
613,032

 
603,332

 
Treasury stock, at cost
(131,522
)
 
(119,709
)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(27,816
)
 
(44,059
)
 
Retained earnings
2,175,437

 
2,021,077

 
Total stockholders' equity
2,629,139

 
2,460,648

 
 
$
8,438,963

 
$
8,127,701

 

The accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.


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Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended
April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
Sixteen Week Periods Ended
 
April 23,
2016
 
April 25,
2015
Net sales
$
2,979,778

 
$
3,038,233

Cost of sales,  including purchasing and warehousing costs
1,629,889

 
1,644,309

Gross profit
1,349,889

 
1,393,924

Selling, general and administrative expenses
1,078,890

 
1,131,396

Operating income
270,999

 
262,528

Other, net:
 
 
 
Interest expense
(18,943
)
 
(21,777
)
Other income (expense), net
3,123

 
(1,908
)
Total other, net
(15,820
)
 
(23,685
)
Income before provision for income taxes
255,179

 
238,843

Provision for income taxes
96,366

 
90,731

Net income
$
158,813

 
$
148,112

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
2.16

 
$
2.02

Diluted earnings per common share
$
2.14

 
$
2.00

Dividends declared per common share
$
0.06

 
$
0.06

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
73,401

 
73,122

Weighted average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution
73,847

 
73,653


Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended
April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Sixteen Week Periods Ended
 
April 23,
2016
 
April 25,
2015
Net income
$
158,813

 
$
148,112

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
Changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs, net of $118 and $115 tax
(182
)
 
(178
)
Currency translation adjustments
16,425

 
(7,463
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
16,243

 
(7,641
)
Comprehensive income
$
175,056

 
$
140,471


The accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.


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Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
For the Sixteen Week Period Ended
April 23, 2016
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Treasury Stock,
at cost
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
Balance, January 2, 2016

 
$

 
74,775

 
$
7

 
$
603,332

 
1,461

 
$
(119,709
)
 
$
(44,059
)
 
$
2,021,077

 
$
2,460,648

Net income
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
158,813

 
158,813

Total other comprehensive income
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
16,243

 
 

 
16,243

Issuance of shares upon the exercise of stock appreciation rights
 

 
 

 
83

 
1

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
1

Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(11,134
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(11,134
)
Tax benefit from share-based compensation, net
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
13,124

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
13,124

Restricted stock and restricted stock units vested
 

 
 

 
218

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

Share-based compensation
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
6,626

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
6,626

Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan
 

 
 

 
7

 
 

 
1,011

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,011

Repurchase of common stock
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
78

 
(11,813
)
 
 

 
 

 
(11,813
)
Cash dividends declared ($0.06 per common share)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(4,453
)
 
(4,453
)
Other
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
73

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
73

Balance, April 23, 2016

 
$

 
75,083

 
$
8

 
$
613,032

 
1,539

 
$
(131,522
)
 
$
(27,816
)
 
$
2,175,437

 
$
2,629,139


The accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.


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Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Sixteen Week Periods Ended
 
April 23,
2016
 
April 25,
2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
158,813

 
$
148,112

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
79,320

 
83,247

Share-based compensation
6,654

 
8,945

Loss on property and equipment, net
1,484

 
5,371

Other
(2,006
)
 
818

Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes
7,164

 
(5,206
)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
(13,145
)
 
(6,498
)
Net (increase) decrease in:
 
 
 
Receivables, net
(50,224
)
 
(53,526
)
Inventories, net
(246,458
)
 
(171,865
)
Other assets
3,806

 
(845
)
Net increase in:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
108,500

 
45,678

Accrued expenses
20,025

 
39,494

Other liabilities
1,368

 
8,486

Net cash provided by operating activities
75,301

 
102,211

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Purchases of property and equipment
(89,138
)
 
(57,038
)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 
(433
)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
1,227

 
295

Net cash used in investing activities
(87,911
)
 
(57,176
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Increase in bank overdrafts
14,644

 
11,628

Borrowings under credit facilities
357,500

 
442,600

Payments on credit facilities
(331,500
)
 
(469,300
)
Dividends paid
(8,850
)
 
(8,813
)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily for employee stock purchase plan
1,085

 
1,352

Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights
(11,134
)
 
(7,572
)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
13,145

 
6,498

Repurchase of common stock
(11,813
)
 
(1,590
)
Other
(125
)
 
(110
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
22,952

 
(25,307
)
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
2,584

 
(578
)
 
 
 
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
12,926

 
19,150

Cash and cash equivalents , beginning of period
90,782

 
104,671

Cash and cash equivalents , end of period
$
103,708

 
$
123,821

 
 
 
 


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Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Sixteen Week Periods Ended
 
April 23,
2016
 
April 25,
2015
Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
8,978

 
$
11,592

Income tax payments
56,111

 
48,930

Non-cash transactions:
 
 
 
Accrued purchases of property and equipment
20,504

 
13,973

Changes in other comprehensive income from post retirement benefits
(182
)
 
(178
)
 
 
 
 

The accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.


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Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)



1. Basis of Presentation:

The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company and include the accounts of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. ("Advance"), its wholly owned subsidiary, Advance Stores Company, Incorporated ("Advance Stores"), and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company, the results of its operations and cash flows have been made.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, have been condensed or omitted based upon the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") interim reporting guidance. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2015 (filed with the SEC on March 1, 2016 ).

The accounting policies followed in the presentation of interim financial results are consistent with those followed on an annual basis. These policies are presented in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report.

The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full fiscal year. The first quarter of each of the Company's fiscal years contains 16 weeks. The Company's remaining three quarters consist of 12 weeks.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-3 "Interest - Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs" effective January 3, 2016, or the beginning of fiscal 2016. ASU 2015-3 simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring such costs be presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability. Concurrently, the Company also adopted ASU 2015-15 "Interest - Imputed Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements" which clarifies that entities may continue to defer and present debt issuance costs associated with a line-of-credit as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred costs ratably over the term of the arrangement. The adoption of these ASU's have been retrospectively applied and resulted in a reclassification of $6,864 of debt issuance costs from Other assets,net to Long-term debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of January 2, 2016.

The Company adopted ASU 2014-12 “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period" effective January 3, 2016, or the beginning of fiscal 2016. The amendments in this ASU require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The adoption of this standard did not impact the Company's consolidated financial statements as the Company's policies were already consistent with the new guidance.



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Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" aimed at simplifying certain aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions. The areas for simplification include the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The standard will be applied both prospectively and retrospectively depending on the provision. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." This ASU is a comprehensive new lease standard that amends various aspects of existing guidance for leases and requires additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. It will require companies to recognize lease assets, and lease liabilities by lessees, for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. Topic 842 retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases. The classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the previous lease guidance. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years; earlier adoption is permitted. In the financial statements in which the ASU is first applied, leases shall be measured and recognized at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented with an adjustment to equity. Practical expedients are available for election as a package and if applied consistently to all leases. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 "Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." Although the ASU retains many of the current requirements for financial instruments, it significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. It also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. The ASU is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017; earlier adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 "Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory." ASU 2015-11 requires entities to measure most inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, simplifying the current requirement that inventories be measured at the lower of cost or market. The ASU will not apply to inventories that are measured using the last-in, first-out method or retail inventory method. The guidance will be effective prospectively for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, that begin after December 15, 2016; earlier adoption is permitted. As the majority of the Company's inventory is accounted for under the last-in, first-out method, the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15 “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern." This new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. This ASU is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter; earlier adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." This ASU, along with subsequent ASU's issued to clarify certain provisions of ASU 2014-09, provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that expands disclosure requirements and requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In August


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Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. As a result, ASU 2014-09 will become effective during annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim reporting periods during the year of adoption with public entities permitted to early adopt for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Entities may choose from two transition methods, with certain practical expedients, a full retrospective method or the modified retrospective method. The Company is in the process of evaluating the potential future impact, if any, of this standard on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows, and which method of adoption is most appropriate for the Company.

2. Inventories, net:

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The Company used the LIFO method of accounting for approximately 89% of inventories at April 23, 2016 and January 2, 2016 . Under LIFO, the Company’s cost of sales reflects the costs of the most recently purchased inventories, while the inventory carrying balance represents the costs for inventories purchased in Fiscal 2016 and prior years. As a result of utilizing LIFO, the Company recorded a reduction to cost of sales of $31,489 and $16,531 for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015 , respectively. The Company's overall costs to acquire inventory for the same or similar products have generally decreased historically as the Company has been able to leverage its continued growth and execution of merchandising strategies.

An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method is performed by the Company at the end of each fiscal year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected fiscal year-end inventory levels and costs.

Inventory balances at April 23, 2016 and January 2, 2016 were as follows:

 
April 23,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
Inventories at FIFO, net
$
4,236,352

 
$
4,009,641

Adjustments to state inventories at LIFO
196,616

 
165,127

Inventories at LIFO, net
$
4,432,968

 
$
4,174,768


3. Exit Activities:

Integration of Carquest stores

The Company approved plans in June 2014 to begin consolidating its Carquest stores acquired with General Parts International, Inc. (“GPI”) on January 2, 2014 as part of a multi-year integration plan. As of April 23, 2016 , 266 Carquest stores acquired with GPI had been consolidated into existing Advance Auto Parts stores and 186 stores had been converted to the Advance Auto Parts format. In addition, the Company continued to consolidate or convert the remaining stores that were acquired with B.W.P. Distributors, Inc. ("BWP") on December 31, 2012 (which also operated under the Carquest trade name), all of which had been consolidated or converted as of April 23, 2016 . During the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 a total of 89 Carquest stores were consolidated and 27 Carquest stores were converted. During the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 a total of 14 Carquest stores were consolidated and three Carquest stores were converted. Plans are in place to consolidate or convert the remaining Carquest stores over the next few years. As of April 23, 2016 , the Company had 768 stores still operating under the Carquest name. The Company incurred $12,185 and $2,733 of exit costs related to the consolidations and conversions during the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015 , respectively.

Contract termination costs, such as those associated with leases on closed stores, will be recognized at the cease-use date. Closed lease liabilities include the present value of the remaining lease obligations and management’s estimate of future costs of insurance, property tax and common area maintenance (reduced by the present value of estimated revenues from subleases and lease buyouts).


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Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)



Office Consolidations

In June 2014, the Company approved plans to relocate operations from its Minneapolis, Minnesota and Campbell, California offices to other existing offices of the Company, including its offices in Newark, California, Roanoke, Virginia and Raleigh, North Carolina, and to close its Minneapolis and Campbell offices. The Company also relocated various functions between its existing offices in Roanoke and Raleigh. The relocations and office closings were substantially complete by the end of 2015. The Company incurred restructuring costs of approximately $22,100 under these plans through the end of 2015. Substantially all of these costs were cash expenditures. During the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 , the Company recognized $2,007 of severance/outplacement benefits under these restructuring plans and other severance related to the acquisition of GPI. During the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 , the Company recognized $1,854 of relocation costs.

Other Exit Activities

During the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 the Company completed its plans approved in August 2014 to consolidate and covert its 40 Autopart International ("AI") stores located in Florida into Advance Auto Parts stores. The Company incurred $2,700 of exit costs associated with this plan during the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 , consisting primarily of closed facility lease obligations.

Total Restructuring Liabilities

A summary of the Company’s restructuring liabilities, which are recorded in accrued expenses (current portion) and long-term liabilities (long-term portion) in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet, are presented in the following table:
 
 
Closed Facility Lease Obligations
 
Severance
 
Relocation and Other Exit Costs
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, January 2, 2016
 
$
42,490

 
$
6,255

 
$
351

 
$
49,096

 
Reserves established
 
14,088

 
420

 
133

 
14,641

 
Change in estimates
 
(1,198
)
 
(255
)
 

 
(1,453
)
 
Cash payments
 
(6,162
)
 
(4,465
)
 
(189
)
 
(10,816
)
 
Balance, April 23, 2016
 
$
49,218

 
$
1,955

 
$
295

 
$
51,468

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, January 3, 2015
 
$
19,270

 
$
5,804

 
$
1,816

 
$
26,890

 
Reserves established
 
34,699

 
13,351

 
4,419

 
52,469

 
Change in estimates
 
(205
)
 
(2,009
)
 

 
(2,214
)
 
Cash payments
 
(11,274
)
 
(10,891
)
 
(5,884
)
 
(28,049
)
 
Balance, January 2, 2016
 
$
42,490

 
$
6,255

 
$
351

 
$
49,096

 





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Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets:

Goodwill

The following table reflects the carrying amount of goodwill and the changes in goodwill carrying amounts.
 
April 23,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
 
 
(16 weeks ended)
 
(52 weeks ended)
 
Goodwill, beginning of period
$
989,484

 
$
995,426

 
Acquisitions

 
1,995

 
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates
4,258

 
(7,937
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill, end of period
$
993,742

 
$
989,484

 

During 2015, the Company added $1,995 of goodwill associated with the acquisition of 23 stores.

Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill

Amortization expense was $14,942 and $16,150 for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015 , respectively. The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of acquired intangible assets as of April 23, 2016 and January 2, 2016 are comprised of the following:
 
 
April 23, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Amortized intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer relationships
 
$
350,871

 
$
(69,719
)
 
$
281,152

 
$
358,655

 
$
(70,367
)
 
$
288,288

Acquired technology
 

 

 

 
8,850

 
(8,850
)
 

Favorable leases
 
56,147

 
(26,652
)
 
29,495

 
56,040

 
(23,984
)
 
32,056

Non-compete and other
 
54,129

 
(25,389
)
 
28,740

 
57,430

 
(25,368
)
 
32,062

 
 
461,147

 
(121,760
)
 
339,387

 
480,975

 
(128,569
)
 
352,406

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unamortized intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brands, trademark and tradenames
 
337,040

 

 
337,040

 
334,719

 

 
334,719

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total intangible assets
 
$
798,187

 
$
(121,760
)
 
$
676,427

 
$
815,694

 
$
(128,569
)
 
$
687,125


During the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 , the Company retired $21,950 of fully amortized intangible assets, impacting both the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization by this amount.
 


10

Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


Future Amortization Expense

The table below shows expected amortization expense for the next five years for acquired intangible assets recorded as of April 23, 2016 :

Fiscal Year
 
Amount
Remainder of 2016
 
$
33,280

2017
 
45,869

2018
 
42,986

2019
 
31,895

2020
 
31,751

Thereafter
 
153,606


5. Receivables, net:

Receivables consist of the following:
 
 
April 23,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
Trade
 
$
427,002

 
$
379,832

Vendor
 
243,622

 
229,496

Other
 
12,585

 
14,218

Total receivables
 
683,209

 
623,546

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
(32,216
)
 
(25,758
)
Receivables, net
 
$
650,993

 
$
597,788




11

Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


6. Long-term Debt:

Long-term debt consists of the following:
 
April 23,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
 
Revolving facility at variable interest rates (1.70% and 2.05% at April 23, 2016 and January 2, 2016, respectively) due December 5, 2018
$
106,000

 
$
80,000

 
Term loan at variable interest rates (1.69% at April 23, 2016 and January 2, 2016) due January 2, 2019
80,000

 
80,000

 
5.75% Senior Unsecured Notes (net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $2,399 and $2,577 at April 23, 2016 and January 2, 2016, respectively) due May 1, 2020
297,601

 
297,423

 
4.50% Senior Unsecured Notes (net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $1,575 and $1,660 at April 23, 2016 and January 2, 2016, respectively) due January 15, 2022
298,425

 
298,340

 
4.50% Senior Unsecured Notes (net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $4,023 and $4,179 at April 23, 2016 and January 2, 2016) due December 1, 2023
445,977

 
445,821

 
Other
2,483

 
5,311

 
 
1,230,486

 
1,206,895

 
Less: Current portion of long-term debt
(598
)
 
(598
)
 
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
$
1,229,888

 
$
1,206,297

 

Adoption of new accounting pronouncement

The Company adopted ASU 2015-3 and ASU 2015-15 effective January 3, 2016, or the beginning of fiscal 2016. ASU 2015-3 simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring such costs be presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability. ASU 2015-15 clarifies that entities may continue to defer and present debt issuance costs associated with a line-of-credit as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred costs ratably over the term of the arrangement. The adoption of these ASU's has been retrospectively applied and resulted in a reclassification of $6,864 of debt issuance costs from Other assets to Long-term debt as of January 2, 2016.

Bank Debt

The Company has a credit agreement (the “2013 Credit Agreement”) which provides a $700,000 unsecured term loan and a $1,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility with Advance Stores, as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. The revolving credit facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit with a sub-limit of $300,000 and swingline loans in an amount not to exceed $50,000 . The Company may request, subject to agreement by one or more lenders, that the total revolving commitment be increased by an amount not to exceed $250,000 by those respective lenders (up to a total commitment of $1,250,000 ) during the term of the 2013 Credit Agreement. Voluntary prepayments and voluntary reductions of the revolving balance are permitted in whole or in part, at the Company’s option, in minimum principal amounts as specified in the 2013 Credit Agreement. Under the terms of the 2013 Credit Agreement the revolving credit facility terminates in December 2018 and the term loan matures in January 2019.

As of April 23, 2016 , under the 2013 Credit Agreement, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $106,000 under the revolver and $80,000 under the term loan. As of April 23, 2016 , the Company also had letters of credit outstanding of $105,714 , which reduced the availability under the revolver to $788,286 . The letters of credit generally have a term of one year or less and primarily serve as collateral for the Company’s self-insurance policies.

The interest rate on borrowings under the revolving credit facility is based, at the Company’s option, on adjusted LIBOR, plus a margin, or an alternate base rate, plus a margin. The current margin is 1.10% and 0.10% per annum for the adjusted


12

Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


LIBOR and alternate base rate borrowings, respectively. A facility fee is charged on the total amount of the revolving credit facility, payable in arrears. The current facility fee rate is 0.15% per annum. Under the terms of the 2013 Credit Agreement, the interest rate and facility fee are subject to change based on the Company’s credit rating.

The interest rate on the term loan is based, at the Company’s option, on adjusted LIBOR, plus a margin, or an alternate base rate, plus a margin. The current margin is 1.25% and 0.25% per annum for the adjusted LIBOR and alternate base rate borrowings, respectively. Under the terms of the term loan, the interest rate is subject to change based on the Company’s credit rating.

The 2013 Credit Agreement contains customary covenants restricting the ability of: (a) subsidiaries of Advance Stores to, among other things, create, incur or assume additional debt; (b) Advance Stores and its subsidiaries to, among other things, (i) incur liens, (ii) make loans and investments, (iii) guarantee obligations, and (iv) change the nature of its business conducted by itself and its subsidiaries; (c) Advance, Advance Stores and their subsidiaries to, among other things (i) engage in certain mergers, acquisitions, asset sales and liquidations, (ii) enter into certain hedging arrangements, (iii) enter into restrictive agreements limiting its ability to incur liens on any of its property or assets, pay distributions, repay loans, or guarantee indebtedness of its subsidiaries, and (iv) engage in sale-leaseback transactions; and (d) Advance, among other things, to change its holding company status. Advance and Advance Stores are required to comply with financial covenants with respect to a maximum leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated coverage ratio. The 2013 Credit Agreement also provides for customary events of default, including non-payment defaults, covenant defaults and cross-defaults to Advance Stores’ other material indebtedness. The Company was in compliance with its covenants with respect to the 2013 Credit Agreement as of April 23, 2016 .

Senior Unsecured Notes

The Company's 4.50% senior unsecured notes were issued in December 2013 at 99.69% of the principal amount of $450,000 and are due December 1, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The 2023 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.50% per year payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The Company's 4.50% senior unsecured notes were issued in January 2012 at 99.968% of the principal amount of $300,000 and are due January 15, 2022 (the “2022 Notes”). The 2022 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.50%  per year payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The Company’s 5.75% senior unsecured notes were issued in April 2010 at 99.587% of the principal amount of $300,000 and are due May 1, 2020 (the “2020 Notes” or collectively with the 2023 Notes and the 2022 Notes, “the Notes”). The 2020 Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.75%  per year payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year. Advance served as the issuer of the Notes with certain of Advance's domestic subsidiaries currently serving as subsidiary guarantors. The terms of the Notes are governed by an indenture (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”) among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee.

The Company may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time or from time to time, at the redemption price described in the Indenture. In addition, in the event of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined in the Indenture for the Notes), the Company will be required to offer to repurchase the Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date. The Notes are currently fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsubordinated and unsecured basis by each of the subsidiary guarantors. The Company will be permitted to release guarantees without the consent of holders of the Notes under the circumstances described in the Indenture: (i) upon the release of the guarantee of the Company’s other debt that resulted in the affected subsidiary becoming a guarantor of this debt; (ii) upon the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the stock or assets of the subsidiary guarantor; or (iii) upon the Company’s exercise of its legal or covenant defeasance option.

The Indenture contains customary provisions for events of default including for: (i) failure to pay principal or interest when due and payable; (ii) failure to comply with covenants or agreements in the Indenture or the Notes and failure to cure or obtain a waiver of such default upon notice; (iii) a default under any debt for money borrowed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries that results in acceleration of the maturity of such debt, or failure to pay any such debt within any applicable grace period after final stated maturity, in an aggregate amount greater than $25,000 without such debt having been discharged or acceleration having been rescinded or annulled within 10 days after receipt by the Company of notice of the default by the Trustee or holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; and (iv) events of


13

Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. In the case of an event of default, the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest may be accelerated. The Indenture also contains covenants limiting the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur debt secured by liens and to enter into sale and lease-back transactions.

Debt Guarantees

The Company is a guarantor of loans made by banks to various independently-owned Carquest stores that are customers of the Company ("Independents") totaling $28,301 as of April 23, 2016 . The Company has concluded that some of these guarantees meet the definition of a variable interest in a variable interest entity. However, the Company does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the Independents and therefore is not the primary beneficiary of these stores. Upon entering into a relationship with certain Independents, the Company guaranteed the debt of those stores to aid in the procurement of business loans. These loans are collateralized by security agreements on merchandise inventory and other assets of the borrowers. The approximate value of the inventory collateralized in these agreements is $72,237 as of April 23, 2016 . The Company believes that the likelihood of performance under these guarantees is remote, and any fair value attributable to these guarantees would be very minimal.

7. Fair Value Measurements:
 
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are grouped in three levels. The levels prioritize the inputs used to measure the fair value of these assets or liabilities. These levels are:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for assets and liabilities at the measurement date, either directly or indirectly. These inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are less active, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability or corroborated by other observable market data.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for assets or liabilities that are not able to be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of a reporting entity’s own assumptions. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.

The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. In instances where inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been categorized based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

During the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 , the Company had no significant assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (e.g., when there is evidence of impairment). During the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 , the Company had no significant fair value measurements of non-financial assets or liabilities.


14

Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)



Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

The carrying amounts of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, bank overdrafts, accounts payable, accrued expenses and the current portion of long term debt approximate their fair values due to the relatively short term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s senior unsecured notes was determined using Level 2 inputs based on quoted market prices, and the Company believes that the carrying value of its other long-term debt and certain long-term liabilities approximate fair value. The carrying value and fair value of the Company's long-term debt as of April 23, 2016 and January 2, 2016 , respectively, are as follows:
 
April 23,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
 
Carrying Value
$
1,229,888

 
$
1,206,297

 
Fair Value
$
1,312,000

 
$
1,262,000

 

The adoption of ASU 2015-3 resulted in a reclassification of $6,864 of debt issuance costs from Other assets, net to Long-term debt decreasing the carrying value as of January 2, 2016.
 
8. Stock Repurchases:

The Company’s stock repurchase program allows it to repurchase its common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time in accordance with the requirements of the SEC. The Company's $500,000 stock repurchase program in place as of April 23, 2016 was authorized by its Board of Directors on May 14, 2012.

During the sixteen week period ended April 23, 2016 the Company repurchased no shares of its common stock under its stock repurchase program. The Company had $415,092 remaining under its stock repurchase program as of April 23, 2016 .

 The Company repurchased 78 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $11,813 , or an average price of $152.51 per share, in connection with the net settlement of shares issued as a result of the vesting of restricted stock units during the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 .

9. Earnings per Share:

Certain of the Company’s shares granted to Team Members in the form of restricted stock and restricted stock units are considered participating securities which require the use of the two-class method for the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share. For the sixteen week periods ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015 , earnings of $610 and $534 , respectively, were allocated to the participating securities.

Diluted earnings per share are calculated by including the effect of dilutive securities. Share-based awards to purchase approximately 22 and 7 shares of common stock that had an exercise price in excess of the average market price of the common stock during the sixteen week periods ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015 , respectively, were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.



15

Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


The following table illustrates the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the sixteen week periods ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015 , respectively:  
 
Sixteen Weeks Ended
 
 
April 23,
2016
 
April 25,
2015
 
Numerator
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
158,813

 
$
148,112

 
Participating securities' share in earnings
(610
)
 
(534
)
 
Net income applicable to common shares
$
158,203

 
$
147,578

 
Denominator
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average common shares
73,401

 
73,122

 
Dilutive impact of share-based awards
446

 
531

 
Diluted weighted average common shares
73,847

 
73,653

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
 

 
 

 
Net income applicable to common stockholders
$
2.16

 
$
2.02

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share
 

 
 

 
Net income applicable to common stockholders
$
2.14

 
$
2.00

 

10. Share-Based Compensation:

The Company grants share-based compensation awards to its Team Members and members of its Board of Directors as provided for under the Company’s 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, or 2014 LTIP, which was approved by the Company's shareholders on May 14, 2014. Currently, the grants are in the form of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock units ("RSUs") and deferred stock units (“DSUs”).

The Company granted 50 performance-based RSUs, 52 time-based RSUs, 69 time-based SARs and 67 performance-based SARs during the sixteen week period ended April 23, 2016 . The majority of these grants represent an off-cycle award granted in accordance with the employment agreement reached with the Company’s new CEO hired in April 2016. The weighted average fair values of the performance-based and time-based RSUs granted during the sixteen week period ended April 23, 2016 were and $160.94 and $157.29 per share, respectively. The fair value of each RSU was determined based on the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. The weighted average fair values of the performance-based and time-based SARs granted during the sixteen week period ended April 23, 2016 were and $37.51 and $43.64 per share, respectively. The fair value of each SAR was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
Black-Scholes Option Valuation Assumptions
 
April 23, 2016

 
 
 
Risk-free interest rate  (1)
 
1.2
%
Expected dividend yield
 
0.2
%
Expected stock price volatility (2)
 
27.5
%
Expected life of awards (in months) (3)
 
57

    
(1)  
The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturity interest rate having a term consistent with the expected life of the award.
(2)  
Expected volatility is determined using a blend of historical and implied volatility.
(3)  
The expected life of the Company's awards represents the estimated period of time until exercise and is based on historical experience of previously granted awards.


16

Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)



See the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2016 , for a more detailed discussion regarding the terms of the Company’s share-based compensation awards.

The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis net of estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience. Total share-based compensation expense included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations was $6,654 for the sixteen week period ended April 23, 2016 and the related income tax benefit recognized was $2,462 . As of April 23, 2016 , there was $45,838 of unrecognized compensation expense related to all share-based awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years .

The aggregate intrinsic value for outstanding awards at April 23, 2016 was approximately $113,986 based on the Company's closing stock price of $158.40 as of the last trading day of the first fiscal quarter ending April 23, 2016 . For the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 , the aggregate intrinsic value for awards exercised was $57,116 .

11. Warranty Liabilities:

The following table presents changes in the Company’s warranty reserves:
 
April 23,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
 
(16 weeks ended)
 
(52 weeks ended)
Warranty reserve, beginning of period
$
44,479

 
$
47,972

Additions to warranty reserves
10,907

 
44,367

Reserves utilized
(11,436
)
 
(47,860
)
 
 
 
 
Warranty reserve, end of period
$
43,950

 
$
44,479

 
The Company’s warranty liabilities are included in Accrued expenses in its condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 
12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements:

Certain 100% wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries of Advance, including its Material Subsidiaries (as defined in the 2013 Credit Agreement) serve as guarantors of Advance's senior unsecured notes ("Guarantor Subsidiaries"). The subsidiary guarantees related to Advance's senior unsecured notes are full and unconditional and joint and several, and there are no restrictions on the ability of Advance to obtain funds from its Guarantor Subsidiaries. Certain of Advance's wholly-owned subsidiaries, including all of its foreign subsidiaries, do not serve as guarantors of Advance's senior unsecured notes ("Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries"). The Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries do not qualify as minor as defined by SEC regulations. Accordingly, the Company presents below the condensed consolidating financial information for the Guarantor Subsidiaries and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries. Investments in subsidiaries of the Company are required to be presented under the equity method, even though all such subsidiaries meet the requirements to be consolidated under GAAP.

Set forth below are condensed consolidating financial statements presenting the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of (i) Advance, (ii) the Guarantor Subsidiaries, (iii) the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, and (iv) the eliminations necessary to arrive at consolidated information for the Company. The statement of operations eliminations relate primarily to the sale of inventory from a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary to a Guarantor Subsidiary. The balance sheet eliminations relate primarily to the elimination of intercompany receivables and payables and subsidiary investment accounts.

The following tables present condensed consolidating balance sheets as of April 23, 2016 and January 2, 2016 and condensed consolidating statements of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015 , and should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements herein.




17

Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
As of April 23, 2016
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
8

 
$
68,563

 
$
35,145

 
$
(8
)
 
$
103,708

Receivables, net

 
613,917

 
37,076

 

 
650,993

Inventories, net

 
4,242,073

 
190,895

 

 
4,432,968

Other current assets
12,691

 
76,889

 
1,749

 
(12,771
)
 
78,558

Total current assets
12,699

 
5,001,442

 
264,865

 
(12,779
)
 
5,266,227

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
146

 
1,422,432

 
10,120

 

 
1,432,698

Goodwill

 
943,320

 
50,422

 

 
993,742

Intangible assets, net

 
626,442

 
49,985

 

 
676,427

Other assets, net
9,766

 
69,080

 
789

 
(9,766
)
 
69,869

Investment in subsidiaries
2,706,735

 
344,783

 

 
(3,051,518
)
 

Intercompany note receivable
1,048,240

 

 

 
(1,048,240
)
 

Due from intercompany, net

 

 
333,654

 
(333,654
)
 

 
$
3,777,586

 
$
8,407,499

 
$
709,835

 
$
(4,455,957
)
 
$
8,438,963

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
$

 
$
598

 
$

 
$

 
$
598

Accounts payable
203

 
3,016,253

 
301,592

 

 
3,318,048

Accrued expenses
3,138

 
514,852

 
29,455

 
(12,771
)
 
534,674

Other current liabilities

 
43,997

 
11,254

 
(8
)
 
55,243

Total current liabilities
3,341

 
3,575,700

 
342,301

 
(12,779
)
 
3,908,563

Long-term debt
1,042,003

 
187,885

 

 

 
1,229,888

Deferred income taxes

 
431,785

 
20,275

 
(9,766
)
 
442,294

Other long-term liabilities

 
226,603

 
2,476

 

 
229,079

Intercompany note payable

 
1,048,240

 

 
(1,048,240
)
 

Due to intercompany, net
103,103

 
230,551

 

 
(333,654
)
 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders' equity
2,629,139

 
2,706,735

 
344,783

 
(3,051,518
)
 
2,629,139

 
$
3,777,586

 
$
8,407,499

 
$
709,835

 
$
(4,455,957
)
 
$
8,438,963




18

Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
As of January 2, 2016
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
8

 
$
63,458

 
$
27,324

 
$
(8
)
 
$
90,782

Receivables, net

 
568,106

 
29,682

 

 
597,788

Inventories, net

 
4,009,335

 
165,433

 

 
4,174,768

Other current assets
178

 
78,904

 
1,376

 
(3,050
)
 
77,408

Total current assets
186

 
4,719,803

 
223,815

 
(3,058
)
 
4,940,746

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
154

 
1,425,319

 
9,104

 

 
1,434,577

Goodwill

 
943,319

 
46,165

 

 
989,484

Intangible assets, net

 
640,583

 
46,542

 

 
687,125

Other assets, net
9,500

 
75,025

 
745

 
(9,501
)
 
75,769

Investment in subsidiaries
2,523,076

 
302,495

 

 
(2,825,571
)
 

Intercompany note receivable
1,048,161

 

 

 
(1,048,161
)
 

Due from intercompany, net

 

 
325,077

 
(325,077
)
 

 
$
3,581,077

 
$
8,106,544

 
$
651,448

 
$
(4,211,368
)
 
$
8,127,701

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
$

 
$
598

 
$

 
$

 
$
598

Accounts payable
103

 
2,903,287

 
300,532

 

 
3,203,922

Accrued expenses
2,378

 
529,076

 
24,759

 
(3,050
)
 
553,163

Other current liabilities

 
36,270

 
3,532

 
(8
)
 
39,794

Total current liabilities
2,481

 
3,469,231

 
328,823

 
(3,058
)
 
3,797,477

Long-term debt
1,041,584

 
164,713

 

 

 
1,206,297

Deferred income taxes

 
425,094

 
18,332

 
(9,501
)
 
433,925

Other long-term liabilities

 
227,556

 
1,798

 

 
229,354

Intercompany note payable

 
1,048,161

 

 
(1,048,161
)
 

Due to intercompany, net
76,364

 
248,713

 

 
(325,077
)
 

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders' equity
2,460,648

 
2,523,076

 
302,495

 
(2,825,571
)
 
2,460,648

 
$
3,581,077

 
$
8,106,544

 
$
651,448

 
$
(4,211,368
)
 
$
8,127,701







19

Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the Sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net sales
$

 
$
2,892,386

 
$
188,975

 
$
(101,583
)
 
$
2,979,778

Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs

 
1,598,817

 
132,655

 
(101,583
)
 
1,629,889

Gross profit

 
1,293,569

 
56,320

 

 
1,349,889

Selling, general and administrative expenses
7,911

 
1,060,767

 
28,358

 
(18,146
)
 
1,078,890

Operating (loss) income
(7,911
)
 
232,802

 
27,962

 
18,146

 
270,999

Other, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(16,143
)
 
(2,823
)
 
23

 

 
(18,943
)
Other income (expense), net
23,542

 
(6,276
)
 
4,003

 
(18,146
)
 
3,123

Total other, net
7,399

 
(9,099
)
 
4,026

 
(18,146
)
 
(15,820
)
Income before provision for income taxes
(512
)
 
223,703

 
31,988

 

 
255,179

(Benefit) provision for income taxes
(1,430
)
 
91,275

 
6,521

 

 
96,366

Income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries
918

 
132,428

 
25,467

 

 
158,813

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
157,895

 
25,467

 

 
(183,362
)
 

Net income
$
158,813

 
$
157,895

 
$
25,467

 
$
(183,362
)
 
$
158,813


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the Sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net sales
$

 
$
2,955,591

 
$
171,385

 
$
(88,743
)
 
$
3,038,233

Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs

 
1,610,362

 
122,690

 
(88,743
)
 
1,644,309

Gross profit

 
1,345,229

 
48,695

 

 
1,393,924

Selling, general and administrative expenses
4,728

 
1,115,813

 
29,123

 
(18,268
)
 
1,131,396

Operating (loss) income
(4,728
)
 
229,416

 
19,572

 
18,268

 
262,528

Other, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(16,282
)
 
(5,582
)
 
87

 

 
(21,777
)
Other income (expense), net
21,012

 
(2,181
)
 
(2,471
)
 
(18,268
)
 
(1,908
)
Total other, net
4,730

 
(7,763
)
 
(2,384
)
 
(18,268
)
 
(23,685
)
Income before provision for income taxes
2

 
221,653

 
17,188

 

 
238,843

(Benefit) provision for income taxes
10

 
87,718

 
3,003

 

 
90,731

Income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries
(8
)
 
133,935

 
14,185

 

 
148,112

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
148,120

 
14,185

 

 
(162,305
)
 

Net income
$
148,112

 
$
148,120

 
$
14,185

 
$
(162,305
)
 
$
148,112





20

Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the Sixteen Weeks ended April 23, 2016

 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net income
$
158,813

 
$
157,895

 
$
25,467

 
$
(183,362
)
 
$
158,813

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs

 
(182
)
 

 

 
(182
)
Currency translation adjustments

 

 
16,425

 

 
16,425

Equity in other comprehensive income of subsidiaries
16,243

 
16,425

 

 
(32,668
)
 

Other comprehensive income
16,243

 
16,243

 
16,425

 
(32,668
)
 
16,243

Comprehensive income
$
175,056

 
$
174,138

 
$
41,892

 
$
(216,030
)
 
$
175,056


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the Sixteen Weeks ended April 25, 2015

 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net income
$
148,112

 
$
148,120

 
$
14,185

 
$
(162,305
)
 
$
148,112

Other comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs

 
(178
)
 

 

 
(178
)
Currency translation adjustments

 

 
(7,463
)
 

 
(7,463
)
Equity in other comprehensive loss of subsidiaries
(7,641
)
 
(7,463
)
 

 
15,104

 

Other comprehensive loss
(7,641
)
 
(7,641
)
 
(7,463
)
 
15,104

 
(7,641
)
Comprehensive income
$
140,471

 
$
140,479

 
$
6,722

 
$
(147,201
)
 
$
140,471








21

Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the Sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016

 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$

 
$
76,204

 
$
(903
)
 
$

 
$
75,301

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment

 
(88,303
)
 
(835
)
 

 
(89,138
)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

 
1,226

 
1

 

 
1,227

Net cash used in investing activities

 
(87,077
)
 
(834
)
 

 
(87,911
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase in bank overdrafts

 
7,670

 
6,974

 

 
14,644

Borrowings under credit facilities

 
357,500

 

 

 
357,500

Payments on credit facilities

 
(331,500
)
 

 

 
(331,500
)
Dividends paid

 
(8,850
)
 

 

 
(8,850
)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily for employee stock purchase plan

 
1,085

 

 

 
1,085

Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights

 
(11,134
)
 

 

 
(11,134
)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

 
13,145

 

 

 
13,145

Repurchase of common stock

 
(11,813
)
 

 

 
(11,813
)
Other

 
(125
)
 

 

 
(125
)
Net cash provided by financing activities

 
15,978

 
6,974

 

 
22,952

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 
2,584

 

 
2,584

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 
5,105

 
7,821

 

 
12,926

Cash and cash equivalents , beginning of period
8

 
63,458

 
27,324

 
(8
)
 
90,782

Cash and cash equivalents , end of period
$
8

 
$
68,563

 
$
35,145

 
$
(8
)
 
$
103,708




22

Table of Contents
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the Sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015

 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities
$

 
$
98,629

 
$
3,582

 
$

 
$
102,211

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment

 
(56,157
)
 
(881
)
 

 
(57,038
)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 
(433
)
 

 

 
(433
)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

 
291

 
4

 

 
295

Net cash used in investing activities

 
(56,299
)
 
(877
)
 

 
(57,176
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase in bank overdrafts

 
3,362

 
8,266

 

 
11,628

Borrowings under credit facilities

 
442,600

 

 

 
442,600

Payments on credit facilities

 
(469,300
)
 

 

 
(469,300
)
Dividends paid

 
(8,813
)
 

 

 
(8,813
)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily for employee stock purchase plan

 
1,352

 

 

 
1,352

Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights

 
(7,572
)
 

 

 
(7,572
)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

 
6,498

 

 

 
6,498

Repurchase of common stock

 
(1,590
)
 

 

 
(1,590
)
Other

 
(110
)
 

 

 
(110
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 
(33,573
)
 
8,266

 

 
(25,307
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 
(578
)
 

 
(578
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 
8,757

 
10,393

 

 
19,150

Cash and cash equivalents , beginning of period
9

 
65,345

 
39,326

 
(9
)
 
104,671

Cash and cash equivalents , end of period
$
9

 
$
74,102

 
$
49,719

 
$
(9
)
 
$
123,821




23

Table of Contents

ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements that appear elsewhere in this report. Our first quarter consists of 16 weeks divided into four equal periods. Our remaining three quarters consist of 12 weeks with each quarter divided into three equal periods. Unless the context otherwise requires, "Advance," "we," "us," "our," and similar terms refer to Advance Auto Parts, Inc., its predecessor, its subsidiaries and their respective operations.

Certain statements in this report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements are usually identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “position,” “possible,” “potential,” “probable,” “project,” “projection,” “should,” “strategy,” “will,” or similar expressions. We intend for any forward-looking statements to be covered by, and we claim the protection under, the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

These forward-looking statements are based upon assessments and assumptions of management in light of historical results and trends, current conditions and potential future developments that often involve judgments, estimates, assumptions and projections. Forward-looking statements reflect current views about our plans, strategies and prospects, which are based on information currently available.

Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations as reflected in or suggested by any forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not guarantee or give assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from our anticipated results described or implied in our forward-looking statements, and such differences may be due to a variety of factors. Our business could also be affected by additional factors that are presently unknown to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial to our business.

Listed below and discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2016 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 1, 2016 ), which we refer to as our 2015 Form 10-K, are some important risks, uncertainties and contingencies which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any forward-looking statements made or implied in this report. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
a decrease in demand for our products;
competitive pricing and other competitive pressures;
the risk that the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of General Parts International, Inc. (“GPI”), including synergies, may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, that we may experience difficulty integrating GPI’s operations into our operations, or that management's attention may be diverted from our other businesses in association with the acquisition of GPI;
the possibility that the acquisition of GPI may not advance our business strategy or prove to be an accretive investment or may impact third-party relationships, including customers, wholesalers, independently-owned and jobber stores and suppliers;
the risk that the additional indebtedness from the financing agreements in association with the acquisition of GPI may limit our operating flexibility or otherwise strain our liquidity and financial condition;
the risk that we may experience difficulty retaining key GPI employees;
our ability to implement our business strategy;
our ability to expand our business, including the location of available and suitable real estate for new store locations, the integration of any acquired businesses and the continued increase in supply chain capacity and efficiency;
our dependence on our suppliers to provide us with products that comply with safety and quality standards;
the risk that we may experience difficulty in successfully implementing leadership changes, including the failure to ensure effective transfer of knowledge necessary for the persons appointed to lead and provide results in their new role; the potential disruption to our business resulting from announced leadership changes; the impact of announced leadership changes on our relationships with customers, suppliers and other business partners; and our ability to attract, develop and retain executives and other employees, or Team Members;
the potential for fluctuations in the market price of our common stock and the resulting exposure to securities class action litigation;


24

Table of Contents

deterioration in general macro-economic conditions, including unemployment, inflation or deflation, consumer debt levels, high fuel and energy costs, higher tax rates or uncertain credit markets;
regulatory and legal risks, including being named as a defendant in administrative investigations or litigation, and the incurrence of legal fees and costs, the payment of fines or the payment of sums to settle litigation or administrative investigations or proceedings;
a security breach or other cyber security incident;
business interruptions due to the occurrence of natural disasters, extended periods of unfavorable weather, computer system malfunction, wars or acts of terrorism; and
the impact of global climate change or legal and regulatory responses to such change.

We assume no obligations to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In evaluating forward-looking statements, you should consider these risks and uncertainties, together with the other risks described from time to time in our other reports and documents filed with the SEC and you should not place undue reliance on those statements.

Introduction

We are a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America, serving "do-it-for me", or Commercial, and "do-it-yourself", or DIY, customers as well as independently-owned operators. As of April 23, 2016 , we operated a total of 5,086 stores and 125 distribution branches, primarily within the United States, with additional locations in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our stores operate primarily under the trade names "Advance Auto Parts (AAP)," "Autopart International (AI)" and "Carquest," and our distribution branches operate under the "Worldpac" trade name. In addition, we serve approximately 1,300 independently-owned Carquest stores ("independent stores").

Our stores and branches offer a broad selection of brand name, original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") and private label automotive replacement parts, accessories, batteries and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars, vans, sport utility vehicles and light and heavy duty trucks. Through our integrated operating approach, we serve our Commercial and DIY customers from our store and branch locations and online at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com and www.Worldpac.com. Our Commercial customers, consisting primarily of delivery customers for whom we deliver product from our store and branch locations to our Commercial customers’ places of business, including independent garages, service stations and auto dealers, can conveniently place their orders online through these websites. Our online websites also allow our DIY customers to pick up merchandise ordered online at a conveniently located store or have their purchases shipped directly to them.

Management Overview

We generated diluted earnings per share, or diluted EPS, of $2.14 during our sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 (or the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 ) compared to $2.00 for the comparable period of Fiscal 2015 . The increase in our diluted EPS was driven primarily by an increase in our operating margin as a result of lower SG&A expenses, partially offset by a decrease in our gross profit rate. When adjusted for the following non-operational items, our adjusted diluted earnings per share ("Adjusted Cash EPS") was $2.51 during the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 compared to $2.39 during the comparable period of Fiscal 2015 :
 
 
Q1 2016
 
Q1 2015
GPI integration, store consolidation and support center restructuring
 
$
0.26

 
$
0.28

Amortization related to the acquired intangible assets from GPI
 
$
0.11

 
$
0.11


Refer to the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section for further details of our non-GAAP adjustments.

Our comparable store sales declined 1.9% compared to the first quarter of Fiscal 2015 driven primarily by challenges with product availability and service levels. We also believe our results were impacted by inconsistent weather patterns that negatively impacted our colder weather markets toward the end of the quarter. Our seasonal categories most impacted were batteries and hard parts, which were partially offset by strength in brakes. Despite the lower sales and gross profit rate, our Adjusted Cash EPS increased 5% over the comparable quarter of Fiscal 2015 due to our cost reduction initiatives and benefits from the cost reduction actions taken in 2015.



25

Table of Contents

Summary of First Quarter Financial Results

A high-level summary of our financial results for the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 is included below:
 
Total sales during the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 were $2,979.8 million , a decrease of 1.9% as compared to the first quarter of Fiscal 2015 . This decrease was primarily driven by a comparable store sales decline of 1.9% .
Our operating income for the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 was $271.0 million , an increase of $8.5 million from the comparable period of Fiscal 2015 . As a percentage of total sales, operating income was 9.1% , an increase of 45 basis points versus the comparable period of Fiscal 2015 , inclusive of integration and restructuring expenses.
Our inventory balance as of April 23, 2016 increased $258.2 million , or 6.2% , over our inventory balance as of January 2, 2016 , driven mainly by investments in product availability, seasonal inventory build and the opening of new locations, including a new Worldpac distribution center, as well as lower than expected sales for the quarter.
We generated operating cash flow of $75.3 million during the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 , a decrease of 26.3% from the comparable period of Fiscal 2015 , primarily due to cash outflows associated with inventory, net of accounts payable, partially offset by higher earnings.

Refer to the "Results of Operations" and " Liquidity and Capital Resources" sections for further details of our income statement and cash flow results, respectively.

Business and Industry Update

Our focus in 2016 is to regain top line sales growth as the first step towards driving sustainable, long-term performance improvement. In connection with the hiring of our new CEO in April 2016, we are evaluating all facets of our business, while continuing the implementation of a more focused field centric organization where our Team Members are empowered to make decisions to improve execution and drive sales. Our framework for the future will focus on growth, productivity and people and culture. We will develop a demand based growth strategy that remains customer-focused and is concentrated in getting the right parts to the right places at the right time predictably, reliably and consistently. We will instill a relentless focus on productivity and ensuring that we build new capabilities as we reduce waste and cost in our system, while investing some of these cost savings in our future growth. Our people strategy will support our business strategy and foster a diverse culture which mirrors the market and empowers our Team Members to win in the marketplace.

We will also continue toward achievement of our multi-year GPI integration milestones, focused on the integration of our Advance Auto Parts and Carquest operations. During 2015, we completed the support center consolidations that were initiated in 2014, integrated our field teams, harmonized pricing and brands and substantially completed product changeovers. In addition, we completed the first major wave of the Carquest store consolidations and conversions that we began in the second half of 2014. During 2016, we will continue executing our integration plans by consolidating or converting an estimated additional 325 to 350 Carquest stores. In addition, we will shift our focus to the deployment of systems necessary to align critical capabilities within our supply chain and stores.

Operating within the automotive aftermarket industry, we are influenced by a number of general macroeconomic factors similar to those affecting the overall retail industry. These factors include, but are not limited to, fuel costs, unemployment rates, consumer confidence and competition. We believe the macroeconomic environment should position our industry favorably in 2016 as lower fuel costs, a stabilized labor market and increasing disposable income should help to provide a positive impact. In addition, industry fundamentals continue to be strong with miles driven increasing and the number of vehicles 11 years and older continuing to increase. We believe that two key drivers of demand within the automotive aftermarket are (i) the number of miles driven in the U.S. and (ii) the number and average age of vehicles on the road.
Favorable industry dynamics include:
 
an increase in the number of vehicles and stabilization of the average age of vehicles;
a long-term expectation that miles driven will continue to increase based on historical trends; and
a steadily improving job market and lower fuel prices.
 
Conversely, the factors negatively affecting the automotive aftermarket industry include:
 
deferral of elective automotive maintenance in the near term as more consumers contemplate new automobile purchases; and
longer maintenance and part failure intervals on newer cars due to improved quality.



26

Table of Contents

We remain encouraged by the (i) stability of the automotive aftermarket industry and (ii) initiatives that we have underway to support our base business and integration strategies.

Store Development

We serve our Commercial and DIY customers in a similar fashion through four different store brands. The table below sets forth detail of our store and branch development activity for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 , including the consolidation of stores as part of our integration plans and the number of locations with Commercial delivery programs. In addition to the changes in our store counts detailed below, during the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 we relocated 11 of our stores. During Fiscal 2016 , we anticipate adding approximately 65 to 75  new stores and branches and consolidating or converting between 325 to 350 Carquest stores.
 
AAP
 
AI
 
CARQUEST (1)
 
WORLDPAC
 
Total
January 2, 2016
4,102

 
184

 
885

 
122

 
5,293

New
13

 

 
1

 
3

 
17

Closed
(5
)
 
(3
)
 
(2
)
 

 
(10
)
Consolidated  (2)

 

 
(89
)
 

 
(89
)
Converted (3)
27

 

 
(27
)
 

 

April 23, 2016
4,137

 
181

 
768

 
125

 
5,211

Locations with commercial delivery programs
3,563

 
181

 
768

 
125

 
4,637

(1) Includes activity for stores acquired with B.W.P. Distributors, Inc. that operate under the Carquest trade name.
(2) Consolidated stores include Carquest stores whose operations were consolidated into existing AAP locations as a result of the planned integration of Carquest.
(3) Converted stores include Carquest stores that were re-branded as an AAP store as a result of the planned integration of Carquest.
Critical Accounting Policies

Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based on these financial statements. The preparation of these financial statements requires the application of accounting policies in addition to certain estimates and judgments by our management. Our estimates and judgments are based on currently available information, historical results and other assumptions we believe are reasonable. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. During the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 , we consistently applied the critical accounting policies discussed in our 2015 Form 10-K. For a complete discussion regarding these critical accounting policies, refer to the 2015 Form 10-K.

Components of Statement of Operations

Net Sales

Net sales consist primarily of merchandise sales from our store and branch locations to both our Commercial and DIY customers, sales from our e-commerce websites and sales to independently-owned Carquest stores. Sales are recorded net of discounts and rebates, sales taxes and estimated returns and allowances. Our total sales growth is comprised of both comparable store sales and new store sales. We calculate comparable store sales based on the change in store or branch sales starting once a store location has been open for 13 complete accounting periods (approximately one year) and by including e-commerce sales. Sales to independently-owned Carquest stores are excluded from our comparable store sales. We include sales from relocated stores in comparable store sales from the original date of opening. Acquired stores are included in our comparable store sales once the stores have completed 13 complete accounting periods following the acquisition date (approximately one year).

Cost of Sales

Our cost of sales consists of merchandise costs, net of incentives under vendor programs; inventory shrinkage, defective merchandise and warranty costs; and warehouse and distribution expenses, including depreciation and amortization. Gross


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profit as a percentage of net sales may be affected by (i) variations in our product mix, (ii) price changes in response to competitive factors and fluctuations in merchandise costs, (iii) vendor programs, (iv) inventory shrinkage, (v) defective merchandise and warranty costs and (vi) warehouse and distribution costs. We seek to minimize fluctuations in merchandise costs and instability of supply by entering into long-term purchasing agreements, without minimum purchase volume requirements, when we believe it is advantageous. Our cost of sales and gross profit rates may not be comparable to that of our competitors due to differences in industry practice regarding the classification of certain costs and mix of Commercial and DIY sales.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses consist of store payroll, store occupancy (including rent and depreciation), advertising expenses, acquisition and integration related expenses, Commercial delivery expenses, other store expenses and general and administrative expenses, including salaries and related benefits of store support center Team Members, share-based compensation expenses, store support center administrative office expenses, data processing, professional expenses, self-insurance costs, depreciation and amortization, closed facility expense and impairment charges, if any, and other related expenses.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain of our operating data expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated.
 
Sixteen Week Periods Ended
 
April 23, 2016
 
April 25, 2015
Net sales
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs
54.7

 
54.1

Gross profit
45.3

 
45.9

Selling, general and administrative expenses
36.2

 
37.2

Operating income
9.1

 
8.6

Interest expense
(0.6
)
 
(0.7
)
Other income (expense), net
0.1

 
(0.1
)
Provision for income taxes
3.2

 
3.0

Net income
5.3
 %
 
4.9
 %

Net Sales

Net sales for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 were $2,979.8 million , a decrease of $58.5 million , or 1.9% , as compared to net sales for the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 . The sales decrease was primarily due to our comparable store sales decrease of 1.9% and the portion of sales that did not transfer from stores that were consolidated over the last four quarters. This decrease was partially offset by the addition of 11 stores, net of closed stores, and 10 new branches since April 25, 2015 . While the number of transactions was down for both Commercial and DIY customers, we saw a modest increase in ticket size compared to the prior year for both groups of customers.

Our comparable store sales decrease was driven by internal and external factors. Internally we continue to experience inconsistent execution related to market availability and service levels which pressured sales in the first quarter. With regard to external factors, we saw a continuation of the milder winter weather that we experienced in the fourth quarter that negatively impacted our sales - with lower demand towards the end of the quarter as we experienced a delayed start to spring, primarily in our colder weather markets where approximately 40% of our stores are located. This is evidenced by more pronounced declines in comparable store sales in the Northeast and Great Lake markets. Partially offsetting these negative impacts is approximately 60 basis points of positive contribution from the sales transferred to comparable stores from stores consolidated over the last four quarters.

From a category perspective, we saw sales declines in our seasonal categories with the largest impact during the quarter in batteries and hard parts. This was partially offset by continued strong brake sales across both Commercial and DIY.



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Gross Profit

Gross profit for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 was $1,349.9 million , or 45.3% of net sales, as compared to $1,393.9 million , or 45.9% of net sales, for the comparable period of last year, representing a decrease of 58 basis points. The 58 basis-point decrease in gross profit rate was primarily due to higher supply chain costs driven by the increasing inventory levels and supply chain expense deleverage as a result of our comparable store sales decline.

SG&A

SG&A expenses for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 were $1,078.9 million , or 36.2% of net sales, as compared to $1,131.4 million , or 37.2% of net sales, for the comparable period of last year, representing a decrease of 103 basis-points. This decrease was primarily the result of our continued cost reduction initiatives and disciplined efforts to lower administrative and support costs, offset by fixed cost deleverage due to our comparable stores sales decline.

Operating Income

Operating income for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 was $271.0 million , or 9.1% of net sales, as compared to $262.5 million , or 8.6% of net sales, for the comparable period of last year. The rate is reflective of a decrease in our SG&A rate partially offset by a decrease in our gross profit rate from the comparable period of Fiscal 2015 . These changes on a rate basis were due to the gross profit and SG&A drivers previously discussed.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 was $18.9 million , or 0.6% of net sales, as compared to $21.8 million , or 0.7% of net sales, for the comparable period in Fiscal 2015 . The decrease in interest expense for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 was due to repayments made on our credit facility over the last year.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 was $96.4 million , as compared to $90.7 million for the comparable period of Fiscal 2015 . Our effective income tax rate was 37.8% and 38.0% for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 and April 25, 2015 , respectively.

Net Income

Net income for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 was $158.8 million , or $2.14 per diluted share, as compared to $148.1 million , or $2.00 per diluted share, for the comparable period of Fiscal 2015 . As a percentage of net sales, net income for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 was 5.3% , as compared to 4.9% for the comparable period of Fiscal 2015 . Negatively impacting diluted EPS and net income in the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015 were GPI integration, store consolidation and support center restructuring expenses and amortization of intangible assets related to the GPI acquisition of $44.0 million and $45.8 million , respectively, or $0.37 and $0.39 per diluted share, respectively.



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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

"Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" include certain financial measures not derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Non-GAAP financial measures should not be used as a substitute for GAAP financial measures, or considered in isolation, for the purpose of analyzing our operating performance, financial position or cash flows. However, we have presented the non-GAAP financial measures, as we believe the reporting of financial results on a non-GAAP basis is important in assessing the overall performance of the business and is therefore useful to investors and prospective investors. We believe that the presentation of financial results that exclude non-cash charges related to the acquired GPI intangibles and non-operational expenses associated with the integration of GPI, store consolidation costs and support center restructuring costs provide meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors, which is indicative of our base operations. We have included a reconciliation of this information to the most comparable GAAP measures in the following table.

 
 
Sixteen Week Periods Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
April 23, 2016
 
April 25, 2015
Adjusted net income
 
$
186,102

 
$
176,478

SG&A adjustments (a)
 
(44,015
)
 
(45,751
)
Provision for income taxes on adjustments (b)
 
16,726

 
17,385

Net income (GAAP)
 
$
158,813

 
$
148,112

 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Cash EPS
 
$
2.51

 
$
2.39

SG&A adjustments, net of tax
 
(0.37
)
 
(0.39
)
Diluted earnings per common share (GAAP)
 
$
2.14

 
$
2.00


(a)
The adjustments to SG&A expenses for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 include GPI integration, store consolidation costs and support center restructuring costs of $31,353 and GPI amortization of acquired intangible assets of $12,662 . The adjustments to SG&A expenses for the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 include GPI integration and store consolidation costs of $32,705 and GPI amortization of acquired intangible assets of $13,046 .
(b)
The income tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments is calculated using the estimated tax rate in effect for the respective non-GAAP adjustments.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Our primary cash requirements to maintain our current operations include payroll and benefits, the purchase of inventory, contractual obligations, capital expenditures, the payment of income taxes and funding of our GPI integration activities. In addition, we may use available funds for acquisitions, to repay borrowings under our credit agreement, to periodically repurchase shares of our common stock under our stock repurchase programs and for the payment of quarterly cash dividends. Historically, we have funded these requirements primarily through cash generated from operations, supplemented by borrowings under our credit facilities and notes offerings as needed. We believe funds generated from our expected results of operations, available cash and cash equivalents, and available borrowings under our credit facility will be sufficient to fund our primary obligations for the next fiscal year. Cash holdings in our foreign affiliates are not significant relative to our overall operations and therefore would not restrict the liquidity needs for our domestic operations.

At April 23, 2016 , our cash and cash equivalents balance was $103.7 million , an increase of $12.9 million compared to January 2, 2016 . This increase in cash during the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 was primarily a result of cash generated by operating activities and net borrowings under our credit facility, net of capital expenditures. Additional discussion of our cash flow results, including the comparison of the activity for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 to the comparable period of Fiscal 2015 , is set forth in the Analysis of Cash Flows section.

As of April 23, 2016 , our outstanding indebtedness was $1,230.5 million , inclusive of our revolving credit facility and senior unsecured notes. This is $23.6 million higher when compared to January 2, 2016 , as a result of net borrowings on our credit facilities. As of April 23, 2016 , we had borrowings of $80.0 million under our term loan and $106.0 million under our


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credit facility. Additionally, we had $105.7 million in letters of credit outstanding, which reduced the available borrowings on our revolver to $788.3 million as of April 23, 2016 .

Capital Expenditures

Our primary capital requirements have been the funding of our new store development (leased and owned locations), maintenance of existing stores and investments in supply chain and information technology, and GPI integration expenditures. We lease approximately 84% of our stores. Our capital expenditures were $89.1 million for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 .

Our future capital requirements will depend in large part on the number and timing of new stores we open within a given year and the investments we make in existing stores, information technology, supply chain network and the integration of GPI. In 2016 , we anticipate that our capital expenditures will be approximately $260.0 million to $280.0 million but may very with business conditions. These investments will primarily include GPI integration expenditures for store conversions and supply chain and systems integration activities; new store development (leased and owned locations); and investments in our existing stores, supply chain network and systems. During the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 , we opened 14 stores and three Worldpac branches compared to 21 stores and four branches during the comparable period of last year. We anticipate opening between 65 to 75  stores and branches during Fiscal 2016 .

Stock Repurchases

Our stock repurchase program allows us to repurchase our common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time in accordance with the requirements of the SEC. Our $500 million stock repurchase program in place as of April 23, 2016 was authorized by our Board of Directors on May 14, 2012. During the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 , we repurchased no shares of our common stock under our stock repurchase program. At April 23, 2016 , we had $415.1 million remaining under our stock repurchase program.

Dividend

Since Fiscal 2006, our Board of Directors has declared quarterly dividends of $0.06 per share to stockholders of record. On May 17, 2016 , our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share to be paid on July 1, 2016 to all common stockholders of record as of June 17, 2016 .

Analysis of Cash Flows

A summary and analysis of our cash flows for the sixteen week period ended April 23, 2016 as compared to the sixteen week period ended April 25, 2015 is included below.
 
 
Sixteen Week Period Ended
 
April 23, 2016
 
April 25, 2015
 
(in millions)
Cash flows provided by operating activities
$
75.3

 
$
102.2

Cash flows used in investing activities
(87.9
)
 
(57.2
)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
23.0

 
(25.3
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
2.6

 
(0.6
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
12.9

 
$
19.2


Operating Activities

For the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 , net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $26.9 million to $75.3 million compared to the comparable period of 2015 . The net decrease in operating cash flow compared to the prior year was primarily driven by changes in working capital, partially offset by an increase in net income. The decrease in cash flows from working capital was primarily driven by an increase in inventory, net of accounts payable. Our inventory growth was driven mainly by investments in our product availability initiatives, new store and branch openings and the opening of a new Worldpac distribution center.



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Investing Activities

For the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 , net cash used in investing activities increased by $30.7 million to $87.9 million compared to the comparable period of 2015 . Cash used in investing activities for the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 consisted primarily of purchases of property and equipment, which is $32.1 million higher than the prior year primarily as a result of increased investments in supply chain and information technology.

Financing Activities

For the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 , net cash provided by financing activities was $23.0 million , as compared to net cash used in financing activities of $25.3 million for the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 , an increase of $48.3 million . This increase was primarily a result of net borrowings under our credit facility during the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 of $26.0 million compared to net repayments of $26.7 million during the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 . As of April 23, 2016 , the outstanding amount under our credit facility was $186.0 million . We remain focused on maintaining our leverage ratio and our investment grade ratings, while deploying our capital allocation strategy that includes our share repurchase program and dividends.

Long-Term Debt

Bank Debt

We have a credit agreement (the "2013 Credit Agreement") which provides a $700.0 million unsecured term loan and a $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with Advance Stores Company, Inc. ("Advance Stores"), as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. The revolving credit facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit with a sub-limit of $300.0 million and swingline loans in an amount not to exceed $50.0 million . We may request, subject to agreement by one or more lenders, that the total revolving commitment be increased by an amount not to exceed $250.0 million by those respective lenders (up to a total commitment of $1.25 billion ) during the term of the 2013 Credit Agreement. Voluntary prepayments and voluntary reductions of the revolving balance are permitted in whole or in part, at our option, in minimum principal amounts as specified in the 2013 Credit Agreement. Under the terms of the 2013 Credit Agreement, the revolving credit facility terminates in December 2018 and the term loan matures in January 2019.

As of April 23, 2016 , under the 2013 Credit Agreement, we had outstanding borrowings of $106.0 million under the revolver and $80.0 million under the term loan. As of April 23, 2016 , we also had letters of credit outstanding of $105.7 million , which reduced the availability under the revolver to $788.3 million . The letters of credit generally have a term of one year or less and primarily serve as collateral for our self-insurance policies.

The interest rate on borrowings under the revolving credit facility is based, at our option, on adjusted LIBOR, plus a margin, or an alternate base rate, plus a margin. The current margin as of May 31, 2016 is 1.10% and 0.10% per annum for the adjusted LIBOR and alternate base rate borrowings, respectively. A facility fee is charged on the total amount of the revolving credit facility, payable in arrears. The current facility fee rate as of May 31, 2016 is 0.15% per annum. Under the terms of the 2013 Credit Agreement, the interest rate and facility fee are subject to change based on our credit rating.

The interest rate on the term loan is based, at our option, on adjusted LIBOR, plus a margin, or an alternate base rate, plus a margin. The current margin as of May 31, 2016 is 1.25% and 0.25% per annum for the adjusted LIBOR and alternate base rate borrowings, respectively. Under the terms of the term loan, the interest rate is subject to change based on our credit rating.

The 2013 Credit Agreement contains customary restrictive covenants, which include a maximum leverage ratio and minimum consolidated coverage ratio, and are further described in Note 6, Long-term Debt , in this Form 10-Q. We were in compliance with our covenants with respect to the 2013 Credit Agreement at April 23, 2016 .

Senior Unsecured Notes

At April 23, 2016 our outstanding senior unsecured notes consisted of i) $450 million of 4.50% notes maturing in December 2023 (the “2023 Notes”); ii) $300 million of 4.50% notes maturing in January 2022 (the “2022 Notes”); and iii) $300 million of 5.75% notes maturing in May 2020 (the “2020 Notes” or collectively with the 2023 Notes and 2022 Notes, “the Notes”). The 2023 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.50% per year payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The 2022 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.50%  per year payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and


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July 15 of each year. The 2020 Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.75%  per year payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year.

Advance served as the issuer of the Notes with certain of Advance's domestic subsidiaries currently serving as subsidiary guarantors. The terms of the Notes are governed by an indenture (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”) among us, the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee. The terms of the Indenture are further described in Note 6, Long-term Debt , in this Form 10-Q.

As of April 23, 2016 , we had a credit rating from Standard & Poor’s of BBB- and from Moody’s Investor Service of Baa2. The current outlooks by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s are both stable. The current pricing grid used to determine our borrowing rate under the 2013 Credit Agreement is based on our credit ratings. Therefore, the margins on our revolver and term loan decreased to the rates disclosed above concurrent with the ratings change. If these credit ratings decline, our interest rate on outstanding balances may increase and our access to additional financing on favorable terms may become more limited. In addition, it could reduce the attractiveness of our vendor payment program, where certain of our vendors finance payment obligations from us with designated third party financial institutions, which could result in increased working capital requirements. Conversely, if these credit ratings improve, our interest rate may decrease.

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

We guarantee loans made by banks to various of our independent store customers totaling $28.3 million as of April 23, 2016 . These loans are collateralized by security agreements on merchandise inventory and other assets of the borrowers. We believe the likelihood of performance under these guarantees is remote and that the fair value of these guarantees is very minimal. As of April 23, 2016 , we had no other off-balance-sheet arrangements as defined in Regulation S-K Item 303 of the SEC regulations. We include other off-balance-sheet arrangements in our contractual obligations table in our 2015 Form 10-K, including operating lease payments, interest payments on our Notes and revolving credit facility and letters of credit outstanding.

Contractual Obligations

As of April 23, 2016 , there were no material changes to our outstanding contractual obligations as compared to our contractual obligations outstanding as of January 2, 2016 . For additional information regarding our contractual obligations see “Contractual Obligations” in our 2015 Form 10-K.

Seasonality

Our business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales usually occurring in the spring and summer months.
In addition, our business can be affected significantly by weather conditions. While unusually heavy precipitation tends to soften sales as elective maintenance is deferred during such periods, extremely hot or cold weather tends to enhance sales by causing automotive parts to fail at an accelerated rate. Our fourth quarter is generally our most volatile as weather and spending trade-offs typically influence our Commercial and DIY sales.

New Accounting Pronouncements

For a description of recently announced accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects, if any, on our condensed consolidated financial statements, see New Accounting Pronouncements in Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Internet Address and Access to SEC Filings

Our Internet address is www.AdvanceAutoParts.com. We make available free of charge through our Internet website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. These materials may be obtained electronically by accessing the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.




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ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

Our primary financial market risk is due to changes in interest rates. Historically, we have reduced our exposure to changes in interest rates by entering into various interest rate hedge instruments such as interest rate swap contracts and treasury lock agreements. We have historically utilized interest rate swaps to convert variable rate debt to fixed rate debt and to lock in fixed rates on future debt issuances. Our interest rate hedge instruments have been designated as cash flow hedges. We had no derivative instruments outstanding as of April 23, 2016 .

The interest rates on borrowings under our revolving credit facility and term loan are based, at our option, on adjusted LIBOR, plus a margin, or an alternate base rate, plus a margin. As of April 23, 2016 we had $106.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility and $80.0 million outstanding under our term loan and are therefore exposed to interest rate risk due to changes in LIBOR or alternate base rate. There is no interest rate risk associated with our 2020, 2022 or 2023 Notes, as the interest rates are fixed at 5.75% , 4.50% and 4.50% , respectively, per annum.

The table below presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates on our revolving credit facility and term loan outstanding at April 23, 2016 , by expected maturity dates. Weighted average variable rates are based on implied forward rates in the yield curve at April 23, 2016 . Implied forward rates should not be considered a predictor of actual future interest rates.
 
Fiscal
2016
 
Fiscal
2017
 
Fiscal
2018
 
Fiscal
2019
 
Fiscal
2020
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Fair
Market
Liability
 
(dollars in thousands)
Variable rate
$

 
$

 
$
106,000

 
$
80,000

 
$

 
$

 
$
186,000

 
$
186,000

Weighted average interest rate
1.9
%
 
2.1
%
 
2.3
%
 
2.5
%
 

 

 
2.0
%
 


Credit Risk

Our financial assets that are exposed to credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts receivable and vendor receivables. We are exposed to normal credit risk from customers. Our concentration of credit risk is limited because our customer base consists of a large number of customers with relatively small balances, which allows the credit risk to be spread across a broad base. We strive to maintain a close working relationship with our vendors and frequently monitor their financial strength. We have not historically had significant credit losses.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Our primary foreign currency exposure arises from our Canadian operations and the translation of Canadian dollar denominated revenues, profits and net assets into U.S. dollars. During the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 , the translation of the operating results of our Canadian subsidiaries did not significantly impact net income. We view our investments in the Canadian subsidiaries as long-term, and any changes in our net assets in the Canadian subsidiaries relating to foreign currency exchange rates would be reflected in the foreign currency translation component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss, unless the Canadian subsidiaries are sold or otherwise disposed.

In addition, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations for a portion of the Company's inventory purchases which are denominated in foreign currencies and for intercompany balances. We believe that the price volatility of these inventory purchases as it relates to foreign currency exchange rates is partially mitigated by our ability to adjust selling prices. Gains from foreign currency transactions, which are included in Other income, net, were $2.8 million during the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 .



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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management evaluated, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of April 23, 2016 in accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended April 23, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
 

ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table sets forth the information with respect to repurchases of our common stock for the quarter ended April 23, 2016 :  
Period
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (1) (In thousands)
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share (1)
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs (2)
 
Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs (2)
(In thousands)
January 3, 2016 to January 30, 2016
 

 
$

 

 
$
415,092

January 31, 2016 to February 27, 2016
 
4

 
139.39

 

 
415,092

February 28, 2016 to March 26, 2016
 
73

 
153.33

 

 
415,092

March 27, 2016 to April 23, 2016
 

 

 

 
415,092

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
77

 
$
152.51

 

 
$
415,092


(1)  
We repurchased 77,453 shares of our common stock, at an aggregate cost of $11.8 million , or an average purchase price of $152.51 per share, in connection with the net settlement of shares issued as a result of the vesting of restricted stock units during the sixteen weeks ended April 23, 2016 .
(2)  
Our $500 million stock repurchase program was authorized by our Board of Directors on May 14, 2012.


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ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS  
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
Filed
Exhibit No.
Exhibit Description
Form
Exhibit
Filing Date
Herewith
3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (“Advance Auto”) (as amended effective as of June 7, 2013).
10-Q
3.1

8/19/2013
 
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Advance Auto, effective November 12, 2015.
8-K
3.1

11/13/2015
 
10.1
Employment Agreement effective March 28, 2016 between Advance Auto Parts, Inc., and Thomas R. Greco.
 
 
 
X
10.2
First Amendment to Employment Agreement effective April 2, 2016 between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Thomas R. Greco.
 
 
 
X
10.3
2016 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement [Sign-On Award - Performance-Based] between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Thomas Greco dated April 14, 2016.
 
 
 
X
10.4
2016 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement [Sign-On Award - Time-Based] between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Thomas Greco dated April 14, 2016.
 
 
 
X
10.5
2016 Time-Based SARs Award Agreement [Stock Settled - Inducement Award] between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Thomas Greco dated April 14, 2016.
 
 
 
X
10.6
Form of Performance-Based SARs Award Agreement between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Thomas Greco.
 
 
 
X
10.7
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Thomas Greco.
 
 
 
X
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 

 
X
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 

 
X
32.1
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 

 
X
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 




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SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.
 
 
 
May 31, 2016
By:  
/s/ Michael A. Norona
 
Michael A. Norona
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


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EXHIBIT INDEX  
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
Filed
Exhibit No.
Exhibit Description
Form
Exhibit
Filing Date
Herewith
3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (“Advance Auto”) (as amended effective as of June 7, 2013).
10-Q
3.1

8/19/2013
 
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Advance Auto, effective November 12, 2015.
8-K
3.1

11/13/2015
 
10.1
Employment Agreement effective March 28, 2016 between Advance Auto Parts, Inc., and Thomas Greco.
 
 
 
X
10.2
First Amendment to Employment Agreement effective April 2, 2016 between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Thomas R. Greco.
 
 
 
X
10.3
2016 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement [Sign-On Award - Performance-Based] between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Thomas Greco dated April 14, 2016.
 
 
 
X
10.4
2016 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement [Sign-On Award - Time-Based] between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Thomas Greco dated April 14, 2016.
 
 
 
X
10.5
2016 Time-Based SARs Award Agreement [Stock Settled - Inducement Award] between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Thomas Greco dated April 14, 2016.
 
 
 
X
10.6
Form of Performance-Based SARs Award Agreement between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Thomas Greco.
 
 
 
X
10.7
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Thomas Greco.
 
 
 
X
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 

 
X
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 

 
X
32.1
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 

 
X
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 




Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION COPY
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of March 28, 2016, is between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (“Advance” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, and Thomas Greco (the “Executive”).
The Company and the Executive agree as follows:
1. Position; Term of Employment . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to serve the Company, as its Chief Executive Officer (“Executive’s Position”). The parties intend that the Executive shall continue to so serve in this capacity throughout the Employment Term (as such term is defined below). In such capacity, the Executive shall report to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). The Board shall appoint the Executive to serve as a member of the Board, effective as of the Commencement Date, and shall nominate and recommend the Executive for election by the shareholders to the Board for each subsequent Board term during the Employment Term.
The term of the Executive’s employment by the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall commence on April 4, 2016 (“Commencement Date”) and shall end on the day prior to the first anniversary of the Commencement Date, unless sooner terminated under the provisions of Section 4 below (the “Employment Term”); provided, however, that commencing on the first anniversary of the Commencement Date (the “Anniversary Date”) the Employment Term shall be automatically extended for an additional period of one year unless, not later than 90 days prior to the Anniversary Date, either party




shall have given notice to the other that it does not wish to extend the Employment Term (a “Non-Renewal”), in which case the Employment Term shall end on the day prior to the Anniversary Date; and on each Anniversary Date thereafter the Employment Term shall be automatically extended for an additional period of one year unless, not later than 90 days prior to such Anniversary Date, either party shall have given notice of a Non-Renewal to the other, in which case the Employment Term shall end 90 days following such notice. Notice of Non-Renewal by the Company shall be treated as a termination of the Executive without Due Cause by the Company as of the end of the then Employment Term.
2,     Duties .
(a) Duties and Responsibilities; Location . The Executive shall have the duties and responsibilities of the Executive’s Position and such other duties and responsibilities that are reasonably consistent with the Executive’s Position as a majority of the Board may request from time to time and shall perform such duties and carry out such responsibilities for the purpose of advancing the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, if any (jointly and severally, the “Related Entities”). The Executive shall observe and conform to the applicable policies and directives promulgated from time to time by the Company and the Board that are not inconsistent with this Agreement. Subject to the provisions of Subsection 2(b) below, the Executive shall devote the Executive’s full time, skill and attention during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and its Related Entities, except for holidays and vacations consistent with applicable Company policy and except for illness or incapacity. Subject to the oversight powers and responsibilities of the Board, the Executive shall manage the Company on a daily basis. The Executive agrees to relocate to the Raleigh, NC area as soon as practicable after the Commencement Date but in no event later than the first anniversary of the Commencement Date. Executive’s principal office location shall be the Company’s offices located in Raleigh, NC.

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(b) Other Activities . During the Term of this Agreement, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to, and the Executive shall be entitled to (i) serve on corporate, civic, charitable, retail industry association or professional association boards or committees within the limitations of the Company’s Guidelines on Significant Governance Issues, provided that the Executive may only serve on one outside corporate board, which shall be the board of directors of G&K Services, unless the Executive obtains advance permission in writing from the Board to serve on another outside corporate board in lieu of the board of directors of G&K Serivces, (ii) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and (iii) manage personal investments, so long as the activities set forth in (i), (ii), and (iii) above (x) do not significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities as required by this Agreement and do not involve a conflict of interest with the Executive’s duties or responsibilities hereunder, (y) are in compliance with the Company’s written policies and procedures in effect from time to time, including the Code of Ethics & Business Conduct and the Guidelines on Significant Governance Issues, in each case as may be amended periodically, and (z) do not violate Section 19 of this Agreement.

3.     Compensation .
(a)     Base Salary . During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay to the Executive an initial base salary of $1,100,000 per annum, payable consistent with the Company’s standard payroll practices then in effect, and which, as increased, shall not be decreased during the Employment Term. Such base salary shall be subject to periodic review by the Compensation Committee of the Board

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(hereinafter the “Compensation Committee”) on the same cycle as the base salaries of other senior executives of the Company, with any changes taking into account, among other factors, Company and individual performance. Any future increases in the Executive’s annual base salary will be at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The Executive’s annual base salary, as in effect from time to time, is hereinafter referred to as the “Base Salary.”

(b)     Annual Bonus . With respect to each fiscal year that ends during the Employment Term, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus based upon the achievement of such corporate and individual performance goals and other criteria as shall be approved by the Compensation Committee from time to time and as shall be consistent with the goals and criteria approved by the Compensation Committee for other senior executives of the Company. The Executive’s target annual bonus amount shall be 135% of the Base Salary (the “Target Bonus Amount”), and the Executive’s threshold and maximum annual bonus amounts shall be 25% of the Target Bonus Amount and 200% of the Target Bonus Amount, respectively. If the achievement of the applicable performance goals for a given fiscal year falls between the threshold and target performance levels or the target and maximum performance levels established by the Compensation Committee, then the Executive’s annual bonus amount for such fiscal year shall be determined by linear interpolation between the applicable performance levels. For fiscal year 2016, the Executive shall be entitled to receive a minimum annual bonus equal to $1,485,000 (the “Minimum 2016 Bonus”). The Executive’s annual bonus for fiscal year 2016 shall not be prorated. The Company shall pay the Minimum 2016 Bonus to the Executive on or before December 31, 2016. To the extent that the Executive earns an annual bonus for fiscal year 2016 in excess of the Minimum 2016 Bonus, the Company shall pay such excess annual bonus amount to the Executive at the same time it pays annual bonuses for fiscal year 2016 to the other senior executives of the Company. Any annual bonus payable to the Executive hereunder shall be paid in a manner consistent with the Company’s bonus

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practices then in effect. To be eligible to receive an annual bonus, the Executive must be employed by the Company on the date the bonus is paid, except as otherwise provided herein.
(c) Long-Term Incentive Awards . With respect to each fiscal year that ends during the Employment Term, commencing with fiscal year 2016, the Executive shall be granted a long-term incentive award in an amount determined by the Compensation Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for fiscal year 2016, the grant date fair value of the Executive’s long-term incentive award shall be $5,000,000. The grant-type mix that shall comprise such annual long-term incentive award shall be determined by the Compensation Committee each fiscal year and shall be consistent with grant-type mix used for other senior executives of the Company. The Executive’s long-term incentive awards shall be issued under the Advance Auto Parts Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2014 LTIP”) and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the 2014 LTIP and the award agreement evidencing the grant of each such award, provided that the grants awarded to the Executive under this Agreement in fiscal year 2016 shall provide that Due Cause, Good Reason and Disability shall be defined as provided herein and interpretation of said term shall be resolved as provided herein, and further provided that no such grant shall require compliance with, or forfeiture based upon, restrictive covenants broader than those stated herein. For fiscal year 2016, the Executive’s long-term incentive award shall be comprised fifty percent (50%) of time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and fifty percent (50%) of performance-based stock

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appreciation rights (“SARs”), and shall be evidenced by award agreements substantially in the forms of agreements attached hereto as Exhibits D and E .
(d) Buy-out Compensation . The Executive shall receive the compensation set forth in this Section 3(d) to replace certain compensation payable to the Executive by the company that employed the Executive immediately prior to the Company (the “Prior Employer”), which the Executive shall forfeit as a result of leaving the employ of the Prior Employer.
(i) Cash Sign-on Bonus . As soon as practicable after the Commencement Date, the Company shall pay to the Executive a cash bonus in the amount of $2,000,000 (the “Signing Bonus”) to replace certain outstanding unvested cash-based long-term incentive awards granted to the Executive by the Prior Employer that the Executive shall forfeit upon leaving the employ of the Prior Employer (the “Prior Cash Awards”); provided, that the Executive shall repay to the Company (A) one-hundred percent (100%) of the Signing Bonus if the Executive resigns from the Company without Good Reason (as defined below) prior to the first anniversary of the Commencement Date, and (B) fifty percent (50%) of the Signing Bonus if the Executive resigns from the Company without Good Reason on or after the first anniversary of Commencement Date but prior to the second anniversary of the Commencement Date.
(ii) Sign-on RSUs . Subject to the provisions of this Section 3(d)(ii), as soon as practicable after the Commencement Date, the Executive shall be granted RSUs with an aggregate grant date fair value of the Forfeited Amount (the “Sign-On RSUs”) to replace certain outstanding unvested performance shares granted to the Executive by the Prior Employer (the “Prior Equity Awards”) that he shall forfeit upon leaving the employ of the Prior Employer and future tenure-based pension accruals that he shall forfeit upon leaving the employ of the Prior Employer (the “Future Pension Accruals”). The Sign-On RSUs shall be comprised of (A) an award of performance-based RSUs with a grant date fair value equal to $8,000,000, which shall vest in three equal annual installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date, subject to

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the Executive’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date, and also subject to the Executive having a leadership team of “executive officers” (as such term is defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in place and presenting in good faith a preliminary five-year business plan to the Board, in each case prior to the first anniversary of the Commencement Date, and (B) an award of time-based RSUs with a grant date fair value equal to Forfeited Amount less $8,000,000, which shall vest in three equal annual installments on the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, subject to the Executive’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date (the “Second Make Up Grant”). The Sign-On RSUs shall be issued under the 2014 LTIP and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the 2014 LTIP and the award agreements evidencing the grant of such Sign-On RSUs, which award agreements shall be substantially in the forms of agreements attached hereto as Exhibits F and G .

Within fifteen (15) days following the date hereof, the Executive shall provide the Company with documentation from the Prior Employer that indicates the amount of the Prior Cash Awards and the Prior Equity Awards (collectively, the “Prior Awards”), and the amount of the Future Pension Accruals, that will be forfeited upon the Executive’s termination of employment from the Prior Employer and the amount of the Prior Awards and Future Pension Accruals that will not be forfeited upon such termination of

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employment. The Forfeited Amount shall be equal to the forfeited target value of the Prior Awards as of the date of the Executive’s termination of employment with the Prior Employer plus the value of the Future Pension Accruals as of such date, calculated using the methodology provided by the Executive to the Company heretofore but determined as of the date of the Executive’s termination of employment with the Prior Employer.

If, following the payment of the Signing Bonus or the grant of the Sign-On RSUs, the Executive learns that a portion of the Prior Awards or the Future Pension Accruals was not forfeited upon his termination of employment from the Prior Employer, and the Executive had not previously informed the Company that such portion was not forfeited, then he agrees to notify the Company in writing within ten (10) days of learning that such portion was not forfeited, and such notification shall indicate the amount of the Prior Awards or the Future Pension Accruals, as applicable, that was not forfeited. Furthermore, notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive notifies the Company pursuant to the preceding sentence that a portion of the Prior Awards or the Future Pension Accruals was not forfeited, then the Executive shall immediately forfeit a portion of any unvested Sign-On RSUs if so determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, with the forfeiture first coming from the Second Make Up Grant pro rata. The aggregate value of any amounts so forfeited by the Executive pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be equal to the target value of such portion of the Prior Awards or the value of such portion of the Future Pension Accruals, as applicable, that was not forfeited, based, in the case of the Prior Awards, upon the stock price of the Prior Employer on the date of the Executive’s termination of employment from the Prior Employer. The Executive agrees that the provisions of this

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paragraph supplement the provisions of the 2014 LTIP and the award agreements evidencing the grant of the Sign-On RSUs.
(e) Inducement Equity Award . As soon as practicable after the Commencement Date, the Executive shall be granted an award of time-based SARs with a grant date fair value equal to $3,000,000. The SARs shall have a seven-year term and shall vest in three equal annual installments on the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant date, subject to the Executive’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date. The SARs shall be issued under the 2014 LTIP and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the 2014 LTIP and the award agreement evidencing the grant of such SARs, which award agreement shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H .
(f) Incentive Compensation Clawback . Any compensation provided by the Company to the Executive, excepting only compensation pursuant to Section 3(a), (d) and (e) above (except as required by law), shall be subject to the Company’s Incentive Compensation Clawback Policy as such policy shall be adopted, and from time to time amended, by the Board or the Compensation Committee.
(g) Benefit Plans . During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all retirement and employment benefit plans and programs of the Company that are generally available to senior executives of the Company. Such participation shall be pursuant to the terms and conditions of such plans and programs, as the same shall be amended from time to time, provided that no such plan or program shall require compliance with, or forfeiture based upon, restrictive covenants broader than those stated herein. The Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation annually. The Executive

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shall be entitled to receive relocation benefits consistent with the Company’s policy in effect from time to time with adjustments as approved by a representative of the Compensation Committee.
(h) Business Expenses . During the Employment Term, the Company shall, in accordance with policies then in effect with respect to payments of business expenses, pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out-of­pocket travel and other expenses (other than ordinary commuting expenses) incurred by the Executive in performing services hereunder; provided, however, that, with respect to reimbursements, if any, not otherwise excludible from the Executive’s gross income, to the extent required to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), no reimbursement of expenses incurred by the Executive during any taxable year shall be made after the last day of the following taxable year, the right to reimbursement of such expenses shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit and the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in one year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other year. All such expenses shall be accounted for in such reasonable detail as the Company may require.

4.     Termination of Employment .
(a)     Death . In the event of the death of the Executive during the Employment Term, the Executive’s employment shall be automatically terminated as of the date of death and a lump sum amount, equivalent to the Executive’s annual Base Salary and Target Bonus Amount then in effect, shall be paid, within 60 days after the date of the Executive’s death, to the Executive’s designated beneficiary, or to the Executive’s estate or other legal representative if no beneficiary was designated at the time of the

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Executive’s death. The foregoing benefit will be provided in addition to any death, disability or other benefits provided under the Company’s benefit plans and programs in which the Executive was participating at the time of his death. Subject to the last paragraph of Section 3(d), in the event of the death of the Executive during the Employment Term, the Sign-On RSUs shall become fully vested as of the Executive’s date of termination and each tranche of the SARs granted to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(e) shall vest on a pro rata basis, based on the number of days on which the Executive was employed by the Company during the applicable vesting period for such tranche (i.e., one-third of the SARs shall be pro-rated over a three-year period, one-third of the SARs shall be pro-rated over a four-year period, and one-third of the SARs shall be pro-rated over a five-year period). The SARs that vest pursuant to the preceding sentence may be exercised by the Executive’s estate until the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the date of the Executive’s death and (ii) the original expiration date of the SARs. Any long-term incentive awards granted to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(c) hereof shall be treated in the manner set forth in the 2014 LTIP and the applicable award agreements. Except in accordance with the terms of the Company’s benefit programs and other plans and programs then in effect, after the date of Executive’s death, Executive shall not be entitled to any other compensation or benefits from the Company or hereunder.
(b)     Disability . In the event of the Executive’s Disability as hereinafter defined, the employment of the Executive may be terminated by the Company, effective upon the date on which the Company determines that the Executive has a Disability (the “Disability Termination Date”) by written Notice of Termination given while the Executive is Disabled. In such event, the Company shall pay the

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Executive an amount equivalent to thirty percent (30%) of the Executive’s Base Salary for a one year period, which amount shall be paid in one lump sum within 60 days following the Executive’s “separation from service,” as that term is defined in Section 409A of the Code and regulations promulgated thereunder, from the Company (his “Separation From Service”), provided that the Executive or an individual duly authorized to execute legal documents on the Executive’s behalf executes and does not revoke within any applicable revocation period the release described in Section 4(k)(ii). The foregoing benefit will be provided in addition to any disability or other benefits provided under the Company’s benefit plans in which the Executive participates. The purpose and intent of the preceding three sentences is to ensure that the Executive receives a combination of insurance benefits and Company payments following the Disability Termination Date equal to 100% of his then-applicable Base Salary for such one-year period. In the event that Executive does not elect to participate in the Company’s long-term and/or short-term disability insurance benefit plans, the Company shall not be obligated to pay the Executive any amount in excess of thirty percent (30%) of the Executive’s Base Salary. Subject to the last paragraph of Section 3(d), in the event of the Disability of the Executive during the Employment Term, the Sign-On RSUs shall become fully vested as of the Executive’s date of termination and each tranche of the SARs granted to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(e) shall vest on a pro rata basis, based on the number of days on which the Executive was employed by the Company during the applicable vesting period for such tranche (i.e., one-third of the SARs shall be pro-rated over a three-year period, one-third of the SARs shall be pro-rated over a four-year period, and one-third of the SARs shall be pro-rated over a five-year period). The SARs that vest pursuant to the preceding sentence may be exercised by the Executive or the Executive’s legal guardian or representative (or, if the Executive dies after his termination of employment, his estate) until the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the Disability Termination Date and (ii) the original expiration date of the SARs. Any long-term incentive awards granted to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(c) hereof shall be treated in the manner set forth in the 2014 LTIP and the applicable award agreements. The Company shall also pay to the Executive a lump sum amount equivalent to the

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Executive’s Target Bonus Amount then in effect, which amount shall be paid in one lump sum within 60 days following the Executive’s Separation from Service, provided that the Executive or an individual duly authorized to execute legal documents on the Executive’s behalf executes and does not revoke within any applicable revocation period the release described in Section 4(k)(ii). Otherwise, after the Disability Termination Date, except in accordance with the Company’s benefit programs and other plans then in effect, the Executive shall not be entitled to any compensation or benefits from the Company or hereunder.

“Disability,” for purposes of this Agreement, shall mean the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness having caused the Executive’s complete and full­time absence from the Executive’s duties, as defined in Section 2, for either a consecutive period of more than six months or at least 180 days within any 270­day period.
(c)     Termination by the Company for Due Cause . Nothing herein shall prevent the Company from terminating the Executive’s employment at any time for “Due Cause” (as hereinafter defined). The Executive shall continue to receive the Base Salary provided for in this Agreement only through the period ending with the date of such termination. Any rights and benefits the Executive may have under employee benefit plans and programs of the Company shall be determined in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs. Except as provided in the two immediately preceding sentences, after termination of employment for Due Cause, the Executive shall not be entitled to any compensation or benefits from the Company or hereunder.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Due Cause” shall mean:

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(i) a material breach by the Executive of the Executive’s duties and obligations under this Agreement or violation in any material respect of the code or standard of conduct generally applicable to the officers of the Company, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, which, if curable, has not been cured by the Executive within 15 business days after the Executive’s receipt of notice to the Executive specifying the nature of such breach or violations;
(ii) a material violation by the Executive of the Executive’s Loyalty Obligations as provided in Section 19;
(iii) the commission by the Executive or indictment for a crime of moral turpitude or a felony involving fraud, breach of trust, or misappropriation;
(iv) the Executive’s willfully engaging in bad faith conduct that is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise; or
(v) a determination by the Company that the Executive is in violation of the Company’s Substance Abuse Policy.
(d)     Termination by the Company Other than for Due Cause, Death or Disability . The foregoing notwithstanding, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for any or no reason, as it may deem appropriate in its sole discretion and judgment; provided , however , that in the event such termination is not due to Death, Disability or Due Cause, the Executive shall (i) be entitled to a Termination Payment as hereinafter defined and (ii) be sent written notice stating the termination is not

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due to Death, Disability or Due Cause. In the event of such termination by the Company, the Executive shall receive certain payments and benefits as set forth in this Subsection 4(d).
(i)     Termination Payment . If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for other than Death, Disability or Due Cause, the term “Termination Payment” shall mean a cash payment equal to the sum of:
(A) an amount equal to one and one half times (1.5x) the Executive’s annual Base Salary, as in effect immediately prior to such termination (unless the termination is in connection with an action that would have enabled the Executive to terminate his employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 4(e)(i)(A), in which case, it shall be the Base Salary in effect prior to any such material diminution of the Base Salary) (the “Termination Salary Payment”), and
(B) an amount equal to one and one half times (1.5x) the average value of the annual bonuses pursuant to Section 3(b) paid to the Executive for the three completed fiscal years immediately prior to the date of such termination; provided, however, that if the Executive has been employed by the Company for fewer than three completed fiscal years prior to the date of such termination, the Executive shall receive an amount equal to one and one half times (1.5x) the average value of the annual bonuses pursuant to Section 3(b) that the Executive has received during the period of the Executive’s employment; provided, further, that if the date of such termination occurs during fiscal year 2016, the Executive shall receive an amount equal to one and one half times (1.5x) his Target Bonus Amount (the “Termination Bonus Payment”).

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(ii)     Pro-Rata Annual Bonus . The Company shall pay to the Executive an annual bonus for the fiscal year of termination, based on actual full-year performance, pro-rated to reflect the time of service for such fiscal year through the Executive’s date of termination, payable at the time the Company pays bonuses to other senior executives of the Company.
(iii)     Outplacement Services . The Company shall make outplacement services available to the Executive, at a cost to the Company not to exceed $12,000, for a period of time not to exceed 12 months following the date of termination pursuant to the Company’s executive outplacement program with the Company’s selected vendor, to include consulting, search support and administrative services.
(iv)     Medical Coverage . In addition, the Company shall provide the Executive with medical, dental and vision insurance benefits (which may also cover, if applicable the Executive’s spouse and eligible dependents) for eighteen (18) months from the date of the Executive’s termination of employment or until such time as the Executive is eligible for group health coverage under another employer’s plan, whichever occurs first. In order to trigger the Company’s obligation to provide health care continuation benefits, the Executive must elect continuation coverage pursuant to the Consolidation Omnibus Budget Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”) upon such eligibility. The Company’s obligation shall be satisfied solely through the payment of the Executive’s COBRA premiums during the 18-month period, but only to the extent that such premiums exceed the amount that would otherwise have been payable by the Executive for coverage of the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents that were covered by the Company’s medical, dental, and vision insurance programs at the time of the Executive’s termination of employment had the Executive continued to be employed by the Company. Such payment shall be treated as taxable income to the Executive.

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(v)     Other . Subject to the last paragraph of Section 3(d), if the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for other than Death, Disability or Due Cause, the Sign-On RSUs shall become fully vested as of the Executive’s date of termination and each tranche of the SARs granted to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(e) shall vest on a pro rata basis, based on the number of days on which the Executive was employed by the Company during the applicable vesting period for such tranche (i.e., one-third of the SARs shall be pro-rated over a three-year period, one-third of the SARs shall be pro-rated over a four-year period, and one-third of the SARs shall be pro-rated over a five-year period). The SARs that vest pursuant to the preceding sentence may be exercised by the Executive (or, if the Executive dies after his termination of employment, his estate) until the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the Executive’s date of termination and (ii) the original expiration date of the SARs. Any long-term incentive awards granted to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(c) hereof shall be treated in the manner set forth in the 2014 LTIP and the applicable award agreements.
(vi) Timing of Payments . The Termination Salary Payment and the Termination Bonus Payment shall be paid in one lump sum within 60 days following the date of the Executive’s Separation From Service, provided that the Executive executes and does not revoke within any applicable revocation period the release described in Section 4(k)(ii) below.

17




(vii) Entire Obligation . Except as provided in Subsection 4(j) of this Agreement, following the Executive’s termination of employment under this Subsection 4(d), the Executive will have no further obligation to the Company pursuant to this Agreement (other than under Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 19 and 21). Except for the Termination Payment and as otherwise provided in accordance with the terms of the Company’s benefit programs and plans then in effect or as expressly required under applicable law, after termination by the Company of employment for other than Death, Disability or Due Cause, the Executive shall not be entitled to any other compensation or benefits from the Company or hereunder.

(e)     Resignation from Employment by the Company for Good Reason . Termination by the Company without Due Cause under Subsection 4(d) shall be deemed to have occurred if the Executive elects to terminate the Executive’s employment for Good Reason.
(i)     Good Reason . For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean any of the following without the Executive’s prior written consent:
(A) a material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus Amount;
(B) a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities;
(C) the Executive no longer reports directly to the Board;
(D) the Company’s requiring the Executive to be based more than 60 miles from the Company’s offices in Raleigh, NC; or

18




(E) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the terms of this Agreement, including but not limited to, the failure of the Nominating Committee of the Board to re-nominate the Executive to the Board.
(ii)     Notice of Good Reason Condition . In order to be considered a resignation for Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement, the Executive must provide the Company with written notice and description of the existence of the Good Reason condition within 60 days of the initial discovery by the Executive of the existence of said Good Reason condition and the Company shall have 30 business days to cure such Good Reason condition.
(iii)     Effective Date of Resignation . The effective date of the Executive’s resignation for Good Reason must occur no longer than six (6) months following the expiration of the cure period set forth in Section 4(e)(ii) above. If the Executive has not resigned for Good Reason effective within six (6) months following the expiration of the cure period set forth in Section 4(e)(ii) above, the Executive shall be deemed to have waived said Good Reason condition.

(f)     Termination by the Company Other Than For Due Cause, Death or Disability or Resignation from Employment for Good Reason Within Three Months Prior To, At or Within Twelve Months After a Change In Control . If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for other than Death, Disability or Due Cause and within three (3) months prior to the consummation of a Change In Control (as defined below) in contemplation of the Change In Control or at or within twelve (12) months after the consummation of a Change In Control, or if the Executive elects to terminate the

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Executive’s employment for Good Reason prior to the expiration of the Employment Term and within three (3) months prior to the consummation of a Change In Control in contemplation of the Change In Control or at or within twelve (12) months after the consummation of a Change In Control, then (i) the Executive shall be entitled to a Change In Control Termination Payment as hereinafter defined in lieu of the Termination Payment set forth in Subsection 4(d)(i) above, (ii) the Executive shall receive benefits as defined in Subsections 4(d)(ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above, and (iii) either the Company or the Executive, as the case may be, shall provide Notice of Termination pursuant to Subsection 4(k) other than in the case of a Non-Renewal, which shall be communicated in accordance with Section 1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any excess amounts subject to Section 409A of the Code as nonqualified deferred compensation shall not be provided to the Executive in the event that the Change In Control does not satisfy the requirements of a “change of control” event for purposes of Section 409A of the Code (i) if the amounts under this section exceed the amounts under Section 4(d)(i) above and termination is prior to a Change In Control and (ii) if the amounts under this Section are less than the amounts under Section 4(d)(i) and the termination is prior to the Change In Control, this Section shall not apply to such amounts.
(i)     Change In Control Termination Payment . The term “Change In Control Termination Payment” shall mean a cash payment equal to the sum of:
(A)    an amount equal to two times the Executive’s annual Base Salary, as in effect immediately prior to such termination (unless the termination is due to Section 4(e)(i)(A), in which case, it shall be the Base Salary in effect prior to any such material diminution of the Base Salary) (the “Change In Control Termination Salary Payment”), and

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(B)    an amount equal to two times the Executive’s Target Bonus Amount, as in effect immediately prior to such termination (unless the termination is due to Sections 4(e)(i)(A), in which case, it shall be the Target Bonus in effect prior to any such material diminution of the Target Bonus or termination of the bonus plan, respectively) (the “Change In Control Termination Bonus Payment”).
(ii)     Timing of Payments . The Change In Control Termination Salary Payment and the Change In Control Termination Bonus Payment shall be paid in lump sum payments within 60 days following the date of the Executive’s Separation From Service, provided that the Executive executes and does not revoke within any applicable revocation period the release described in Section 4(k)(ii) below.
(iii)     Entire Obligation . Except as provided in Subsection 4(j) of this Agreement, following the Executive’s termination of employment under this Subsection 4(f), the Executive will have no further obligation to the Company pursuant to this Agreement (other than under Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 19 and 21). Except for the Change In Control Termination Payment and as otherwise provided in accordance with the terms of the Company’s benefit programs and plans then in effect or as expressly required under applicable law, within twelve (12) months after a Change In Control, after termination by the Company of employment for other than Death, Disability or Due Cause or after termination by the Executive for Good Reason, the Executive shall not be entitled to any other compensation or benefits from the Company or hereunder.

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(iv)     Change In Control . For purposes of this Agreement, “Change In Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:
(A) a Transaction, as defined below, unless securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the survivor’s or acquiror’s outstanding securities (or the securities of any parent thereof) are held by a person or persons who held securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities immediately prior to that transaction, or
(B) any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect from time to time) directly or indirectly becomes, including but not limited to by means of a merger or consolidation, the beneficial owner (determined pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the said Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities, other than (i) the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or (iv) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities.

For purposes of Section 4(f)(iv)(A), “Transaction” means (1) consummation of any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which the Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or other property or is cancelled, (2) any sale or exchange of all of the Stock of the Company for cash, securities or other property, (3) any sale, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the

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Company’s assets to one or more other persons in a single transaction or series of related transactions or (4) any liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(v)     IRC 280G “Net­Best” . Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that (A) any payment, award, benefit or distribution (or any acceleration of any payment, award, benefit or distribution) by the Company (or any of its affiliated entities) or any entity which effectuates a Change In Control (or any of its affiliated entities) to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise) (the “Payments”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), and (B) the reduction of the amounts payable to the Executive to the maximum amount that could be paid to the Executive without giving rise to the Excise Tax (the “Safe Harbor Cap”) would provide the Executive with a greater after tax amount than if such amounts were not reduced, then the amounts payable to the Executive shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the Safe Harbor Cap. If the reduction of the amounts payable would not result in a greater after tax result to the Executive, no amounts payable under this Agreement shall be reduced pursuant to this provision.
(A)     Reduction of Payments . To the extent permitted by applicable law, and not a violation of Sections 280G, 409A or 4999 of the Code, the Executive shall be entitled to elect the order in which payments will be reduced. If the Executive electing the order in which payments will be reduced would result in violation of Code Section 409A or loss of the benefit of reduction under Code Sections 280G or 4999, payments shall be reduced in the following order: (i) severance payment based on multiple of Base Salary and/or annual bonus; (ii) other cash payments; (iii) acceleration of vesting of stock options with an exercise price that exceeds the then fair market value of stock subject to the option, provided such options are not permitted to be valued under Treasury Regulations Section 1.280G-1 Q/A - 24(c); (iv) any equity awards accelerated or otherwise valued at full value,

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provided such equity awards are not permitted to be valued under Treasury Regulations Section 1.280G-1 Q/A - 24(c); (v) acceleration of vesting of stock options with an exercise price that exceeds the then fair market value of stock subject to the option, provided such options are permitted to be valued under Treasury Regulations Section 1.280G-1 Q/A - 24(c); (vi) acceleration of vesting of all other stock options and equity awards; and (vii) within any category, reductions shall be from the last due payment to the first.
(B)     Determinations by Accounting Firm . All determinations required to be made under this Section 4(f)(v) shall be made by the public accounting firm that is retained by the Company as of the date immediately prior to the Change In Control (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from the Company or the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event (A) the Board shall determine prior to the Change In Control that the Accounting Firm is precluded from performing such services under applicable auditor independence rules or (B) the Audit Committee of the Board determines that it does not want the Accounting Firm to perform such services because of auditor independence concerns or (C) the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the person(s) effecting the Change In Control, the Board shall appoint another nationally recognized public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Executive to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees, costs

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and expenses (including, but not limited to, the costs of retaining experts) of the Accounting Firm shall be borne by the Company. If Payments are reduced to the Safe Harbor Cap or the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive without a reduction in Payments, the Accounting Firm shall provide a written opinion to the Executive to the effect that the Executive is not required to report any Excise Tax on the Executive’s federal income tax return, and that the failure to report the Excise Tax, if any, on the Executive’s applicable federal income tax return will not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. The determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive (except as provided in Section 4(f)(v)(C) below).
(C)     Excess Payment/Underpayment . If it is established pursuant to a final determination of a court or an Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) proceeding which has been finally and conclusively resolved, that Payments have been made to, or provided for the benefit of, the Executive, which are in excess of the limitations provided in this Section (referred to hereinafter as an “Excess Payment”), the Executive shall repay the Excess Payment to the Company on demand, together with interest on the Excess Payment at the

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applicable federal rate (as defined in Section 1274(d) of the Code) from the date of the Executive’s receipt of such Excess Payment until the date of such repayment. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the determination, it is possible that Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (an “Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made under this Section. In the event that it is determined (i) by the Accounting Firm, the Company (which shall include the position taken by the Company, or together with its consolidated group, on its federal income tax return) or the IRS or (ii) pursuant to a determination by a court, that an Underpayment has occurred, the Company shall pay an amount equal to such Underpayment to the Executive within ten (10) days of such determination together with interest on such amount at the applicable federal rate from the date such amount would have been paid to the Executive until the date of payment. The Executive shall cooperate, to the extent the Executive’s reasonable expenses are reimbursed by the Company, with any reasonable requests by the Company in connection with any contests or disputes with the IRS in connection with the Excise Tax or the determination of the Excess Payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that amounts payable under this Agreement were reduced pursuant to Section 4(f)(v)(A) and the value of stock options is subsequently re-determined by the Accounting Firm (as defined below) within the context of Treasury Regulation §1.280G‑1 Q/A 33 that reduces the value of the Payments attributable to such options, the Company shall promptly pay to the

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Executive any amounts payable under this Agreement that were not previously paid solely as a result of Section 4(f)(v)(A) up to the Safe Harbor Cap.
(g)     Voluntary Termination Without Good Reason . In the event that the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment at the Executive’s own volition prior to the expiration of the Employment Term (except as provided in Subsection 4(e) above), such termination shall constitute a “Voluntary Termination” and in such event the Executive shall be limited to the same rights and benefits as provided in connection with a termination for Due Cause under Subsection 4(c) above.
(h)     Non-Renewal of Employment Term by the Executive . If the Executive’s employment terminates as a result of the Non-Renewal of the Employment Term by the Executive, then the Executive shall be limited to the same rights and benefits as provided in connection with a termination for Due Cause under Subsection 4(c) above.
(i)     Compliance With Code Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement is intended to be interpreted and operated so that the payment of the benefits set forth herein shall either be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or shall comply with the requirements of such provision. To the extent that any amount payable pursuant to Subsections 4(b), (d)(i), (d)(iii) or (f) constitutes a “deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A (a “409A Payment”), then, if on the date of the Executive’s “separation from service,” as such term is defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A­1(h)(1), from the Company (his “Separation from Service”), the Executive is a “specified employee,” as such term is defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409‑1(i), as determined from time to time by the Company, then such 409A Payment shall not be made to the Executive earlier than the earlier of (i) six (6) months after the Executive’s Separation from Service; or (ii) the date of his death. The 409A Payments under this Agreement that would otherwise be made during such period shall be aggregated and paid in one lump sum, without interest, on the first business day following the end of the six (6) month period or following the date of the Executive’s death, whichever is earlier, and the balance of the 409A Payments, if any, shall be paid in accordance with the applicable payment schedule provided in this Section 4. To the

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extent any 409A Payment is conditioned on the Executive (or his legal representative) executing a release of claims, which 409A Payment would be made in a later taxable year of the Executive than the taxable year in which his Separation from Service occurs if such release were executed and delivered and became irrevocable at the last possible date allowed under this Agreement, such 409A Payment will be paid no earlier than such later taxable year. In applying Section 409A to compensation paid pursuant to this Agreement, any right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. The Executive hereby acknowledges that he has been advised to seek and has sought the advice of a tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences to the Executive of all payments pursuant to this Agreement, including any adverse tax consequences or penalty taxes under Code Section 409A and applicable State tax law, and that the tax laws make the Executive and not the Company responsible for penalties and interest that may be imposed in the event Code Section 409A is violated.
(j)     Cooperation . During the term of the Executive’s employment by the Company and for a period of one (1) year immediately following the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive agrees to reasonably assist the Company and its representatives and agents with any business and/or litigation (or potential litigation) matters affecting or involving the Company relating

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to the Executive’s period of employment. The Company will reimburse the Executive for all associated reasonable costs of travel.
(k)     Notice of Termination, Resignation and Release . Any termination under Subsection 4(b) by the Company for Disability or Subsection 4(c) for Due Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason under Subsection 4(e) or by the Company or the Executive within twelve (12) months after a Change In Control under Subsection 4(f) or by the Executive by Voluntary Termination under Subsection 4(g) shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party thereto given in accordance with Section 10.
(i)     Notice of Termination . 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) 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 termination date is other than the date of receipt of such Notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall not be prior to the date of such notice or more than 15 days after the giving of such Notice).
(ii)     Resignation and Release . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, unless the Company provides otherwise, upon termination of employment for any reason, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned as a member of the Board, if applicable, and as an officer, director, manager and employee of the Company and its Related Entities and shall execute any documents and take any actions to effect the foregoing as requested by the Company. In order to be eligible to receive any payments or benefits hereunder as a result of the termination of the

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Executive’s employment, in addition to fulfilling all other conditions precedent to such receipt, the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative must within 21 days (or such other period as required under applicable law) after presentation of a release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C , execute said release, and within 7 days (or such other period as required under applicable law) after such execution not revoke said release. For clarification, unless and until the Executive executes and does not, within any applicable revocation period, revoke the release and the release becomes effective in accordance with its terms, the Company shall have no obligation to make any Termination Payment or Change In Control Termination Payment, as applicable, to the Executive, and, even if the Executive does not execute the release, the Executive shall be bound by the post­termination provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation Section 19.
(l)     Earned and Accrued Payments . The foregoing notwithstanding, upon the termination of the Executive’s employment at any time, for any reason, the Executive shall be paid all amounts that had already been earned and accrued as of the time of termination, including but not limited to (i) pay for unused vacation accrued in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy; (ii) in the case of death, Disability, without Cause or Good Reason terminations, any bonus that has not yet been paid with respect to the fiscal year ended prior to the fiscal year in which the Executive is terminated; and (iii) reimbursement for any business expenses accrued in accordance with Subsection 3(h).
(m)     Employment at Will . The Executive hereby agrees that the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment under this Section 4 without regard to: (i) any general or specific policies

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(written or oral) of the Company relating to the employment or termination of employment of its employees; (ii) any statements made to the Executive, whether oral or in any document, pertaining to the Executive’s relationship with the Company; or (iii) without a determination of Due Cause by the Company.

5.     Treatment of Equity Awards Upon Change In Control . In the event of a Change In Control as defined hereinabove, the restrictions and deferral limitations applicable to any equity awards granted to the Executive shall be subject to such provisions regarding vesting and transferability in those circumstances as are set forth in the applicable award agreement or grant.

6.     Successors and Assigns .
(a)     Assignment by the Company . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company or any corporation or other entity to which the Company may transfer all or substantially all of its assets and business and to which the Company may assign this Agreement, in which case the term “Company,” as used herein, shall mean such corporation or other entity, provided that no such assignment shall relieve the Company from any obligations hereunder, whether arising prior to or after such assignment.
(b)     Assignment by the Executive . The Executive may not assign this Agreement or any part hereof without the prior written consent of the Company; provided, however, that nothing herein shall preclude the Executive from designating one or more beneficiaries to receive any amount that may be payable following occurrence of the Executive’s legal incompetency or death and shall not preclude the legal representative of the Executive’s estate from assigning any right hereunder to the person or persons entitled thereto under the Executive’s will or, in the case of intestacy, to the person or persons entitled thereto under the laws of intestacy applicable to the Executive’s estate. The term “beneficiaries,” as used in this Agreement, shall mean a beneficiary or beneficiaries so designated to receive any such amount or,

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if no beneficiary has been so designated, the legal representative of the Executive (in the event of Executive’s incompetency) or the Executive’s estate.

7.     Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

8.     Entire Agreement . This Agreement, which shall include the Exhibits hereto, contains all of the understandings and representations between the parties hereto pertaining to the matters referred to herein, and supersedes all undertakings and agreements, whether oral or in writing, previously entered into by them with respect thereto, including, without limitation, any previous employment, severance or separation agreements, provided that the obligations set forth in Section 19 of this Agreement are in addition to any similar obligations the Executive has to the Company or its affiliates. This Agreement may only be modified by an instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto.

9.     Waiver of Breach . The waiver by any party of a breach of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall not operate or be construed to be a waiver of a similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time.

10.     Notices . Any notice to be given hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, or sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed to the party concerned at the address indicated below or to such other address as such party may subsequently give notice of hereunder in writing:

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If to the Company :

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
5008 Airport Road
Roanoke, VA 24012
Attn: Executive Vice President, Human Resources, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

With a copy to :

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
5008 Airport Road
Roanoke, VA 24012
Attn: Chief Financial Officer

If to the Executive :
To the last address in the Company’s records.
11.     Arbitration . Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or any breach thereof, excepting only the enforcement of any Loyalty Obligations arising under Section 19 of this Agreement, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect in the State of Delaware and judgment upon such award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The board of arbitrators shall consist of one arbitrator to be appointed by the Company, one by the Executive, and one by the two arbitrators so chosen. The arbitration shall be held at such place as may be agreed at the time by the parties to the arbitration. The cost of arbitration shall be borne as determined by the arbitrators. For clarity, each party shall bear its or his own legal fees.

12.     Withholding . Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, all payments required to be made by the Company hereunder to the Executive or the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts relating to taxes as the Company may reasonably determine it should

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withhold pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. In lieu of withholding such amounts, in whole or in part, the Company may, in its sole discretion, accept other provisions for payment of taxes and withholdings as required by law, provided it is satisfied that all requirements of law affecting its responsibilities to withhold have been satisfied.

13.     Severability . In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions or portions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

14.     Titles . Titles to the sections and subsections in this Agreement are intended solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the title of any section or subsection.

15.     Legal Fees . The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Executive’s legal counsel in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement up to a maximum amount of $50,000.

16.     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

17.     Amendment . Except as provided in Section 13 above, this Agreement may not be modified or amended except by written instrument signed by all parties hereto.

18.     Counsel . This Agreement has been prepared by the Company with the assistance of Hogan Lovells US LLP, as counsel to the Company (“Counsel”), after full disclosure of its representation of the Company and with the consent and direction of the Company and the Executive. The Executive has

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reviewed the contents of this Agreement and fully understands its terms. The Executive acknowledges that the Executive is fully aware of the Executive’s right to the advice of counsel independent from that of the Company, that Counsel has advised him of such right and disclosed to him the risks in not seeking such independent advice, and that the Executive fully understands the potentially adverse interests of the parties with respect to this Agreement. The Executive further acknowledges that neither the Company nor its Counsel has made representations or given any advice with respect to the tax or other consequences of this Agreement or any transactions contemplated by this Agreement to him, that the Executive has been advised of the importance of seeking independent counsel with respect to such consequences. By executing this Agreement, the Executive represents that the Executive has, after being advised of the potential conflicts between him and the Company with respect to the future consequences of this Agreement, either consulted independent legal counsel or elected, notwithstanding the advisability of seeking such independent legal counsel, not to consult with such independent legal counsel.

19.     Loyalty Obligations . The Executive agrees that the following obligations (“Loyalty Obligations”) shall apply in consideration of the Executive’s employment by or continued employment with the Company:
(a)     Confidential Information .
(i)     Company Information . The Executive agrees at all times during the term of the Executive’s employment and thereafter, to hold any Confidential Information of the Company or any of its Related Entities in strictest confidence, and not to use (except, during the Executive’s employment with the Company, for the benefit of the Company to fulfill the Executive’s

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employment obligations) or to disclose (except for the benefit of the Company to fulfill the Executive’s employment obligations) to any person, firm or corporation other than the Company or those designated by it said Confidential Information without the prior authorization of the Company, except as may otherwise be required by law or legal process. The Executive agrees that “Confidential Information” means any proprietary information prepared or maintained in any format, including technical data, trade secrets or know­how in which the Company or any of its Related Entities have an interest, including, but not limited to, business records, contracts, research, product or service plans, products, services, customer lists and customers (including, but not limited to, vendors to the Company or any of its Related Entities on whom the Executive called, with whom the Executive dealt or with whom the Executive became acquainted during the term of the Executive’s employment), pricing data, costs, markets, expansion plans, summaries, marketing and other business strategies, software, developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering, hardware configuration or marketing, financial or other business information obtained by the Executive or disclosed to the Executive by the Company or any of its Related Entities or any other person or entity during the term of the Executive’s employment with the Company either directly or indirectly electronically, in writing, orally, by drawings, by observation of services, systems or other aspects of the business of the Company or any of its Related Entities or otherwise. Confidential Information does not include information that: (A) was available to the public prior to the time of disclosure, whether through

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press releases, SEC filings or otherwise or (B) otherwise becomes available to the public through no act or omission of the Executive.
(ii)     Third Party Information . The Executive recognizes that the Company and its Related Entities have received and in the future will receive from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on the part of the Company or its Related Entities to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. The Executive agrees at all times during the Executive’s employment and thereafter to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person, firm or corporation or to use it except as (x) necessary in carrying out the Executive’s work for the Company consistent with the obligations of the Company or its Related Entities with such third party or (y) required pursuant to a court order, subpoena or other judicial process.
(b)     Conflicting Employment . Except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, the Executive agrees that, during the term of the Executive’s employment with the Company, (i) the Executive will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity directly related to the business in which the Company or any of its Related Entities are now involved or become involved during the term of the Executive’s employment, (ii) the Executive will not engage in any other activities that conflict with the business of the Company or any of its Related Entities and (iii) the Executive agrees to devote such time as may be necessary to fulfill the Executive’s obligations to the Company.

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(c)     Returning Company Property . The Executive agrees that any and all devices, records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment, other documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned items developed by the Executive or others pursuant to or during the Executive’s employment with the Company or otherwise shall be the property of the Company or its Related Entities and their respective successors or assigns. At the time of leaving the employ of the Company, the Executive will deliver all material Company property to the Company or to the Company’s designee and will not keep in the Executive’s possession, recreate or deliver to anyone else said property. In the event of the termination of the Executive’s employment and upon request by the Company, the Executive agrees to sign and deliver the “Termination Certification” attached hereto as Exhibit A . Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, nothing in this Section 19(c) shall prevent the Executive from retaining a home computer, papers and other materials of a personal nature, including diaries, calendars and Rolodexes (including his electronic address books), information relating to his compensation or relating to reimbursement of expenses, information that he reasonably believes may be needed for tax purposes, and copies of plans, programs and agreements relating to his employment. In addition, to the extent the Company has any interest in the Executive’s cell phone number, the Company shall cooperate with the Executive to transfer it to him.
(d)     Notification of New Employer . In the event that the Executive leaves the employ of the Company, the Executive hereby grants consent to notification by the Company to the Executive’s new employer (whether the Executive is employed as an employee, consultant, independent contractor, director, partner, officer, advisor, executive, volunteer or manager) about the Executive’s Loyalty Obligations specified under this Agreement.

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(e)     Non­Interference . The Executive covenants and agrees that while the Executive is employed by the Company and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Executive shall not, without the prior written approval of the Company, directly or indirectly, either on behalf of the Executive or any other person or entity, Interfere with the Company or any of its Related Entities.
(i)    For purposes of this Agreement, “Interfere” shall mean, except in the performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities on behalf of and for the benefit of the Company, (A) to solicit, entice, persuade, induce, influence or attempt to influence, directly or indirectly, customers or prospective customers, suppliers or prospective suppliers, employees, agents or independent contractors of the Company or any of its Related Entities to restrict, reduce, sever or otherwise alter their relationship with the Company or any of its Related Entities, except in the normal course of commerce for any entity that does not violate Section 19(f) hereof, or (B) to hire on the Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, directly or indirectly, any current or former employee or independent contractor of the Company who at any time was supervised (1) directly by the Executive or (2) by another person who was supervised directly by the Executive, or (C) whether as a direct solicitor or provider of such services, or in a direct management or direct supervisory capacity over others who solicit or provide such services, to solicit or provide services that fall within the definition of Restricted Activities as defined in Subsection 19(f)(ii) below to any customer of the Company or any of its Related Entities. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company agrees that (i) the Executive’s responding to an unsolicited request for an employment reference regarding any former employee of the Company or any of its Related Entities from such former employee, or from a third party, by providing a reference setting forth his personal views about such former employee, or (ii) hiring or retaining any current or former employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Related

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Entities who responds to a general advertisement for employment that was not specifically directed at such employees or consultants of the Company or its Related Entities, shall not be deemed a violation of this Section 19(e).
(ii)    After termination of the Executive’s employment, this provision shall only apply to those current or former employees, independent contractors, customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its Related Entities who were such at any time within 12 months prior to the date of such termination.
(f)     Covenants Not to Compete .
(i)     Non­Competition . The Executive covenants and agrees that during the period from the date hereof until, one (1) year immediately following the termination, for any reason, of the Executive’s employment with the Company (the “Non­Compete Period”), the Executive will not, directly or indirectly:
(A)    own or hold, directly or beneficially (other than as a shareholder with less than 5% of the outstanding common stock of a publicly traded corporation or as a passive owner of less than 1% through an investment in a private equity or other commingled account), as a shareholder, option holder, warrant holder, partner, member or other equity or security owner or holder, equity or other securities of any company or business that derives more than 15% of its revenue from the Restricted Activities (as defined below)

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within the Restricted Area (as defined below), or any company or business controlling, controlled by or under common control with any company or business directly engaged in such Restricted Activities within the Restricted Area (any of the foregoing, a “Restricted Company”) or
(B)    engage or participate as an employee, director, officer, manager, executive, partner, independent contractor, consultant or technical or business advisor (or any foreign equivalents of the foregoing) with any Restricted Company in the Restricted Activities within the Restricted Area.
(ii)     Restricted Activities/Restricted Area . For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Restricted Activities” means (1) the retail, commercial and/or wholesale sale, rental, and/or distribution of parts, accessories, supplies (including, but not limited to, paint), equipment and/or maintenance items for automobiles, light and heavy duty trucks (both commercial and non-commercial), off-road equipment, buses, recreational vehicles, and/or agricultural equipment, and/or (2) the provision of any automotive-related service (including, but not limited to, shop management, inventory control, and/or vehicle repair software or marketing) to auto repair shops, garages, specialty-service providers (e.g. any business that specializes in automotive oil changes, painting, tires, mufflers, brakes, transmission, and/or body work) and/or service centers, including, but not limited to painting, collision or body service centers. The term “Restricted Area” means the United States of America, including its territories and possessions, and any other countries in

41



which the Company or any of its Related Entities has operations and a physical presence during the Employment Term.
(iii)     Association with Restricted Company . In the event that the Executive intends to associate (whether as an employee, consultant, independent contractor, officer, manager, advisor, partner, executive, volunteer or director) with any Restricted Company during the Non­Compete Period, the Executive must provide information in writing to the Company relating to the activities proposed to be engaged in by the Executive for such Restricted Company. All such current associations are set forth on Exhibit B to this Agreement. In the event that the Company consents in writing to the Executive’s engagement in such activity, the engaging in such activity by the Executive shall be conclusively deemed not to be a violation of this Subsection 19(f). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, such consent is not intended and shall not be deemed to be a waiver or nullification of the covenant of non­competition of the Executive or other similarly bound executives.
(g)     Non­Disparagement . The Executive agrees that while the Executive is employed by the Company and at all times following the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Executive will not take any action or make any statement which disparages the Company or its practices or which disrupts or impairs its normal operations, such that it causes a material adverse impact to the Company. During the Executive’s employment by the Company and at all times following the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, the senior executives and the directors of the Company will not take any action or make any statement which disparages the Executive. The foregoing shall not be violated by (i) truthful statements by the Executive or the senior

42



executives or directors of the Company in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings), (ii) the Executive or the senior executives or directors of the Company rebutting false or misleading statements made by others, (iii) actions taken by the Executive or the senior executives or directors of the Company, or statements made by the Executive or the senior executives or directors of the Company, in the good faith performance of their respective duties to the Company, or (iv) the Executive making normal competitive type statements in the good faith performance of his duties to a subsequent employer.
(h)     Effect of Non­Payment of Benefits; Clawback . The Executive’s post­termination of employment obligations under this Section 19 shall cease upon the Company’s failure to make any payments or benefits hereunder as a result of the termination of the Executive’s employment when due if within 15 days after written notice from the Executive to the Company of such failure, the Company does not make the required payment. In the event that the Executive materially violates Subsection 19(e) or 19(f), and does not cure such violation (if it can be cured) within five (5) days after written notice of such failure, the Executive agrees that calculation of the harm to the Company from such violation would be uncertain and not capable of being readily ascertained, and that as a reasonable estimation of the harm to the Company from such violation the Executive shall repay to the Company a portion of the Termination Payment paid to the Executive pursuant to Section 4(d)(i) or a portion of the Change In Control Termination Payment paid to the Executive pursuant to Section 4(f), as applicable, in each case equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days left in the applicable period under Subsection 19(e) or 19(f), and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the applicable period under such Section. In the event that the Executive materially violates Subsection 19(a), 19(c) or 19(g), and does not cure such violation (if it can be cured) within five (5) days after written notice from the Company to the Executive of such failure, the Executive agrees that calculation of the harm to the Company from such violation would be uncertain and not capable of being readily ascertained, and that as a reasonable

43



estimation of the harm to the Company from such violation the Executive shall repay to the Company a portion of the Termination Payment paid to the Executive pursuant to Section 4(d)(i) equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days left in the one (1) year period immediately following the termination and the denominator of which is 365; provided, that if the Executive’s employment was terminated pursuant to Section 4(f), then the Executive shall instead repay to the Company a portion of the Change In Control Termination Payment paid to the Executive pursuant to Section 4(f) equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days left in the two (2) year period immediately following the termination and the denominator of which is 730. The Executive further agrees that such repayment obligation shall constitute liquidated damages and that the Company shall have no other right to damages under this Agreement or at law with respect to breaches of Subsection 19(a), 19(c), 19(e), 19(f), or 19(g), but the Company shall have the right to seek equitable relief pursuant to Subsection 19(i) hereunder.
(i) Specific Enforcement; Remedies Cumulative; Attorney Fees . The Executive acknowledges that the Company and its Related Entities, as the case may be, will be irreparably injured if the provisions of Subsections 19(a), 19(b), 19(c), 19(e), 19(f) and 19(g) hereof are not specifically enforced and the Executive agrees that the terms of such provisions (including without limitation the periods set forth in Subsections 19(e), 19(f) and 19(g)) are reasonable and appropriate. If the Executive commits, or the Company has evidence based on which it reasonably believes the Executive threatens to commit, a material breach of any of the provisions of Subsections 19(a), 19(b), 19(c), 19(e), 19(f) or 19(g) hereof, the Company and/or its Related Entities, as the case may be, shall have the right and remedy, in addition to and not in limitation of any other remedy that may be available at law or in equity, to have the provisions of Subsections 19(a), 19(b), 19(c), 19(e), 19(f) or 19(g) hereof specifically enforced by any court having jurisdiction through immediate injunctive and other equitable relief, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach will cause irreparable injury to the Company and/or its Related Entities and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy therefore. Such

44



injunction shall be available without the posting of any bond or other security, and the Executive hereby consents to the issuance of such injunction.
(j) Re­Set of Period for Non­Competition and Non­Interference . In the event that a legal or equitable action is commenced with respect to any of the provisions of Subsections 19(e), 19(f) or 19(g) hereof and the Executive has not complied, in all material respects, with the provisions in such subsections with respect to which such action has been commenced, then only the one­year or two-year period, as described in such subsections not so complied with by the Executive, that applies to the prong violated shall be extended from its original expiration date, day-for­day, for each day that the Executive is found to have not complied, in all material respects, with such subsection(s).
(k) Jurisdiction and Venue . WITH RESPECT TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY AND ALL LOYALTY OBLIGATIONS ARISING UNDER SECTION 19, THE SUBSECTIONS 19(k) AND 19(l) OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL APPLY. THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY CONSENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FOLLOWING COURTS IN MATTERS RELATED TO THIS SECTION 19 AND AGREE NOT TO COMMENCE ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING THERETO EXCEPT IN ANY OF SUCH COURTS: THE STATE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, THE COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES

45



OF AMERICA LOCATED IN THE CITY OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, OR THE STATE COURTS OR THE COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LOCATED IN ANY MUNICIPALITY WHEREIN AN OFFICE OF THE COMPANY IS LOCATED, IN WHICH OFFICE THE EXECUTIVE WAS PHYSICALLY PRESENT WHILE RENDERING SERVICES FOR THE COMPANY AT ANY TIME DURING THE 12 MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE COMMENCEMENT OF SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING OR IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE TERMINATION OF THE EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT, IF TERMINATED.
(l) Waiver of Jury Trial . THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY AGREE TO WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BASED UPON, OR RELATED TO, ANY LOYALTY OBLIGATIONS. THIS WAIVER IS KNOWINGLY, INTENTIONALLY, AND VOLUNTARILY MADE BY THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY, AND THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY EACH ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, EXCEPT FOR THE COMPANY’S AGREEMENT TO LIKEWISE WAIVE ITS RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY, THE COMPANY HAS NOT MADE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OF FACTS TO INDUCE THIS WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OR IN ANY WAY TO MODIFY OR NULLIFY ITS EFFECT. THE EXECUTIVE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE EXECUTIVE HAS BEEN REPRESENTED (OR HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE REPRESENTED) IN THE SIGNING OF THIS AGREEMENT AND IN THE MAKING OF THIS WAIVER BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL, SELECTED OF THE EXECUTIVE’S OWN FREE WILL, AND THAT THE EXECUTIVE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY

46



TO DISCUSS THIS WAIVER WITH COUNSEL. THE EXECUTIVE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE EXECUTIVE HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THE MEANING AND RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER AND AS EVIDENCE OF THIS FACT SIGNS THIS AGREEMENT BELOW.

20.     Indemnification . The Company shall indemnify the Executive to the maximum extent that its officers, directors and employees are entitled to indemnification pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws (which shall not be less than currently exists, except as required by applicable law), subject to applicable law, and such indemnification shall continue after termination of employment or directorship and for as long as liability may exist with regard to actions or inactions up to the date of termination at a level that is no less than currently exists for officers, directors and employees under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, subject to applicable law. In addition, the Company shall be entitled to liability insurance coverage pursuant to any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy maintained by the Company as of the Commencement Date or put in place following the Commencement Date on the same basis as other current or former directors and officers of the Company with regard to actions or inactions during the period of service as an officer or director notwithstanding any ceasing of such service. This provision shall survive any termination of the Executive’s employment.

47




21.     Representations . The Executive agrees to execute any proper oath or verify any proper document required to carry out the terms of this Agreement. The Executive represents that the Executive’s performance of all the terms of this Agreement will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information acquired by the Executive in confidence or in trust prior to the Executive’s employment by the Company. The Executive has not entered into, and the Executive agrees that the Executive will not enter into, any oral or written agreement in conflict herewith and the Executive’s employment by the Company and the Executive’s services to the Company will not violate the terms of any oral or written agreement to which the Executive is a party. The Executive represents that he is not aware of any non-competition restriction that would prevent him from being the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or performing his duties and responsibilities hereunder.

22.     No Mitigation; No Offset . The Executive shall not be required, as a condition to receiving any payments or benefits under this Agreement, to seek or obtain any other employment after any termination of employment hereunder or to take any steps to reduce the amount of any payment or benefit described in this Agreement. Further, the amount of any payment or benefit provided in this Agreement shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of any employment by another employer.

23.     Binding Effect of Execution . The Company and the Executive agree that this Agreement shall not bind or be enforceable by or against either party until this Agreement has been duly executed by both the Executive and the Company.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

48





IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Executive have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

By: /s/ John C. Brouillard (SEAL)

Print Name: John C. Brouillard     

Title: Executive Chairman     


Executive

Print Name: Thomas R. Greco     

Signature: /s/ Thomas R. Greco     
    

 



49



EXHIBIT A

TERMINATION CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that I do not have in my possession, nor have I failed to return, any material devices, records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment, other documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned items belonging to the Company.
I further certify that I have, to the best of my knowledge, complied in all material respects with all the terms of my Employment Agreement with the Company.

Date: ____________________________________     


_________________________________________________
Executive’s Signature


________________________________________________    
Executive’s Name (Print)







EXHIBIT B
LIST OF ASSOCIATIONS WITH RESTRICTED COMPANIES








____ None
____ Additional Sheets Attached

Signature of Executive:__________________________________
Print Name of Executive: ________________________________


Date:_____________________________






EXHIBIT C
General Release of Claims
Consistent with Section 4 of the Employment Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2016, between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (the “Company”) and Thomas Greco (the “Executive”), and in consideration of the Executive’s receipt of the applicable severance payments and benefits set forth in Section 4 of the Employment Agreement, the Executive, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, hereby knowingly, voluntarily and unconditionally RELEASES, WAIVES AND FOREVER DISCHARGES the Company and its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors and assigns (jointly and severally, “Related Entities”), and each of the Company’s and such Related Entities’ respective current and former officers, directors, employees, members, managers, agents, independent contractors, representatives and shareholders, in each case, solely in their respective capacities as such (all of which persons and entities shall be third party beneficiaries of this General Release with full power to enforce the provisions thereof), from any and all obligations, claims, demands, liabilities, judgments, causes of action, suits at law or in equity, in tort, contract, by statute or on any other basis, related to the Executive’s employment with the Company; termination of the Executive’s employment or circumstances related thereto; any and all injuries, losses or damages to the Executive, including any claims for compensation and/or benefits, compensatory, punitive or other damages, attorney’s fees, expenses, reimbursements or costs of any kind; any and all claims relating to the conduct of any current and former officer, director, employee, member, manager, agent, independent contractor or representative of the Company or its Related Entities; and any and all matters, transactions or things occurring prior to the date on which the Executive signs this General Release, including any and all possible claims, known or unknown, which could have been asserted against the Company, its Related Entities, or the Company’s and such Related Entities’ respective current and former officers, directors, employees, members, managers, agents, independent contractors or representatives in each case, solely in their respective capacities as such. This General Release includes, but is not limited to, any and all claims, demands, rights and/or causes of action




under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act, the Workers Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, the Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act, the North Carolina Persons with Disabilities Protection Act, the North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act, and any other federal, state, or local statute or ordinance or any other claims, whether statutory or based on common law.
Nothing in this General Release is intended to: (1) constitute an unlawful waiver of any of the Executive’s rights under any laws; (2) waive the Executive’s right to file an administrative charge with any administrative agency under applicable law, or participate in any agency investigation, although the Executive does waive and release his right to recover any monetary or other damages under such applicable law, including but not limited to compensatory damages, punitive damages, liquidated damages, or attorneys’ fees and costs; or (3) prohibit the Executive from providing truthful testimony, if under subpoena or court order to do so, or otherwise required by applicable law. Furthermore, the Company acknowledges and agrees that by entering into this General Release, the Executive is not intending to, and does not, release the Company or any Related Entity from performance of its obligations under, and it not intending to, and does not, waive any of the Executive’s rights under, the Employment Agreement, any rights to indemnification or advancement of legal fees or coverage under director and officer liability insurance policies, vested equity or vested benefits.
The Executive acknowledges and understands that the release of claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), 29 U.S.C. Sections 621-634, is subject to special waiver protections under 29 U.S.C. Section 626(f). In accordance with that section, the Executive specifically agrees that the Executive is knowingly and voluntarily releasing and waiving any rights or claims of




discrimination under the ADEA. In particular, the Executive acknowledges that Executive understands that:
A.
The Executive has read this General Release in its entirety. The Executive understands all of the terms of this General Release and the Executive knowingly and voluntarily assents to all of the terms and conditions contained herein, including without limitation, the waiver and release, and the Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Executive’s waiver of rights or claims arising under the ADEA is in writing and is understood by the Executive;
B.
The Executive is not waiving any claims for age discrimination under the ADEA that may arise after the date the Executive signs this General Release and the Executive is not waiving vested benefits if any;
C.
The Executive is waiving rights or claims for age discrimination under the ADEA in exchange for the applicable severance payments and benefits described in Section 4 of the Employment Agreement; and
D.
The Executive was advised to consult with and has had an opportunity to consult with an attorney before signing this General Release.
The Executive affirms that the Executive has not filed, caused to be filed, or presently is a party to any claim against the Company or any of the Related Entities. The Executive also affirms that the Executive has been paid and/or has received all compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions, and/or benefits which are due and payable as of the date the Executive signs this General Release. The Executive affirms that the Executive has been granted any leave to which the Executive was entitled under the Family and Medical Leave Act or related state or local leave or disability accommodation laws. The Executive further affirms that the Executive has no known workplace injuries or occupational diseases. The Executive further affirms that the Executive has not been retaliated against for reporting any allegations of wrongdoing by the Company or its officers, including any allegations of corporate fraud.




The Executive has twenty-one (21) calendar days from [DATE] to consider this General Release. If the Executive does not sign this General Release and return it to the Company within twenty-one (21) calendar days of receipt, it will be null and void. The Executive also understands that the Executive may sign and return this General Release prior to the expiration of the twenty-one (21) calendar day period. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that if the Executive decides to sign and return this General Release before the full twenty-one (21) day period has elapsed, this is a decision made by the Executive voluntarily and the Executive freely and knowingly has chosen not to wait at least twenty-one (21) days to sign this General Release. After the Executive has read and understands the contents of this General Release, the Executive agrees to acknowledge acceptance by signing in the space indicated below, and to return this General Release by hand delivery or by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Executive Vice President, Human Resources, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Advance Auto Parts, Inc., 5008 Airport Road, Roanoke, VA 24012. The Executive further understands that the Executive has seven (7) calendar days after signing this General Release in which to revoke it with notice to the Company in writing. This General Release will not become effective until after this revocation period has passed.
AGREED:

__________________________          ________________
Thomas Greco                      Date











EXHIBIT D
Form of Award Agreement for Long-Term Incentive Award - Time-Based RSUs

[SEPARATELY FILED]






EXHIBIT E
Form of Award Agreement for Long-Term Incentive Award - Performance-Based SARs

[SEPARATELY FILED]






EXHIBIT F
Form of Award Agreement for Performance-Based Sign-On RSUs

[SEPARATELY FILED]






EXHIBIT G
Form of Award Agreement for Time-Based Sign-On RSUs

[SEPARATELY FILED]






EXHIBIT H
Form of Award Agreement for Inducement Equity Award - SARs

[SEPARATELY FILED]





Exhibit 10.2


EXECUTION COPY
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

First Amendment

FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as of April 2, 2016 (“First Amendment”), to the EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of March 28, 2016, between Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (“Advance” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, and Thomas Greco (the “Executive”) (the “Agreement”).

The Company and the Executive agree as follows:

1.
Amendment to Section 1 of the Agreement . Section 1 of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the reference to “April 4, 2016” and replacing it with “April 11, 2016”.

2.
Full Force and Effect . Except for those terms and provisions amended herein, all other terms and conditions in the Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.


[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]







IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Executive have executed this First Amendment to the Agreement as of the date first written above.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

By: /s/ John C. Brouillard (SEAL)

Print Name: John C. Brouillard

Title: Executive Chairman


Executive

Print Name: Thomas R. Greco

Signature: /s/ Thomas R. Greco






Exhibit 10.3

 
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.
2016 RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
[SIGN-ON AWARD - PERFORMANCE-BASED]

Award Date
Performance-based RSUs
Last Vesting Date
April 14, 2016
49,708
April 14, 2019

THIS CERTIFIES THAT Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (the “Company”) has on the Award Date specified above granted to
Thomas Greco
(“Participant”) an award (the “Award”) of that number of Restricted Stock Units (the “Performance-based RSUs”) representing the right to receive a like number of shares (“Shares”) of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. Common Stock, $.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), indicated above in the box labeled “Performance-based RSUs ,” subject to certain restrictions and on the terms and conditions contained in this Award and the Advance Auto Parts, Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). A copy of the Plan is available on the Company’s Intranet site or upon request. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Plan and this Award, the terms of the Plan shall govern. Any terms not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.
* * * * *
1.
Vesting . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Award, the Performance-based RSUs indicated in the table above shall vest over three years from the Award Date according to the dates identified in the following table if you remain continuously employed by the Company until the respective vesting date, and subject to you having a leadership team of “executive officers” (as such term is defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in place and presenting in good faith a preliminary five-year business plan to the Board of Directors of the Company, in each case prior to the first anniversary of the “Commencement Date” (as defined in the Employment Agreement) (the “Performance Condition”). If the Performance Condition has not been satisfied by the first anniversary of the Commencement Date, then your rights to unvested Performance-based RSUs shall be immediately and irrevocably forfeited.

Number of Performance-based RSUs in Each Installment
Vesting Date for RSUs in Each Installment
16,569
April 14, 2017
16,569
April 14, 2018
16,570
April 14, 2019

2.
Duration .

(a)
If, prior to vesting of the Performance-based RSUs pursuant to Section 1 or this Section 2 of this Award, your employment or other association with the Company and its Affiliates ends for any reason (voluntary or involuntary), then your rights to unvested Performance-based RSUs shall be immediately and irrevocably forfeited, except as follows:

(i)
If the termination of your employment or other association is on account of Disability, then any unvested Performance-based RSUs will vest immediately. For all purposes of this Award, “Disability” shall have the same meaning as that term is defined in your employment agreement with the Company, dated as of March 28, 2016 (the “Employment Agreement”).

1



(ii)
If the termination of your employment or other association is on account of death, then any unvested Performance-based RSUs will vest immediately.

(iii)
If the termination of your employment or other association is by the Company without “Due Cause” or by you with “Good Reason,” as such terms are defined in your Employment Agreement, then any unvested Performance-based RSUs will immediately vest.

(iv)
If the termination of your employment or other association is for Due Cause, all of your unvested Performance-based RSUs will expire on the date your employment or other association with the Company ends.

(b)
Upon a “Change In Control” (as defined in the Employment Agreement), in the event that the successor organization does not assume, convert, or replace the Performance-based RSUs, any remaining previously unvested Performance-based RSUs will vest immediately.

3.
Transfer of Award . Until the Performance-based RSUs vest pursuant to Section 2 of this Award, the Performance-based RSUs may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered, and no attempt to transfer unvested Performance-based RSUs, whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, shall vest the transferee with any interest or right in or with respect to the Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may, in the manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise your rights to receive any property distributable with respect to the Performance-based RSUs upon your death.

4.
No Rights as a Stockholder . You shall have no rights of a shareholder of the Common Stock on and after the Award Date and until the date on which the Performance-based RSUs vest and are converted to Shares and the restrictions with respect to the Performance-based RSUs lapse in accordance with Section 1 or 2 of this Award, as described above. You will, however, receive dividend equivalents on the Performance-based RSUs on or after the Award Date and until Shares are delivered on vesting of the Award, unless and until the Performance-based RSUs are forfeited pursuant to Section 1 or 2 of this Award and to the extent that dividends are declared and paid on the Common Stock of the Company. Except as may be provided under Section 8 of the Plan, the Company will make no adjustment for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary and whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the Vesting Date of a Performance-based RSU.

5.
Issuing Shares . As soon as reasonably practicable after each applicable Vesting Date (but in no event later than 60 days after the Vesting Date) determined in accordance with Section 1 or 2 of this Award, the Company shall deliver Shares to the Participant in respect of the Performance-based RSUs that have become vested. On any of the Performance-based RSUs vesting pursuant to Section 1 or 2 of this Award and payment of the applicable withholding taxes pursuant to Section 7 below, the Company shall cause the shares of Common Stock to be issued in book-entry form, registered in your name.

6.
Notices . Except as otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Award shall be in writing, and if by telecopy, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered when sent, or if by personal delivery or messenger or courier service, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered upon actual delivery (but in no event may notice be given by deposit in the United States mail), at the following addresses, telephone and facsimile numbers (or such other address(es), telephone and facsimile numbers a party may designate for itself by like notice):
If to the Company: Advance Auto Parts, Inc. located at 5008 Airport Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24012, Attention: General Counsel or by telephone at (540) 561-1173 or telecopy at (540) 561-1448;
With copy to:         Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
located at 5008 Airport Road,
Roanoke, Virginia 24012,

2




Attention: Vice President,
Rewards and HR Services or by
telephone at (540) 561-6818 or
telecopy at (540) 561-6998;

If to you, the Participant, to your home address on record at Advance Auto Parts or your business address at Advance Auto Parts.

7.
Income Tax Matters .

(a)
The Company makes no representation or warranty as to the tax treatment of your receipt or vesting of the Performance-based RSUs or upon your sale or other disposition of the Shares received upon vesting of your Performance-based RSUs. You should rely on your own tax advisors for such advice. In order to comply with all applicable federal or state income tax laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure that all applicable federal or state payroll, withholding, income or other taxes, which are your sole and absolute responsibility, are withheld or collected from you at the time of vesting. The Company will inform you of alternative methods to settle any applicable taxes due prior to the first vesting date of your Award.

(b)
For the purposes of determining when Shares otherwise issuable on account of your termination of employment or other association with Company will be issued, “termination of employment” or words of similar import, as used in this Award Agreement, shall mean the date as of which the Company and you reasonably anticipate that no further services will be performed by you, and shall be construed as the date that you first incur a “separation from service” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code on or following termination of employment or other association with the Company. Furthermore, if you are a “specified employee” of a public company as determined pursuant to Section 409A as of your termination of employment or other association with the Company, any Shares otherwise issuable on account of your termination of employment or other association with the Company which constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and which are otherwise payable during the first six months following your termination of employment or other association with the Company shall be issued to you on the earlier of (1) the date of your death and (2) the first business day of the seventh calendar month immediately following the month in which your termination of employment or other association with the Company occurs.

8.
Miscellaneous .

(a)
This Award is made under the provisions of the Plan and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with it. To the extent that any provision in this Award is inconsistent with the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. The interpretation of the Committee of any provision of the Plan, the Performance-based RSUs or this Award, and any determination with respect thereto or hereto by the Committee, shall be binding on all parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the definition of the terms “Disability,” “Due Cause,” “Good Reason” and “Change In Control” shall be as set forth in the Employment Agreement and the interpretation of such terms shall be made in the manner prescribed in the Employment Agreement.

(b)
Nothing contained in this Award Agreement shall confer, intend to confer or imply any rights to an employment relationship or rights to a continued employment relationship or other association with the Company or any Affiliate in your favor or limit the ability of the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, to terminate, with or without Due Cause, in its sole and absolute discretion, your employment relationship or other association with the Company or such Affiliate, subject to the terms of any written employment agreement to which you are a party.

(c)
Neither the Plan nor this Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and You or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award,

3



such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.

(d)
The Company shall not be required to deliver any shares of Common Stock until the requirements of any federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations or other laws or rules (including the rules of any securities exchange) as may be determined by the Company to be applicable are satisfied.

(e)
An original record of this Award and all the terms hereof, executed by the Company, is held on file by the Company. To the extent there is any conflict between the terms contained in this Award and the terms contained in the original held by the Company, the terms of the original held by the Company shall control.

(f)
This Award is intended to be consistent with your Employment Agreement. To the extent that any provision of this Award Agreement is inconsistent with the terms of your Employment Agreement, the provisions of the Employment Agreement shall control with respect to this Award.

(g)
If any provision in this Award Agreement is determined to be invalid, void or unenforceable by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, which determination is not appealed or appealable for any reason whatsoever, the provision in question shall not be deemed to affect or impair the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Award Agreement and such invalid or unenforceable provision or portion thereof shall be severed from the remainder of this Award Agreement.

In Witness Whereof, this Award has been executed by the Company as of the date first above written.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.

By: /s/ Tammy M. Finley
Tammy M. Finley
Executive Vice President, Human Resources,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Accepted and agreed, including specifically but without limitation as to the treatment of this Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan and this Award notwithstanding any terms of an Employment/ Loyalty Agreement between the Company and the undersigned to the contrary:

By: _________________________________________          _________________________________________
Electronic Signature                 Acceptance Date




4


Exhibit 10.4

 
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.
2016 RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
[SIGN-ON AWARD - TIME-BASED]

Award Date
Time-based RSUs
Last Vesting Date
April 14, 2016
13,670
April 14, 2020

THIS CERTIFIES THAT Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (the “Company”) has on the Award Date specified above granted to
Thomas Greco
(“Participant”) an award (the “Award”) of that number of Restricted Stock Units (the “Time-based RSUs”) representing the right to receive a like number of shares (“Shares”) of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. Common Stock, $.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), indicated above in the box labeled “Time-based RSUs ,” subject to certain restrictions and on the terms and conditions contained in this Award and the Advance Auto Parts, Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). A copy of the Plan is available on the Company’s Intranet site or upon request. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Plan and this Award, the terms of the Plan shall govern. Any terms not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.
* * * * *
1.
Vesting . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Award, the Time-based RSUs indicated in the table above shall vest over four years from the Award Date according to the dates identified in the following table if you remain continuously employed by the Company until the respective vesting date.

Number of Time-based RSUs in Each Installment
Vesting Date for Time-based RSUs in Each Installment
4,556
April 14, 2018
4,557
April 14, 2019
4,557
April 14, 2020

2.
Duration .

(a)
If, prior to vesting of the Time-based RSUs pursuant to Section 1 or this Section 2 of this Award, your employment or other association with the Company and its Affiliates ends for any reason (voluntary or involuntary), then your rights to unvested Time-based RSUs shall be immediately and irrevocably forfeited, except as follows:

(i)
If the termination of your employment or other association is on account of Disability, then any unvested Time-based RSUs will vest immediately. For all purposes of this Award, “Disability” shall have the same meaning as that term is defined in your employment agreement with the Company, dated as of March 28, 2016 (the “Employment Agreement”).

(ii)
If the termination of your employment or other association is on account of death, then any unvested Time-based RSUs will vest immediately.

(iii)
If the termination of your employment or other association is by the Company without “Due Cause” or by you with “Good Reason,” as such terms are defined in the Employment Agreement, then any unvested Time-based RSUs will immediately vest.

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(iv)
If the termination of your employment or other association is for Due Cause, all of your unvested Time-based RSUs will expire on the date your employment or other association with the Company ends.

(b)
Upon a “Change In Control” (as defined in the Employment Agreement), in the event that the successor organization does not assume, convert, or replace the Time-based RSUs, any remaining previously unvested Time-based RSUs will vest immediately.

3.
Transfer of Award . Until the Time-based RSUs vest pursuant to Section 2 of this Award, the Time-based RSUs may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered, and no attempt to transfer unvested Time-based RSUs, whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, shall vest the transferee with any interest or right in or with respect to the Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may, in the manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise your rights to receive any property distributable with respect to the Time-based RSUs upon your death.

4.
No Rights as a Stockholder . You shall have no rights of a shareholder of the Common Stock on and after the Award Date and until the date on which the Time-based RSUs vest and are converted to Shares and the restrictions with respect to the Time-based RSUs lapse in accordance with Section 1 or 2 of this Award, as described above. You will, however, receive dividend equivalents on the Time-based RSUs on or after the Award Date and until Shares are delivered on vesting of the Award, unless and until the Time-based RSUs are forfeited pursuant to Section 1 or 2 of this Award and to the extent that dividends are declared and paid on the Common Stock of the Company. Except as may be provided under Section 8 of the Plan, the Company will make no adjustment for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary and whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the Vesting Date of a Time-based RSU.

5.
Issuing Shares . As soon as reasonably practicable after each applicable Vesting Date (but in no event later than 60 days after the Vesting Date) determined in accordance with Section 1 or 2 of this Award, the Company shall deliver Shares to the Participant in respect of the Time-based RSUs that have become vested. On any of the Time-based RSUs vesting pursuant to Section 1 or 2 of this Award and payment of the applicable withholding taxes pursuant to Section 7 below, the Company shall cause the shares of Common Stock to be issued in book-entry form, registered in your name.

6.
Notices . Except as otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Award shall be in writing, and if by telecopy, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered when sent, or if by personal delivery or messenger or courier service, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered upon actual delivery (but in no event may notice be given by deposit in the United States mail), at the following addresses, telephone and facsimile numbers (or such other address(es), telephone and facsimile numbers a party may designate for itself by like notice):

If to the Company: Advance Auto Parts, Inc. located at 5008 Airport Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24012, Attention: General Counsel or by telephone at (540) 561-1173 or telecopy at (540) 561-1448;
With copy to:         Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
located at 5008 Airport Road,
Roanoke, Virginia 24012,
Attention: Vice President,
Rewards and HR Services or by
telephone at (540) 561-6818 or
telecopy at (540) 561-6998;

If to you, the Participant, to your home address on record at Advance Auto Parts or your business address at Advance Auto Parts.

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7.
Income Tax Matters .

(a)
The Company makes no representation or warranty as to the tax treatment of your receipt or vesting of the Time-based RSUs or upon your sale or other disposition of the Shares received upon vesting of your Time-based RSUs. You should rely on your own tax advisors for such advice. In order to comply with all applicable federal or state income tax laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure that all applicable federal or state payroll, withholding, income or other taxes, which are your sole and absolute responsibility, are withheld or collected from you at the time of vesting. The Company will inform you of alternative methods to settle any applicable taxes due prior to the first vesting date of your Award.

(b)
For the purposes of determining when Shares otherwise issuable on account of your termination of employment or other association with Company will be issued, “termination of employment” or words of similar import, as used in this Award Agreement, shall mean the date as of which the Company and you reasonably anticipate that no further services will be performed by you, and shall be construed as the date that you first incur a “separation from service” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code on or following termination of employment or other association with the Company. Furthermore, if you are a “specified employee” of a public company as determined pursuant to Section 409A as of your termination of employment or other association with the Company, any Shares otherwise issuable on account of your termination of employment or other association with the Company which constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and which are otherwise payable during the first six months following your termination of employment or other association with the Company shall be issued to you on the earlier of (1) the date of your death and (2) the first business day of the seventh calendar month immediately following the month in which your termination of employment or other association with the Company occurs.

8.
Miscellaneous .

(a)
This Award is made under the provisions of the Plan and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with it. To the extent that any provision in this Award is inconsistent with the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. The interpretation of the Committee of any provision of the Plan, the Time-based RSUs or this Award, and any determination with respect thereto or hereto by the Committee, shall be binding on all parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the definitions of the terms “Disability,” “Due Cause,” “Good Reason” and Change In Control” shall be as set forth in the Employment Agreement and the interpretation of such terms shall be made in the manner prescribed in the Employment Agreement.

(b)
Nothing contained in this Award Agreement shall confer, intend to confer or imply any rights to an employment relationship or rights to a continued employment relationship or other association with the Company or any Affiliate in your favor or limit the ability of the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, to terminate, with or without Due Cause, in its sole and absolute discretion, your employment relationship or other association with the Company or such Affiliate, subject to the terms of any written employment agreement to which you are a party.

(c)
Neither the Plan nor this Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and You or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.

(d)
The Company shall not be required to deliver any shares of Common Stock until the requirements of any federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations or other laws or rules (including the rules of any securities exchange) as may be determined by the Company to be applicable are satisfied.

(e)
An original record of this Award and all the terms hereof, executed by the Company, is held on file by the Company. To the extent there is any conflict between the terms contained in this Award and the terms contained in the original held by the Company, the terms of the original held by the Company shall control.


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(f)
This Award is intended to be consistent with your Employment Agreement. To the extent that any provision of this Award Agreement is inconsistent with the terms of your Employment Agreement, the provisions of the Employment Agreement shall control with respect to this Award.

(g)
If any provision in this Award Agreement is determined to be invalid, void or unenforceable by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, which determination is not appealed or appealable for any reason whatsoever, the provision in question shall not be deemed to affect or impair the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Award Agreement and such invalid or unenforceable provision or portion thereof shall be severed from the remainder of this Award Agreement.

In Witness Whereof, this Award has been executed by the Company as of the date first above written.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.

By: /s/ Tammy M. Finley
Tammy M. Finley
Executive Vice President, Human Resources,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Accepted and agreed, including specifically but without limitation as to the treatment of this Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan and this Award notwithstanding any terms of an Employment/ Loyalty Agreement between the Company and the undersigned to the contrary:

By: _______________________________             ___________________________________    
Electronic Signature                 Acceptance Date



4


Exhibit 10.5

 
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.
2016 TIME-BASED SARS AWARD AGREEMENT
(STOCK SETTLED)
[INDUCEMENT AWARD]

Award Date
Time-based SARs
Grant Price
Last Vesting Date
Expiration Date
April 14, 2016
68,745
$160.94
April 14, 2021
April 14, 2023

THIS CERTIFIES THAT Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (the “Company”) has on the Award Date specified above granted to
Thomas Greco
(“Participant”) Stock Appreciation Rights (the “Time-based SARs”) with respect to the number of shares of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. Common Stock, $.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), indicated above in the box labeled “Time-based SARs.” The initial Market Value of each underlying share of Common Stock is indicated above in the box labeled “Grant Price.” The Time-based SARs that this Certificate represents shall vest and become exercisable in accordance with Sections 1 and 2 below, and upon vesting shall be fully exercisable until the Expiration Date except as otherwise provided in Section 2 below. This Award is subject to the terms and conditions set forth below and in the Advance Auto Parts, Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). A copy of the Plan is available on the Company’s Intranet site or upon request. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Plan and this Award, the terms of the Plan shall govern. Any terms not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.
* * * * *
1.
Vesting. Subject to the remaining provisions of this Award, the Time-based SARs indicated in the table above shall vest over five years from the Award Date according to the dates identified in the following table if you remain continuously employed by the Company until the respective vesting date.

Number of Time-based SARs in Each Installment
Vesting Date for Time-based SARs in Each Installment
22,915
April 14, 2019
22,915
April 14, 2020
22,915
April 14, 2021

2.
Time-based SARs Duration and Exercise .

(a)
Subject to the following, these Time-based SARs shall expire on the Expiration Date. However, if your employment or other association with the Company and its Affiliates ends before that date, these Time-based SARs shall expire on Expiration Date or, if earlier, the date specified in whichever of the following applies:

(i)
If your employment or other association is terminated prior to April 14, 2021 on account of Disability or death, then each installment of your Time-based SARs set forth in the table above in Section 1 will vest on a pro rata basis, based on the number of days on which you were employed by the Company during the applicable vesting period for such installment (i.e., the first installment will be pro-rated over a three-year period, the second installment will be pro-rated over a four-year period, and the third installment will be pro-rated over a five-year period), and your Time-based SARs will expire one year after the date of the termination of your employment or other association on account of Disability or death, as applicable. For all purposes of this Award, “Disability” shall

1



have the same meaning as that term is defined in your employment agreement with the Company dated as of March 28, 2016 (the “Employment Agreement”).

(ii)
If the termination of your employment or other association is for “Due Cause,” as defined in the Employment Agreement, all of your Time-based SARs will expire on the date your employment or other association ends.

(iii)
If your employment or other association is terminated prior to April 14, 2021 by the Company other than for Due Cause, or by you for “Good Reason,” as defined in the Employment Agreement, then each installment of your Time-based SARs set forth in the table above in Section 1 will vest on a pro rata basis, based on the number of days on which you were employed by the Company during the applicable vesting period for such installment (i.e., the first installment will be pro-rated over a three-year period, the second installment will be pro-rated over a four-year period, and the third installment will be pro-rated over a five-year period), and your time-based SARs will expire one year after the date of your termination of employment by the Company other than for Due Cause or by you for Good Reason.

(iv)
In all other cases, all of your Time-based SARs which have not vested will expire on the date your employment or other association ends, and all of your Time-based SARs which have vested will expire ninety (90) days after your employment or other association ends.

(b)
Upon a “Change In Control” (as defined in the Employment Agreement), in the event that the successor organization does not assume, convert, or replace the Time-based SARs, any remaining previously unvested Time-based SARs will vest immediately, and your Time-based SARs will expire one year after the occurrence of the Change In Control event or, if earlier, on the Expiration Date.

(c)
No shares of Common Stock shall be issued to you prior to the date on which the Time-based SARs are exercised in accordance with this Section 2. Upon exercise of the Time-based SARs, you shall be entitled to receive a number of shares of Common Stock for the number of shares with respect to which the Time-based SARs are exercised equal to (i) the aggregate excess of the Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the aggregate Grant Price, divided by (ii) the Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise. The shares of Common Stock shall be issued in book-entry form, registered in your name or in the name of your legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be. The Company will not deliver any fractional share of Common Stock but will pay, in lieu thereof, cash equal to the Market Value of such fractional share.

(d)
Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2, during any period that any of these Time-based SARs remain outstanding after your employment or other association with the Company and its Affiliates ends, you may exercise them only to the extent they were exercisable immediately prior to the end of your employment or other association. In no event may any of these Time-based SARs be exercised after they expire as determined in accordance with Section 2.

(e)
At any time you may exercise these Time-based SARs by delivery to the Company (the date such delivery occurs is hereinafter referred to as the “Exercise Date”) a notice which shall state that you elect to exercise the Time-based SARs as to the number of shares specified in the notice as of the date specified in the notice. Such notice should be made to the stock administrator at the Company headquarters or its designee. All notices will be acknowledged and validated by the Company or its designee prior to actual exercise of a Time-based SAR.

3.
Transfer of Time-based SARs . You may not transfer any or all of these Time-based SARs except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during your lifetime, only you (or in the event of your Disability, your legal guardian or representative) may exercise these Time-based SARs. Any attempt to sell, pledge, assign, hypothecate, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Time-based SARs granted by this Award in contravention of this Award or the Plan shall be void.

2




4.
No Rights as a Stockholder . You shall have no rights as a stockholder of any Common Stock covered by these Time-based SARs until the Exercise Date and entry evidencing such ownership is made in the stock transfer books of the Company. Except as may be provided under Section 8 of the Plan, the Company will make no adjustment for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary and whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the Exercise Date.

5.
Notices . Except as otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Award shall be in writing, and if by telecopy, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered when sent, or if by personal delivery or messenger or courier service, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered upon actual delivery (but in no event may notice be given by deposit in the United States mail), at the following addresses, telephone and facsimile numbers (or such other address(es), telephone and facsimile numbers a party may designate for itself by like notice):

If to the Company:    Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
located at 5008 Airport Road,
Roanoke, Virginia 24012,
Attention: General Counsel or by
telephone at (540) 561-1173 or
telecopy at (540) 561-1448;

With copy to:         Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
located at 5008 Airport Road,
Roanoke, Virginia 24012
Attention: Vice President,
Rewards and HR Services or by
telephone at (540) 561-6818 or
telecopy at (540) 561-6998;

If to you, the Participant, to your home address on record at Advance Auto Parts or your business address at Advance Auto Parts.

6.
Income Tax Matters . The Company makes no representation or warranty as to the tax treatment of your receipt or exercise of these Time-based SARs or upon your sale or other disposition of the shares of Common Stock acquired through the exercise of the Time-based SARs. You should rely on your own tax advisors for such advice. In order to comply with all applicable federal or state income tax laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure that all applicable federal or state payroll, withholding, income or other taxes, which are your sole and absolute responsibility, are withheld or collected from you at the time of your exercise of the Time-based SARs. The Company will inform you of alternative methods to settle any applicable taxes due prior to the first vesting date of your Award.

7.
Miscellaneous .

(a)
This Award is made under the provisions of the Plan and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with it. To the extent that any provision in this Award is inconsistent with the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. The interpretation of the Committee of any provision of the Plan, the Time-based SARs or this Award, and any determination with respect thereto or hereto by the Committee, shall be binding on all parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the definition of the terms “Disability,” “Due Cause,” “Good Reason” and “Change In Control” shall be as set forth in the Employment Agreement and the interpretation of such terms shall be made in the manner prescribed in the Employment Agreement.

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(b)
Nothing contained in this Award Agreement shall confer, intend to confer or imply any rights to an employment relationship or rights to a continued employment relationship or other association with the Company or any Affiliate in your favor or limit the ability of the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, to terminate, with or without Due Cause, in its sole and absolute discretion, your employment relationship or other association with the Company or such Affiliate, subject to the terms of any written employment agreement to which you are a party.

(c)
Neither the Plan nor this Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and Participant or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.

(d)
The Company shall not be required to deliver any shares of Common Stock upon exercise of any Time-based SARs until the requirements of any federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations or other laws or rules (including the rules of any securities exchange) as may be determined by the Company to be applicable are satisfied.

(e)
An original record of this Award and all the terms hereof executed by the Company is held on file by the Company. To the extent there is any conflict between the terms contained in this Award and the terms contained in the original held by the Company, the terms of the original held by the Company shall control.

(f)
This Award is intended to be consistent with the Employment Agreement. To the extent that any provision of this Award Agreement is inconsistent with the terms of the Employment Agreement, the provisions of the Employment Agreement shall control with respect to this Award.

(g)
If any provision in this Award Agreement is determined to be invalid, void or unenforceable by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, which determination is not appealed or appealable for any reason whatsoever, the provision in question shall not be deemed to affect or impair the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Award Agreement and such invalid or unenforceable provision or portion thereof shall be severed from the remainder of this Award Agreement.

In Witness Whereof, this Award has been executed by the Company as of the date first above written.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.

By: /s/ Tammy M. Finley
Tammy M. Finley
Executive Vice President, Human Resources,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Accepted and agreed, including specifically but without limitation as to the treatment of this Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan and this Award notwithstanding any terms of an Employment/ Loyalty Agreement between the Company and the undersigned to the contrary:

By: _____________________________             ________________________________    
Electronic Signature                 Acceptance Date


4


Exhibit 10.6

 
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.
2016 PERFORMANCE-BASED SARS AWARD AGREEMENT
(STOCK SETTLED)
[ANNUAL LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARD]

Award Date
Performance-based SARs (at Target Level)
Grant Price
Expiration Date
[GRANT DATE]
##
##
[GRANT DATE + 7 YRS]

THIS CERTIFIES THAT Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (the “Company”) has on the Award Date specified above granted to
Thomas Greco
(“Participant”) Stock Appreciation Rights (the “Performance-based SARs”) with respect to the number of shares of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. Common Stock, $.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), indicated above in the box labeled “Performance-based SARs (at Target Level).” The initial Market Value of each underlying share of Common Stock is indicated above in the box labeled “Grant Price.” The Performance-based SARs that this Certificate represents shall vest and become exercisable in accordance with Sections 1 and 2 below, and upon vesting shall be fully exercisable until the Expiration Date except as otherwise provided in Section 2 below. This Award is subject to the terms and conditions set forth below and in the Advance Auto Parts, Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). A copy of the Plan is available on the Company’s Intranet site or upon request. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Plan and this Award, the terms of the Plan shall govern. Any terms not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.
* * * * *
1.
Vesting. Subject to the remaining provisions of this Award:

Performance-based SARs shall vest, in an amount up to your “Maximum Performance-based SARs” (defined below) on [GRANT DATE + 3 YRS] subject to your continued employment or other association with the Company to that date and except as otherwise provided in Section 2 below. The precise amount in which you may vest will be determined in accordance with the following rules, subject to certification by the Committee of the Company’s average annual comparable store sales growth and Comparable Operating Income (as defined below) over the [YEAR 1] through [YEAR 3] fiscal years (“Performance Period”):
(a) 50% of the Performance-based SARs will vest according to the Company’s Comparable Operating Income results (as expressed in dollars) during the Performance Period, according to the schedule established by the Committee as shown in Exhibit 1 to this Award Agreement. Payout based on performance results between the threshold and target and between the target and maximum performance levels will be interpolated.
(b) 50% of the Performance-based SARs will vest based upon the Company’s average annual comparable store sales growth over the Performance Period, calculated in a manner consistent with the Company’s current comparable store sales policy, according to the schedule established by the Committee as shown in Exhibit 1 to this Award Agreement. Payout based on performance results between the threshold and target and between the target and maximum levels will be interpolated.
“Comparable Operating Income” shall be defined as Operating Income as calculated under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, adjusted to exclude certain non-comparable adjustments as disclosed in the Company’s earnings releases and consolidated financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to GPI intangible asset amortization, integration and transaction expenses, significant restructuring charges not already included in integration expenses and impacts from changes in the adoption of new accounting standards.

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Your “Maximum Performance-based SARs” is 200% of the number of Performance-based SARs indicated above in the box labeled “Performance-based SARs (at Target Level).” Your “Threshold Performance-based SARs” is 25% of the number of Performance-based SARs indicated above in the box labeled “Performance-based SARs (at Target Level).”
2.
Performance-based SARs Duration and Exercise .

(a)
Subject to the following, these Performance-based SARs shall expire on the Expiration Date. However, if your employment or other association with the Company and its Affiliates ends before that date, these Performance-based SARs shall expire on Expiration Date or, if earlier, the date specified in whichever of the following applies:

(i)
If the termination of your employment or other association is on account of “Disability,” then your Performance-based SARs will expire ninety (90) days after the date on which all of your Performance-based SARs are exercisable. If all of your Performance-based SARs are exercisable as of the date of the termination of your employment or other association on account of Disability, your Performance-based SARs will expire ninety (90) days after the date your employment or other association ends. For all purposes of this Award, “Disability” shall have the same meaning as that term is defined in your employment agreement with the Company dated as of March 28, 2016 (the “Employment Agreement”).

(ii)
If the termination of your employment or other association is on account of death, or you die within ninety (90) days of the termination of your employment or other association (other than when terminated for Due Cause), then your Performance-based SARs will expire on the date that is the later of twelve (12) months after your death or ninety (90) days after the date on which all of your Performance-based SARs are exercisable.

(iii)
If your employment or other association is terminated prior to [GRANT DATE + 3 YRS] on account of your Disability or death, your Performance-based SARs will vest on [GRANT DATE + 3 YRS] in an amount based on the Company’s performance during the entire Performance Period, on a pro-rata basis for the time that has elapsed since the start of the Performance Period until your termination date. Your Performance-based SARs will expire ninety (90) days after [GRANT DATE + 3 YRS] , except for termination of employment on account of death, which will be the later of twelve (12) months after the date of your death or ninety (90) days after [GRANT DATE + 3 YRS]. The pro rata amount will be determined by multiplying the number of Performance-based SARs that you would have received if you had been employed by the Company on [GRANT DATE + 3 YRS], by a fraction whose numerator is the number of completed months from the start of the Performance Period to the date of termination of your employment, and whose denominator is 36.

(iv)
If the termination of your employment or other association is for “Due Cause,” as defined in the Employment Agreement, all of your Performance-based SARs (at Target Level or otherwise), will expire on the date your employment or other association ends.

(v)
If your employment or other association is terminated prior to [GRANT DATE + 3 YRS] by the Company other than for Due Cause, or by you for “Good Reason,” as defined in the Employment Agreement, your Performance-based SARs will vest immediately as of the date of the termination of your employment or other association on a pro-rata basis based on the Company’s performance for the time that you were employed during the Performance Period measured as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter and will expire ninety (90) days after your employment or other association ends.

(vi)
In all other cases, all of your unvested Performance-based SARs (at Target Level or otherwise), will expire on the date your employment or other association ends, and all of your Performance-based SARs which have vested will expire ninety (90) days after your employment or other association ends.

2




(b)
Upon a “Change In Control” (as defined in the Employment Agreement) the Company will determine the pro rata portion of your Performance-based SARs based on the Company’s performance during the Performance Period preceding the Change In Control measured as of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the Change In Control event. The pro rata portion of your Performance-based SARs will continue to vest and become exercisable on [GRANT DATE + 3 YRS]. The pro rata portion of your Performance-based SARs as determined pursuant to this Section 2 will immediately become exercisable (i) upon the Change In Control in the event that the successor organization does not assume, convert, or replace the awards; or (ii) upon termination of your employment or other association in the event the successor organization assumes, converts or replaces the awards, and your employment or other association is terminated by the Company other than for Due Cause or by you for Good Reason, in each case within 24 months following the Change In Control. Your Performance-based SARs will expire ninety (90) days after the occurrence of the events described in subsections (b) (i) or (ii) of this Section 2.

(c)
No shares of Common Stock shall be issued to you prior to the date on which the Performance-based SARs are exercised in accordance with this Section 2. Upon exercise of the Performance-based SARs, you shall be entitled to receive a number of shares of Common Stock for the number of shares with respect to which the Performance-based SARs are exercised equal to (i) the aggregate excess of the Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the aggregate Grant Price, divided by (ii) the Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise. The shares of Common Stock shall be issued in book-entry form, registered in your name or in the name of your legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be. The Company will not deliver any fractional share of Common Stock but will pay, in lieu thereof, cash equal to the Market Value of such fractional share.

(d)
Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2, during any period that any of these Performance-based SARs remain outstanding after your employment or other association with the Company and its Affiliates ends, you may exercise them only to the extent they were exercisable immediately prior to the end of your employment or other association. In no event may any of these Performance-based SARs be exercised after they expire as determined in accordance with Section 2.

(e)
At any time you may exercise these Performance-based SARs by delivery to the Company (the date such delivery occurs is hereinafter referred to as the “Exercise Date”) a notice which shall state that you elect to exercise the Performance-based SARs as to the number of shares specified in the notice as of the date specified in the notice. Such notice should be made to the stock administrator at the Company headquarters or its designee. All notices will be acknowledged and validated by the Company or its designee prior to actual exercise of a Performance-based SAR.

3.
Transfer of Performance-based SARs . You may not transfer any or all of these Performance-based SARs except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during your lifetime, only you (or in the event of your Disability, your legal guardian or representative) may exercise these SARs. Any attempt to sell, pledge, assign, hypothecate, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Performance-based SARs granted by this Award in contravention of this Award or the Plan shall be void.

4.
No Rights as a Stockholder . You shall have no rights as a stockholder of any Common Stock covered by these Performance-based SARs until the Exercise Date and entry evidencing such ownership is made in the stock transfer books of the Company. Except as may be provided under Section 8 of the Plan, the Company will make no adjustment for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary and whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the Exercise Date.

5.
Notices . Except as otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Award shall be in writing, and if by telecopy, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered when sent, or if by personal delivery or messenger or courier service, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered upon actual delivery (but in no event may notice be given by deposit in the United States mail), at the

3



following addresses, telephone and facsimile numbers (or such other address(es), telephone and facsimile numbers a party may designate for itself by like notice):

If to the Company:    Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
located at 5008 Airport Road,
Roanoke, Virginia 24012,
Attention: General Counsel or by
telephone at (540) 561-1173 or
telecopy at (540) 561-1448;

With copy to:     Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
located at 5008 Airport Road,
Roanoke, Virginia 24012,
Attention: Vice President,
Rewards and HR Services or by
telephone at (540) 561-6818 or
telecopy at (540) 561-6998;

If to you, the Participant, to your home address on record at Advance Auto Parts or your business address at Advance Auto Parts.

6.
Income Tax Matters . The Company makes no representation or warranty as to the tax treatment of your receipt or exercise of these Performance-based SARs or upon your sale or other disposition of the shares of Common Stock acquired through the exercise of the SARs. You should rely on your own tax advisors for such advice. In order to comply with all applicable federal or state income tax laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure that all applicable federal or state payroll, withholding, income or other taxes, which are your sole and absolute responsibility, are withheld or collected from you at the time of your exercise of the SARs. The Company will inform you of alternative methods to settle any applicable taxes due prior to the first vesting date of your Award.

7.
Miscellaneous .

(a)
This Award is made under the provisions of the Plan and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with it. To the extent that any provision in this Award is inconsistent with the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. The interpretation of the Committee of any provision of the Plan, the Performance-based SARs or this Award, and any determination with respect thereto or hereto by the Committee, shall be binding on all parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the definition of the terms “Disability,” “Due Cause,” “Good Reason” and “Change In Control” shall be as set forth in the Employment Agreement and the interpretation of such terms shall be made in the manner prescribed in the Employment Agreement.

(b)
Nothing contained in this Award Agreement shall confer, intend to confer or imply any rights to an employment relationship or rights to a continued employment relationship or other association with the Company or any Affiliate in your favor or limit the ability of the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, to terminate, with or without Due Cause, in its sole and absolute discretion, your employment relationship or other association with the Company or such Affiliate, subject to the terms of any written employment agreement to which you are a party.

(c)
Neither the Plan nor this Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and Participant or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.

4




(d)
The Company shall not be required to deliver any shares of Common Stock upon exercise of any Performance-based SARs until the requirements of any federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations or other laws or rules (including the rules of any securities exchange) as may be determined by the Company to be applicable are satisfied.

(e)
An original record of this Award and all the terms hereof executed by the Company is held on file by the Company. To the extent there is any conflict between the terms contained in this Award and the terms contained in the original held by the Company, the terms of the original held by the Company shall control.

(f)
This Award is intended to be consistent with the Employment Agreement. To the extent that any provision of this Award Agreement is inconsistent with the terms of the Employment Agreement, the provisions of the Employment Agreement shall control with respect to this Award.

(g)
If any provision in this Award Agreement is determined to be invalid, void or unenforceable by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, which determination is not appealed or appealable for any reason whatsoever, the provision in question shall not be deemed to affect or impair the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Award Agreement and such invalid or unenforceable provision or portion thereof shall be severed from the remainder of this Award Agreement.

In Witness Whereof, this Award has been executed by the Company as of the date first above written.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.

By: ______________________________
Tammy M. Finley
Executive Vice President, Human Resources,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Accepted and agreed, including specifically but without limitation as to the treatment of this Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan and this Award notwithstanding any terms of an Employment/ Loyalty Agreement between the Company and the undersigned to the contrary:

By: ______________________________            _________________________________
Electronic Signature                 Acceptance Date

 


5


Exhibit 10.7

 
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.
2016 RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
[ANNUAL LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARD]

Award Date
Time-based RSUs
Last Vesting Date
[GRANT DATE]
##
[GRANT DATE + 3 YRS]

THIS CERTIFIES THAT Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (the “Company”) has on the Award Date specified above granted to
Thomas Greco
(“Participant”) an award (the “Award”) of that number of Restricted Stock Units (the “Time-based RSUs”) representing the right to receive a like number of shares (“Shares”) of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. Common Stock, $.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), indicated above in the box labeled “Time-based RSUs ,” subject to certain restrictions and on the terms and conditions contained in this Award and the Advance Auto Parts, Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). A copy of the Plan is available on the Company’s Intranet site or upon request. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Plan and this Award, the terms of the Plan shall govern. Any terms not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.
* * * * *
1.
Vesting . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Award, the Time-based RSUs indicated in the table above shall vest over three years from the Award Date according to the dates identified in the following table if you remain continuously employed by the Company until the respective vesting date.

Number of Time-based RSUs in Each Installment
Vesting Date for Time-based RSUs in Each Installment
##
[GRANT DATE + 1 YR]
##
[GRANT DATE + 2 YRS]
##
[GRANT DATE + 3 YRS]

2.
Duration .

(a)
If, prior to vesting of the Time-based RSUs pursuant to Section 1 or this Section 2 of this Award, your employment or other association with the Company and its Affiliates ends for any reason (voluntary or involuntary), then your rights to unvested Time-based RSUs shall be immediately and irrevocably forfeited, except as follows:

(i)
If the termination of your employment or other association is on account of Disability, then any unvested Time-based RSUs will vest immediately. For all purposes of this Award, “Disability” shall have the same meaning as that term is defined in your employment agreement with the Company dated as of March 28, 2016 (the “Employment Agreement”).

(ii)
If the termination of your employment or other association is on account of death, then any unvested Time-based RSUs will vest immediately.

(iii)
If the termination of your employment or other association is for “Due Cause,” as defined in the Employment Agreement, all of your Time-based RSUs will expire on the date your employment or other association with the Company ends.

1



(b)
Upon a Change In Control (as defined in the Employment Agreement), any remaining previously unvested Time-based RSUs will vest immediately (i) upon the Change In Control in the event that the successor organization does not assume, convert, or replace the awards; or (ii) upon the termination of your employment or other association with the Company in the event that the successor organization assumes, converts or replaces the awards, and your employment or other association with the Company is terminated by the Company without Due Cause or by you with Good Reason, in each case within 24 months following the Change in Control. For all purposes of this Award, “Good Reason” shall have the same meaning set forth in the Employment Agreement.

3.
Transfer of Award . Until the Time-based RSUs vest pursuant to Section 2 of this Award, the Time-based RSUs may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered, and no attempt to transfer unvested Time-based RSUs, whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, shall vest the transferee with any interest or right in or with respect to the Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may, in the manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise your rights to receive any property distributable with respect to the Time-based RSUs upon your death.

4.
No Rights as a Stockholder . You shall have no rights of a shareholder of the Common Stock on and after the Award Date and until the date on which the Time-based RSUs vest and are converted to Shares and the restrictions with respect to the Time-based RSUs lapse in accordance with Section 1 or 2 of this Award, as described above. You will, however, receive dividend equivalents on the Time-based RSUs on or after the Award Date and until Shares are delivered on vesting of the Award, unless and until the Time-based RSUs are forfeited pursuant to Section 1 or 2 of this Award and to the extent that dividends are declared and paid on the Common Stock of the Company. Except as may be provided under Section 8 of the Plan, the Company will make no adjustment for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary and whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the Vesting Date of a Time-based RSU.

5.
Issuing Shares . As soon as reasonably practicable after each applicable Vesting Date (but in no event later than 60 days after the Vesting Date) determined in accordance with Section 1 or 2 of this Award, the Company shall deliver Shares to the Participant in respect of the Time-based RSUs that have become vested. On any of the Time-based RSUs vesting pursuant to Section 1 or 2 of this Award and payment of the applicable withholding taxes pursuant to Section 7 below, the Company shall cause the shares of Common Stock to be issued in book-entry form, registered in your name.

6.
Notices . Except as otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Award shall be in writing, and if by telecopy, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered when sent, or if by personal delivery or messenger or courier service, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered upon actual delivery (but in no event may notice be given by deposit in the United States mail), at the following addresses, telephone and facsimile numbers (or such other address(es), telephone and facsimile numbers a party may designate for itself by like notice):
If to the Company: Advance Auto Parts, Inc. located at 5008 Airport Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24012, Attention: General Counsel or by telephone at (540) 561-1173 or telecopy at (540) 561-1448;
With copy to:         Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
located at 5008 Airport Road,
Roanoke, Virginia 24012,
Attention: Vice President,
Rewards and HR Services or by
telephone at (540) 561-6818 or
telecopy at (540) 561-6998;

If to you, the Participant, to your home address on record at Advance Auto Parts or your business address at Advance Auto Parts.

2





7.
Income Tax Matters .

(a)
The Company makes no representation or warranty as to the tax treatment of your receipt or vesting of the Time-based RSUs or upon your sale or other disposition of the Shares received upon vesting of your Time-based RSUs. You should rely on your own tax advisors for such advice. In order to comply with all applicable federal or state income tax laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure that all applicable federal or state payroll, withholding, income or other taxes, which are your sole and absolute responsibility, are withheld or collected from you at the time of vesting. The Company will inform you of alternative methods to settle any applicable taxes due prior to the first vesting date of your Award.

(b)
For the purposes of determining when Shares otherwise issuable on account of your termination of employment or other association with Company will be issued, “termination of employment” or words of similar import, as used in this Award Agreement, shall mean the date as of which the Company and you reasonably anticipate that no further services will be performed by you, and shall be construed as the date that you first incur a “separation from service” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code on or following termination of employment or other association with the Company. Furthermore, if you are a “specified employee” of a public company as determined pursuant to Section 409A as of your termination of employment or other association with the Company, any Shares otherwise issuable on account of your termination of employment or other association with the Company which constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and which are otherwise payable during the first six months following your termination of employment or other association with the Company shall be issued to you on the earlier of (1) the date of your death and (2) the first business day of the seventh calendar month immediately following the month in which your termination of employment or other association with the Company occurs.

8.
Miscellaneous .

(a)
This Award is made under the provisions of the Plan and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with it. To the extent that any provision in this Award is inconsistent with the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. The interpretation of the Committee of any provision of the Plan, the Time-based RSUs or this Award, and any determination with respect thereto or hereto by the Committee, shall be binding on all parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the definition of the terms “Disability,” “Due Cause,” “Good Reason” and “Change In Control” shall be as set forth in the Employment Agreement and the interpretation of such terms shall be made in the manner prescribed in the Employment Agreement.

(b)
Nothing contained in this Award Agreement shall confer, intend to confer or imply any rights to an employment relationship or rights to a continued employment relationship or other association with the Company or any Affiliate in your favor or limit the ability of the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, to terminate, with or without Due Cause, in its sole and absolute discretion, your employment relationship or other association with the Company or such Affiliate, subject to the terms of any written employment agreement to which you are a party.

(c)
Neither the Plan nor this Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and you or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.

(d)
The Company shall not be required to deliver any shares of Common Stock until the requirements of any federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations or other laws or rules (including the rules of any securities exchange) as may be determined by the Company to be applicable are satisfied.

3




(e)
An original record of this Award and all the terms hereof, executed by the Company, is held on file by the Company. To the extent there is any conflict between the terms contained in this Award and the terms contained in the original held by the Company, the terms of the original held by the Company shall control.

(f)
This Award is intended to be consistent with your Employment Agreement. To the extent that any provision of this Award Agreement is inconsistent with the terms of your Employment Agreement, the provisions of the Employment Agreement shall control with respect to this Award.

(g)
If any provision in this Award Agreement is determined to be invalid, void or unenforceable by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, which determination is not appealed or appealable for any reason whatsoever, the provision in question shall not be deemed to affect or impair the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Award Agreement and such invalid or unenforceable provision or portion thereof shall be severed from the remainder of this Award Agreement.

In Witness Whereof, this Award has been executed by the Company as of the date first above written.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.

By: ______________________________
Tammy M. Finley
Executive Vice President, Human Resources,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Accepted and agreed, including specifically but without limitation as to the treatment of this Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan and this Award notwithstanding any terms of an Employment/ Loyalty Agreement between the Company and the undersigned to the contrary:

By: ______________________________            _______________________________    
Electronic Signature                 Acceptance Date



4


Exhibit 31.1
 
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Thomas R. Greco, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Advance Auto Parts, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s)and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e)and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: May 31, 2016



/s/ Thomas R. Greco
Thomas R. Greco
Chief Executive Officer and Director





Exhibit 31.2
 
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Michael A. Norona, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Advance Auto Parts, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s)and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e)and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: May 31, 2016



/s/ Michael A. Norona
 
Michael A. Norona
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer





Exhibit 32.1
 
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Thomas R. Greco, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. for the quarterly period ended April 23, 2016 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. The foregoing certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the accompanying report on Form 10-Q . A signed original of this statement has been provided to Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and will be retained by Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 
Date:
May 31, 2016
By: 
/s/ Thomas R. Greco
 
 
Name: Thomas R. Greco
   Title: Chief Executive Officer and Director


I, Michael A. Norona, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. for the quarterly period ended April 23, 2016 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. The foregoing certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the accompanying report on Form 10-Q . A signed original of this statement has been provided to Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and will be retained by Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.


Date:
May 31, 2016
By: 
/s/ Michael A. Norona
 
 
Name: Michael A. Norona
   Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer