UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  11/01/2012
 
NUTRI SYSTEM INC DE
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Commission File Number:  0-28551
 
DE
  
23-3012204
(State or other jurisdiction of
  
(IRS Employer
incorporation)
  
Identification No.)
 
Fort Washington Executive Center
600 Office Center Drive
Fort Washington, PA 19034
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
215 706 5300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 

 
Item 5.02.    Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
 
Appointment of New President and Chief Executive Officer

    On November 1, 2012, Nutrisystem, Inc. (the "Company") entered into an Employment Letter Agreement (the "Letter Agreement") with Dawn Zier, pursuant to which she will become the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on November 15, 2012. The Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") elected Ms. Zier to the Board effective as of November 15, 2012, which is the date of the commencement of Ms. Zier's employment with the Company. Ms. Zier will be filling the Board vacancy created by the departure of Joseph R. Redling, the Company's current President and Chief Executive Officer, on November 9, 2012.

    Ms. Zier (age 47) has served as the President of International at RDA Holding Co., the holding company and parent of The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., a global media and direct marketing company (the "Reader's Digest Association"), since April 2011, as an Executive Vice President of the Reader's Digest Association since February 2011 and as President, Europe of the Reader's Digest Association since October 2009. Prior to serving in these roles, Ms. Zier served as the President of Global Consumer Marketing for the Reader's Digest Association from June 2008 to October 2009 and as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Direct Holdings U.S. Corp., a marketer of audio and video products and at such time a subsidiary of the Reader's Digest Association, from June 2009 to October 2009. From August 2005 to June 2008, Ms. Zier served as the President of North American Consumer Marketing for the Reader's Digest Association. She has served on the Direct Marketing Education Foundation's Board of Trustees since 2010 and on the Direct Marketing Association's Board of Directors since 2008, and also as its Secretary since October 2012. From 2005 to 2009 she chaired the Magazine Director's Advisory Committee for the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

    Consistent with the objectives stated in the Company's 2012 annual meeting proxy statement, Ms. Zier's employment terms are intended to reflect the Company's reformed compensation practices and her target total direct compensation ("TDC") (i.e., the sum of base salary, target bonus plus grant date fair value of annual equity awards) is intended to approximate benchmark medians.

    The following is a brief description of the Company's Letter Agreement with Ms. Zier:

    Annual Compensation. Ms. Zier's base salary will be $600,000 and will be subject to annual review. Commencing with the 2013 calendar year, she will be eligible for a performance-based annual bonus with a target amount of $500,000 (or, if greater in future years, 75% of her then current base salary). Because certain key events and decisions impacting 2013 performance have already occurred, the Company has agreed that Ms. Zier's minimum bonus for 2013 will be $250,000. Ms. Zier will not be eligible for an annual bonus for the 2012 calendar year and no minimum bonus is guaranteed for years after 2013.

    On the date the Company grants annual equity awards to its other executive officers in 2013, Ms. Zier will then receive an equity grant with a grant date fair value of $850,000, the amount required for her TDC to approximate benchmark medians. The terms of such grant will be consistent with those approved for other executives. After this 2013 annual grant, any future equity awards will be solely in the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board.

    For the first two years of Ms. Zier's tenure, she will receive a temporary housing and transportation allowance of $4,167 per month. The Company agreed to provide this benefit for two years to enable Ms. Zier's children to remain in their existing school during what was agreed was a critical time in their education.

    Replacement Awards. As a result of accepting employment with us, it is expected that Ms. Zier will forego cash compensation from her existing employer of approximately $1.3 million. To attract her to the Company, it was necessary to compensate her for this foregone compensation. Accordingly, the Company agreed to award Ms. Zier $500,000 in cash and $800,000 in restricted stock upon commencement of her employment. These awards will be forfeited by her if she voluntarily resigns from employment before the earlier of a change in control and the second anniversary of her hire.

    Inducement Award. To further induce her to accept the Company's offer of employment and to immediately align her interests with those of the Company's stockholders, upon commencement of her employment the Company will award to Ms. Zier (i) stock options with a grant date fair value of $300,000 that vest ratably over four years, and (ii) performance-based restricted stock units ("PRSUs") with a grant date value fair of $300,000 that vest based on the Company's total shareholder return relative to that of the Russell 3000 index over the three year period commencing January 1, 2013.

    Severance. If Ms. Zier's employment with the Company ceases due either to a termination of her employment by the Company without cause or by her for good reason, then subject to her execution of a release and compliance with her restrictive covenant obligations, Ms. Zier will receive (i) continuation of her base salary for two years, (ii) continuation of group health coverage for 18 months, (iii) a pro-rata portion of her annual bonus for the year of termination, (iv) her 2013 minimum annual bonus, to the extent not already paid or payable, (v) accelerated vesting of her replacement cash and stock awards and her inducement stock option award, and (vi) a pro-rata portion of her inducement PRSUs, based on actual corporate performance through the end of the performance period.

    During her employment and for two years following any termination, Ms. Zier will be subject to customary non-competition and non-solicitation covenants. In addition, the Company has also agreed to provide Ms. Zier with customary indemnification rights for claims arising against her in her capacity as an officer or director of the Company.

    The description of the Letter Agreement herein does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Letter Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. Award agreements for the equity grants that will be made to Ms. Zier upon her commencement of employment are filed as Exhibits 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

    The Company issued a press release on November 5, 2012 announcing, among other things, the hiring of Ms. Zier, which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Extension of Current President and Chief Executive Officer

    As previously disclosed, on April 4, 2012, the Company entered into a letter agreement (the "Agreement") with Joseph M. Redling, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Company's Board of Directors, pursuant to which it was contemplated that Mr. Redling's employment with the Company would cease on September 30, 2012 or such earlier date requested by the Company on 15 days prior written notice (the "Cessation Date"). As previously disclosed, on September 27, 2012 the Cessation Date was extended by an amendment (the "First Amendment") to November 2, 2012 or such earlier date requested by the Company on 15 days prior written notice. On November 1, 2012, the Cessation Date was extended further by an amendment (the "Second Amendment") to November 9, 2012. The Agreement, as modified by the First Amendment and the Second Amendment, otherwise remains in full force and effect.

    The description of the Second Amendment herein does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Second Amendment, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.5 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

    The Company issued a press release on November 5, 2012 announcing, among other things, the extension of the Cessation Date, which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Appointment of Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

    On November 2, 2012, the Board appointed David D. Clark, the Company's Executive Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer, as the Company's Interim President and Chief Executive Officer for the period commencing on November 9, 2012, which is the employment cessation date for Mr. Redling, and ending on November 15, 2012, which is the employment commencement date for Ms. Zier. The information required by Items 401(b), (d), (e) and Item 404 (a) of Regulation S-K, as well as a brief description of Mr. Clark's employment agreement, can be found in the Company's annual meeting proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2012 and is incorporated herein by reference.

    The Company issued a press release on November 5, 2012 announcing, among other things, the appointment of Mr. Clark as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 
 
Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits
 
(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.        Description

10.1                     Letter Agreement between Nutrisystem, Inc. and Dawn Zier, dated November 1, 2012.

10.2                     Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Dawn Zier.

10.3                     Form of Stock Option Agreement for Dawn Zier.

10.4                     Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Dawn Zier.

10.5                     Letter Agreement Amendment between Nutrisystem, Inc. and Joseph M. Redling, dated November 1, 2012.

99.1                     Press Release, dated November 5, 2012.

 

 

SIGNATURES
 
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 hereunto duly authorized.
 
           
NUTRI SYSTEM INC DE
 
 
Date: November 07, 2012
     
By:
 
/s/    David D. Clark

               
David D. Clark
               
Chief Financial Officer
 
 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit No.

  
Description

EX-10.1
  
Letter Agreement between Nutrisystem, Inc. and Dawn Zier, dated November 1, 2012.
EX-10.2
  
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Dawn Zier.
EX-10.3
  
Form of Stock Option Agreement for Dawn Zier.
EX-10.4
  
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Dawn Zier.
EX-10.5
  
Letter Agreement Amendment between Nutrisystem, Inc. and Joseph M. Redling, dated November 1, 2012.
EX-99.1
  
Press Release, dated November 5, 2012.

Nutrisystem, Inc.

November 1, 2012

Ms. Dawn Zier

[Address redacted]

Dear Dawn:

We are pleased to extend to you an offer to join NutriSystem, Inc. (the "Company") on the terms set forth in this letter agreement (this "Agreement").

Start Date:

November 15, 2012

Title/Reporting:

Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and President, reporting solely to the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"). Executive will devote her full business time and best efforts to the performance of her duties for the Company, provided , however , that Executive shall be able to manage her personal investments or to engage in or serve such civic, community, charitable, educational, or religious organizations as she may select, so long as such service does not create a conflict of interest with, or interfere with the performance of, the Executive's duties hereunder or conflict with the Executive's covenants under the restrictive covenants agreement (attached hereto as Exhibit A ).

At-Will Employment:

Executive will be an at-will employee, which means that her employment may be terminated by either the Company or by her at any time, for any reason. Upon any cessation of her employment, except as otherwise provided herein, Executive's entitlement will be limited to the payment of Base Salary accrued but unpaid through the effective date of that cessation, plus any vested benefits payable under the terms of the applicable plans.

Board Service:

Executive will be appointed to the Board upon or promptly following her commencement of service, and nominated for re-election so long as actively employed as CEO. Unless otherwise requested by the Board, Executive agrees to voluntarily resign from Board upon any cessation of her employment.

Annual Base Salary:

$600,000, subject to annual review (but not to be decreased below $600,000).

2012 Annual Bonus:

None

Benefits/Vacation

Executive will participate in the same vacation policies and benefit programs as other senior executives of the Company, subject to the terms of those policies and programs as in effect from time to time.

Minimum 2013 Annual Bonus:

$250,000, subject to continued employment through the end of the 2013 year (however, Executive's actual 2013 Annual Bonus shall be based on actual performance against objectives and she shall receive a 2013 Annual Bonus based on the program described below, if that yields an amount greater than the Minimum 2013 Annual Bonus).

Annual Bonus Opportunity for 2013 and later years:

Target annual bonus will be $500,000 or 75% of then current Base Salary, whichever amount is greater. Actual range of payout will be 0 to 150% of the target, based on actual performance against objectives established by the Compensation Committee (but subject, in the case of 2013, to the minimum bonus described above). Bonuses are paid within two and one-half months following the end of the relevant fiscal year. Except as otherwise provided herein, Executive will be required to remain employed through the applicable bonus payment date in order to receive any bonus.

2013 Annual Equity Grant:

Provided she remains employed on the date that 2013 annual equity grants are made to other named executive officers (generally by March 31st), Executive will then receive an annual equity grant in the ordinary course with a grant date fair value of approximately $850,000. The components and terms of that grant will be determined by the Board, in its discretion, and will be substantially consistent with the components and terms of 2013 annual grants made to other named executive officers. Notwithstanding the above, the components of the grant shall consist of at least 25% time-vested restricted shares and 25% time-vested stock options.

Temporary Housing/Transportation:

Executive will receive a $4,167/month allowance for transportation and temporary housing costs for two years.

Replacement Grants

To compensate Executive for compensation opportunities foregone at her prior employer, Executive will be granted the following awards upon commencement of her employment:

(a) $500,000 cash signing bonus, subject to prompt repayment if her employment with the Company ceases before the earlier of the second anniversary of her employment commencement or a Change of Control.

(b) Restricted shares under the Company's Amended and Restated 2008 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP") with a grant date fair value equal to $800,000, subject to time-based vesting over two years in four equal installments, subject to full acceleration upon a Change of Control.

Inducement Grants:

To induce Executive to accept this offer and to provide her with an immediate stake in the success of the Company, Executive will be granted the following awards under the LTIP upon commencement of her employment:

(a) Stock options with a grant date fair value equal to $300,000, subject to time-based vesting in equal annual installments over four years.

(b) Performance-vested RSUs ("PRSUs") with a grant date fair value equal to $300,000. Actual range of payout will be 0 to 150% of target number of shares, based on TSR performance of the Company relative to the Russell 3000 Index for the three year period beginning January 1, 2013 and subject to continued employment through the end of that performance period.

Severance Rights Upon Termination without Cause, Resignation with Good Reason:

If Executive's employment ceases due to a termination by the Company without "Cause" or a resignation by the Executive with "Good Reason," she will be entitled to:

(a) Continuation of then current Base Salary for two years at customary payroll intervals.

(b) Direct payment (if administratively possible) or reimbursement of the portion of the monthly COBRA premium that exceeds the active employee cost of group health coverage for 18 months.

(c) A pro-rata portion of her annual bonus for the year of termination, based on actual performance through the end of the year and pro-rated based on the number of days of service completed during that year.

(d) Payment of her 2013 minimum annual bonus, to the extent not already paid (or payable pursuant to the preceding bullet).

(e) Relief from her obligation to repay the cash signing bonus, if the minimum service requirement is not already satisfied.

(f) Full vesting of the replacement restricted stock and inducement stock option grants, if not already vested.

(g) If severance occurs prior to settlement of inducement PRSU grant, a pro-rata portion of that PRSU grant, based on actual performance through the end of the performance period and pro-rated based on the number of days of service completed during that performance period.

(h) Direct payment to a service provider of Executive's choice of the reasonable costs of 12 months of executive outplacement benefits, up to a maximum of $50,000.

These payments and benefits are conditioned on: (1) Executive's execution and delivery to the Company of a general release of claims against the Company and its affiliates, substantially in a form approved by the Board (the "Release"); (2) such Release becoming irrevocable within 30 days following the cessation of Executive's employment; and (3) Executive's continued compliance with her restrictive covenant obligations to the Company. Except for items (c) and (g), these payments and benefits will be paid or provided (or begin to be paid or provided, as applicable) on the first regularly scheduled payroll date that occurs after the Release becomes irrevocable, provided that if the 30 day period described above begins in one taxable year and ends in a second taxable year, such payments or benefits shall not commence until the second taxable year. Items (c) and (g) will be paid within two and one-half months following the end of the applicable performance period.

Payments upon Executive's death/Disability:

If Executive's employment ceases due to Executive's death or "Disability," she (or her estate) will be entitled to:

(a) A pro-rata portion of her annual bonus for the year of termination, based on actual performance through the end of the year and pro-rated based on the number of days of service completed during that year, payable within two and one-half months following the end of the applicable year.

(b) Payment of her 2013 minimum annual bonus within two and one-half months following the end of the applicable year, to the extent not already paid (or payable pursuant to the preceding bullet).

(c) Relief from her obligation to repay the cash signing bonus, if the minimum service requirement is not already satisfied.

(d) Full vesting of the inducement stock option grant, if not already vested.

(e) Vesting of the next tranche of the replacement restricted stock award, if not already fully vested.

(f) If such termination of employment occurs prior to settlement of inducement PRSU grant, vesting of a pro-rata portion of the target PRSU grant.

If Executive's employment ceases due to Executive suffering a Disability, these payments and benefits will be conditioned on: (1) Executive's execution and delivery to the Company of a Release; (2) such Release becoming irrevocable within 30 days following the cessation of Executive's employment; and (3) Executive's continued compliance with her restrictive covenant obligations to the Company.

Definitions:

For purposes of this Agreement:

" Cause" means: (a) Executive is convicted of a felony, or (b) in the reasonable determination of the Board, Executive has done any one of the following: (1) committed an act of fraud, embezzlement, or theft in the course of her employment, (2) caused intentional, wrongful damage to the property of the Company, (3) Executive's material breach of any agreement with the Company or its affiliates, any duty owed to the Company or its stockholders or any published policy of the Company, which breach (if curable) is not have cured within 30 days after receiving written notice from the Board specifying the details of the breach, or (4) engaged in gross misconduct or gross negligence in the course of employment. For avoidance of doubt, (x) Executive's unwillingness to relocate her family's permanent residence to any location at the Company's request shall not constitute "Cause," and (y) a termination due to Executive suffering a Disability will not constitute a termination "without Cause."

"Change of Control" has the same meaning as defined in the LTIP.

"Disability" means a condition entitling Executive to benefits under any long-term disability plan or policy maintained or funded by the Company.

"Good Reason" means: (a) a material diminution of Executive's title, authority, duties or responsibilities or a change in Executive's reporting structure described above; (b) a material reduction in Executive's then current Base Salary or annual bonus target opportunity (c) a material change in the geographic location at which the Executive performs services for the Company, which for this purpose shall mean the relocation of the Company's headquarters by more than 50 miles; (d) failure of the Board to appoint Executive as a member of the Board within 30 days following her commencement of employment or to nominate her for re-election upon expiration of any term of her service as a director; and (e) a material breach of this Agreement by the Company; provided that, any such event will constitute Good Reason only if Executive notifies the Company in writing of such event within 90 days following the initial occurrence thereof, the Company fails to cure such event within 30 days after receipt from Executive of written notice thereof, and Executive resigns her employment within 30 days following the expiration of that cure period.

Restrictive Covenants:

Executive represents and warrants to the Company that there are no orders, judgments, decrees, restrictions, agreements or understandings by which she is bound that would prevent or make unlawful her execution of this Agreement, that would be inconsistent or in conflict with this Agreement or her obligations hereunder, or that would otherwise prevent, limit or impair the performance her duties to the Company.

As a condition of her employment, Executive is required to execute the restrictive covenant agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A .

Section 409A:

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent compliance with the requirements of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(i)(2) (or any successor provision) is necessary to avoid the application of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code ("Section 409A") to any payments due to Executive upon or following her Separation from Service (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h)(1) or any successor provision)), then notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (or any otherwise applicable plan, policy, agreement or arrangement), any such payments that are otherwise due within six months following Executive's Separation from Service will be deferred without interest and paid to Executive in a lump sum immediately following that six month period. This paragraph should not be construed to prevent the application of Treas. Reg. Sections 1.409A-1(b)(4) or -1(b)(9)(iii)(or any successor provisions) to amounts payable to the Executive. For purposes of the application of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) (or any successor provision) to amounts payable hereunder, each payment in a series of payments will be deemed a separate payment.

While the parties have endeavored to structure Executive's compensation rights so that payments to her are exempt from or compliant with Section 409A, the Company makes no representation to Executive in this regard and will have no obligation to indemnify Executive for taxes or interest imposed under Section 409A.

Indemnification

The Company shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless for and against any and all costs, expenses, liabilities, losses, fees (including without limitation attorneys' and/or other professional fees, disbursements and charges), awards, judgments, penalties, fines, verdicts, taxes, penalties, sanctions and interests, arising out of any and all acts and/or omissions, or claimed acts and/or omissions, in her capacity as an officer, director, manager, agent, representative, member and/or employee of the Company, to the maximum extent permitted under the greater of (a) any Company corporate governance document (such as a bylaw or articles of incorporation); or (b) applicable law. Executive shall further be entitled to a prompt advancement of any and all reasonable costs, expenses, disbursements, and fees (including without limitation attorneys' and/or other professional fees, disbursements and charges) incurred or to be incurred by her in connection with an actual or threatened civil, criminal, regulatory, arbitral, governmental, administrative and/or other action of other proceeding, or investigation, arising out of any and all acts and/or omissions, or claimed acts and/or omissions, in her capacity as an officer, director, manager, agent, representative, member and/or employee of the Company, subject to her execution of an undertaking to repay such advances if her conduct is later determined not to have met the standard required for indemnification of such amounts and subject further to any other requirement or condition imposed by applicable law.

Other:

(a) Within 30 days following the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall directly pay to Executive's attorneys (Outten & Golden LLP) for reasonable legal fees incurred in the documentation of these arrangements, up to a maximum of $15,000.

(b) Executive will be subject to all corporate policies applicable to executive officers and directors, including securities trading policy, anti-hedging policy, clawback policy and stock ownership guidelines.

(c) All payments (or transfers of property) to Executive will be subject to tax withholding to the extent required by applicable law.

(d) Both during and following her service with the Company, Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company in connection with any action or proceeding (or any appeal from any action or proceeding) that relates to events occurring during Executive's employment by the Company. After Executive's employment ceases, the Company will provide reasonable advance notice of its need for Executive's cooperation and will attempt to schedule and limit the need for Executive's cooperation so as to minimize any disruption of Executive's personal and other professional obligations. The Company will reimburse Executive, in accordance with the Company's policy, for reasonable out of pocket travel and other expenses that she incurs as a result of her cooperation.

(e) In advance of any reasonably foreseeable event or transaction described in Treas. Reg. Section 280G-1, Q/A-2(a)(3)(i), (ii) or (iii), the Company and Executive will cooperate and exercise commercially reasonable efforts to engage in lawful planning to seek to minimize adverse tax consequences on either of them under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. For avoidance of doubt, however, this paragraph does not obligate the Company to pay any additional amount to Executive or reimburse Executive for any taxes payable by her.

(f) Notices permitted or required under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand or overnight courier addressed, in the case of the Company, c/o its General Counsel as its principal executive office and, in the case of Executive, to her most recent address set forth in the personnel records of the Company.

(g) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the parties, their heirs, executors, administrators, agents, assigns, and estates, provided that Executive's rights and obligations under this Agreement are personal to her and may not be assigned.

(h) This Agreement is governed by Pennsylvania law, without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws. Any disputes, actions, claims or causes of action arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the employment relationship between the Company and Executive shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania or the Pennsylvania state courts located in Montgomery County.

(i) This Agreement sets forth the parties' entire agreement regarding Executive's employment and compensation by the Company and supersedes all prior agreements, discussions and understandings on those topics. This Agreement may not be modified in any way except by a written amendment executed by Executive and a duly authorized representative of the Company.

 

Your signature below confirms that all information provided to us during the interview and hiring process is true and accurate in all material respects. To indicate your acceptance of our offer and its terms, please sign and date the Agreement in the space provided below and return it to me. Please retain a copy for your records.

Sincerely,

/s/ David D. Clark

David D. Clark

Executive Vice President of Administration,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Agreed and accepted on November 1, 2012:

By: /s/ Dawn M. Zier __

Dawn Zier

NUTRISYSTEM, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED NUTRISYSTEM, INC.

2008 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

Dawn Zier

This STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT, dated as of November __, 2012 (the " Date of Grant "), is delivered by NutriSystem, Inc. (the " Company ") to Dawn Zier (the " Grantee ").

RECITALS

A. The Amended and Restated NutriSystem, Inc. 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the " Plan ") permits the grant of stock awards in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

B. In satisfaction of the Company's commitment to issue restricted shares to the Grantee upon commencement of her employment, as contained in the letter agreement between the Employer and the Grantee dated November 1, 2012 (the " Employment Agreement "), the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the " Committee ") has approved this stock award.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

  1. Stock Award .
    1. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, the Committee hereby grants to the Grantee [$800,000 divided by grant date FMV] shares of common stock of the Company, subject to the restrictions set forth below and in the Plan (the " Restricted Stock ") and acknowledges payment by the Grantee of $<<M Share>> 0.001 per share) for the Restricted Stock. Shares of Restricted Stock may not be transferred by the Grantee or subjected to any security interest until the shares have become vested pursuant to this Agreement and the Plan.
    2. The Grantee hereby accepts this stock award and acknowledges that it satisfies the Company's commitment to issue restricted shares to her upon commencement of her employment, as described in the Employment Agreement.
  2. Vesting and Nonassignability of Restricted Stock .
    1. Except as provided in Paragraphs 2(b), 2(c) and 2(d), the shares of Restricted Stock shall become vested, and the restrictions described in Paragraphs 2(e) and 2(f) shall lapse, according to the following vesting schedule, if the Grantee continues to be employed by, or provide services to, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (the " Employer ") from the Date of Grant until the applicable vesting date:
    2. (i) 25% of the shares subject to the Restricted Stock shall become vested six months following the Date of Grant;

      (ii) 25% of the shares subject to the Restricted Stock shall become vested on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant;

      (iii) 25% of the shares subject to the Restricted Stock shall become vested eighteenth months following the Date of Grant; and

      (iv) the remaining 25% of the shares subject to the Restricted Stock shall become vested on the second anniversary of the Date of Grant.

      The vesting of the shares subject to the Restricted Stock shall be cumulative, but shall not exceed 100% of the shares subject to the Restricted Stock. If the foregoing schedule would produce fractional shares, the number of shares that vest shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share.

    3. If a Change of Control occurs while the Grantee is employed by, or providing service to, the Employer, the shares of Restricted Stock shall become fully vested on the date of the Change of Control.
    4. If the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Employer on account of (i) the death of the Grantee, or (ii) termination by the Employer because the Grantee becomes "totally disabled" (defined as a condition entitling Grantee to benefits under any long-term disability plan or policy maintained or funded by the Employer), then, subject to satisfaction of the requirements contained in the death and Disability provisions of the Employment Agreement regarding execution of a release and compliance with restrictive covenants, the next tranche of shares that would have vested under Paragraph 2(a) following such termination of employment or service if the Grantee had continued to be employed or provide services, shall become vested on the date of such termination.
    5. If the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Employer on account of (i) a termination by the Employer without "cause" (as defined in the Employment Agreement), or (ii) the resignation by the Grantee with "good reason" (as defined in the Employment Agreement), the vesting of the Restricted Stock shall accelerate to the extent, and subject to the conditions, described in the severance provisions of the Employment Agreement.
    6. Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph 2, if the Grantee's employment or service with the Employer terminates for any reason before the Restricted Stock is fully vested, the shares of Restricted Stock that are not then vested (or do not then become vested) shall be forfeited and must be immediately returned to the Company, and the Company shall pay to the Grantee, as consideration for the return of the non-vested shares, the lesser of $0.001 per share or the fair market value (as defined in the Plan) of a share of common stock of the Company on the date of the forfeiture, for each returned share.
    7. During the period before the shares of Restricted Stock vest (the " Restriction Period "), the non-vested shares of Restricted Stock may not be assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of by the Grantee. Any attempt to assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the shares contrary to the provisions hereof, and the levy of any execution, attachment or similar process upon the shares, shall be null, void and without effect.
  3. Issuance of Shares .
    1. The Company will cause the Restricted Stock to be issued in the Grantee's name either by book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates. While the Restricted Stock remains unvested, the Company will cause an appropriate stop-transfer order to be issued and to remain in effect with respect to the Restricted Stock. As soon as practicable following the vesting of any of the Restricted Stock (and provided that appropriate arrangements have been made with the Company for the satisfaction of any required tax withholding), the Company will cause the stop-transfer order to be removed from an appropriate number of shares.
    2. If any certificate is issued in respect of Restricted Stock, that certificate will include such legends as the Company determines are appropriate and will be held in escrow by the Company or its designee. In addition, the Grantee may be required to execute and deliver to the Company or its designee a stock power with respect to the Restricted Stock. When any certificated Restricted Stock becomes vested, the Company will cause a new certificate to be issued without that portion of the legend referencing the forfeiture conditions described in Paragraph 2 and will cause that new certificate to be delivered to the Grantee (provided that appropriate arrangements have been made with the Company for the satisfaction of any required tax withholding).
    3. During the Restriction Period, the Grantee shall receive any cash dividends or other distributions paid with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock and may vote the shares of Restricted Stock. In the event of a dividend or distribution payable in stock or other property or a reclassification, split up or similar event during the Restriction Period, the shares or other property issued or declared with respect to the non-vested shares of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the same forfeiture conditions and transfer restrictions as those non-vested shares.
    4. The obligation of the Company to deliver shares upon the vesting of the Restricted Stock shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations and such approvals by governmental agencies as may be deemed appropriate to comply with relevant securities laws and regulations.
  4. Dissolution or Liquidation; Sale or Merger . The provisions of the Plan applicable to a dissolution, liquidation, sale or merger of the Company shall apply to the Restricted Stock, and, in the event of a dissolution, liquidation, sale or merger of the Company, the Committee may take such actions as it deems appropriate pursuant to the Plan.
  5. Grant Subject to Plan Provisions . This grant is made pursuant to the Plan, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and in all respects shall be interpreted in accordance with the Plan. The grant is subject to interpretations, regulations and determinations concerning the Plan established from time to time by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, including, but not limited to, provisions pertaining to (i) rights and obligations with respect to withholding taxes, (ii) the registration, qualification or listing of the shares, (iii) changes in capitalization of the Company, and (iv) other requirements of applicable law. The Committee shall have the authority to interpret and construe the grant pursuant to the terms of the Plan, and its decisions shall be conclusive as to any questions arising hereunder.
  6. Withholding . The Grantee shall be required to pay to the Employer, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Employer to provide for the payment of, any federal, state, local or other taxes that the Employer is required to withhold with respect to the grant or vesting of the Restricted Stock. Subject to Committee approval, the Grantee may elect to satisfy any tax withholding obligation of the Employer with respect to the Restricted Stock by having vested shares withheld up to an amount that does not exceed the minimum applicable withholding tax rate for federal (including FICA), state, local and other tax liabilities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or this Agreement, until the Grantee has satisfied the Employer's withholding obligation with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, the Grantee shall not have any rights to sell or transfer any shares that have become vested pursuant to Paragraph 2.
  7. Restrictions on Sale or Transfer of Shares .
    1. The Grantee will not sell, transfer, pledge, donate, assign, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber the shares underlying this grant unless the shares are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " Securities Act "), or the Company is given an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company that such registration is not required under the Securities Act.
    2. In consideration for this grant of Restricted Stock, the Grantee agrees to be bound by the Company's policies, including, but not limited to the Insider Trading Policy, Anti-Hedging and Clawback Policies, and understands that there may be certain times during the year that the Grantee will be prohibited from selling, transferring, donating, assigning, mortgaging, hypothecating or otherwise encumbering the Company securities.
  8. No Employment or Other Rights . This grant shall not confer upon the Grantee any right to be retained by or in the employ or service of the Employer and shall not interfere in any way with the right of the Employer to terminate the Grantee's employment or service at any time. The right of the Employer to terminate at will the Grantee's employment or service at any time for any reason is specifically reserved.
  9. Confidential Information, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation .  The Grantee affirms her obligations under the Nondisclosure and Noncompete Agreement for Management Employees.
  10. Assignment by Company . The rights and protections of the Company hereunder shall extend to any successors or assigns of the Company and to the Company's parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates. This Agreement may be assigned by the Company without the Grantee's consent.
  11. Effect on Other Benefits . The value of this award or the shares subject hereto shall not be considered eligible earnings for purposes of any other plan maintained by the Company or the Employer. Neither shall such value be considered part of the Grantee's compensation for purposes of determining or calculating other benefits that are based on compensation, such as life insurance.
  12. Applicable Law . The validity, construction, interpretation and effect of this instrument shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof.
  13. Entire Agreement . This Agreement, including the terms of the Employment Agreement specifically incorporated by reference in Sections 2(c) and 2(d), represents the entire agreement between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof, and merges and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous discussions, agreements and understandings of every nature relating to the subject matter hereof.
  14. Consent to Electronic Delivery . The Grantee hereby authorizes the Company to deliver electronically any prospectuses or other documentation related to this Agreement, the Plan and any other compensation or benefit plan or arrangement in effect from time to time (including, without limitation, reports, proxy statements or other documents that are required to be delivered to participants in such plans or arrangements pursuant to federal or state laws, rules or regulations). For this purpose, electronic delivery will include, without limitation, delivery by means of e-mail or e-mail notification that such documentation is available on the Company's intranet site. Upon written request, the Company will provide to the Grantee a paper copy of any document also delivered to the Grantee electronically. The authorization described in this paragraph may be revoked by the Grantee at any time by written notice to the Company.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused its duly authorized officer to execute this Agreement, and the Grantee has placed his or her signature hereon, on this __ day of November, 2012.

NUTRISYSTEM, INC.

Attest:

By:

Name: Kathleen Simone Name: David Clark

Title: SVP, Finance & Controller Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

I hereby accept the grant of Restricted Stock described in this Agreement, and I agree to be bound by the terms of the Plan and this Agreement. I hereby further agree that all of the decisions and determinations of the Committee shall be final and binding.

 

Grantee: Dawn Zier

NUTRISYSTEM, INC.

2008 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION GRANT

 

Dawn Zier

This NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION GRANT AGREEMENT (the " Agreement "), dated as of November __, 2012 (the " Date of Grant "), is delivered by NutriSystem, Inc. (the " Company ") to Dawn Zier (the " Grantee ").

RECITALS

A. The Amended and Restated NutriSystem, Inc. 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the " Plan ") permits the grant of stock options to purchase shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (" Company Stock ").

B. In satisfaction of the Company's commitment to issue stock options to the Grantee upon commencement of her employment, as contained in the letter agreement between the Employer and the Grantee dated November 1, 2012 (the " Employment Agreement "), the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the " Committee ") has approved this grant.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

  1. Grant of Option .
    1. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee a nonqualified stock option (the " Option ") to purchase [$300,000 divided by grant date fair value] shares of Company Stock at an exercise price of $[grant date FMV] per share of Company Stock. The Option shall become vested and exercisable according to Paragraph 2 below.
    2. The Grantee hereby accepts this stock award and acknowledges that it satisfies the Company's commitment to issue stock options to her upon commencement of her employment, as described in the Employment Agreement.
  2. Exercisability of Option .
    1. Except as provided below in Sections 2(b) and 2(c), the Option shall become vested and exercisable on the following dates, if the Grantee continues to be employed by, or provide services to, the Employer (as defined in the Plan) from the Date of Grant through the applicable vesting date (each, a " Vesting Date "):
    2.  

       

      Vesting Date

      Portion of Option Becoming

      Exercisable on the Vesting Date

      First Anniversary of Date of Grant

      25%

      Second Anniversary of Date of Grant

      25%

      Third Anniversary of Date of Grant

      25%

      Fourth Anniversary of Date of Grant

      25%

      The vesting and exercisability of the Option is cumulative, but shall not exceed 100% of the shares of Company Stock subject to the Option. If the foregoing schedule would produce fractional shares of Company Stock, the number of shares of Company Stock for which the Option becomes vested and exercisable shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share.

    3. If at any time prior to the date the Option becomes vested and exercisable as described in subparagraph 2(a) above, the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Employer on account of (i) the death of the Grantee, or (ii) termination by the Employer because the Grantee becomes "totally disabled" (defined as a condition entitling Grantee to benefits under any long-term disability plan or policy maintained or funded by the Employer), then the Option, subject to satisfaction of the requirements contained in the death and Disability provisions of the Employment Agreement regarding execution of a release and compliance with restrictive covenants, shall become fully vested and exercisable on the date of such cessation of employment or service.
    4. If at any time prior to the date the Option becomes vested and exercisable as described in subparagraph 2(a) above, the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Employer on account of (i) a termination by the Employer without "cause" (as defined in the Employment Agreement), or (ii) the resignation by the Grantee with "good reason" (as defined in the Employment Agreement), the vesting of the Option shall accelerate to the extent, and subject to the conditions, described in the severance provisions of the Employment Agreement.
  3. Term of Option .
    1. The Option shall have a term of seven years from the Date of Grant and shall terminate at the expiration of that period, unless it is terminated at an earlier date pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement or the Plan.
    2. The Option shall also automatically terminate upon the happening of the first of the following events:
      1. The expiration of the 90-day period after the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer, if the termination is for any reason other than "total disability," death or "cause."
      2. The expiration of the one-year period after the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer on account of the Grantee's "total disability."
      3. The expiration of the one-year period after the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer, if the Grantee dies while employed by, or providing service to, the Employer or within 90 days after the Grantee ceases to be so employed or provide such services on account of a termination described in clause (i) above.
      4. The date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer for "cause." In addition, notwithstanding the prior provisions of this Paragraph 3, if the Grantee engages in conduct that constitutes "cause" after the Grantee's employment or service terminates, the Option shall immediately terminate and the Grantee shall automatically forfeit all shares of Company Stock underlying any exercised portion of the Option for which the Company has not yet delivered the share certificates, upon refund by the Company of the exercise price paid by the Grantee for such shares.

    Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may the Option be exercised after the date that is immediately before the seventh anniversary of the Date of Grant. Any portion of the Option that is not exercisable at the time the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer (determined after giving effect to Paragraph 2(b) or 2(c), if applicable) shall immediately terminate.

  4. Exercise Procedures .
    1. Subject to the provisions of Paragraphs 2 and 3 above, the Grantee may exercise part or all of the exercisable portion of the Option by giving the Company written notice of intent to exercise in the manner provided in this Agreement, specifying the number of shares of Company Stock as to which the Option is to be exercised and the method of payment. Payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes shall be made in accordance with procedures established by the Committee from time to time based on the type of payment being made but, in any event, prior to issuance of the shares of Company Stock. The Grantee shall pay the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes (i) in cash or certified check, (ii) if permitted by the Committee, by delivering shares of Company Stock owned by the Grantee and having a Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price or by attestation (on a form prescribed by the Committee) to ownership of shares of Company Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price, (iii) by payment through a broker in accordance with procedures permitted by Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board, or (iv) by such other method as the Committee may approve to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Committee may impose from time to time such limitations as it deems appropriate on the use of shares of Company Stock to exercise the Option.
    2. The obligation of the Company to deliver shares of Company Stock upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations and such approvals by governmental agencies as may be deemed appropriate by the Committee, including such actions as Company counsel shall deem necessary or appropriate to comply with relevant securities laws and regulations. The Company may require that the Grantee (or other person exercising the Option after the Grantee's death) represent that the Grantee is purchasing the shares of Company Stock for the Grantee's own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution of the shares of Company Stock, or such other representations as the Committee deems appropriate. All shares of Company Stock issued pursuant to this Option shall be subject to any applicable clawback and other policies implemented by the Board of Directors of the Company, as in effect from time to time.
    3. All obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall be subject to the rights of the Company as set forth in the Plan to withhold amounts required to be withheld for all applicable taxes. Subject to Committee approval, the Grantee may elect to satisfy any tax withholding obligation of the Employer with respect to the Option by having shares of Company Stock withheld up to an amount that does not exceed the minimum applicable withholding tax rate for federal (including FICA), state and local tax liabilities.
  5. Dissolution or Liquidation; Sale or Merger . The provisions of the Plan applicable to a dissolution, liquidation, sale or merger of the Company shall apply to the Option and, in the event of a dissolution, liquidation, sale or merger of the Company, the Committee may take such actions as it deems appropriate pursuant to the Plan.
  6. Restrictions on Exercise . Except as the Committee may otherwise permit pursuant to the Plan, only the Grantee may exercise the Option during the Grantee's lifetime and, after the Grantee's death, the Option shall be exercisable (subject to the limitations specified in the Plan) solely by the person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, to the extent that the Option is exercisable pursuant to this Agreement.
  7. Grant Subject to Plan Provisions . This grant is made pursuant to the Plan, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and in all respects shall be interpreted in accordance with the Plan. The grant and exercise of the Option are subject to interpretations, regulations and determinations concerning the Plan established from time to time by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, including, but not limited to, provisions pertaining to (a) rights and obligations with respect to withholding taxes, (b) the registration, qualification or listing of the shares of Company Stock, (c) changes in capitalization of the Company and (d) other requirements of applicable law. The Committee shall have the authority to interpret and construe the Option pursuant to the terms of the Plan, and its decisions shall be conclusive as to any questions arising hereunder.
  8. Restrictions on Sale or Transfer of Shares.
    1. The Grantee agrees that the Grantee will not sell, transfer, pledge, donate, assign, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber the shares of Company Stock underlying the Option unless the shares of Company Stock are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " Securities Act "), or the Company is given an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company that such registration is not required under the Securities Act.
    2. In consideration for this Option grant, the Grantee agrees to be bound by the Company's policies, including, but not limited to the Insider Trading Policy, Anti-Hedging and Clawback Policies, and understands that there may be certain times during the year that the Grantee will be prohibited from selling, transferring, donating, assigning, mortgaging, hypothecating or otherwise encumbering the Company securities.
  9. No Employment or Other Rights . The grant of the Option shall not confer upon the Grantee any right to be retained by or in the employ or service of the Employer and shall not interfere in any way with the right of the Employer to terminate at will the Grantee's employment or service at any time. The right of the Employer to terminate at will the Grantee's employment or service at any time for any reason is specifically reserved.
  10. No Stockholder Rights . Neither the Grantee, nor any person entitled to exercise the Grantee's rights in the event of the Grantee's death, shall have any of the rights and privileges of a stockholder with respect to the shares of Company Stock subject to the Option, until certificates for shares of Company Stock have been issued upon the exercise of the Option.
  11. Confidential Information, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation . The Grantee affirms her obligations under the Nondisclosure and Noncompete Agreement for Management Employees.
  12. Assignment and Transfers . Except as the Committee may otherwise permit pursuant to the Plan, the rights and interests of the Grantee under this Agreement may not be sold, assigned, encumbered or otherwise transferred except, in the event of the death of the Grantee, by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In the event of any attempt by the Grantee to alienate, assign, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of the Option or any right hereunder, except as provided for in this Agreement, or in the event of the levy or any attachment, execution or similar process upon the rights or interests hereby conferred, the Company may terminate the Option by notice to the Grantee, and the Option and all rights hereunder shall thereupon become null and void. The rights and protections of the Company hereunder shall extend to any successors or assigns of the Company and to the Company's parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates. This Agreement may be assigned by the Company without the Grantee's consent.
  13. Effect on Other Benefits . The value of this Option or the shares of Company Stock received upon exercise of the Option shall not be considered eligible earnings for purposes of any other plans maintained by the Company or the Employer. Neither shall such value be considered part of the Grantee's compensation for purposes of determining or calculating other benefits that are based on compensation, such as life insurance.
  14. Applicable Law . The validity, construction, interpretation and effect of this instrument shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof.
  15. Notice . Notices permitted or required under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand or overnight courier addressed, in the case of the Company, c/o its General Counsel at its principal executive office and, in the case of the Grantee, to her most recent address set forth in the personnel records of the Company.
  16. Entire Agreement . This Agreement, including the terms of the Employment Agreement specifically incorporated by reference in Sections 2(b) and 2(c), represents the entire agreement between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof, and merges and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous discussions, agreements and understandings of every nature relating to the subject matter hereof.
  17. Consent to Electronic Delivery . The Grantee hereby authorizes the Company to deliver electronically any prospectuses or other documentation related to this Agreement, the Plan and any other compensation or benefit plan or arrangement in effect from time to time (including, without limitation, reports, proxy statements or other documents that are required to be delivered to participants in such plans or arrangements pursuant to federal or state laws, rules or regulations). For this purpose, electronic delivery will include, without limitation, delivery by means of e-mail or e-mail notification that such documentation is available on the Company's intranet site. Upon written request, the Company will provide to the Grantee a paper copy of any document also delivered to the Grantee electronically. The authorization described in this paragraph may be revoked by the Grantee at any time by written notice to the Company.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused its duly authorized officer to execute this Agreement, and the Grantee has placed his or her signature hereon, on this ___ day of November, 2012.

NUTRISYSTEM, INC.

Attest:

By:

Name: Kathleen Simone Name: David Clark

Title: SVP, Finance & Controller Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

I hereby accept the grant of the Option described in this Agreement, and I agree to be bound by the terms of the Plan and this Agreement. I hereby further agree that all of the decisions and determinations of the Committee shall be final and binding.

 

Grantee: Dawn Zier

 

 

NUTRISYSTEM, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED NUTRISYSTEM, INC.

2008 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT

Dawn Zier

This PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT (this " Grant "), dated as of November __, 2012 (the " Date of Grant "), is delivered by NutriSystem, Inc. (the " Company ") to Dawn Zier (the " Grantee ").

RECITALS

A. The Amended and Restated NutriSystem, Inc. 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the " Plan ") permits the grant of performance-based restricted stock units that are convertible into an equivalent number of shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the " Company Stock "), with the total number of performance-based restricted stock units that may be earned and converted into shares of Company Stock conditioned on the achievement of specified performance goals and vesting conditions.

B. In satisfaction of the Company's commitment to issue performance-based restricted stock units to the Grantee upon commencement of her employment, as contained in the letter agreement between the Employer and the Grantee dated November 1, 2012 (the " Employment Agreement "), the Compensation Committee (the " Committee ") of the Board of Directors of the Company (the " Board ") has approved this Grant.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties to this Grant, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

  1. Grant of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Grant and the Plan, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee [PRSUs with a grant date fair value of $300,000] performance-based restricted stock units (the " Performance Units "). The Performance Units are contingently awarded and will become vested and distributable if and only to the extent that the performance goals and other conditions set forth in this Grant are met. Each Performance Unit shall be a phantom right and shall be equivalent to one share of Company Stock on the applicable distribution date, as described in Paragraph 4 below. The number of Performance Units set forth above is equal to the number of Performance Units that will vest upon achievement of the target level of performance (the " Target Award ").
  2. Acceptance of Grant . The Grantee hereby accepts this Grant and acknowledges that it satisfies the Company's commitment to issue performance-based restricted stock units to her upon commencement of her employment, as described in the Employment Agreement.
  3. Vesting .
    1. The Performance Units shall vest on December 31, 2015 (the " Service Date ") to the extent determined based on the attached Exhibit A , if the Grantee remains in continuous service with the Employer through the Service Date. Any Performance Units that do not vest due to failure to fully satisfy the applicable performance goal shall be forfeited as of the Service Date and the Grantee shall not have any further rights with respect to those units.
    2. If the Grantee ceases to perform services for the Employer prior to the Service Date on account of a termination of the Grantee's employment or service due to her death or "disability" (as defined in the Employment Agreement), then subject to satisfaction of the requirements contained in the death and Disability provisions of the Employment Agreement regarding execution of a release and compliance with restrictive covenants, the Grantee shall become vested in a pro-rata portion of the Performance Units. The pro-rata portion shall be determined by multiplying (x) the Target Award by (y) a fraction, (I) the numerator of which is the number of days of continuous service performed by the Grantee for the Employer during the period beginning January 1, 2013 and ending on the Service Date (the " Performance Period "), and (II) the denominator of which is 1095. Any Performance Units that do not vest in connection with such death or Disability shall be forfeited as of the date the Grantee's service ceases and the Grantee shall not have any further rights with respect to those units.
    3. If the Grantee ceases to perform services for the Employer prior to the Service Date on account of (i) a termination by the Employer without "cause" (as defined in the Employment Agreement), or (ii) the resignation by the Grantee with "good reason" (as defined in the Employment Agreement), then subject to satisfaction of the requirements contained in severance provisions of the Employment Agreement regarding execution of a release and compliance with restrictive covenants, the Grantee shall become vested in a number of Performance Units determined by multiplying (x) the number of Performance Units that would otherwise have vested under Paragraph 3(a), above (but for the cessation of the Grantee's service), by (y) a fraction, (I) he numerator of which is the number of days of continuous service performed by the Grantee for the Employer during the Performance Period, and (II) the denominator of which is 1095. Any Performance Units that cannot vest because of the pro-ration described above will be forfeited as of the date the Grantee's service ceases and the Grantee shall not have any further rights with respect to those units. Any Performance Units that do not vest because of the failure to fully satisfy the applicable performance goal shall be forfeited as of the Service Date and the Grantee shall not have any further rights with respect to those units.
    4. If prior to the Service Date the Grantee's employment or service with the Employer ceases for any reason other than those described in Paragraphs 3(b) or 3(c), above, all the Performance Units shall be immediately forfeited and the Grantee shall not have any further rights with respect to this Grant.
  4. Time and Form of Payment with Respect to Performance Units . The Grantee shall receive a distribution with respect to vested Performance Units within two and one-half months following the applicable vesting date (i.e., the Service Date, for Performance Units vesting pursuant to Section 3(a) or 3(c), or the date of cessation of the Grantee's service, for Performance Units vesting pursuant to Section 3(b)). The Performance Units will be distributed in shares of Company Stock, with each vested Performance Unit representing the right to receive one share of Company Stock.
  5. Dividend Equivalents . At the same time that the Performance Units are converted to shares of Company Stock and distributed to the Grantee as set forth in Paragraph 4 above, the Company shall pay to the Grantee a lump sum cash payment equal to the sum of the dividends that would have been payable between January 1, 2013 and the date of such distribution with respect to a number of shares of Company Stock equal to the number of shares then distributable (equitable adjusted by the Committee to take into account any stock splits, reverse splits, mergers, recapitalizations or similar events occurring during such period).
  6. Dissolution or Liquidation; Sale or Merger . The provisions of the Plan applicable to a dissolution, liquidation, sale or merger of the Company shall apply to the Grant, and, in the event of a dissolution, liquidation, sale or merger of the Company, the Committee may shorten the Performance Period and accelerate settlement of this Grant based on performance through the end of such abbreviated performance period or take such other actions as it deems appropriate and consistent with the Plan.
  7. Acknowledgment by Grantee . By accepting this Grant, the Grantee acknowledges that with respect to any right to distribution and payment pursuant to this Grant, the Grantee is and shall be an unsecured general creditor of the Company without any preference as against other unsecured general creditors of the Company, and the Grantee hereby covenants for herself, and anyone at any time claiming through or under the Grantee, not to claim any such preference, and hereby disclaims and waives any such preference which may at any time be at issue, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The Grantee also hereby agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Grant. The Grantee further agrees to be bound by the determinations and decisions of the Committee with respect to this Grant and the Plan and the Grantee's rights to benefits under this Grant and the Plan, and agrees that all such determinations and decisions of the Committee shall be binding on the Grantee, her beneficiaries and any other person having or claiming an interest under this Grant and the Plan on behalf of the Grantee.
  8. Restrictions on Issuance or Transfer of Shares of Company Stock .
    1. The obligation of the Company to deliver shares of Company Stock hereunder shall be subject to the condition that if at any time the Committee shall determine in its discretion that the listing, registration or qualification of the shares of Company Stock upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the issuance of shares of Company Stock, the shares of Company Stock may not be issued in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee. The issuance of shares of Company Stock and the payment of cash to the Grantee pursuant to this Grant is subject to any applicable taxes and other laws or regulations of the United States and of any state having jurisdiction thereof.
    2. As a condition to the receipt of any shares of Company Stock upon distribution of the earned and vested Performance Units, the Grantee (i) agrees to be bound by the Company's policies, including, but not limited to, the Company's Insider Trading Policy, regarding the limitations on the transfer of such shares, and the Company's Clawback Policy and Anti-Hedging Policy, and (ii) understands that there may be certain times during the year that the Grantee will be prohibited from selling, transferring, donating, assigning, mortgaging, hypothecating or otherwise encumbering the shares.
  9. Grant Subject to Plan Provisions . This Grant is made pursuant to the Plan, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and in all respects shall be interpreted in accordance with the Plan. In the event of any contradiction, distinction or difference between this Grant and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. Except as otherwise defined in this Grant, capitalized terms used in this Grant shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan. This Grant is subject to the interpretations, regulations and determinations concerning the Plan established from time to time by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, including, but not limited to, provisions pertaining to (a) rights and obligations with respect to withholding taxes, (b) the registration, qualification or listing of the shares of Company Stock, (c) changes in capitalization of the Company, and (d) other requirements of applicable law. The Committee shall have the authority to interpret and construe this Grant pursuant to the terms of the Plan, its decisions shall be conclusive as to any questions arising hereunder and the Grantee's acceptance of this Grant is the Grantee's agreement to be bound by the interpretations and decisions of the Committee with respect to this Grant and the Plan.
  10. No Rights as Stockholder . The Grantee shall not have any rights as a stockholder of the Company, including the right to any cash dividends (except as provided in Paragraph 5 hereof) or the right to vote, with respect to any Performance Units.
  11. No Rights to Continued Employment or Service . This Grant shall not confer upon the Grantee any right to be retained in the employment or service of the Employer and shall not interfere in any way with the right of the Employer to terminate the Grantee's employment or service at any time. The right of the Employer to terminate at will the Grantee's employment or service at any time for any reason is specifically reserved.
  12. Confidential Information, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation .  The Grantee reaffirms and acknowledges the Grantee's obligations under the Nondisclosure and Noncompete Agreement for Management Employees.
  13. Assignment and Transfers . No Performance Units or dividend equivalents awarded to the Grantee under this Grant may be transferred, assigned, pledged, or encumbered by the Grantee and the Performance Units and dividend equivalents shall be distributed during the lifetime of the Grantee only for the benefit of the Grantee. Any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge, or encumber the Performance Units or dividend equivalents under this Grant by the Grantee shall be null, void and without effect. The rights and protections of the Company hereunder shall extend to any successors or assigns of the Company. This Grant may be assigned by the Company without the Grantee's consent.
  14. Withholding . The Grantee shall be required to pay to the Employer, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Employer to provide for the payment of, any federal, state, local or other taxes that the Employer is required to withhold with respect to the grant, vesting and distribution of the Performance Units and dividend equivalents. Subject to Committee approval, the Grantee may elect to satisfy any tax withholding obligation of the Employer with respect to the distribution of shares of Company Stock pursuant to the Performance Units that are earned by the Grantee under this Grant by having shares of Company Stock withheld up to an amount that does not exceed the minimum applicable withholding tax rate for federal (including FICA), state, local and other tax liabilities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or the Plan, until the Grantee has satisfied the Employer's withholding obligation with respect to the shares of Company Stock as described in this Paragraph 14 , the Grantee shall not have any rights to sell or transfer any shares of Company Stock that have been distributed to the Grantee pursuant to Paragraph 4 above.
  15. Effect on Other Benefits . The value of this Grant and the shares of Company Stock and dividend equivalents potentially distributable hereunder shall not be considered eligible earnings for purposes of any other plan maintained by the Company or the Employer, and such value shall not be considered part of the Grantee's compensation for purposes of determining or calculating other benefits that are based on compensation, such as life insurance.
  16. Applicable Law . The validity, construction, interpretation and effect of this Grant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof.
  17. Notice . Notices permitted or required under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand or overnight courier addressed, in the case of the Company, c/o its General Counsel at its principal executive office and, in the case of the Grantee, to her most recent address set forth in the personnel records of the Company.
  18. Contents of Agreement; Amendment . This Grant, including the terms of the Employment Agreement specifically incorporated by reference in Sections 3(b) and 3(c), represents the entire agreement between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof, and merges and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous discussions, agreements and understandings of every nature relating to the subject matter hereof. This Grant agreement cannot be changed, modified, extended or terminated except upon written amendment executed by the parties hereto. Any such written amendment must be approved by the Committee to be effective against the Company.
  19. Consent to Electronic Delivery . The Grantee hereby authorizes the Company to deliver electronically any prospectuses or other documentation related to this Grant agreement, the Plan and any other compensation or benefit plan or arrangement in effect from time to time (including, without limitation, reports, proxy statements or other documents that are required to be delivered to participants in such plans or arrangements pursuant to federal or state laws, rules or regulations). For this purpose, electronic delivery will include, without limitation, delivery by means of e-mail or e-mail notification that such documentation is available on the Company's intranet site. Upon written request, the Company will provide to the Grantee a paper copy of any document also delivered to the Grantee electronically. The authorization described in this paragraph may be revoked by the Grantee at any time by written notice to the Company.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused its duly authorized officer to execute and attest this instrument, and the Grantee has placed his or her signature hereon, on this ___ day of November, 2012.

 

Attest:

NUTRISYSTEM, INC.

   
   

By:__________________________________

By:__________________________________

Name: Kathleen Simone

Name: David D. Clark

Title: SVP, Finance & Controller

Title: Chief Financial Officer

   

 

I hereby accept the grant of Performance Units described in this Grant, and I agree to be bound by the terms of the Plan and this Grant. I hereby further agree that all of the decisions and determinations of the Committee shall be final and binding.

 

 

__________________________________

Grantee: Dawn Zier

EXHIBIT A

PERFORMANCE GOALS

 

The performance measure applicable to the award of PRSUs shall be based on the Company's Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") over the three year Performance Period relative to the TSR of the Russell 3000 Index for the same Performance Period. For these purposes, the TSR shall be determined based on the change in the stock price of, and the dividends and distributions paid by, the relevant entity during the Performance Period. At the end of the Performance Period, the Company's TSR performance relative to the TSR performance of the companies in the Russell 3000 Index shall be determined and the PRSUs shall vest and become payable, if at all, based on the following schedule:

Company's Relative TSR Performance

Vesting as a Percentage of the Target Award

Less than 35 th percentile

0%

35 th percentile

50%

50 th percentile

100%

85 th percentile or greater

150%

If the Company's relative TSR results for the Performance Period are either (a) between the 35 th percentile and the 50 th percentile or (b) between the 50 th percentile and the 85 th percentile, then, in either such case, the percentage of the Target Award that shall become vested and payable shall be determined by linear interpolation.

NutriSystem, Inc.

600 Office Center Drive

Ft. Washington, PA 19034

 

November 1, 2012

Via Hand Delivery

Mr. Joseph M. Redling

 

Dear Joe:

Reference is hereby made to the letter agreement between us dated April 4, 2012 and amended on September 27, 2012 (the "Amended Letter Agreement"). As you know, the Amended Letter Agreement contemplated the cessation of your service to the Company on the "Cessation Date," which term was defined as November 2, 2012 or such earlier date requested by the Company on 15 days prior written notice. To enable the Company to complete the hiring process for its new Chief Executive Officer , you have agreed to extend the Cessation Date to November 9, 2012.

On the Cessation Date, as redefined by this letter, your service to the Company will cease on the terms described in the Amended Letter Agreement; provided that, the date "November 2, 2012" in the second sentence of the fourth paragraph of the Amended Letter Agreement is hereby replaced with "November 9, 2012."

To confirm that this letter accurately reflects our agreement, please countersign it in the space provided below and return it to me.

Sincerely,

 

/s/ David D. Clark

David D. Clark

Executive Vice President & CFO

 

Agreed on this 1 st day of November, 2012:

 

/s/ Joseph M. Redling ___________

Joseph M. Redling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Investors

Joe Crivelli

Gregory FCA

Direct: 610-228-2100

Media

Tricia Primrose

Impression Partners

Direct: 917-679-9585

 

DAWN M. ZIER TO JOIN NUTRISYSTEM AS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Reader's Digest veteran brings analytics-driven multi-channel marketing approach, turnaround and leadership skills to the top job at Nutrisystem

Fort Washington, Pa.-November 5, 2012- Nutrisystem, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRI), a leading provider of weight management products and services, today announced that Dawn M. Zier will join the company as president and chief executive officer. She will also serve on the Nutrisystem board of directors. She replaces Joe Redling, who is stepping down as president and chief executive officer and resigning from the company's board of directors.

Ms. Zier is a 20-year veteran of Reader's Digest Association, Inc., a leading global, multi-brand and multi-platform media and direct marketing company. At Reader's Digest, she served in a range of leadership positions across the United States and internationally, most recently as president of the company's international business, with responsibility for $750 million of revenue and a team of 1,000 employees across Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

While at Reader's Digest, Ms. Zier established a consumer-centric and affinity marketing model, developing new product offerings and marketing strategies specifically targeted to the demographics and psychographics of key groups of customers and prospects. She has a strong track record of driving growth across the food affinity and digital channels. As president of the international business, she has been actively building the company's portfolio of licensing arrangements in countries outside the U.S., while significantly reducing operating costs. She is a respected thought leader in the direct marketing business, and has served on the board of directors of the Direct Marketing Association since 2008.

Mike Hagan, chairman of the Nutrisystem board of directors stated, "We're excited to announce the appointment of Dawn Zier as Nutrisystem's next president and chief executive officer. Dawn's experience and accomplishments fit our requirements perfectly, as she has led Reader's Digest Association's transformation to a customer-centric business model, built new products and developed new revenue streams in the digital arena, and demonstrated a clear ability to manage costs and drive efficiencies to deliver strong financial results. We believe that she will be a powerful agent for change, and we look forward to her contributions, perspective, and leadership at Nutrisystem."

Dawn Zier added, "Joining Nutrisystem is a wonderful opportunity for me personally, and the logical next step in my career. The company has a strong portfolio of products that help consumers lose weight, improve their health, and live better lives. It has significant name recognition as a result of several decades of marketing investment in the brand. And it's universally seen as one of the leaders in the weight loss sector. With a fresh and creative approach to the consumer, a thoughtful eye to new product development, and a careful effort to contain costs, I believe we can improve financial performance and build shareholder value. I look forward to working with Mike Hagan, the board of directors, and the entire Nutrisystem team to make this happen."

Ms. Zier holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management, as well as a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT. She received her Bachelor of Engineering degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Ms. Zier will join Nutrisystem on November 15, 2012. Joe Redling will remain with the company as chief executive officer through disclosure of the company's third quarter financial results on November 9, 2012. David Clark, the company's chief financial officer, will serve as interim chief executive officer between Mr. Redling's departure date and Ms. Zier's arrival at the company.

About Nutrisystem

Having helped Americans lose millions of pounds over the last 40 years, Nutrisystem, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRI) develops evidence-based programs for healthy weight management, and is the leading provider of home-delivered weight loss meal plans. Nutrisystem offers balanced nutrition in the form of low glycemic index meal plans designed for men and women, including seniors, vegetarians and the Nutrisystem® D® program for people with diabetes or at risk for type 2 diabetes. Nutrisystem® plans include a wide variety of pantry and fresh-frozen entrees and snacks to aid in program satisfaction and adherence, as well as transition plans to support long-term success. The Fort Washington, PA-based company also provides weight management support and counseling by trained weight-loss coaches and registered dietitians, as well as through an engaged online community, online tools and trackers, mobile apps, cookbooks and more. Healthcare professionals may learn more about the programs by visiting www.nutrisystem.com/hcp. Nutrisystem® weight loss plans are available directly to consumers through www.nutrisystem.com, by phone (1-800-435-4074) and at select retailers. The Company has also introduced a new in-store retail line, Nutrisystem® Everyday™ products, comprised of nutritionally balanced bars, smoothies, bakery and breakfast items aimed at consumers who aspire to eat healthier.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements regarding Nutrisystem's growth plans and other statements that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which are described in Nutrisystem, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The actual results may differ materially from any forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties. Nutrisystem, Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.