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): June 27, 2005

 


 

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

California   0-21423   33-0485615
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

16162 Beach Boulevard, Suite 100, Huntington Beach, CA   92647
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (714) 848-3747

 

 

(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 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreements .

 

On June 27, 2005, BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into Amended and Restated Employment Agreements with each of Paul Motenko and Jeremiah Hennessy (the “Employment Agreements”). The forms of Employment Agreements were identical except that the agreement provides that Mr. Motenko will serve as the Co-Chairman, Secretary and as a Vice President of the Company whereas Mr. Hennessy’s Employment Agreement provides that he will serve only as the Co-Chairman.

 

A brief summary of the terms of the Employment Agreements are set forth below. The description below is qualified in its entirely by the complete text of the Employment Agreements which are attached to this Form 8-k as exhibits 10.1 and 10.2.

 

Term . Unless earlier terminated, the term of Mr. Motenko and Mr. Hennessy’s employment shall end on December 31, 2009; provided, however, that his employment term shall be extended for additional one year periods unless and until the Company or Mr. Motenko or Mr. Hennessy, as the case may be, gives notice of its or his intention not to renew.

 

Position . Mr. Motenko shall serve as the Co-Chairman of the Company as well as a Vice President and Secretary. Mr. Hennessy shall serve as Co-Chairman of the Company. The Employment Agreements provide that the position of Co-Chairman shall be an executive office of the Company. During the term of the Agreement, the Company (and its Board of Directors) are obligated to take such reasonable actions within their control to cause Mr. Motenko and Mr. Hennessy to continue to be appointed or elected to the Board of Directors. In addition, should Gerald Deitchle, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, resign or be terminated, the Company has agreed to use its best efforts to cause Mr. Motenko and Mr. Hennessy to each be reinstated as Co-Chief Executive Officers of the Company.

 

Base Salary, Bonus and Benefits.

 

Each of Mr. Motenko and Mr. Hennessy is entitled to receive annual cash compensation of $300,000, subject to escalation annually in accordance with the Consumer Price Index. In addition, each of Mr. Motenko and Mr. Hennessy is entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to the amount by which the base salary paid to them from January 1, 2005 through the effective date of the Employment Agreements was less than the base salary that would have been paid to them under the Employment Agreements had they been in effect on January 1, 2005. Bonuses for 2005 and all bonuses thereafter shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion.

 

Each of Mr. Motenko and Mr. Hennessy is entitled to certain other fringe benefits including use of a Company automobile or automobile allowance of $1,000 per month, a $1,000,000 life insurance policy (premiums for which shall not exceed $7,500 per year) on the life of Mr. Motenko and Mr. Hennessy, as the case may be, with the beneficiaries designated by Mr. Motenko or Mr. Hennessy. In addition, they are entitled to receive customary vacation benefits, family health insurance and the right to participate in the Company’s customary executive benefit plans.

 

Termination.

 

The Company may terminate Mr. Motenko and/or Mr. Hennessy’s employment at any time. If the termination is by the Company for “Cause” (as defined below), as a result of the death or “Disability” (as defined below) of Mr. Motenko or Mr. Hennessy, or by Mr. Motenko or Mr. Hennessy for reasons other than “Good Reason” (as defined below), Mr. Motenko and Mr. Hennessy, as the case may be, will be entitled to receive all amounts payable by the Company under his employment agreement to the date of termination (including a prorated portion of any accrued bonuses). In addition, if the termination is by the Company or Mr. Motenko or Hennessy, as the case may be, as a result of “Disability,” to the extent that Mr Motenko or Hennessy is not covered by any other comprehensive insurance that provides a comparable level of benefits, the Company will pay an amount equivalent to the terminated executive’s COBRA payments for up to 18 months following the termination or the maximum term allowable by then applicable law for coverage. For purposes hereof, “Disability” shall mean incapacity due to physical or mental illness which results in the executive being absent from the full-time performance of substantially all of his material duties with the Company for 90 consecutive days or 180 days in any 12 month period.

 

In the event of termination of employment by the Company without “Cause” or by Mr. Motenko or Mr. Hennessy for “Good Reason,” Mr. Motenko or Mr. Hennessy, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive the following: (i) such Base Salary, vacation, prorated bonus and other benefits as have been earned through the date of termination and, to the extent that the executive is not


covered by any other comprehensive insurance that provides a comparable level of benefits, the Company will pay the executive an amount equivalent to his COBRA payments for up to 18 months following the termination or the maximum term allowable by then applicable law for coverage of the executive and his eligible dependents, (ii) a severance equal to the greater of (a) one year’s then current base salary, or (b) one hundred percent (100%) of the base salary that would be due to him (including annual increases) between the date of termination and the end of the remaining term of his employment, payable in accordance with the Company’s ordinary payroll practices. In addition, in the event of a termination without “Cause” or for “Good Reason,” the Options (as described and defined below) shall continue to vest and remain exercisable through the end of the remaining term of the employment agreement. In addition, in the event there is a Change of Control within 12 months following a termination by the Company without Cause, executive shall be entitled to a cash payment equal to the amount, if any, by which the aggregate fair market value of the shares subject to any unvested Options or subsequent stock options exceeds the aggregate exercise price of such options on the effective date of termination.

 

For purposes of the Employment Agreements, “Cause” means (i) an act or acts of dishonesty undertaken by the executive and intended to result in material personal gain or enrichment of him or others at the expense of the Company; (ii) gross misconduct that is willful or deliberate on the executive’s part and that, in either event, is materially injurious to the Company, (iii) the conviction of the executive of a felony; or (iv) the material breach of any terms and conditions of his employment agreement by the executive, which breach has not been cured within 30 days after written notice thereof from the Company. The cessation of employment by Mr. Motenko or Mr. Hennessy, as the case may be, shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the executive in question, a copy of a resolution, duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the entire membership of the Board (not including the executive in question) at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to the executive and an opportunity for him, together with his counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, one or more causes for termination exist and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

 

For purposes of the Employment Agreements, “Good Reason” means

 

(i) any removal of the executive from, or any failure to nominate or re-elect the executive to, his current office and/or the Board, except in connection with termination of executive’s employment for death, Disability or Cause,

 

(ii) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of the Employment Agreement by any successor to the Company, as provided in the Employment Agreement,

 

(iii) the material breach by the Company of any terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement, which breach has not been cured by the Company within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof to the Company from the executive,

 

(iv) the assignment to the executive of duties that represent or constitute a material adverse change in the executive’s position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company;

 

(v) the appointment of any person other than Gerald W. Deitchle as Chief Executive Officer of the Company (or an office having substantially the same responsibilities); or

 

(vi) in the event of certain events constituting a change in control of the Company

 

(a)(1) any reduction in the executive’s then-current base salary or any material reduction in Mr. Motenko or Mr. Hennessy’s, as the case may be, comprehensive benefit package (other than changes, if any, required by group insurance carriers applicable to all persons covered under such plans or changes required under applicable law), (2) the assignment to the executive of duties that represent or constitute a material adverse change in such executive’s position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior to a change in control, or (3) a material adverse change in the executive’s reporting responsibilities, titles, offices, or any removal of such executive from, or any failure to re-elect the executive to, any of such positions; except in connection with the termination of executive’s employment for Cause, upon his Disability or death, or upon the voluntary termination by the executive;

 

(b) the relocation of Mr. Motenko or Mr. Hennessy’s, as the case may be, place of employment from the location at which he was principally employed immediately prior to the date of the change in control to a location more than 50 miles from such location; or

 

(c) the failure of any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform its obligations under the executive’s employment agreement.


Options and other Equity-Based Compensation. Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreements, each of Mr. Motenko and Mr. Hennessy received an initial grant of stock options to purchase 85,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under the Company’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Options”). Each of the Options vests as follows: (i) 34,000 shares upon grant, (ii) 17,000 shares on December 31, 2007, (iii) 17,000 shares on December 31, 2008 and (iv) 17,000 shares on December 31, 2009. The option exercise price is the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The form of stock option agreement and grant notice utilized in connection with the grant of the Options is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibits 10.3 and 10.4 respectively.

 

Form of Stock Option Grant Documents .

 

At the 2005 annual meeting of shareholders, the Company’s shareholders ratified and approved the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan of the Company. The form of Stock Option Agreement and Grant Notice attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibits 10.3 and 10.4, respectively, represent the standard form of agreements to be utilized by the Company in connection with option grants to executive officers of the Company (with the exact option price, vesting schedule and number of options to be set at the time of grant in accordance with the provisions of the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan).

 

Item 5.01 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

 

See Item 1.01 above for a brief summary of the terms of amended and restated employment agreements between the Company and Paul Motenko and Jeremiah Hennessy. Pursuant to the terms of such Amended and Restated Employment Agreements, Mr. Motenko and Mr. Hennessy have agreed to continue to serve as Co-Chairmen of the Company, with Mr. Motenko also retaining the office of Vice President and Secretary.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits .

 

  (c) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.


  

Description


10.1    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of Paul Motenko
10.2    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of Jeremiah Hennessy
10.3    Form of Stock Option Agreement for Executive Officers under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan
10.4    Form of Grant Notice under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan


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.

 

    BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.
Date: July 1, 2005   By:  

/s/ Gerald W. Deitchle


        Gerald W. Deitchle, Chief Executive Officer and President
    By:  

/s/ Louis M. Mucci


        Louis M. Mucci, Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.


  

Description


10.1    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of Paul Motenko
10.2    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of Jeremiah Hennessy
10.3    Form of Stock Option Agreement for Executive Officers under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan
10.4    Form of Grant Notice under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan

Exhibit 10.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of this      day of June, 2005 (the “Commencement Date”) between BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC., a California corporation (the “Company”) and PAUL A. MOTENKO (the “Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive have entered into that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2000 (and effective January 1, 2001) (together with the below-referenced amendment thereto, the “Original Agreement”) pursuant to which he served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the retention of Gerald W. Deitchle as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Executive entered into an Amendment to Employment Agreement pursuant to which the terms of the Original Agreement were modified to reflect the appointment of Mr. Deitchle as Chief Executive Officer and of Executive as Co-Chairman of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement to reflect revised terms and conditions for the employment relationship of Executive with the Company.

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has approved and authorized the entry into this Agreement with Executive; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows;

 

1. Term . Subject to the termination provisions of Section 11 below, the term of this Agreement (“Term”) shall commence on the Commencement Date and end December 31, 2009 (“Termination Date”). This Agreement shall automatically be extended for additional one year terms beyond the Termination Date (the “Extended Termination Date”) or the then current Extended Termination Date unless at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the Termination Date or the then current Extended Termination Date, Executive or the Company shall have given notice that he or it does not wish to extend the Agreement.

 

2. Employment .

 

2.1 Executive is hereby employed as the Co-Chairman, Vice President and Secretary of the Company and Executive hereby accepts such employment, all subject to the terms and conditions herein contained. In addition to referring to the Co-Chairmanship of the Board, the position of Co-Chairman shall be a senior executive office of the Company. Executive, in his capacity as an executive officer of the Company, shall report jointly to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors. Although Executive shall not have responsibility, management or control over the day-to-day operations of the Company, Executive, along with the other Co-Chairman of the Company, shall have broad oversight and management responsibilities for general corporate and development strategy and shall have such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him by the Board. Executive


hereby agrees that during the period of his employment hereunder he shall devote all of his business time, attention and skills to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive (i) may provide services as a volunteer or director to charitable, educational or civic organizations; and (ii) subject to any limitations or approval procedures imposed or established by the Governance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors on the number of outside directorships on which an officer of the Company may serve, Executive may serve as a member of the board of directors of companies other than the Company, provided that the company is not a customer, supplier or company in direct or indirect competition with the Company’s business; provided in all cases that Executive gives prior notice to the Board of Directors of the Company (other than with respect to activities that are ongoing as of the date of this Agreement), and the aggregate of such service does not interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties to the Company as required under this Agreement.

 

2.2 The Company and the Board shall take all reasonable action within their control to cause Executive to continue to be appointed or elected to the Board during the term of this Agreement. In addition, in the event of any termination or resignation of Mr. Deitchle as the sole Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Company covenants and agrees to use its best efforts to cause Executive to be reinstated as Co-Chief Executive Officer.

 

3. Salary; Accrued Bonus under Original Agreement .

 

3.1 The Company shall pay Executive an annual salary at an initial annual rate of $300,000.00 less applicable deductions (the “Base Salary”). Such Base Salary will be reviewed by the Board annually. The Base Salary shall be payable by the Company to Executive in substantially equal installments not less frequently than semi-monthly (two times per month). At the end of each full year of this Agreement, the Base Salary shall be increased by a percentage not less than the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the preceding year, provided, that the increase set forth in this sentence shall never be zero or less. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Consumer Price Index” as of any particular date means the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Los Angeles/Anaheim/ Riverside CMSA, all items, in respect of the month immediately preceding such particular date, published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, or if such index is no longer published, the U.S. Department of Labor’s most comprehensive official index then in use that most nearly corresponds to the index named above. The Company shall not be entitled to reduce the Base Salary without the express written consent of Executive. Participation in deferred compensation, discretionary bonus, retirement, stock option and other Executive benefit plans and in fringe benefits shall not reduce the Base Salary; provided, however, that voluntary deferrals or contributions to such plans shall reduce the current cash compensation paid to Executive but shall not reduce the Base Salary hereunder.

 

3.2 Within five (5) business days of the Commencement Date, the Company shall pay to Executive a lump sum payment (the “Commencement Payment”) equal to amount, if any, by which (i) the salary paid to Executive under the Original Agreement for the period from January 3, 2005 to the Commencement Date is less than (ii) the Base Salary multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed from January 3, 2005 to the Commencement Date, and the denominator of which is 365. Executive agrees that, in exchange for the Commencement Payment, Executive is foregoing any right to receive any bonus under the Original Agreement for any period from and after January 3, 2005.

 

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4. Discretionary Bonus . Executive shall be eligible for performance-based cash bonuses at the discretion of the Board; provided, however, that nothing herein shall require the Company to pay any such bonus.

 

5. Participation in Stock Options, Health Insurance, Retirement and Executive Benefit Plans and other Perquisites .

 

5.1 (a) On June 14, 2005, the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors authorized the grant of options to purchase an aggregate of 85,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Initial Options”). The Initial Options have been granted as of the Commencement Date under the Company’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Initial Options shall vest as follows: (i) options to purchase 34,000 shares to vest upon grant, (ii) options to purchase 17,000 shares to vest on December 31, 2007, (iii) options to purchase 17,000 shares to vest on December 31, 2008, and (iv) options to purchase 17,000 shares to vest on December 31, 2009.

 

(b) Executive shall be eligible for subsequent options during the term of this Agreement as determined by the Board under the Plan; provided, however, that nothing herein shall require the Company to award Executive any additional options or awards.

 

(c) For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any “person” or “group” (as those terms are defined in Sections 3(a)(9), 13(d), and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules thereunder) of “beneficial ownership” (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (“voting securities”) of the Company that represent 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities, other than:

 

a. an acquisition by a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any person controlled by the Company or by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any person controlled by the Company, or

 

b. an acquisition of voting securities by the Company or a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the stock of the Company, or

 

c. an acquisition of voting securities pursuant to a transaction described in clause (iii) below that would not be a Change in Control under clause (iii);

 

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(ii) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or

 

(iii) the consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case, other than a transaction:

 

a. which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and

 

b. after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause b. as beneficially owning 50% or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.

 

5.2 Executive, his spouse and dependants shall be entitled to participate in the Company’s health insurance program effective as of the Commencement Date and the Company shall pay all premiums for said insurance for Executive, his spouse and dependants under the applicable plans.

 

5.3 In addition to the foregoing, Executive shall be entitled to participate with other similarly situated executive officers of the Company based on position, tenure and salary in any plan of the Company relating to stock purchases, pension, thrift, profit sharing, life insurance, disability insurance, education, or other retirement or Executive benefits that the Company has adopted or may hereafter adopt for the benefit of its executive officers.

 

5.4 Executive shall be entitled to continue to receive the perquisites and fringe benefits pertaining to senior executive officers of the Company in accordance with present practice and as appropriate to the industry.

 

5.5 [Intentionally omitted]

 

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5.6 During the term of his employment hereunder, the Company shall purchase and keep in effect life insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 on the life of the Executive; provided, that the total cost to the Company for such insurance shall not exceed $7,500 per annum. Such life insurance will name as beneficiaries those individuals designated by the Executive.

 

5.7 Executive agrees that the Company may apply for and take out in its own name and at its own expense such “key person” life insurance upon the life of Executive as the Company may deem necessary or advisable to protect its interests; provided, however, that (i) such insurance coverage does not otherwise diminish or restrict Executive’s eligibility for and/or participation level in any benefit plan or arrangement described in Sections 5.2 and 5.3 above, (ii) such coverage does not otherwise diminish any other economic benefit to which Executive is entitled pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and (iii) no taxable income is attributed to Executive as a result of such coverage. Executive agrees to reasonably assist and reasonably cooperate with the Company in procuring such insurance, including (without limitation) submitting to medical examinations for purposes of obtaining and/or maintaining such insurance. Executive agrees that he shall have no right, title or interest in and to such insurance.

 

6. Automobile . The Company shall provide Executive a car allowance of $1,000.00 per month, payable on the Commencement Date and on the 1st day of each calendar month thereafter. In addition, the Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable actual expenses incurred (including, without limitation, gas, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and repairs, insurance, registration fees and taxes) in operating the vehicle used for business purposes subject to the provisions of paragraph 8. The Company, with Executive’s consent, may substitute a company-provided leased vehicle in lieu of the car allowance, provided such leased vehicle is reasonable and appropriate for Executive’s use in his capacity as Co-Chairman of the Company.

 

7. Vacation . Executive shall be entitled to the number of paid holidays, personal days off, vacation days and sick leave days in each calendar year as are determined by the Company from time to time for its senior executive officers, but not less than four weeks in any calendar year (prorated, in any calendar year during which Executive is employed under this Agreement for less than the entire such year, in accordance with the number of calendar days in such calendar year during which he is so employed). Vacation may be taken in Executive’s discretion, so long as it is not inconsistent with the reasonable business needs of the Company. Executive shall be entitled to accrue from year to year all vacation days not taken by him.

 

8. Business Expenses . During such time as Executive is rendering services hereunder, Executive shall be entitled to incur and be reimbursed by the Company for all reasonable business expenses, including but not limited to mobile telephone and text messaging charges. The Company agrees that it will reimburse Executive for all such expenses upon the presentation by Executive, on a monthly basis, of an itemized account of such expenditures setting forth the date, the purposes for which incurred, and the amounts thereof, together with such receipts showing payments in conformity with the Company’s established policies. Reimbursement for approved expenses shall be made within a reasonable period not to exceed thirty (30) days after the approval of Executive’s an itemized account.

 

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9. [Intentionally omitted]

 

10. Indemnity . The Company shall to the extent permitted and required by law, indemnify and hold Executive harmless from costs, expense or liability arising out of or relating to any acts or decisions made by Executive in the course of his employment to the same extent the Company indemnifies and holds harmless other officers and directors of the Company in accordance with the Company’s established policies. This indemnity shall include, without limitation, advancing Executive attorneys fees to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The Company agrees to continuously maintain Directors and Officers Liability Insurance with reasonable limits of coverage and to include Executive within said coverage while Executive is employed by the Company and for at least thirty-six (36) months after the termination of Executive’s employment by the Company.

 

11. Termination . Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated for the reasons set forth below.

 

11.1 Death . This Agreement shall terminate upon Executive’s death. The Company shall pay Executive’s estate (i) on the date it would have been payable to Executive any unpaid Base Salary and accrued vacation earned prior to the date of Executive’s death, (ii) within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of the quarter following Executive’s death, any unpaid bonuses prorated to the date of Executive’s death, and (iii) any unpaid reimbursements due Executive for expenses incurred by Executive prior to Executive’s death, upon receipt from Executive’s personal representative of receipts therefore. Any Initial Options and subsequent options that have not vested as of the date of Executive’s death shall terminate on the date of Executive’s death, but all vested but unexercised Initial Options and subsequent options will be exercisable by Executive’s heirs in accordance with the Plan.

 

11.2 Disability . If, as a result of Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness, he shall have been absent from the full time performance of substantially all of his material duties with the Company for ninety (90) consecutive days or one hundred eighty (180) days total within any 12-month period, his employment may be terminated by the Company or by Executive for “Disability.” Termination shall occur thirty (30) days after a notice of a written termination is delivered to Executive by the Company or by Executive to the Company (the “Effective Date of Termination”). The Company shall pay Executive (i) any unpaid Base Salary and accrued vacation earned prior to the date of Executive’s Effective Date of Termination, (ii) within thirty (30) days of the end of the quarter following Executive’s Effective Date of Termination, any unpaid bonuses prorated to Executive’s last day of actual employment, (iii) any unpaid reimbursements due Executive for expenses incurred by Executive prior to Executive’s Effective Date of Termination, pursuant to paragraph 8, and (iv) if Executive is not covered by any other comprehensive insurance that provides a comparable level of benefits, the Company will pay Executive an amount equivalent to Executive’s COBRA payments up to 18 months following the Effective Date of Termination or the maximum term allowable by then applicable law for coverage of Executive and his eligible dependents. Any Initial Options and subsequent options that have not vested as of Executive’s Effective Date of Termination shall terminate on the date of Executive’s Effective Date of Termination for Disability, but all vested but unexercised Initial Options and subsequent options will be exercisable by Executive’s in accordance with the Plan.

 

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11.3 Cause . The Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means

 

(i) an act or acts of dishonesty undertaken by Executive and intended to result in material personal gain or enrichment of Executive or others at the expense of the Company;

 

(ii) gross misconduct that is willful or deliberate on Executive’s part and that, in either event, is materially injurious to the Company;

 

(iii) the conviction of Executive of a felony; or

 

(iv) the material breach of any terms and conditions of this Agreement by Executive, which breach has not been cured by Executive within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof to Executive from the Company.

 

The cessation of employment by Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution, duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the entire membership of the Board (not including Executive) at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity for him, together with his counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, one or more causes for termination exist under this Section 11.3, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Any dispute as to whether Cause to dismiss Executive exists, shall be resolved by arbitration conducted in Orange County, California in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association and by a single arbitrator reasonably acceptable to Executive and the Company. In the event of termination for Cause, Executive will be entitled to such Base Salary, accrued vacation pay, pro rated bonus and benefits as have accrued under this Agreement through the date of termination which accrued amounts shall be payable on the Effective Date of Termination, to exercise vested stock options in accordance with the terms of the Plan and to extend his insurance coverage at his own expense for up to 18 months following the Effective Date of Termination or the maximum term allowable by then applicable law for coverage of Executive and his eligible dependents, but will not be entitled to any other salary, benefits, bonuses or other compensation after such date.

 

11.4 Without Cause . This Agreement may also be terminated by the Company at any time without Cause by the delivery to Executive of a written notice of termination. Upon such termination, Executive shall be entitled to receive the following (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”), (1) on the Effective Date of Termination, Executive will be paid such Base Salary, vacation, prorated bonus and other benefits as have been earned under this Agreement through the date of termination, (2) Executive will also be paid severance equal to the greater of (i) one year’s then current Base Salary, or (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of the Base Salary that would be due to Executive (including annual increases) between the date of termination of employment and the later of the Termination Date or any Extended Termination Date; provided, however, that any such amounts shall be paid by the Company in accordance with the Company’s ordinary payroll practices, (3) the Company shall continue to provide

 

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comprehensive health insurance for Executive, his spouse and his dependants under Company benefit plans through the later of (i) eighteen (18) months following the termination of employment or (ii) the Termination Date or any Extended Termination Date; provided, however, that in the event Executive is not eligible for continuation of coverage thereunder, the Company shall reimburse Executive for the costs of maintaining comparable comprehensive health insurance for such period, (4) any Initial Options and subsequent options and any replacement options in any successor entity that were obtained by Executive in exchange for the Initial Options or subsequent options will continue to vest and remain exercisable until the later of the Termination Date or any Extended Termination Date, and (5) in the event Executive is living and a Change of Control occurs within twelve (12) months following any termination by the Company without Cause, Executive shall be entitled to receive, simultaneously with completion of any Change in Control transaction, a cash payment equal to the amount, if any, by which the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the Effective Date of Termination in accordance with the Plan) of the shares subject to any unvested Initial Options or subsequent options exceeds the aggregate exercise price of such options measured as of the Effective Date of Termination.

 

11.5 By Executive . Executive may terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Company.

 

(a) In the event Executive terminates this Agreement for “Good Reason,” Executive shall be entitled to receive the Severance Benefits. As used herein, “Good Reason” shall mean:

 

(i) any removal of Executive from, or any failure to nominate or re-elect Executive to, his current office and/or the Board, except in connection with termination of Executive’s employment for death, disability or Cause; provided, however, that any removal of Executive from, or any failure to re-elect Executive to his current office and/or the Board (except in connection with termination of Executive’s employment for disability) shall not diminish or reduce the obligations of the Company to Executive under this Agreement;

 

(ii) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement by any successor to the Company, as provided in this Agreement;

 

(iii) in the event of a Change in Control:

 

a. (1) any reduction in Executive’s then-current Base Salary or any material reduction in Executive’s comprehensive benefit package (other than changes, if any, required by group insurance carriers applicable to all persons covered under such plans or changes required under applicable law), (2) the assignment to Executive of duties that represent or constitute a material adverse change in Executive’s position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior to a Change in Control, or (3) a material adverse change in Executive’s reporting responsibilities, titles, offices, or any removal of Executive from, or any failure to re-elect Executive to, any of such positions; except in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment for Cause, upon the disability or death of Executive, or upon the voluntary termination by Executive ;

 

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b. the relocation of the Company’s principal executive offices or the location at which Executive was principally employed immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control to a location more than fifty (50) miles from the location of the Company’s principal executive offices as of the Commencement Date; or

 

c. the failure of any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform the Company’s obligations under this Agreement;

 

(iv) the material breach of any terms and conditions of this Agreement by the Company, which breach has not been cured by the Company within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof to the Company from Executive;

 

(v) the assignment to Executive of duties that represent or constitute a material adverse change in Executive’s position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company; or

 

(vi) the appointment of any person other than Gerald W. Deitchle as Chief Executive Officer (or an office having substantially the same responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer) of the Company.

 

Executive’s continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any circumstance constituting Good Reason hereunder.

 

If it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive hereunder (a “Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or any interest or penalties are incurred by Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable after Executive is informed in writing of such claim.

 

(b) In the event Executive terminates this Agreement other than for Disability or Good Reason, the Company shall pay Executive (i) on the date it would have been payable to Executive, any unpaid Base Salary and accrued vacation pay earned prior to the date of Executive’s termination, and (ii) any unpaid reimbursements due Executive for expenses incurred by Executive prior to the date of Executive’s termination, pursuant to Section 8 and Executive shall have the right to exercise any vested stock options in accordance with the terms of the Plan and to extend his insurance coverage at his own expense for up to 18 months following the Effective Date of Termination or the maximum term allowable by then applicable law for coverage of Executive and his eligible dependents.

 

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12. Assignment .

 

12.1 This Agreement may not be assigned by Executive.

 

12.2 This Agreement may be assigned by the Company provided that the Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform as if no such succession had taken place.

 

13. Covenants .

 

13.1 Confidential Information . During the term of this Agreement and thereafter, Executive shall not, except as may be required to perform his duties hereunder or as required by applicable law or court order, disclose to others for use, whether directly or indirectly, any Confidential Information regarding the Company. “Confidential Information” shall mean information about the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and their respective clients and customers that is not available to the general public or that does not otherwise become available to the general public, and that was learned by Executive in the course of his employment by the Company, including, without limitation, any data, formulae, recipes, methods, information, proprietary knowledge, trade secrets and client and customer lists and all papers, resumes, records and other documents containing such Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that such Confidential Information is specialized, unique in nature and of great value to the Company, and that such information gives the Company a competitive advantage. Upon the termination of his employment, Executive will promptly deliver to the Company all documents, maintained in any format, including electronic or print, (and all copies thereof) in his possession containing any Confidential Information.

 

13.2 Noncompetition . Except as otherwise provided herein, Executive agrees that during the term of this Agreement (including any period during which Executive is entitled to receive Severance Benefits under this Agreement) he will not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company, engage in any Competitive Activities. For purposes hereof, Executive shall be deemed to be engaged in “Competitive Activities” if he does any of the following: provide consulting services with or without pay, or own, manage, operate, join, control, participate in, or be connected as a stockholder, partner, or otherwise with any business, individual, partner, firm, corporation, or other entity which is then in competition with the Company or any present affiliate of the Company in the industry of owning or operating full-menu table service casual dining restaurants; provided, however, that the “beneficial ownership” by Executive, either individually or as a member of a “group,” as such terms are used in Rule 13d of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), of not more than 5 % of the voting stock of any corporation shall not be a violation of this Agreement.

 

13.3 Right to Company Materials . Executive agrees that all styles, designs, recipes, lists, materials, books, files, reports, correspondence, records, and other documents (“Company Material”) used, prepared, or made available to Executive, shall be and shall remain

 

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the property of the Company. Upon the termination of his employment and/or the expiration of this Agreement, all Company Materials shall be returned immediately to the Company, and Executive shall not make or retain any copies thereof.

 

13.4 Non-solicitation . Executive understands and agrees that in the course of employment with the Company, Executive will obtain access to and/or acquire Company trade secrets, including Confidential Information, which are solely the property of the Company. Therefore, to protect such trade secrets, Executive promises and agrees that during the term of this Agreement, and for a period of two years thereafter, he will not solicit or assist or instruct others in soliciting any employees, customers, franchisees, landlords, or suppliers of the Company or any of its present or future subsidiaries or affiliates, to divert their employment or business to or with any individual, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity then in competition with the business of the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company. The Company acknowledges in this regard that its customers, landlords and suppliers do have existing relationships and likely will have future relationships with the Company’s direct and indirect competitors in the restaurant industry in the ordinary course of their activities.

 

13.5 Non-Disparagement . Except for statements of fact, internal Company communications relating to the performance of the Company, disclosures required under applicable law or in connection with any legal proceedings with respect to which Executive is a party or witness, Executive will not make any disparaging remarks regarding the Company at any time during or after the termination of his employment with the Company. Except for statements of fact, internal communications relating to the performance of Executive, and disclosures required under applicable law or in connection with any legal proceedings with respect to which the Company is a party or witness, the Company will not make any disparaging remarks regarding Executive at any time during or after the termination of his employment with the Company.

 

13.6 Termination of Severance Benefits in Certain Circumstances . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (i) in the event that Executive engages in any Competitive Activities or breaches his obligations under Section 13.4 hereunder in any material respect, the Company may, upon at least three (3) business days prior written notice, terminate any Severance Benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled to pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and (ii) termination of Severance Benefits in accordance with the terms of this Section 13.6 shall be the Company’s sole remedy for any breach of Executive’s obligations under Section 13.2 of this Agreement that occurs following the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

 

14. Notice . For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or when mailed by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth below, or to such other addresses as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, exception that notice of a change of address shall be effective only upon actual receipt:

 

Company:    BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.
     16162 Beach Boulevard
     Suite 100
     Huntington Beach, CA 92647
     Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

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Executive:    Paul A. Motenko
    

 


    

 


    

 


 

15. Amendments or Additions . No amendment or additions to this Agreement shall be binding unless in writing and signed by both parties hereto.

 

16. Section Headings . The section headings used in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

17. Severability . The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

 

18. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but both of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

19. Arbitration . Except as provided herein, any controversy or claim arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement or the breach thereof, or Executive’s employment and any statutory claims including all claims of employment discrimination shall be subject to private and confidential arbitration in Orange County, California in accordance with the laws of the State of California. The arbitration shall be conducted in a procedurally fair manner by a mutually agreed upon neutral arbitrator selected in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes (“Rules”) of the American Arbitration Association or if none can be mutually agreed upon, then by one arbitrator appointed pursuant to the Rules. The arbitration shall be conducted confidentially in accordance with the Rules. The arbitration fees shall be paid by the Company. Each party shall have the right to conduct discovery including depositions, requests for production of documents and such other discovery as permitted under the Rules or ordered by the arbitrator. The statute of limitations or any cause of action shall be that prescribed by law. The arbitrator shall have the authority to award any damages authorized by law for the claims presented including punitive damages and shall have the authority to award reasonable attorneys fees to the prevailing party in accordance with applicable law. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on all parties and shall be the exclusive remedy of the parties. The award shall be in writing in accordance with the Rules, and shall be subject to judicial enforcement in accordance with California law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 19, nothing herein shall prevent or restrict the Company or Executive from seeking provisional injunctive relief from any forum having competent jurisdiction over the parties.

 

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20. Miscellaneous . No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and such officer as may be specifically designated by the Board. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California without regard to its conflicts of law principles. All references to sections of the Exchange Act shall be deemed also to refer to any successor provisions to such sections.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed this Agreement on the date first indicated above.

 

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.
By:  

 


Name:   Gerald W. Deitchle
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE:

 


PAUL A. MOTENKO

 

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Exhibit 10.2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of this      day of June, 2005 (the “Commencement Date”) between BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC., a California corporation (the “Company”) and JEREMIAH J. HENNESSY (the “Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive have entered into that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2000 (and effective January 1, 2001) (together with the below-referenced amendment thereto, the “Original Agreement”) pursuant to which he served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the retention of Gerald W. Deitchle as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Executive entered into an Amendment to Employment Agreement pursuant to which the terms of the Original Agreement were modified to reflect the appointment of Mr. Deitchle as Chief Executive Officer and of Executive as Co-Chairman of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement to reflect revised terms and conditions for the employment relationship of Executive with the Company.

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has approved and authorized the entry into this Agreement with Executive; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows;

 

1. Term . Subject to the termination provisions of Section 11 below, the term of this Agreement (“Term”) shall commence on the Commencement Date and end December 31, 2009 (“Termination Date”). This Agreement shall automatically be extended for additional one year terms beyond the Termination Date (the “Extended Termination Date”) or the then current Extended Termination Date unless at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the Termination Date or the then current Extended Termination Date, Executive or the Company shall have given notice that he or it does not wish to extend the Agreement.

 

2. Employment .

 

2.1 Executive is hereby employed as the Co-Chairman of the Company and Executive hereby accepts such employment, all subject to the terms and conditions herein contained. In addition to referring to the Co-Chairmanship of the Board, the position of Co-Chairman shall be a senior executive office of the Company. Executive, in his capacity as an executive officer of the Company, shall report jointly to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors. Although Executive shall not have responsibility, management or control over the day-to-day operations of the Company, Executive, along with the other Co-Chairman of the Company, shall have broad oversight and management responsibilities for general corporate and development strategy and shall have such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him by the Board. Executive hereby agrees that during the period of his


employment hereunder he shall devote all of his business time, attention and skills to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive (i) may provide services as a volunteer or director to charitable, educational or civic organizations; and (ii) subject to any limitations or approval procedures imposed or established by the Governance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors on the number of outside directorships on which an officer of the Company may serve, Executive may serve as a member of the board of directors of companies other than the Company, provided that the company is not a customer, supplier or company in direct or indirect competition with the Company’s business; provided in all cases that Executive gives prior notice to the Board of Directors of the Company (other than with respect to activities that are ongoing as of the date of this Agreement), and the aggregate of such service does not interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties to the Company as required under this Agreement.

 

2.2 The Company and the Board shall take all reasonable action within their control to cause Executive to continue to be appointed or elected to the Board during the term of this Agreement. In addition, in the event of any termination or resignation of Mr. Deitchle as the sole Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Company covenants and agrees to use its best efforts to cause Executive to be reinstated as Co-Chief Executive Officer.

 

3. Salary; Accrued Bonus under Original Agreement .

 

3.1 The Company shall pay Executive an annual salary at an initial annual rate of $300,000.00 less applicable deductions (the “Base Salary”). Such Base Salary will be reviewed by the Board annually. The Base Salary shall be payable by the Company to Executive in substantially equal installments not less frequently than semi-monthly (two times per month). At the end of each full year of this Agreement, the Base Salary shall be increased by a percentage not less than the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the preceding year, provided, that the increase set forth in this sentence shall never be zero or less. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Consumer Price Index” as of any particular date means the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Los Angeles/Anaheim/ Riverside CMSA, all items, in respect of the month immediately preceding such particular date, published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, or if such index is no longer published, the U.S. Department of Labor’s most comprehensive official index then in use that most nearly corresponds to the index named above. The Company shall not be entitled to reduce the Base Salary without the express written consent of Executive. Participation in deferred compensation, discretionary bonus, retirement, stock option and other Executive benefit plans and in fringe benefits shall not reduce the Base Salary; provided, however, that voluntary deferrals or contributions to such plans shall reduce the current cash compensation paid to Executive but shall not reduce the Base Salary hereunder.

 

3.2 Within five (5) business days of the Commencement Date, the Company shall pay to Executive a lump sum payment (the “Commencement Payment”) equal to amount, if any, by which (i) the salary paid to Executive under the Original Agreement for the period from January 3, 2005 to the Commencement Date is less than (ii) the Base Salary multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed from January 3, 2005 to the Commencement Date, and the denominator of which is 365. Executive agrees that, in exchange for the Commencement Payment, Executive is foregoing any right to receive any bonus under the Original Agreement for any period from and after January 3, 2005.

 

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4. Discretionary Bonus . Executive shall be eligible for performance-based cash bonuses at the discretion of the Board; provided, however, that nothing herein shall require the Company to pay any such bonus.

 

5. Participation in Stock Options, Health Insurance, Retirement and Executive Benefit Plans and other Perquisites.

 

5.1 (a) On June 14, 2005, the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors authorized the grant of options to purchase an aggregate of 85,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Initial Options”). The Initial Options have been granted as of the Commencement Date under the Company’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Initial Options shall vest as follows: (i) options to purchase 34,000 shares to vest upon grant, (ii) options to purchase 17,000 shares to vest on December 31, 2007, (iii) options to purchase 17,000 shares to vest on December 31, 2008, and (iv) options to purchase 17,000 shares to vest on December 31, 2009.

 

(b) Executive shall be eligible for subsequent options during the term of this Agreement as determined by the Board under the Plan; provided, however, that nothing herein shall require the Company to award Executive any additional options or awards.

 

(c) For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any “person” or “group” (as those terms are defined in Sections 3(a)(9), 13(d), and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules thereunder) of “beneficial ownership” (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (“voting securities”) of the Company that represent 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities, other than:

 

a. an acquisition by a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any person controlled by the Company or by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any person controlled by the Company, or

 

b. an acquisition of voting securities by the Company or a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the stock of the Company, or

 

c. an acquisition of voting securities pursuant to a transaction described in clause (iii) below that would not be a Change in Control under clause (iii);

 

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(ii) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or

 

(iii) the consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case, other than a transaction:

 

a. which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and

 

b. after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause b. as beneficially owning 50% or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.

 

5.2 Executive, his spouse and dependants shall be entitled to participate in the Company’s health insurance program effective as of the Commencement Date and the Company shall pay all premiums for said insurance for Executive, his spouse and dependants under the applicable plans.

 

5.3 In addition to the foregoing, Executive shall be entitled to participate with other similarly situated executive officers of the Company based on position, tenure and salary in any plan of the Company relating to stock purchases, pension, thrift, profit sharing, life insurance, disability insurance, education, or other retirement or Executive benefits that the Company has adopted or may hereafter adopt for the benefit of its executive officers.

 

5.4 Executive shall be entitled to continue to receive the perquisites and fringe benefits pertaining to senior executive officers of the Company in accordance with present practice and as appropriate to the industry.

 

5.5 [Intentionally omitted]

 

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5.6 During the term of his employment hereunder, the Company shall purchase and keep in effect life insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 on the life of the Executive; provided, that the total cost to the Company for such insurance shall not exceed $7,500 per annum. Such life insurance will name as beneficiaries those individuals designated by the Executive.

 

5.7 Executive agrees that the Company may apply for and take out in its own name and at its own expense such “key person” life insurance upon the life of Executive as the Company may deem necessary or advisable to protect its interests; provided, however, that (i) such insurance coverage does not otherwise diminish or restrict Executive’s eligibility for and/or participation level in any benefit plan or arrangement described in Sections 5.2 and 5.3 above, (ii) such coverage does not otherwise diminish any other economic benefit to which Executive is entitled pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and (iii) no taxable income is attributed to Executive as a result of such coverage. Executive agrees to reasonably assist and reasonably cooperate with the Company in procuring such insurance, including (without limitation) submitting to medical examinations for purposes of obtaining and/or maintaining such insurance. Executive agrees that he shall have no right, title or interest in and to such insurance.

 

6. Automobile . The Company shall provide Executive a car allowance of $1,000.00 per month, payable on the Commencement Date and on the 1st day of each calendar month thereafter. In addition, the Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable actual expenses incurred (including, without limitation, gas, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and repairs, insurance, registration fees and taxes) in operating the vehicle used for business purposes subject to the provisions of paragraph 8. The Company, with Executive’s consent, may substitute a company-provided leased vehicle in lieu of the car allowance, provided such leased vehicle is reasonable and appropriate for Executive’s use in his capacity as Co-Chairman of the Company.

 

7. Vacation . Executive shall be entitled to the number of paid holidays, personal days off, vacation days and sick leave days in each calendar year as are determined by the Company from time to time for its senior executive officers, but not less than four weeks in any calendar year (prorated, in any calendar year during which Executive is employed under this Agreement for less than the entire such year, in accordance with the number of calendar days in such calendar year during which he is so employed). Vacation may be taken in Executive’s discretion, so long as it is not inconsistent with the reasonable business needs of the Company. Executive shall be entitled to accrue from year to year all vacation days not taken by him.

 

8. Business Expenses . During such time as Executive is rendering services hereunder, Executive shall be entitled to incur and be reimbursed by the Company for all reasonable business expenses, including but not limited to mobile telephone and text messaging charges. The Company agrees that it will reimburse Executive for all such expenses upon the presentation by Executive, on a monthly basis, of an itemized account of such expenditures setting forth the date, the purposes for which incurred, and the amounts thereof, together with such receipts showing payments in conformity with the Company’s established policies. Reimbursement for approved expenses shall be made within a reasonable period not to exceed thirty (30) days after the approval of Executive’s an itemized account.

 

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9. [Intentionally omitted]

 

10. Indemnity . The Company shall to the extent permitted and required by law, indemnify and hold Executive harmless from costs, expense or liability arising out of or relating to any acts or decisions made by Executive in the course of his employment to the same extent the Company indemnifies and holds harmless other officers and directors of the Company in accordance with the Company’s established policies. This indemnity shall include, without limitation, advancing Executive attorneys fees to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The Company agrees to continuously maintain Directors and Officers Liability Insurance with reasonable limits of coverage and to include Executive within said coverage while Executive is employed by the Company and for at least thirty-six (36) months after the termination of Executive’s employment by the Company.

 

11. Termination . Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated for the reasons set forth below.

 

11.1 Death . This Agreement shall terminate upon Executive’s death. The Company shall pay Executive’s estate (i) on the date it would have been payable to Executive any unpaid Base Salary and accrued vacation earned prior to the date of Executive’s death, (ii) within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of the quarter following Executive’s death, any unpaid bonuses prorated to the date of Executive’s death, and (iii) any unpaid reimbursements due Executive for expenses incurred by Executive prior to Executive’s death, upon receipt from Executive’s personal representative of receipts therefore. Any Initial Options and subsequent options that have not vested as of the date of Executive’s death shall terminate on the date of Executive’s death, but all vested but unexercised Initial Options and subsequent options will be exercisable by Executive’s heirs in accordance with the Plan.

 

11.2 Disability . If, as a result of Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness, he shall have been absent from the full time performance of substantially all of his material duties with the Company for ninety (90) consecutive days or one hundred eighty (180) days total within any 12-month period, his employment may be terminated by the Company or by Executive for “Disability.” Termination shall occur thirty (30) days after a notice of a written termination is delivered to Executive by the Company or by Executive to the Company (the “Effective Date of Termination”). The Company shall pay Executive (i) any unpaid Base Salary and accrued vacation earned prior to the date of Executive’s Effective Date of Termination, (ii) within thirty (30) days of the end of the quarter following Executive’s Effective Date of Termination, any unpaid bonuses prorated to Executive’s last day of actual employment, (iii) any unpaid reimbursements due Executive for expenses incurred by Executive prior to Executive’s Effective Date of Termination, pursuant to paragraph 8, and (iv) if Executive is not covered by any other comprehensive insurance that provides a comparable level of benefits, the Company will pay Executive an amount equivalent to Executive’s COBRA payments up to 18 months following the Effective Date of Termination or the maximum term allowable by then applicable law for coverage of Executive and his eligible dependents. Any Initial Options and subsequent options that have not vested as of Executive’s Effective Date of Termination shall terminate on the date of Executive’s Effective Date of Termination for Disability, but all vested but unexercised Initial Options and subsequent options will be exercisable by Executive’s in accordance with the Plan.

 

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11.3 Cause . The Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means

 

(i) an act or acts of dishonesty undertaken by Executive and intended to result in material personal gain or enrichment of Executive or others at the expense of the Company;

 

(ii) gross misconduct that is willful or deliberate on Executive’s part and that, in either event, is materially injurious to the Company;

 

(iii) the conviction of Executive of a felony; or

 

(iv) the material breach of any terms and conditions of this Agreement by Executive, which breach has not been cured by Executive within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof to Executive from the Company.

 

The cessation of employment by Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution, duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the entire membership of the Board (not including Executive) at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity for him, together with his counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, one or more causes for termination exist under this Section 11.3, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Any dispute as to whether Cause to dismiss Executive exists, shall be resolved by arbitration conducted in Orange County, California in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association and by a single arbitrator reasonably acceptable to Executive and the Company. In the event of termination for Cause, Executive will be entitled to such Base Salary, accrued vacation pay, pro rated bonus and benefits as have accrued under this Agreement through the date of termination which accrued amounts shall be payable on the Effective Date of Termination, to exercise vested stock options in accordance with the terms of the Plan and to extend his insurance coverage at his own expense for up to 18 months following the Effective Date of Termination or the maximum term allowable by then applicable law for coverage of Executive and his eligible dependents, but will not be entitled to any other salary, benefits, bonuses or other compensation after such date.

 

11.4 Without Cause . This Agreement may also be terminated by the Company at any time without Cause by the delivery to Executive of a written notice of termination. Upon such termination, Executive shall be entitled to receive the following (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”), (1) on the Effective Date of Termination, Executive will be paid such Base Salary, vacation, prorated bonus and other benefits as have been earned under this Agreement through the date of termination, (2) Executive will also be paid severance equal to the greater of (i) one year’s then current Base Salary, or (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of the Base Salary that would be due to Executive (including annual increases) between the date of termination of employment and the later of the Termination Date or any Extended Termination Date; provided, however, that any such amounts shall be paid by the Company in accordance with the Company’s ordinary payroll practices, (3) the Company shall continue to provide

 

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comprehensive health insurance for Executive, his spouse and his dependants under Company benefit plans through the later of (i) eighteen (18) months following the termination of employment or (ii) the Termination Date or any Extended Termination Date; provided, however, that in the event Executive is not eligible for continuation of coverage thereunder, the Company shall reimburse Executive for the costs of maintaining comparable comprehensive health insurance for such period, (4) any Initial Options and subsequent options and any replacement options in any successor entity that were obtained by Executive in exchange for the Initial Options or subsequent options will continue to vest and remain exercisable until the later of the Termination Date or any Extended Termination Date, and (5) in the event Executive is living and a Change of Control occurs within twelve (12) months following any termination by the Company without Cause, Executive shall be entitled to receive, simultaneously with completion of any Change in Control transaction, a cash payment equal to the amount, if any, by which the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the Effective Date of Termination in accordance with the Plan) of the shares subject to any unvested Initial Options or subsequent options exceeds the aggregate exercise price of such options measured as of the Effective Date of Termination.

 

11.5 By Executive . Executive may terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Company.

 

(a) In the event Executive terminates this Agreement for “Good Reason,” Executive shall be entitled to receive the Severance Benefits. As used herein, “Good Reason” shall mean:

 

(i) any removal of Executive from, or any failure to nominate or re-elect Executive to, his current office and/or the Board, except in connection with termination of Executive’s employment for death, disability or Cause; provided, however, that any removal of Executive from, or any failure to re-elect Executive to his current office and/or the Board (except in connection with termination of Executive’s employment for disability) shall not diminish or reduce the obligations of the Company to Executive under this Agreement;

 

(ii) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement by any successor to the Company, as provided in this Agreement;

 

(iii) in the event of a Change in Control:

 

a. (1) any reduction in Executive’s then-current Base Salary or any material reduction in Executive’s comprehensive benefit package (other than changes, if any, required by group insurance carriers applicable to all persons covered under such plans or changes required under applicable law), (2) the assignment to Executive of duties that represent or constitute a material adverse change in Executive’s position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior to a Change in Control, or (3) a material adverse change in Executive’s reporting responsibilities, titles, offices, or any removal of Executive from, or any failure to re-elect Executive to, any of such positions; except in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment for Cause, upon the disability or death of Executive, or upon the voluntary termination by Executive ;

 

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b. the relocation of the Company’s principal executive offices or the location at which Executive was principally employed immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control to a location more than fifty (50) miles from the location of the Company’s principal executive offices as of the Commencement Date; or

 

c. the failure of any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform the Company’s obligations under this Agreement;

 

(iv) the material breach of any terms and conditions of this Agreement by the Company, which breach has not been cured by the Company within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof to the Company from Executive;

 

(v) the assignment to Executive of duties that represent or constitute a material adverse change in Executive’s position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company; or

 

(vi) the appointment of any person other than Gerald W. Deitchle as Chief Executive Officer (or an office having substantially the same responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer) of the Company.

 

Executive’s continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any circumstance constituting Good Reason hereunder.

 

If it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive hereunder (a “Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or any interest or penalties are incurred by Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable after Executive is informed in writing of such claim.

 

(b) In the event Executive terminates this Agreement other than for Disability or Good Reason, the Company shall pay Executive (i) on the date it would have been payable to Executive, any unpaid Base Salary and accrued vacation pay earned prior to the date of Executive’s termination, and (ii) any unpaid reimbursements due Executive for expenses incurred by Executive prior to the date of Executive’s termination, pursuant to Section 8 and Executive shall have the right to exercise any vested stock options in accordance with the terms of the Plan and to extend his insurance coverage at his own expense for up to 18 months following the Effective Date of Termination or the maximum term allowable by then applicable law for coverage of Executive and his eligible dependents.

 

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12. Assignment .

 

12.1 This Agreement may not be assigned by Executive.

 

12.2 This Agreement may be assigned by the Company provided that the Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform as if no such succession had taken place.

 

13. Covenants .

 

13.1 Confidential Information . During the term of this Agreement and thereafter, Executive shall not, except as may be required to perform his duties hereunder or as required by applicable law or court order, disclose to others for use, whether directly or indirectly, any Confidential Information regarding the Company. “Confidential Information” shall mean information about the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and their respective clients and customers that is not available to the general public or that does not otherwise become available to the general public, and that was learned by Executive in the course of his employment by the Company, including, without limitation, any data, formulae, recipes, methods, information, proprietary knowledge, trade secrets and client and customer lists and all papers, resumes, records and other documents containing such Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that such Confidential Information is specialized, unique in nature and of great value to the Company, and that such information gives the Company a competitive advantage. Upon the termination of his employment, Executive will promptly deliver to the Company all documents, maintained in any format, including electronic or print, (and all copies thereof) in his possession containing any Confidential Information.

 

13.2 Noncompetition . Except as otherwise provided herein, Executive agrees that during the term of this Agreement (including any period during which Executive is entitled to receive Severance Benefits under this Agreement) he will not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company, engage in any Competitive Activities. For purposes hereof, Executive shall be deemed to be engaged in “Competitive Activities” if he does any of the following: provide consulting services with or without pay, or own, manage, operate, join, control, participate in, or be connected as a stockholder, partner, or otherwise with any business, individual, partner, firm, corporation, or other entity which is then in competition with the Company or any present affiliate of the Company in the industry of owning or operating full-menu table service casual dining restaurants; provided, however, that the “beneficial ownership” by Executive, either individually or as a member of a “group,” as such terms are used in Rule 13d of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), of not more than 5 % of the voting stock of any corporation shall not be a violation of this Agreement.

 

13.3 Right to Company Materials . Executive agrees that all styles, designs, recipes, lists, materials, books, files, reports, correspondence, records, and other documents (“Company Material”) used, prepared, or made available to Executive, shall be and shall remain

 

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the property of the Company. Upon the termination of his employment and/or the expiration of this Agreement, all Company Materials shall be returned immediately to the Company, and Executive shall not make or retain any copies thereof.

 

13.4 Non-solicitation . Executive understands and agrees that in the course of employment with the Company, Executive will obtain access to and/or acquire Company trade secrets, including Confidential Information, which are solely the property of the Company. Therefore, to protect such trade secrets, Executive promises and agrees that during the term of this Agreement, and for a period of two years thereafter, he will not solicit or assist or instruct others in soliciting any employees, customers, franchisees, landlords, or suppliers of the Company or any of its present or future subsidiaries or affiliates, to divert their employment or business to or with any individual, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity then in competition with the business of the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company. The Company acknowledges in this regard that its customers, landlords and suppliers do have existing relationships and likely will have future relationships with the Company’s direct and indirect competitors in the restaurant industry in the ordinary course of their activities.

 

13.5 Non-Disparagement . Except for statements of fact, internal Company communications relating to the performance of the Company, disclosures required under applicable law or in connection with any legal proceedings with respect to which Executive is a party or witness, Executive will not make any disparaging remarks regarding the Company at any time during or after the termination of his employment with the Company. Except for statements of fact, internal communications relating to the performance of Executive, and disclosures required under applicable law or in connection with any legal proceedings with respect to which the Company is a party or witness, the Company will not make any disparaging remarks regarding Executive at any time during or after the termination of his employment with the Company.

 

13.6 Termination of Severance Benefits in Certain Circumstances . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (i) in the event that Executive engages in any Competitive Activities or breaches his obligations under Section 13.4 hereunder in any material respect, the Company may, upon at least three (3) business days prior written notice, terminate any Severance Benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled to pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and (ii) termination of Severance Benefits in accordance with the terms of this Section 13.6 shall be the Company’s sole remedy for any breach of Executive’s obligations under Section 13.2 of this Agreement that occurs following the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

 

14. Notice . For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or when mailed by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth below, or to such other addresses as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, exception that notice of a change of address shall be effective only upon actual receipt:

 

Company:    BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.
     16162 Beach Boulevard
     Suite 100
     Huntington Beach, CA 92647
     Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

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Executive:    Jeremiah J. Hennessy
    

 


    

 


    

 


 

15. Amendments or Additions . No amendment or additions to this Agreement shall be binding unless in writing and signed by both parties hereto.

 

16. Section Headings . The section headings used in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

17. Severability . The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

 

18. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but both of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

19. Arbitration . Except as provided herein, any controversy or claim arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement or the breach thereof, or Executive’s employment and any statutory claims including all claims of employment discrimination shall be subject to private and confidential arbitration in Orange County, California in accordance with the laws of the State of California. The arbitration shall be conducted in a procedurally fair manner by a mutually agreed upon neutral arbitrator selected in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes (“Rules”) of the American Arbitration Association or if none can be mutually agreed upon, then by one arbitrator appointed pursuant to the Rules. The arbitration shall be conducted confidentially in accordance with the Rules. The arbitration fees shall be paid by the Company. Each party shall have the right to conduct discovery including depositions, requests for production of documents and such other discovery as permitted under the Rules or ordered by the arbitrator. The statute of limitations or any cause of action shall be that prescribed by law. The arbitrator shall have the authority to award any damages authorized by law for the claims presented including punitive damages and shall have the authority to award reasonable attorneys fees to the prevailing party in accordance with applicable law. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on all parties and shall be the exclusive remedy of the parties. The award shall be in writing in accordance with the Rules, and shall be subject to judicial enforcement in accordance with California law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 19, nothing herein shall prevent or restrict the Company or Executive from seeking provisional injunctive relief from any forum having competent jurisdiction over the parties.

 

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20. Miscellaneous . No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and such officer as may be specifically designated by the Board. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California without regard to its conflicts of law principles. All references to sections of the Exchange Act shall be deemed also to refer to any successor provisions to such sections.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed this Agreement on the date first indicated above.

 

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.
By:  

 


Name:   Gerald W. Deitchle
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE:

 


JEREMIAH J. HENNESSY

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

2005 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

(Incentive Stock Option)

 

This Stock Option Agreement is made and entered into by and between BJ’s Restaurants, Inc., a California corporation (“Company”), and the option recipient identified in the “BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan Notice of Grant of Stock Option” (“Grant Notice”) which is attached hereto (“Optionee”), as of the “Grant Date” set forth in the Grant Notice, with respect to the following facts:

 

A. The Company has adopted and the shareholders of the Company have approved the BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as heretofore amended (the “Plan”), pursuant to which the Company is authorized to grant stock options to directors, consultants and employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

B. Optionee has received and reviewed a copy of the Plan.

 

C. Optionee is an employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.

 

D. This Agreement is comprised of this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”), and the attached Notice of Grant of Stock Option and the related Grant Summary, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and intending to be legally bound, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Grant of Option . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company hereby grants to Optionee an incentive stock option (“Option”) to purchase from the Company, at the “Option Price Per Share” set forth in the Grant Notice, the “Total Number of Shares” of the Company’s authorized and unissued or reacquired shares of common stock set forth in the Grant Notice.

 

2. Incentive Stock Option . The Option granted to Optionee pursuant to this Agreement is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) of the shares with respect to which incentive stock options (including the Option) is exercisable for the first time by Optionee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company) exceeds $100,000, such excess stock options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options under the Plan. For these purposes, Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted.


3. Administration . The Plan provides that it shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) or, in the absence of such Committee, by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). The Committee shall have full and exclusive power to administer the Plan on behalf of the Board, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Committee’s power to administer the Plan, and actions the Committee takes under the Plan, shall be limited by the provisions set forth in the Committee’s charter, as such charter may be amended from time to time, and the further limitation that certain actions may be subject to review and approval by either the full Board or a panel consisting of all of the Independent Directors (as defined in the Plan) of the Company. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority to construe and interpret the Plan and this Agreement, to delegate administration of the Plan to subcommittees or officers of the Company, to promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Plan and this Agreement, and to make all of the determinations necessary or advisable for administration of the Plan and this Agreement. All decisions, determinations, and interpretations of the Committee shall be final and binding on Optionee, the Company (including its Subsidiaries), any shareholder and all other persons. No administrator of the Plan shall be liable for any action or determination undertaken or made in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company with respect to the administration of the Plan or this Agreement. References in this Agreement to the Committee shall include the Committee (or if no Committee exists, the Board) and, to the extent the context requires, any person(s) delegated administrative authority by the Committee (or the Board) with respect to the Plan or this Agreement.

 

4. Term of Option . Unless earlier exercised pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement, and except as otherwise provided in the Grant Summary or Grant Notice, the Option shall terminate on, and shall not be exercisable after, the expiration of the earliest of: (i) other than in circumstances covered by (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) below, three (3) months after the effective date of termination of Active Status (as defined in the Plan) of Optionee or, if Optionee is a Non-Employee Director (as defined in the Plan), six (6) months after the date Optionee ceases to be a Director (as defined in the Plan); (ii) immediately upon termination of Optionee’s Active Status for Misconduct (as defined in the Plan); (iii) twelve (12) months after the date on which Optionee, other than a Non-Employee Director, ceased performing services as a result of his or her total and permanent Disability (as defined in the Plan); (iv) twelve (12) months after the date of the death of Optionee whose Active Status terminated as a result of his or her death; or (v) six (6) months after the date on which the Optionee ceased performing services as a result of Retirement (as defined in the Plan). In no event shall the Option be exercisable after ten (10) years after the “Grant Date” set forth in the Grant Notice.

 

5. Exercise .

 

5.1 Exercisability . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Option shall become exercisable according to the number of shares set forth on the “Exercise Schedule” in the Grant Summary attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. In the event the Exercise Schedule does not specify the dates the Option becomes


exercisable, the Option shall become exercisable on a cumulative basis as to one-fifth (1/5) of the total number of shares covered thereby on the first anniversary of the date the Option is granted and an additional one-fifth (1/5) at the end of each consecutive one-year period thereafter until the Option has become exercisable as to all of such total number of shares. The Option may be exercised by Optionee with respect to any shares of common stock of the Company covered by the Option at any time on or after the date on which the Option becomes exercisable with respect to such shares; provided that the Option may not be exercised at any one time with respect to less than ten (10) shares of common stock of the Company, unless the number of shares with respect to which the Option is exercised is the total number of shares with respect to which the Option is exercisable at the time. To the extent Option vest and become exercisable in increments, except as may be specifically provided in the Grant Notice, Grant Summary or the specific terms of any written severance arrangement between the Optionee and the Company, the Option shall cease vesting as of the date of the Optionee’s Disability (as defined in the Plan) or termination of such Optionee’s Active Status (as defined in the Plan) for reasons other than Retirement (as defined in the Plan) or death, in each of which cases such Option shall immediately vest in full.

 

5.2 Notice of Exercise . Optionee shall exercise the Option by delivering to the Company, either in person or by certified or registered mail, written notice of election to exercise and payment in full of the purchase price as provided in Subsection 5.3 of this Agreement. The written notice shall set forth the whole number of shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised.

 

5.3 Payment of Purchase Price . The purchase price for any shares of common stock of the Company with respect to which Optionee exercises the Option shall be paid in full at the time Optionee delivers to the Company the written notice of election to exercise. The purchase price shall be paid in cash, by check, or, at the discretion of the Committee or such other person(s) designated by the Committee for such purposes, upon such terms and conditions as the Committee (or such other person(s)) shall approve, either by (i) subject to any restrictions or limitations imposed under applicable law, a request that the Company or the designated brokerage firm conduct a cashless exercise of the Option; (ii) cash; and (iii) tender of shares of Common Stock owned by the Optionee in accordance with rules established by the Committee from time to time. Shares used to pay the exercise price shall be valued at their Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) on the exercise date. Payment of the aggregate exercise price by means of tendering previously-owned shares of Common Stock shall not be permitted when the same may, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, cause the Company to record a loss or expense as a result thereof. In addition to the option exercise price, the purchase price shall include the amount of tax required to be withheld (if any) by the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation as a result of the exercise of the Option.

 

6. Issuance of Shares . Promptly after the Company’s receipt of the written notice of election to exercise provided for in Subsection 5.2 hereof and Optionee’s payment in full of the purchase price, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered to Optionee, certificates for the whole number of shares with respect to which the Option is being


exercised by Optionee or, in the case of a cashless exercise, for any such shares that were not sold in the cashless exercise.

 

6.1 Registration of Shares . Shares shall be registered in the name of Optionee. If any law or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other federal or state governmental body having jurisdiction shall require the Company or Optionee to take any action prior to issuance to Optionee of the shares of common stock of the Company specified in the written notice of election to exercise, or if any listing agreement between the Company and any national securities exchange requires such shares to be listed prior to issuance, the date of the delivery of such shares shall be adjourned until the completion of such action and/or such listing.

 

6.2 Restriction on Issuance and Transfer of Shares . Shares of common stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of the Option which are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be subject to restrictions on transfer. No unregistered shares of common stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of the Option, nor any right or interest therein, may be transferred without the prior written consent of the Company, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any unregistered shares acquired by exercise of the Option shall bear a legend referring to the restrictions and limitations of this Section. The Company may impose stop transfer instructions to implement such restrictions and limitations and may require the Optionee to execute a buy-sell agreement in favor of the Company or its designee with respect to all or any of the shares so acquired. In such event, the terms of such agreement shall apply to such shares.

 

7. Fractional Shares . In no event shall the Company be required to issue fractional shares upon the exercise of any portion of the Option.

 

8. No Rights as Shareholder or Employee . Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon Optionee the right to continue in service as an employee or consultant of the Company for any period of specific duration, or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Company (or any subsidiary employing or retaining such person), or of Optionee, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate such person’s services at any time for any reason, with or without cause. Except as provided in Section 9 hereof, no adjustment shall be made for any dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether cash, securities, or other property) or distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such share certificate is issued.

 

9. Recapitalization or Reorganization of Company . Except as otherwise provided herein, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number and class of shares subject to the Option, and the exercise price of the Option, in the event that the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company are increased or decreased as a result of a stock dividend (but only on Common Stock), stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, separation, or like change in the corporate or capital structure of the Company. To the extent that the foregoing adjustments relate to stock or securities of the Company, such adjustments shall be made by the Committee, the


determination of which in that respect shall be final, binding, and conclusive. No right to purchase fractional shares shall result from any adjustment of the Option pursuant to this Section.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the most recently executed agreement between the Optionee and the Company, or specifically prohibited under applicable laws, or by the rules and regulations of any applicable governmental agencies or national securities exchanges or quotation systems, the Option may be Accelerated (as defined in the Plan) upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Plan) in certain circumstances specified in the Plan.

 

10. No Transfer of Option . Optionee may not transfer all or any part of the Option except by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, by instrument to an inter vivos or testamentary trust in which the options are to be passed to beneficiaries upon the death of the trustor (settlor), or by gift to “immediate family” as that term is defined in Title 17, Section 240.16a-1(e) of the Code of Federal Regulations. The Option shall not be exercisable during the lifetime of Optionee by any person other than Optionee. In the event of the death of Optionee, the Option or unexercised portion thereof, to the extent (and only to the extent) exercisable by Optionee on the date of his or her death, may be exercised by Optionee’s personal representatives, heirs, or legatees subject to the provisions of Section 4 hereof.

 

11. General Provisions .

 

11.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior written or oral agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no representations, agreements, arrangements, or understandings, either written or oral, between or among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof which are not set forth in this Agreement.

 

11.2 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California.

 

11.3 Notices . Any notice given pursuant to this Agreement may be served personally on the party to be notified or may be mailed, with postage thereon fully prepaid, by certified or registered mail, with return receipt requested, addressed to the Company at its principal office, to Optionee at Optionee’s residence address according to the records of the Company, or at such other address as either party may designate in writing from time to time. Any notice given as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed delivered when given, if personally served, or ten (10) business days after mailing, if mailed.

 

11.4 Further Acts . Each party to this Agreement agrees to perform such further acts and to execute and deliver such other and additional documents as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.


11.5 Severability . If any term, provision, covenant, or condition of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any of the other terms, provisions, covenants, or conditions of this Agreement, each of which shall be binding and enforceable.

 

11.6 Modification and Amendment . This Agreement may not be modified, extended, renewed or substituted without an amendment or other agreement in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement.

Exhibit 10.4

 

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

2005 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTION

 

Name:

Employee ID (if applicable):

Department Number (if applicable):

Location (if applicable):

 

Grant of Option

 

You have been granted an option to buy shares of common stock of BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (the “Company”) as follows:

 

Grant Date:     
Option Price per Share:     
Total Number of Shares:     
Expiration Date:                             , 20      (unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of your Grant Summary or Stock Option Agreement)

 

Exercise Schedule

 

The option shall become exercisable with respect to the number of shares of the aforementioned Total Number of Shares as set forth on the “Exercise Schedule” in the Grant Summary attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Agreement

 

By your signature and the Company’s signature below, you and the Company agree that this option is granted under and governed by the terms of the BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, and the form of Stock Option Agreement which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. PLEASE READ SUCH AGREEMENT.

 

“COMPANY”

       

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

       
By:           “OPTIONEE”
           

Name:

   
       

Address:

   
            Signature:    


BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

2005 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

GRANT SUMMARY

 

Name:

Employee ID (if applicable):

Department Number (if applicable):

Location (if applicable):

 

Grant Type:                
Grant Date:           Exp. Date:    
Total Shares:           Option Price:  

$

 

EXERCISE SCHEDULE

 

Number of Shares


 

Exercise Date


     

 

EXPIRATION

 

Unless otherwise specified above, vested options shall expire, terminate, or otherwise be forfeited as specified in Section 8 of the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which provides for expiration, termination or forfeiture as follows: (i) other than in circumstances covered by (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) below, three (3) months after the effective date of termination of Active Status (as defined in the Plan) of Optionee or, if Optionee is a Non-Employee Director (as defined in the Plan), six (6) months after the date Optionee ceases to be a Director; (ii) immediately upon termination of Optionee’s Active Status for Misconduct (as defined in the Plan); (iii) twelve (12) months after the date on which Optionee, other than a Non-Employee Director, ceased performing services as a result of his or her total and permanent Disability (as defined in the Plan); (iv) twelve (12) months after the date of the death of Optionee whose Active Status terminated as a result of his or her death; or (v) six (6) months after the date on which the Optionee ceased performing services as a result of Retirement (as defined in the Plan). In no event shall any Option be exercisable after ten years from the Grant Date.

 

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