SYSCO CORP false 0000096021 0000096021 2020-07-15 2020-07-15 0000096021 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2020-07-15 2020-07-15 0000096021 us-gaap:DeferrableNotesMember 2020-07-15 2020-07-15

 

 

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): July 15, 2020

 

Sysco Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

1-06544

 

74-1648137

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

1390 Enclave Parkway, Houston, TX 77077-2099

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (281) 584-1390

N/A

(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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

  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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common stock, $1.00 Par Value

 

SYY

 

New York Stock Exchange

1.25% Notes due June 2023

 

SYY23

 

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 


SECTION 5 – CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.

The Compensation and Leadership Development Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Sysco Corporation (“Sysco” or the “Company”) reviewed its historical severance practices for senior executives and approved and adopted a market-competitive form of severance letter agreement (the “Severance Agreement”) to specify the severance benefits to which each of the Company’s executive vice presidents (each, an “Executive”) would be entitled upon the occurrence of certain termination events, which are described below. Each Executive who was identified as a “Named Executive Officer” in the Company’s proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 2, 2019, entered into a Severance Agreement effective on July 15, 2020.

Each Severance Agreement provides that the Executive will be entitled to receive the following severance benefits upon the occurrence of certain termination events, which are described below:

  Non-Change in Control Termination: If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without “Cause” (as defined in the Severance Agreement) or the Executive resigns for “Good Reason” (as defined in the Severance Agreement), and the termination does not constitute a Change in Control Termination (as defined below), the Executive will be entitled to receive:

  A severance payment in an amount equal to two times the Executive’s annual base salary;

  A pro-rata award under the annual or short-term management incentive plan covering the performance period in which the termination is effective, subject to attainment of applicable Sysco performance goals for such performance period and payable at the time such incentives are paid to other Sysco executives;

  Reimbursement for the amounts of any premiums or other fees paid by the Executive, pursuant to COBRA, in excess of the applicable active employee rates to maintain the Executive’s health benefits under the Company’s group health plans for a period of 18 months following the Separation Date; and

  Outplacement services for a period of up to 12 months.

  Change in Control Termination: If the termination of employment occurs upon, or within two years following, the effectiveness of a Change in Control (as defined in the Sysco Corporation 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan), the Executive will be entitled to receive:

  A severance payment in an amount equal to two times the sum of (i) the Executive’s annual base salary and (ii) the Executive’s target incentive opportunity under the annual or short-term management incentive plan covering the performance period in which the termination is effective;

  A pro-rata award under the annual or short-term management incentive plan covering the performance period in which the termination is effective based on the Executive’s target incentive opportunity and payable at the time such incentives are paid to other Sysco executives;

  Reimbursement for the amounts of any premiums or other fees paid by the Executive, pursuant to COBRA, in excess of the applicable active employee rates to maintain the Executive’s health benefits under the Company’s group health plans for a period of 18 months following the Separation Date; and

  Outplacement services for a period of up to 12 months.

The severance benefits described above will be provided to the Executive only if (i) the Executive executes and does not revoke a legally enforceable general release and waiver of claims in favor of the Company; and (ii) the Executive complies with the Executive’s covenants in the Severance Agreement and the accompanying Protective Covenants Agreement, including confidentiality, non-disparagement and restrictions on competition and solicitation of employees, vendors and customers of the Company for a period of two years after employment.

- 2 -


The foregoing description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Severance Agreement, which is included herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference.

- 3 -


Section 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

Not applicable.

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

Not applicable.

(c) Shell Company Transactions.

Not applicable.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit Number

   

Description

         
 

10.1

   

Form of Severance Letter Agreement for Executive Vice Presidents

         
 

10.2

   

Form of Sysco Protective Covenants Agreement

         
 

104

   

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

- 4 -


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Sysco Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Sysco Corporation

                 

Date: July 17, 2020

 

   

By:

   

/s/ Eve M. McFadden

 

 

   

Eve M. McFadden

 

 

   

Senior Vice President, Legal, General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary

- 5 -

EXHIBIT 10.1

[Sysco Letterhead]

[Date]

[Name]

[Title]

[Address 1]

[Address 2]

 

  Re:

Benefits Upon Termination Under Certain Circumstances

Dear [Name],

You are a key employee of Sysco Corporation (“Sysco” or the “Company”), and I know that you will make significant contributions to the profitability, growth, and financial strength of Sysco as we move forward. In recognition of your key role and to encourage your continued focus on driving Sysco’s strategic priorities, the Compensation and Leadership Development Committee of Sysco’s Board of Directors has approved certain benefits to be paid to you in the event that your employment were to end under specific circumstances.

The purpose of this letter agreement (this “Agreement”) is to memorialize the severance payments and benefits to which you will be entitled if your employment with Sysco ceases under particular circumstances. It further sets forth your obligations and commitments in exchange for continued employment with Sysco, the compensation and benefits you receive during such employment, and the promise and/or receipt of exit benefits if your employment terminates under certain circumstances.

1.    Circumstances Covered by this Agreement: You will be entitled to the benefits described in this Agreement if your employment ceases for one of the following Eligible Termination Reasons:

a.    Involuntary Termination Without Cause: “Cause” means your (1) conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony under federal law or the law of the state in which such action occurred; (2) dishonesty in the course of fulfilling your employment or service duties; (3) willful and deliberate failure to perform your reasonable employment or service duties in any material respect; (4) your violation of any material company policy, including the Sysco Global Code of Conduct; or (5) your violation of any non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants agreement or code of conduct applicable to you. Sysco shall have the sole discretion to determine whether Cause for termination exists.


b.    Voluntary Termination with Good Reason: “Good Reason” means the occurrence of one or more of the following, without your consent: (1) a material diminution in your authority, duties or responsibilities; (2) a material change in the geographic location at which you must perform services for the Company or its subsidiaries; or (3) a material diminution in your annual base salary; provided, however, that to the extent equivalent salary reductions have been made for similarly situated executives, such salary reduction shall not constitute Good Reason. You must provide written notice of your intent to terminate for Good Reason to Sysco within thirty (30) days after the event constituting Good Reason. Sysco shall have a period of thirty (30) days in which it may correct the act or failure to act that constitutes the grounds for Good Reason as set forth in your notice of termination. If Sysco does not correct the act or failure to act, you must terminate your employment for Good Reason within thirty (30) days after the end of the cure period, in order for the termination to be considered a Good Reason termination.

c.    Termination as a Result of a Change in Control: A “Change in Control Termination” means a termination of your employment by Sysco without Cause or your resignation of employment with Sysco for Good Reason, occurring during the period beginning on the date that a Change in Control (as defined in the Sysco Corporation 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan) occurs and ending on the second anniversary thereof.

2.    Benefits Upon Termination for an Eligible Termination Reason. If your employment terminates for an Eligible Termination Reason, you will be entitled to the following benefits, subject to the terms and conditions described in this Agreement:

a.    Severance Payment:

 

  i.

Severance Payment in the Event of an Involuntary Termination Without Cause or Voluntary Termination for Good Reason: An amount equal to two (2) times the sum of your then-current annual base salary, less applicable withholdings (the “Non-CIC Severance Payment”). The Non-CIC Severance Payment will not be considered compensation under any compensation or benefit plan sponsored or maintained by Sysco and will be in lieu of any separation of employment-related payment to which you otherwise would have been entitled under any plan, practice or program maintained by, or any agreement with, Sysco or any related or affiliated entity, all of which shall be superseded by this Agreement. You will not be eligible for any other severance payment, except as described herein, and there will be no duplication of benefits. Subject to Section 11(a) of this Agreement, the Non-CIC Severance Payment will be made in equal monthly installments for a period of 24 months, commencing as soon as practicable, but no later than thirty (30) days following the effective date of an executed General Release (as defined below).


  ii.

Severance Payment in the Event of a Change In Control Termination: An amount equal to two (2) times the sum of (A) your then-current annual base salary and (B) your then-current target short term incentive, less applicable withholdings (the “CIC Severance Payment”). The CIC Severance Payment will not be considered compensation under any compensation or benefit plan sponsored or maintained by Sysco and will be in lieu of any separation of employment-related payment to which you otherwise would have been entitled under any plan, practice or program maintained by, or any agreement with, Sysco or any related or affiliated entity, all of which shall be superseded by this Agreement. You will not be eligible for any other severance payment, except as described herein, and there will be no duplication of benefits. Subject to Section 11(a) of this Agreement, the CIC Severance Payment will be made in a lump sum payment occurring as soon as practicable, but no later than thirty (30) days following the effective date of an executed General Release (as defined below).

b.    Group Health Plan Benefits Reimbursement: Provided that you or your eligible dependents, if any, are participating in Sysco’s group health, dental and vision plans at the time of your separation of employment and elect on a timely basis to continue that participation in some or all of the offered plans through the federal law commonly known as “COBRA,” you will be eligible to receive, on a monthly basis, reimbursement in an amount equal to the difference between (i) the amounts of any premiums or other fees paid by you pursuant to COBRA to maintain your health benefits under the Company’s group health, dental and vision plans and (ii) the applicable active employee rates for such health, dental and vision benefits (the “Group Health Plan Benefits Reimbursement”). You shall continue to be eligible for the Group Health Plan Benefits Reimbursement until the earlier to occur of (1) the date eighteen (18) months after your active employee coverage ends; or (2) the date you are eligible to enroll in the health, dental and/or vision plans of another employer. Your continued receipt of the Group Health Plan Benefits Reimbursement is dependent on you and your dependents continuing to be eligible to participate in Sysco’s offered plans through COBRA. You agree to notify Sysco promptly if you are eligible to enroll in the plans of another employer or if you or any of your dependents cease to be eligible to continue participation in Company plans through COBRA. Group Health Benefits Plan Reimbursement will immediately cease if you violate the terms of this Agreement.

c.    Outplacement: You will be immediately eligible for outplacement services at the expense of Sysco. Such services will be provided for up to twelve (12) months of coverage, or until new employment is obtained, whichever occurs first. Outplacement benefits described in this subsection will immediately cease if you violate the terms of this Agreement.


d.    Annual Incentive in the Event of Involuntary Termination Not for Cause or Resignation for Good Reason: If your employment with Sysco ends involuntarily not for Cause or you resign with Good Reason, you will remain eligible for a pro-rata portion of your annual or short-term incentive for the fiscal year during which your employment is terminated. Your incentive payment will be calculated based on the number of full calendar months you were employed by Sysco during the applicable performance period and will be subject to the attainment of applicable Sysco performance goals for such performance period. Any annual or short-term incentive paid to you under this subsection will be subject to applicable withholding taxes and will be calculated on the same basis and made payable at the same time as all other annual or short-term incentives for the same performance period.

e.    Annual Incentive in the Event of a Change in Control Termination: If your employment with Sysco ends as a result of a Change in Control Termination, you will remain eligible for a pro-rata portion of your annual or short-term incentive for the fiscal year during which your employment is terminated. Your incentive payment will be calculated based on the number of full calendar months you were employed by Sysco during the applicable performance period and be paid at 100% of the target performance under the applicable Sysco performance goals for such performance period. Any annual or short-term incentive paid to you under this subsection will be subject to applicable withholding taxes and will be payable at the same time as all other annual or short-term incentives for the same performance period.

3.    Circumstances Upon Which There Will Be No Entitlement to Benefits. This Agreement does not provide termination benefits for any separation of employment relating to:

a.    Termination with Cause;

b.    Voluntary Termination Without Good Reason; or

c.    Death or Disability. “Disability” means (i) in the United States, that you have been determined by the Social Security Administration to be totally disabled and (ii) in all other jurisdictions, disability, as determined pursuant to the Company’s long-term disability policy.

4.    Employment-at-Will. This Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment, and you acknowledge that your employment with Sysco is terminable “at-will” by either party with or without Cause and with or without notice.

5.    Benefits Conditioned Upon Execution of Full Release of Claims. You must execute and not revoke a legally enforceable general release of claims (“General Release”) in a form acceptable to Sysco prior to the receipt of any payments or benefits set forth in this Agreement.


6.    Effective Date; Term; Renewal. This Agreement is effective as of                     , 202     (the “Effective Date”) for one year. This Agreement shall be automatically renewed annually thereafter for a renewal period of one year, unless written notice of non-renewal is given by you or by Sysco at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the term, including any renewal periods.

7.    Benefits Conditioned Upon Execution of Protective Covenants Agreement. You must execute the attached Protective Covenants Agreement concurrently with your execution of this Agreement in order to be eligible for the payments and benefits set forth in this Agreement.

8.    Intellectual Property Rights. You acknowledge that your development, work or research on any and all inventions or expressions of ideas, that may or may not be eligible for patent, copyright, trademark or trade secret protection, hereafter made or conceived solely or jointly within the scope of employment at Sysco, provided such invention or expression of an idea relates to the business of Sysco or relates to actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of Sysco or results from any work performed by you for or on behalf of Sysco, are hereby assigned to Sysco, including your entire rights, title and interest. You will promptly disclose such invention or expression of an idea to your leader and will, upon request, promptly execute a specific written assignment of title to Sysco. If you currently hold any inventions or expressions of an idea, regardless of whether they were published or filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office, or are under contract to not so assign, you will provide a list of such inventions or idea to the Company’s General Counsel within two days of the execution of this Agreement.

9.    Cooperation in Litigation. You agree, without receiving additional compensation, to fully and completely cooperate with Sysco, both during and after the period of employment with Sysco, with respect to matters that relate to your employment, in all investigations, potential litigation or litigation in which Sysco is involved or may become involved, other than any such investigations, potential litigation or litigation between you and Sysco. Sysco will reimburse you for reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with any such investigations, potential litigation or litigation.

10.    Non-Disparagement. You will not take any actions that would reasonably be expected to be detrimental to the interests of Sysco or any Sysco affiliate, nor make derogatory statements, either written or oral to any third party, or otherwise publicly disparage Sysco or any Sysco affiliate, its products, services, or present or former employees, officers, directors, or customers. This provision does not and is not intended to preclude you from providing truthful testimony in response to legal process or governmental inquiry.

11.    Tax Matters.

a.    Section 409A Compliance. This Agreement is intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and valid regulations thereunder (“Section 409A”) as a short term deferral, or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A and, specifically, with the provisions of Treasury Regulation


Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(i) stating that a plan may provide that a payment upon the lapse of a substantial risk of forfeiture is to be made in accordance with a fixed schedule that is objectively determinable based on the date the substantial risk of forfeiture lapses. The substantial risk of forfeiture lapses on the date the Executive’s employment ceases for an Eligible Termination Reason that is a “separation from service” under Section 409A. This Agreement shall be administered and interpreted in accordance with Section 409A. For purposes of Section 409A, the right to a series of payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. Payments shall commence not later than 90 days after the date of separation from service for an Eligible Termination Reason. In no event may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of a payment. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the timing of the Executive’s execution of the Release, directly or indirectly, result in the Executive designating the calendar year of payment, and if a payment that is subject to execution of the Release could be made in more than one taxable year, based on timing of the execution of the Release, payment shall be made in the later taxable year, if required by Section 409A. With respect to amounts paid under this Agreement that are reimbursements or in-kind benefits under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv), no such reimbursement or in-kind benefit shall be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; the amount available for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any calendar year shall not affect the amount available for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in a subsequent calendar year; and any reimbursement to which you are entitled shall be made promptly, but no later than the last day of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which such expenses were incurred. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A.

b.    Treatment of Payments or Benefits Under Section 280G. In the event that any payment or benefit received (or to be received) by you would fail to be deductible under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 280G”) or otherwise would be subject (in whole or part) to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Excise Tax”) then, the payment or benefits to be received by you that are subject to Section 280G shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that no portion of the total payment or benefits is subject to the Excise Tax, but only if the net amount of such payment or benefits, as so reduced, is greater than or equal to the net amount of such total payment or benefits without such reduction.

12.     Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and, during the term of this Agreement, supersedes the provisions of all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.


13.    Governing Law, Jurisdiction, and Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States and the laws of the State of Texas, both as to interpretation and performance. Any action or other legal proceeding not subject to arbitration under this Agreement or any action or legal proceeding regarding the enforceability of this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in an appropriate court of competent jurisdiction located in Harris County, Texas (if the action is brought in state court) or in the Southern District of Texas (if such action is brought in federal court). Any action brought within such courts shall not be transferred or removed by you to any other state or federal court.

14.    Severability; Validity. If any provision(s) of this Agreement shall be found invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, in whole or in part, then such provision(s) shall be modified or restricted so as to effectuate as nearly as possible in a valid and enforceable way the provisions hereof, or shall be deemed excised from this Agreement, as the case may require, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law, as if such provision(s) had been originally incorporated herein as so modified or restricted or as if such provision(s) had not been originally incorporated herein, as the case may be.

15.    Successors and Assigns. This Agreement may be transferred, in whole or in part, by the Company to its successors and assigns, and the rights and obligations of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successors or assigns of the Company, and you will remain bound to fulfill your obligations under this Agreement. You may not, however, transfer or assign your rights or obligations under this Agreement.

16.    Survival. The obligations contained in Sections 8, 9, 10 and 13 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect after the termination of your employment with the Company. You and the Company acknowledge and understand that your obligations under this Agreement shall not be affected by the reasons for, circumstances of, or identity of the party who initiates the termination of your employment with Sysco.

17.    Inurement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by you and your personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If you should die while any amount would still be payable to you hereunder had you continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to your devisee, legatee or other designee, or, if there is no such devisee, legatee or designee, to your estate.

18.    No Waiver. The Company’s waiver or failure to enforce the terms of this Agreement in one instance shall not constitute a waiver of its rights under this Agreement to enforce, in other instances, that term or any other term of this Agreement.


19.    Read and Understood. By signing below, you agree that you have read this Agreement, carefully and understand each of its terms and conditions and been provided the opportunity to seek independent legal counsel of your choice to the extent you deemed such advice necessary in connection with the review and execution of this Agreement.

I appreciate your contribution to the success of Sysco and value the role you will play in our success in the future. Please sign below indicating your receipt of and agreement to these terms.

Sincerely,

Kevin Hourican

President & CEO

Attachment

 

Agreed:

                                  

Name

                              

Date

EXHIBIT 10.2

Sysco Protective Covenants Agreement

This Sysco Protective Covenants Agreement (“Agreement”) is between Associate and Sysco Corporation, collectively referred to as the “parties.

WHEREAS, Associate is or will be employed in a position of special trust and confidence with Company or an affiliate of Company (collectively referred to herein as “Company”), and as a condition of acceptance of the benefits described in Section 1.1 below, the parties seek to protect Company’s Confidential Information (as defined below), inventions and discoveries, specialized training, and its customer relationships and other goodwill; the parties agree as follows:

SECTION 1.    Benefits and Responsibilities of Employment.

1.1    Position of Trust. By entering into this Agreement and accepting the equity award provided by Company, Associate agrees and acknowledges that Company has granted the equity award(s) to Associate to secure Associate’s commitment to advance and promote the business interests and objectives of Company. Associate further agrees and acknowledges that, in Associate’s role as a key member of the executive and/or management team of Company or an affiliate of Company, Associate has been entrusted with, and will continue to be entrusted with, Company’s Confidential Information, goodwill of customers and vendors, and relationships with Associates; and that Associate’s use of such Confidential Information, customer and vendor goodwill, or Associate relationships to directly or indirectly compete against Company would cause Company to suffer immediate and irreparable injury for which monetary damages would not be sufficient to make Company whole. Company agrees to provide Associate these items in exchange for and in reliance upon Associate’s promise to abide by the restrictions in this Agreement.

1.2    Duty of Loyalty and Conflicts of Interest. During employment, Associate will dedicate all of Associate’s working time to Company and use best efforts to perform the duties assigned, remain loyal, comply with Company policies and procedures, and avoid conflicts of interest. It shall be considered a conflict of interest for Associate to knowingly assist or take steps to form or further a competing business enterprise while employed with Company. Associate will promptly inform Company of any business opportunities related to Company’s lines of business that Associate becomes aware of during employment, and any such opportunities shall be considered the intellectual property of Company whether pursued by Company or not. Nothing in this Agreement shall eliminate, reduce, or otherwise remove any legal duties or obligations that Associate would otherwise have to Company through common law or statute.

 

1


SECTION 2.     Confidentiality and Business Interests.

2.1     Definition of Confidential Information. “Confidential Information” refers to an item of information, or a compilation of information, in any form (tangible or intangible), related to Company’s business that Company has not made public or authorized public disclosure of, and that is not generally known to the public or to other persons who might obtain value or competitive advantage from its disclosure or use. Confidential Information will not lose its protected status under this Agreement if it becomes generally known to the public or to other persons through improper means such as the unauthorized use or disclosure of the information by Associate or another person. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to: (a) Company’s business plans and analysis, customer and prospect lists, customer documents and information (including contact information, preferences, margins, order guides, and order histories) internal reports, internal business-related communications, marketing plans and strategies, research and development data, data compilations regarding buying practices, human resources information obtained from a confidential personnel file (such as internal evaluations of the performance, capability and potential of any Associate of Company affiliates), financial reports, operational analysis data, methods, techniques, technical data, know-how, innovations, computer programs, un-patented inventions, and trade secrets; and (b) information about the business affairs of third parties (including, but not limited to, clients and acquisition targets) that such third parties provide to Company in confidence. Confidential Information will include trade secrets, but an item of Confidential Information need not qualify as a trade secret to be protected by this Agreement. Company’s confidential exchange of information with a third party for business purposes will not remove it from protection under this Agreement. Associate acknowledges that items of Confidential Information are Company’s valuable assets and have economic value, actual or potential, because they are not generally known by the public or others who could use them to their own economic benefit and/or to the competitive disadvantage of Company, and thus, should be treated as Company’s trade secrets. Confidential Information does not include information lawfully acquired by a non-management employee about wages, hours or other terms and conditions of non-management employees if used by them for purposes protected by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (the NLRA) such as joining or forming a union, engaging in collective bargaining, or engaging in other concerted activity for their mutual aid or protection.

2.2.    Unauthorized Use or Disclosure. Associate agrees to not engage in any unauthorized use or disclosure of Confidential Information (as defined above), or knowingly use Confidential Information to harm or compromise the interests of Company. The foregoing restriction will apply throughout Associate’s employment and thereafter for so long as the information at issue continues to qualify as a trade secret or Confidential Information as defined above. Associate understands this means Associate may not use or disclose Confidential Information in any manner that is not within the course and scope of employment with Company and undertaken for the benefit of

 

2


Company. If compelled to disclose information via court order, subpoena, or other legal mandate, Associate will give Company as much written notice as possible under the circumstances, will refrain from use or disclosure for as long as the law allows, and will cooperate with Company to protect such information, including taking every reasonable step to protect against unnecessary disclosure. However, nothing in this Agreement, including the foregoing, prevents Associate from communicating with the EEOC, the SEC, the DOL, or any other governmental authority, making a report in good faith and with a reasonable belief of any violations of law or regulation to a governmental authority, or cooperating with or participating in a legal proceeding relating to such violations.

2.3.    Associate Recordkeeping, Computer Use, and Mobile Devices. (a) Associate agrees to use the authorizations, Confidential Information, and other benefits of Associate’s employment to further the business interests of Company. Associate agrees to preserve and not destroy records on current and prospective Company customers, suppliers, and other business relationships that Associate develops or helps to develop, and not use these records in any way, directly or indirectly, to harm Company’s business. When Associate’s employment with Company terminates, or earlier if so requested, Associate will return to Company all documents, records, and materials of any kind in Associate’s possession or under Associate’s control, incorporating Confidential Information or otherwise, relating to Company’s business, and any copies thereof (electronic or otherwise), other than documents regarding Associate’s individual compensation, such as pay stubs and benefit plan booklets. Associate agrees that the obligation to return property extends to all information and property, not just Confidential Information. (b) Associate agrees not to use Company’s computers, servers, email systems, or other electronic communication or storage devices for personal gain, to compete or prepare to compete, or to otherwise knowingly compromise a business interest of Company; any activity in violation of this provision shall be considered unauthorized use harmful to Company’s business systems. (c) Upon request, Associate will provide for inspection any personal electronic storage devices that Company believes may contain Confidential Information, in a state that makes inspection possible, to permit Company to confirm that Associate has completely removed all Confidential Information from the devices. If Associate stores any Company information with a third-party service provider (such as Yahoo, Google Docs, DropBox or iCloud), Associate consents to the service provider’s disclosure of such information to Company. Where allowed by law, Associate will execute any additional authorizations required by the service provider to disclose Company’s information to Company.

2.4    Protected Activities. The obligations in Section 2 are intended to maintain the confidentiality of Company’s trade secrets and private and confidential information, to prevent the use of Company records to assist a Competitor (defined below), and to prohibit unauthorized access to and use of Company computers. Nothing in this Section 2, or in this Agreement generally, is intended to, or shall be construed to prohibit any use or disclosure of information that is protected by law, to prohibit a disclosure compelled by law, to prohibit lawful testimony, to interfere with law enforcement by a duly authorized law enforcement agency, or to prohibit the reporting

 

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of an illegal act to any duly authorized law enforcement agency. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit a non-managerial Associate covered by the National Labor Relations Act (the “Act”) from exercising Associate’s rights under Section 7 of the Act, by for example, communicating with fellow Associates or union representatives about Terms and Conditions Information. “Terms and Conditions Information” refers to information concerning the wages, hours and terms and conditions of employment, or similar matters that are the subject of a labor dispute covered by the Act.

SECTION 3.    Protective Covenants. Associate agrees that the following covenants are, (i) ancillary to the other enforceable agreements contained in the Agreement and (ii) reasonable and necessary to protect Company’s legitimate business interests.

3.1.    Definitions Related to Protective Covenants.

(a).    “Covered Customer” is a Company customer (person or entity) that in the two (2) year period preceding the end of Associate’s employment with Company or such shorter period as the Associate may have been employed (the “Look Back Period”): (i) had business-related contact or dealings with Associate, (ii) was serviced or sold to by another Company Associate whom Associate directly or indirectly supervised, (iii) was provided with a bid, proposal, pricing, margins, or other terms that Associate participated in determining or developing, or (iv) Associate learned confidential information about. A customer is understood to include a person or entity with whom Company is doing business, negotiating to do business, or actively pursuing a business relationship.

(b)    “Conflicting Product or Service” is a product and/or service that would displace or compete with any product or service of Company that Associate was involved in selling, providing, or supporting or about which Associate was provided Confidential Information during the Look Back Period (which is presumed to be all products and services of Company during the Look Back Period due to the nature of Associate’s position unless Associate can show otherwise by clear and convincing evidence). This includes, without limitation, products and services under development by Company during the Look Back Period. Some examples of conflicting products or services would be the negotiation of purchase agreements relating to and the manufacturing, procurement, distribution and/or sale of food or related nonfood products (including, without limitation, paper products, such as disposable napkins, plates and cups, tableware, such as china and silverware, restaurant and kitchen equipment and supplies, medical and surgical supplies, cleaning supplies, and personal care guest amenities, housekeeping supplies, room accessories and hotel and motel textiles) distributed by Company and/or its operating companies during the Look Back Period to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments or other similar customers of Company.

(c)    “Competitor” means any person or entity, or division or subsidiary of an entity, that engages, directly or indirectly, in the same line of business as Company (a line of business that involves providing a Conflicting Product or Service to customers or prospective customers of Company), including group purchasing organizations.

 

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3.2    Restriction on Interfering with Employee Relationships. Associate agrees that for a period of two years following the end of Associate’s employment with Company, Associate will not knowingly: solicit, induce or encourage an employee of Company to leave Company (regardless of who first initiates the communication); help identify or evaluate Company employees for recruitment away from Company; or, help any person or entity hire an employee away from Company. Nothing herein is intended to prohibit generalized solicitation activity via public media (such as the publication of want ads) that are not targeted at Company’s employees.

3.3.     Restriction on Interfering with Customer Relationships. Associate agrees that for a period of two years following the end of Associate’s employment with Company, Associate will not, in person or through others, solicit or communicate (regardless of who initiates the communication) with a Covered Customer to induce or encourage the Covered Customer to: stop or reduce doing business with Company; or, to buy or refer persons to a Competitor or Conflicting Product or Service. The parties agree this restriction is inherently reasonable in its geography because it is limited to the places or locations where the Covered Customer is doing business at the time. In the unlikely event that an additional geographic restriction is required by applicable law in order for this restriction to be enforceable, then this restriction shall be considered applicable to the Restricted Area (defined below).

3.4.    Restriction on Unfair Competition. Associate agrees that for a period of two years following the end of Associate’s employment with Company, Associate will not: accept a job or role that involves, participate in, provide, supervise, or manage (as an employee, consultant, contractor, officer, owner, director, or otherwise) any activities or services for a Competitor in the Restricted Area (defined below) that are the same as, or similar in function or purpose to, those Associate performed, supervised, participated in, or learned Confidential Information about during the Look Back Period on behalf of Company. “Restricted Area” means the geographic area worldwide where Associate has regularly engaged in business activities for Company in person, by phone, or through correspondence during the Look Back Period. Associate acknowledges that this definition of Restricted Area is reasonable and necessary because Associate has been and will continue to be exposed to Confidential Information and customer relationships within the geographic territories where Associate has engaged in business on behalf of Company and/or directly or indirectly managed on behalf of Company. This Paragraph is not intended to prohibit: (i) activities on behalf of an independently operated subsidiary, division, or unit of a diversified corporation or similar business that has common ownership with a Competitor so long as the business of the independently operated business unit does not involve a Conflicting Product or Service; or, (ii) a passive and non-controlling ownership interest in a Competitor through ownership of less than 2% of the stock in a publicly traded company.

 

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3.5.    Clarification of Restrictions. In the event that the meaning of a material portion of a post-employment restriction applicable to Associate is not clear to Associate at the time Associate’s employment with Company ends (such as the boundaries for applicable geographic area, scope of activity, or applicable time frame), Associate will contact a duly authorized representative of the Human Resources Department or Legal Department of Company in writing in order to get a clarification of the restriction prior to engaging in any activity that could reasonably be anticipated to fall within the restriction. Associate understands that the failure to seek such a clarification may waive Associate’s right to later claim confusion over the scope or application of a restriction.

3.6.    Survival of Restrictions. (a) Before accepting new employment, Associate will advise the prospective future employer of the restrictions in this Agreement. And, Associate agrees that Company may advise a future employer or prospective employer of this Agreement and Company’s position on the potential application of this Agreement to Associate and Associate agrees that Associate will not assert that Company’s doing so constitutes actionable interference or defamation. (b) The Agreement’s post-employment obligations will survive the termination of Associate’s employment with Company, regardless of the cause of the termination, and shall, likewise, continue to apply and be valid notwithstanding any change in Associate’s duties, compensation, responsibilities, position or title and/or the assignment of this Agreement by Company to any successor in interest or other assignee. (c) If Associate violates one of the post-employment restrictions in this Agreement on which there is a specific time limitation, the time period for that restriction will be extended by one day for each day Associate violates it, up to a maximum extension of time that equals the originally proscribed period of time, so as to give Company the full benefit of the bargained-for length of forbearance and no more. (d) If a court finds any of the Agreement’s restrictions unenforceable as written, it is the intention of the parties that the Court revise or reduce the restriction (for the jurisdiction covered by that court only) so as to make it enforceable to protect Company’s interests to the maximum extent legally allowed within that jurisdiction. (e) If Associate becomes employed with or provides services or assistance to a parent or affiliate entity of Company, the parent or affiliate will be construed to be included within the definition of Company and will have the same rights of enforcement and protection as Company.

SECTION 4.    Special Remedies. If Associate breaches or threatens to breach any of the restrictions or related obligations in this Agreement, Company may recover: (i) an order of specific performance or declaratory relief; (ii) injunctive relief by temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, and/or permanent injunction; (iii) damages; (iv) attorney’s fees and costs incurred in obtaining relief; and (v) any other legal or equitable relief or remedy allowed by law. The parties agree that One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) shall be a reasonable amount of the bond to be posted if an injunction is sought by Company to enforce this Agreement and a bond is required.

 

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SECTION 5.    Severability, Waiver, Modification, Assignment, Governing Law. (a) It is the intention of the parties that if any provision of the Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, notwithstanding the power to modify this Agreement under Section 3.6(d), all other provisions will remain in full force and effect, as if the void, illegal, or unenforceable provision is not part of the Agreement. (b) If either party waives his, her, or its right to pursue a claim for the other’s breach of any provision of the Agreement, the waiver will not extinguish that party’s right to pursue a claim for a subsequent breach. (c) Except where otherwise expressly indicated, the Agreement contains the parties’ entire agreement concerning the matters covered in it. The Agreement may not be waived, modified, altered or amended except by written agreement of all parties or by court order. (d) The Agreement will automatically inure to the benefit of Company’s successors, assigns, and merged entities, as well as Company’s affiliates, subsidiaries, and parent(s); and, this Agreement may be enforced by any one or more of the foregoing, without need of any further authorization or agreement from Associate. (e) Associate consents to and agrees to the personal jurisdiction of the Courts located in Houston, Texas, over Associate, and waives Associate’s right to object to the contrary, including Associate’s right to plead or claim that any litigation brought in a Houston, Texas court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. (f) The laws of the Texas will govern the Agreement, the construction of its terms, and the interpretation of the rights and duties of the parties, regardless of any conflicts of law principles of any state that may be to the contrary. (g) The exclusive forum and venue for any legal action arising from this Agreement that can be pursued in a court of law will be a court of competent jurisdiction in Houston, Texas, and Associate consents to the personal jurisdiction of such a court over Associate; provided, however, that if despite Associate’s express consent herein it is found that no court in Houston, Texas, has personal jurisdiction over Associate, venue will be proper in the state where Associate last regularly worked for Company.

SECTION 6.    Jury Trial Waiver.    The parties hereby waive their right to jury trial on any legal dispute arising from or relating to this Agreement.

SECTION 7.    Resolution for Incumbent Employee. This section applies only if Associate is already a current employee of Company at the time this Agreement is made.

7.1.    Settlement Purpose. Associate has received Confidential Information, specialized training and/or business goodwill with customers through paid employment with Company with the understanding that this was for the benefit of Company. Due to the position of trust and confidence held by Associate some post-employment activities would by their nature deprive Company of the benefit of its Confidential Information and other investments in Associate and cause irreparable harm which justifies post-employment restrictions. However, the nature and scope of the post-employment restrictions that are reasonable and necessary to balance the parties’ interests is an unresolved matter between the parties. Accordingly, an important purpose of this Agreement is to fully settle and resolve such uncertainties and provide a set of

 

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predictable boundaries upon which the parties may rely to avoid future disputes. Thus, this Agreement will be enforced subject to public policies favoring settlement or resolution agreements.

Nothing in this Agreement will be construed to create a contract of employment for a definite period of time or to prohibit either party from having the freedom to end the employment relationship at-will, with or without cause.

 

SYSCO CORPORATION

By:                                                                                  

Its: Executive Vice President of Human Resources

ASSOCIATE:                                                                       (Signature)

Name:                                                          (Printed)

Date:                                                         

 

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