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):  January 24, 2014

 

LUBY'S, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

1-8308
(Commission File Number)

74-1335253
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

13111 Northwest Freeway, Suite 600
Houston, Texas
(Address of principal executive offices)


77040

(Zip Code)


Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 329-6800

 

 

 

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.

 

On January 24, 2014, Luby’s Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a new employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Christopher J. Pappas, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. The Employment Agreement was unanimously approved by the Executive Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) as well as by the Board.

 

The Employment Agreement provides for a term that begins on January 24, 2014 and expires on December 31, 2014, unless earlier terminated, and provides Mr. Pappas with a base salary of $412,000 per year. Mr. Pappas may also receive an annual bonus, the amount of which shall be determined by the Board, or an authorized committee thereof, in its sole discretion.

 

Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Pappas will devote his primary working time, attention, energies and business efforts to his duties to the Company. However, the Employment Agreement allows Mr. Pappas to (i) continue to serve in senior level management of non-cafeteria style restaurant businesses owned by his privately-held family company, (ii) serve as a member of the board of directors or board of trustees of his privately-held family company or other companies or not-for-profit entities, and (iii) make certain passive investments, provided that such activities do not conflict with the business and affairs of the Company or interfere with the ability of Mr. Pappas to perform the services and discharge the duties required by the Employment Agreement.

 

If the Employment Agreement is terminated by the Company without Cause, or by Mr. Pappas for Good Reason, the Company shall be obligated to pay Mr. Pappas his base salary, as well as any benefits in effect at the time of termination, for the remainder of the term of the Employment Agreement.

 

If the Employment Agreement is terminated by reason of the Death or Disability of Mr. Pappas, all compensation and benefits to Mr. Pappas under the Employment Agreement, other than Awards, the Company shall not be obligated to pay Mr. Pappas any compensation or benefits (other than payment of Mr. Pappas’ base salary in respect of the period through the date of death or termination).

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Employment Agreement.

 

The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Employment Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.07.     Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

At the annual meeting of the shareholders of Luby's, Inc. (the "Company") held on January 24, 2014, the matters voted upon and the number of votes cast for or against, as well as the number of abstentions and broker non-votes as to such matters, were as stated below.

 

The following nominees for directors were elected to serve one-year terms expiring at the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders:

 

Nominee

For

 

Against

 

Abstentions

 

Broker Non-votes

               

Judith Craven, M.D., M.P.H.

18,688,577

 

1,165,199

 

2,351,854

 

2,624,531

               

Arthur Emerson

19,576,470

 

275,287

 

2,353,873

 

2,624,531

               

Jill Griffin

19,571,627

 

272,149

 

2,361,854

 

2,624,531

               

J.S.B. Jenkins

19,577,635

 

274,477

 

2,353,518

 

2,624,531

               

Frank Markantonis

19,409,968

 

441,850

 

2,353,812

 

2,624,531

               

Joe McKinney

19,663,836

 

187,656

 

2,354,138

 

2,624,531

               

Gasper Mir, III

19,663,216

 

188,703

 

2,353,711

 

2,624,531

               

Christopher J. Pappas

21,944,702

 

169,921

 

91,007

 

2,624,531

               

Harris J. Pappas

21,681,616

 

433,017

 

90,997

 

2,624,531

   

 
 

 

  

The appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as independent public accounting firm for the Company for the 2014 fiscal year was ratified:

 

For

Against

Abstentions

Broker Non-votes

24,544,578

154,969

130,614

 

 

 

 

The advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s named Executive Officers was approved:

 

For

Against

Abstentions

Broker Non-votes

21,927,029

198,130

80,471

2,624,531

 

 

 

 

The First Amendment to the Rights Agreement was ratified:

 

For

Against

Abstentions

Broker Non-votes

16,445,594

5,664,981

95,055

2,624,531

 

 

 

 
 

 

   

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

 

 

Exhibit 10. 1

Employment Agreement dated January 24, 2014, between Luby's, Inc. and Christopher J. Pappas.

 

 

 
 

 

 

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.

 

 

Date: January 27, 2014         

LUBY'S, INC. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

By:

/s/  Christopher J. Pappas

 

 

 

Christopher J. Pappas

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

               

 
 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX  

 

            

  Exhibit No. Description
     
 

Exhibit 10. 1

Employment Agreement dated January 24, 2014, between Luby's, Inc. and Christopher J. Pappas.

   

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “ Agreement ”), dated January 24, 2014 (the “ Effective Date ”), between Luby’s, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Luby’s ” or the “ Company ”), and Christopher J. Pappas, a resident of Houston, Texas (the “ Executive ”). For purposes of this Agreement, “Luby’s” or the “Company” shall include the subsidiaries of Luby’s. Luby’s and Executive are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , the parties entered into that certain Employment Agreement, dated November 9, 2005 (the “ Original Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS , subsequent to the execution of the Original Agreement, the parties entered into Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dated October 29, 2007 (“Amendment No. 1”), Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement, dated November 19, 2008, Amendment No. 3 to Employment Agreement, dated November 19, 2009, Amendment No. 4 to Employment Agreement, dated April 15, 2010, Amendment No. 5 to Employment Agreement, dated September 2, 2010, Amendment No. 6 to Employment Agreement, dated April 20, 2011 and Amendment No. 7 to Employment Agreement, dated August 28, 2012 (collectively, the “ Amendments , ” and the Original Agreement, as amended by the Amendments, the “ Existing Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS , the Existing Agreement’s term expired on December 31, 2013; and

 

WHEREAS , the Parties desire to enter into the Agreement as hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , for and in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and obligations contained herein, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, and unless the context requires a different meaning, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition and this Agreement, the term “control” (and correlative terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means possession of the power, whether by contract, equity ownership or otherwise, to direct the policies or management of a Person.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Amendments ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

" Associate " has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.

   

 
 

 

 

Awards ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).

 

Base Salary ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

 

" Beneficially Own " or " Beneficial Ownership " is defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, but without taking into account any contractual restrictions or limitations on voting or other rights.

 

" Board " or " Board of Directors " means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

" Business Combination " means (i) any consolidation, merger, share exchange or similar business combination transaction involving the Company with any Person or (ii) the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets.

 

Business Day ” means a day other than Saturday, Sunday or any day on which banks located in the State of Texas are authorized or obligated to close.

 

Cause ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(c).

 

" Change of Control " shall means the occurrence of any of the events described in subsections (i) through (iv) below:

 

(i)     The Rights Agreement shall have been determined to be invalid or is otherwise abrogated by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment rendered in connection with a contest for control of the Company and a substitute defense mechanism having the effectiveness of the Rights Agreement is not promptly adopted or, if adopted, is determined to be invalid or is otherwise abrogated, and either (y) the Company has received a report on Schedule 13D, or an amendment to such a report, filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act disclosing that any Person or 13d Group other than Executive or Harris J. Pappas, individually or together with their Affiliates and Associates and any 13d Group of which they are a part, Beneficially Owns, directly or indirectly, fifteen percent or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding Common Stock, or (z) the Board of Directors has actual knowledge of facts on the basis of which any Person or 13d Group other than Executive or Harris J. Pappas, individually or together with their Affiliates and Associates and any 13d Group of which they are a part, is required to file such a report on Schedule 13D, or to make an amendment to such a report, with the SEC (or would be required to file such a report or amendment upon the lapse of the applicable period of time specified in Section 13(d) of the Securities Act) disclosing that such Person or 13d Group other than Executive or Harris J. Pappas, individually or together with their Affiliates and Associates and any 13d Group of which they are a part, Beneficially Owns, directly or indirectly, fifteen percent or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding Common Stock.

   

 
 

 

 

(ii)     Either (y) the purchase by any Person, other than the Company or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company or Executive or Harris J. Pappas, individually or together with their Affiliates and Associates and any 13d Group of which they are a part, of shares of Common Stock pursuant to a tender or exchange offer to acquire any Common Stock (or securities convertible into Common Stock) for cash, securities or any other consideration or (z) any Person, other than the Company or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company or Executive or Harris J. Pappas or any of their Affiliates, Associates or members of any 13d Group of which they are a part, individually or together, shall make any such offer to acquire any Common Stock pursuant to a tender or exchange offer for cash, securities or any other consideration and either (1) the Company shall have recommended that stockholders accept such offer or (2) within 10 Business Days, the Company shall have made no recommendation that stockholders reject such offer or (3) the Company shall have recommended that stockholders reject such offer and the Rights Agreement shall have been determined to be invalid or is otherwise abrogated by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment rendered in connection with a contest for control of the Company and a substitute defense mechanism having the effectiveness of the Rights Agreement is not promptly adopted or, if adopted, is determined to be invalid or is otherwise abrogated, provided that, after consummation of any such offer, such Person Beneficially Owns, or would Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, fifteen percent or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding Common Stock (calculated as provided in paragraph (d) of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act in the case of rights to acquire stock).

 

(iii)     The Company shall, after approval by the Board or an authorized committee thereof, enter into any agreement contemplating a transaction described below, other than any such transaction with Executive or Harris J. Pappas, individually or together with their Affiliates and Associates and any 13d Group of which they are a part: (v) a transaction pursuant to which the Company agrees to issue or sell, regardless of the consideration therefore, a number of its shares of Common Stock that would result in any Person acquiring Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, of fifteen percent or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding Common Stock, calculated as in clause (ii) above; (w) any consolidation, merger or similar transaction involving the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a consolidation, merger or similar transaction involving the Company in which holders of its Common Stock immediately prior to the consolidation or merger or similar transaction own at least a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the consolidation, merger or similar transaction (or at least a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding capital stock of a corporation which owns directly or indirectly all of the voting stock of the surviving corporation); (x) any consolidation, merger or similar transaction involving the Company in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation but in which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the consolidation, merger or similar transaction do not hold at least a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding Common Stock of the continuing or surviving corporation (except where such holders of Common Stock hold at least a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the corporation which owns directly or indirectly all of the voting stock of the Company); (y) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (except such a transfer to a corporation which is wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company), or any complete liquidation of the Company; or (z) any consolidation, merger or similar transaction involving the Company where, after the consolidation, merger or similar transaction, one Person owns 100% of the shares of Common Stock (except where the holders of the Company's voting stock immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or similar transaction own at least a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding capital stock of such Person immediately after such consolidation, merger or similar transaction).

   

 
 

 

 

(iv)     A change in the majority of the members of the Board within a 24-month period unless the election or nomination for election by the shareholders of each new director was approved by the vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were in office at the beginning of the 24-month period.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the "effective date of a Change of Control" is the date that an event described in subsection (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) occurs or the date upon which all the events necessary to constitute the Change of Control shall have occurred.

 

Code of Conduct ” means Luby’s Inc. Policy Guide on Standards of Conduct and Ethics, dated August 21, 2003, and Luby’s Inc. Supplemental Standards of Conduct and Ethics for the CEO, CFO, Controller and all Senior Financial Officers, dated August 21, 2003, as either may be amended from time to time.

 

" Common Stock " means the Company's common stock, par value $0.32 per share, and any capital stock for or into which such Common Stock hereafter is exchanged, converted, reclassified or recapitalized by the Company or pursuant to an agreement or Business Combination to which the Company is a party.

 

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Confidential Information ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.

   

 
 

 

 

" Covenant Period " means:

 

(i)     twenty-four (24) months if Employee is terminated by the Company for Cause or if Executive terminates his employment without Good Reason; or

 

(ii)     if Executive's employment is terminated for any other reason: (x) twelve (12) months for the activities prohibited by Section 11(b); and (y) twenty-four (24) months for the activities prohibited by any other provision of Section 11.

 

Disability ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(b).

 

Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

" Exchange Act " means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Executive ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Executive’s Family Company ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.

 

Existing Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Good Reason ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(d).

 

Luby’s ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Original Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

" Person " means an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, limited liability company, joint venture, joint stock company, government (or an agency or political subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

" Rights Agreement " means the Rights Agreement dated January 27, 2011 between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, as amended from time to time.

 

" SEC " means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.

 

" 13d Group " means a group within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

   

 
 

 

 

Section 2. Employment. Luby's hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment with Luby's, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

Section 3. Term. Subject to the provisions for termination of employment as provided in Section 8(a), Executive's employment under this Agreement shall be for a period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2014 (" Term ").

 

Section 4. Compensation. Executive's compensation during his employment under the terms of this Agreement shall be as follows:

 

(a)                     Base Salary. Luby's shall pay to Executive a fixed annual base salary (the " Base Salary ") of Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand Dollars ($412,000) for each year of the Term. The Base Salary shall be payable in equal, semi-monthly installments on the 15th day and last day of each month or at such other times and in such installments as may be agreed between Luby's and Executive. All payments shall be subject to the deduction of payroll taxes, income tax withholdings, and similar deductions and withholdings as required by law.

 

(b)                   Bonus. During each year of the Term, in addition to the Base Salary, Executive shall be eligible, but not entitled, to receive bonus compensation as the Board of Directors of Luby's or an authorized committee thereof shall from time to time determine in its sole discretion.

 

Section 5. Expenses and Benefits.

 

(a)                    During his employment hereunder, Executive is authorized to incur reasonable and appropriate expenses related to the business of Luby's, including expenses for entertainment, travel, and similar matters. Luby's will reimburse Executive for such expenses upon presentation by Executive of such accounts and records as Luby's may from time to time reasonably require.

 

(b)                    Luby's also agrees to provide Executive with the following benefits during his employment hereunder:

 

(i)      Employee Benefit Plans. Executive and, to the extent applicable, Executive's spouse, dependents, and beneficiaries, shall be allowed to participate on the same terms in all benefits, plans, and programs, including improvements or modifications of the same, which are now, or may hereafter be, available to other executive employees of Luby's; provided that Executive shall not be permitted without the express consent of the Board of Directors of Luby's to participate in any bonus, incentive, profit-sharing, or similar cash payment plan. Such benefits, plans, and programs may include, without limitation, stock option or thrift plans, health insurance or health care plans, life insurance, disability insurance, supplemental retirement plans, vacation, and sick leave. Luby's shall not, however, by reason of this paragraph be obligated to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing any such benefit plan or program, so long as such changes are similarly applicable to executive employees generally.

   

 
 

 

 

(ii)      Vacations. Executive shall be entitled (in addition to the usual Luby's holidays) to paid vacation time for periods in each calendar year not exceeding four (4) weeks.

 

(iii)     Working Facilities. Executive shall be furnished by Luby's with an office at the Company's principal office in Houston, Texas, secretarial help and other facilities and services, including but not limited to, full use of Luby's mail and communication facilities and services reasonably suitable to his position and reasonably necessary for the performance of his duties under this Agreement.

 

Section 6. Positions and Duties. Executive is employed hereunder as President and Chief Executive Officer of Luby's or in such other positions as the Parties may mutually agree. In addition, if requested to do so, Executive shall serve as the chief executive officer or other officer or as a member of the Board of Directors, or both, of any subsidiary or affiliate of Luby's. Executive agrees to serve in the position referred to above and to perform diligently and to the best of his abilities the duties and services appertaining to such office, as well as such additional duties and services appropriate to such offices which the Parties mutually may agree upon from time to time. Executive's employment shall also be subject to the policies maintained and established by Luby's that are of general applicability to Luby's executive employees, as such policies may be amended from time to time. Executive's duties shall be performed principally at Luby's principal place of business in Houston, Texas and at the locations of its operations. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive owes a fiduciary duty of loyalty to act at all times in the best interests of Luby's. In keeping with such duty, Executive represents that he owes no duty to any other entity or person regarding, and shall make full disclosure to Luby's of, all business opportunities pertaining to Company's business which have not been previously renounced by the Board of Directors, as contemplated by Section 11 hereof, and shall not appropriate for Executive's own benefit any such business opportunities.

 

Section 7. Extent of Service. Executive shall, during the Term, devote his primary working time, attention, energies and business efforts to his duties as an employee of Luby's and to the business and affairs of Luby's generally, and shall not, during the Term, engage, directly or indirectly, in any other business activity whatsoever, whether or not such business activity is pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage, except with the consent of the Board; however, this Section 7 shall not be construed to prevent Executive from, nor require the consent of the Board with respect to, (i) continuing executive's senior level management of non-cafeteria style restaurant businesses operated by executive's privately-held family company ("Executive's Family Company"), (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors or board of trustees of Executive's Family Company or other companies or not-for-profit entities, or (iii) from investing his personal, private assets as a passive investor in such form or manner as will not require any active services on the part of Executive in the management or operation of the affairs of the companies, partnerships, or other business entities in which any such passive investments are made; provided in case of clause (i), (ii), or (iii) such activities do not conflict with the business and affairs of Luby's or interfere with Executive's ability to perform the services and discharge the duties required of him hereunder.

 

 
 

 

   

Section 8. Termination.

 

(a)                     Termination of Employment. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3, the employment of the Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate prior to the expiration of the Term upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(i)     the death of the Executive;

 

(ii)    the termination of the Executive's employment by Luby's due to the Executive's Disability;

 

(iii)   the termination of the Executive's employment by Luby's for Cause;

 

(iv)   the termination of the Executive's employment by the Executive for Good Reason;

 

(v)    for any reason whatsoever in the discretion of the Executive or Luby's.

 

(b)                     Disability. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term " Disability " shall mean Executive becoming incapacitated by accident, sickness, or other circumstance that renders him physically or mentally unable to carry out the duties and services required of him hereunder on a full-time basis for more than one hundred twenty (120) days in any one hundred eighty (180) day period. If a dispute arises between the Executive and the Company concerning the Executive's physical or mental ability to continue or return to the performance of his duties as aforesaid, the Executive shall submit to examination by a competent physician mutually agreeable to both parties or, if the parties are unable to agree, by a physician appointed by the president of the Harris County Medical Association, and such physician's opinion shall be final and binding.

 

(c)                     Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, the term " Cause " shall mean:

 

(i)     Executive's conviction of a crime constituting a felony, or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

 

(ii)    the commission by Executive, or participation in, an illegal act or acts that were intended to defraud Luby's;

 

(iii)   the willful refusal by Executive to fulfill the duties and responsibilities as President and Chief Executive Officer;

   

 
 

 

 

(iv)   the breach by Executive of material provisions of this Agreement, a policy of Luby’s, or the Code of Conduct in each case after written notice from the Board of Directors and, if correctible, the failure to correct such breach within 30 days from the date such notice is given;

 

(v)    gross negligence or willful misconduct by Executive in the performance of his duties and obligations to Luby's;

 

(vi)   willful engagement by Executive in conduct known (or which should have been known) to be materially injurious to Luby's.

 

(d)                    Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, " Good Reason " shall mean the occurrence of any of the following circumstances, without the consent of the Executive, unless such circumstances are remedied in all material respects by Luby's 30 days after Luby's receipt of written notice thereof given by the Executive:

 

(i)     the material diminution in the nature, scope, or duties of the Executive or assignment of duties inconsistent with those of the President and Chief Executive Officer or a change in the location of the principal business office of the Company in which his services are to be carried out, to a place outside of Texas;

 

(ii)     any breach of a material provision of this Agreement by Luby's after written notice from Employee and, if correctible, the failure to correct such breach within 30 days from the date such notice is given;

 

(iii)   within two years after the sale by Luby's of all or substantially all of its assets or the merger, share exchange, or other reorganization of Luby's into or with another corporation or entity (with respect to which Luby's does not survive), a diminution in employee benefits (including but not limited to medical, dental, life insurance, and long-term disability plans) and perquisites applicable to Executive from the greater of (A) the employee benefits and perquisites provided by Luby's to executives with comparable duties or (B) the employee benefits and perquisites to which Executive was entitled immediately prior to the date on which a Change of Control occurs.

 

(e)                    Notice of Termination. If Luby's or Executive desires to terminate Executive's employment hereunder at any time prior to expiration of the Term, it or he shall do so by giving written notice to the other party that it or he has elected to terminate Executive's employment hereunder and stating the proposed effective date and reason for such termination, provided that no such action shall alter or amend any other provisions hereof or rights arising hereunder.

 

Section 9. Consequences of Termination.

 

(a)                     By Expiration. If Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate upon expiration of the Term, then all compensation for periods subsequent to termination and all benefits to Executive hereunder, other than any equity based compensation awards granted to Executive by Luby's (collectively, the " Awards "), each of which is governed by its own terms in such circumstances, shall terminate contemporaneously with termination of his employment.

   

 
 

 

 

(b)                     Death or Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated during the Term by reason of the Executive's death or Disability, all compensation and benefits to Executive under this Agreement, other than the Awards, each of which is governed by its own terms in such circumstances, shall terminate contemporaneously with the termination of employment and without further obligation to the Executive or the Executive's legal representatives under the Agreement (other than payment of the Executive's Base Salary in respect of the period through his date of death or termination for Disability).

 

(c)                     Termination by the Executive without Good Reason or by the Company for Cause. If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive without Good Reason, or by the Company for Cause, all compensation and benefits to Executive under this Agreement, other than the Awards, each of which is governed by its own terms in such circumstances, shall terminate contemporaneously with such termination of employment and without further obligation to Executive or Executive's legal representatives under this Agreement (other than payment of Executive's Base Salary in respect of the period through his date of termination).

 

(d)                     Termination by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company without Cause.

 

(i)     If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, the Company shall be obligated to pay to, or make available to, the Executive, the Executive's monthly Base Salary and benefits in effect on the date of termination for the remainder of the Term. The Executive shall have no obligation to seek other employment during any time period for which he may receive payment pursuant to this subsection (d), and in the event the Executive obtains other employment during such period, the Company's obligations to make payments pursuant to this subsection (d) shall not be reduced. In the event that continued participation in any Luby's benefit plan contemplated by Section 5(b)(i) hereof is for whatever reason impermissible during the remainder of the Term, Company shall arrange, upon comparable terms, benefits substantially equivalent to those that may not be so provided under the benefit plan maintained by Luby's. The Parties agree that the payments provided for herein constitute part of the consideration provided by the Company for the Executive's agreements contained in Section 6 hereof.

 

(ii)     Notwithstanding clause (i) of this subsection (d), if, at any time during which the Executive would otherwise be entitled to receive any payment pursuant to clause (i) of subsection (d), the Executive engages in any activity or takes any action which would be prohibited under Sections 10 and 11 hereof, then the Executive shall be deemed to have irrevocably forfeited any right to receive any further payments pursuant to this Agreement, provided such forfeiture shall not limit Luby's rights to seek to enforce such provision or to seek damages; provided, however, that the Awards and the benefits thereof shall not be in any way affected by this subsection (d)(ii).

   

 
 

 

 

Section 10. Disclosure of Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that Luby's will disclose to Executive, or place Executive in a position to have access to or develop, trade secrets or Confidential Information of Luby's or its affiliates, and shall entrust Executive with business opportunities of Luby's or its affiliates, and shall place Executive in a position to develop business goodwill on behalf of Luby's or its affiliates. Except to the extent required in the performance of his duties and obligations to Luby's as expressly authorized herein, or by prior written consent of a duly authorized officer or director of Luby's, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, at any time during his employment with Luby's, or for 18 months subsequent to the termination thereof, for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, breach the confidence reposed in him by Luby's by using, disseminating, disclosing, divulging, or in any manner whatsoever disclosing or permitting to be divulged or disclosed in any manner Confidential Information to any person, firm, corporation, association, or other business entity. As used herein, the term " Confidential Information " means any and all information concerning ideas, concepts, products, processes, and services related to the business of Luby's, including information relating to research, development, inventions, manufacture, purchasing, accounting, engineering, marketing, merchandising, or the selling of any product or products to any customers of Luby's, disclosed to Executive or known by Executive as a consequence of or through his employment by Luby's (or any parent, subsidiary or affiliated corporation of Luby's) including, but not necessarily limited to, any person, firm, corporation, association, or other business entity with which Luby's has any type of agency agreement, or any shareholders, directors, or officers of any such person, firm, corporation, association, or other business entity; provided, however, that Confidential Information shall not include information generally known in any industry in which Luby's is or may become engaged during the term of this Agreement, information disclosed publicly by Luby's or any information, ideas, products, processes, services, and concepts existing and known to Executive prior to his employment by Luby's. On termination of employment with Luby's, all documents, records, notebooks, e-mails, or similar repositories of or containing Confidential Information, including all copies of any documents, records, notebooks, e-mail, or similar repositories of or containing Confidential Information, then in Executive's possession or in the possession of any third party under the control of Executive or pursuant to any agreement with Executive, whether prepared by Executive or any other person, firm, corporation, association, or other business entity, will be delivered to Luby's by Executive.

   

 
 

 

 

Section 11. Noncompetition. Executive recognizes and understands that in performing the responsibilities of his employment, he will occupy a position of fiduciary trust and confidence, pursuant to which he will develop and acquire experience and knowledge with respect to Luby’s business. It is the expressed intent and agreement of Executive and Luby’s that such knowledge and experience shall be used exclusively in the furtherance of the interests of Luby’s and not in any manner which would be detrimental to Luby’s interests. In consideration of the benefits herein, Executive therefore agrees that so long as he is employed by Luby’s and for the Covenant Period after termination of Executive’s employment, Executive will not directly or indirectly:

 

(a)     engage in any other "cafeteria-style" restaurant business (as defined in the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company dated March 7, 2001 adopted in connection with Executive's initial employment by the Company) or own any interests whether as an owner, shareholder, joint venturer, partner or otherwise, in any other association or entity that engages, directly or indirectly, in any "cafeteria-style" restaurant business in each case in any state where Luby's or any of its affiliates are conducting business on the date of this Agreement or in any contiguous state; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from holding or making passive investments in limited partnerships or corporations whose securities are traded in a generally recognized market provided that Executive's interest, together with those of his Affiliates and family do not exceed 1% of the outstanding shares or interests in such corporation or partnership;

 

(b)     render advice or services to, or otherwise assist, any other person, association, or entity engaged, directly or indirectly, in any "cafeteria-style" restaurant business in any state where Luby's or its affiliates conduct business on the date of this Agreement or in any contiguous state; or

 

(c)     contact or solicit any employee of Luby’s or any of its affiliates to induce them to terminate his or her employment with Luby’s or such affiliates.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the term “cafeteria-style” restaurant business shall not include any of the following restaurants or businesses in the manner in which they are currently operated: Barry’s Pizza (Airport); Dot Coffee Shop; Pappas Bar-B-Q; Pappas Bar-B-Q Catering; Pappas Bros. Steakhouse; Pappas Burger; Pappas Catering; Pappas Delivery; Pappasito’s Cantina; Pappas Seafood House; Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen; and Yia Yia Mary’s Pappas Greek Kitchen.

 

Section 12. Enforcement and Remedies. Executive understands that the restrictions set forth herein may limit Executive's ability to engage in certain businesses in certain geographic regions during the Term and the Covenant Period, but acknowledges that Executive will receive sufficiently high remuneration and other benefits under this Agreement to justify such restriction. Executive acknowledges that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of Section 10 or Section 11 by Executive, and Luby's shall be entitled to enforce the provisions thereof by terminating any payments then owing to Executive under this Agreement and/or by specific performance and injunctive relief as remedies for such breach or any threatened breach. Such remedies shall not be deemed the exclusive remedies for a breach, but shall be in addition to all remedies available at law or in equity to Luby's, including without limitation, the recovery of damages from Executive and Executive's agents involved in such breach and remedies available to Luby's pursuant to other agreements with Executive.

 

Section 13. Insurance. Luby's may, in its sole and absolute discretion, at any time after the Effective Date, apply for and procure, as owner and for its own benefit, insurance on the life of Executive, in such amounts and in such forms as Luby's may choose. Unless otherwise agreed by Luby's, Executive shall have no interest whatsoever in any such policy or policies, but Executive shall, at Luby's request, submit to such medical examinations, supply such information, and execute and deliver such documents as may be required by the insurance company or companies to which Luby's has applied for such insurance.

   

 
 

 

 

Section 14. Notice. All notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

 

 

If to Executive:  

Christopher J. Pappas 

 

13939 Northwest Freeway 

 

Houston, Texas 77040 

 

 

If to Luby's: 

Luby's, Inc. 

 

13111 Northwest Freeway, Suite 600 

 

Houston, Texas 77040 

 

Attention: Chairman of the Board and General Counsel 

 

 

With a copy to: 

Andrews Kurth LLP 

 

600 Travis Suite 4200 

 

Houston, Texas 77002 

 

Attention: George J. Vlahakos

                                                                          

Any of the above addresses may be changed at any time by notice given as provided above; provided, however, that any such notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt. All notices, requests or instructions given in accordance herewith shall be deemed received on the date of delivery, if hand delivered, on the date of receipt, if telecopied, three Business Days after the date of mailing, if mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and one Business Day after the date of sending, if sent by Federal Express or other recognized overnight courier.

 

Section 15. Controlling Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DETERMINED AND GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS.

 

Section 16. Additional Instruments. This Agreement governs the rights and obligations of Executive and Luby's with respect to Executive's base salary and certain perquisites of employment. Executive's rights and obligations both during the Term and thereafter with respect to stock options, life insurance policies insuring the life of Executive, and other benefits under the plans and programs maintained by Luby's shall be governed by the separate agreements, plans, and other documents and instruments governing such matters.

   

 
 

 

 

Section 17. Liquidated Damages. In light of the difficulties in estimating the damages for any early termination of employment, Luby's and Executive hereby agree that the payments, if any, to be received by Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be received by Executive as liquidated damages. Payment of the amounts set forth in this Agreement, if any, shall be in lieu of any severance benefit Executive may be entitled to under any severance plan or policy of Luby's.

 

Section 18. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any rule of applicable law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated herein are not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated herein are consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

Section 19. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged orally, but only by a waiver, modification or discharge in writing signed by the Executive, and such officer of the Company as may be designated by the Board. No waiver by either Party at any time of any breach by the other Party 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 time 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. Wherever appropriate to the intention of the Parties, the respective rights and obligations of the Parties, will survive any termination or expiration of the Term as specifically set forth herein; in addition Sections 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 23 shall survive such termination or expiration to the extent the context thereof requires.

 

Section 20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties hereto and supercedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties as to the subject matter hereof, including, but not limited to, the Existing Agreement. There are no representations or warranties, agreements, or covenants other than those expressly set forth herein.

 

Section 21. Effect of Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon Executive and his heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors and assigns, and Luby's and its legal representatives, successors and assigns. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, this Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder, are personal and neither this Agreement, nor any right, benefit, or obligation of either Party hereto, shall be subject to voluntary or involuntary assignment, alienation, or transfer, whether by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other Party.

 

Section 22. Execution. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission) in one or more counterparts all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.

   

 
 

 

 

Section 23. Deemed Resignations. Any termination of Executive's employment shall constitute an automatic resignation as an officer and director of Luby's and each subsidiary or Affiliate of Luby's.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the Effective Date.

 

 

 

LUBY’S, INC.

 

 

 

CHRISTOPHER J. PAPPAS

By:  /s/ Gasper Mir, III                                          

Name:  Gasper Mir III

Title:  Chairman of the Board

 

/s/ Christopher J. Pappas