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) November 29, 2018

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-36029

 

32-0331600

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

5455 E. High Street, Suite 111

Phoenix, Arizona 85054

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(480) 814-8016

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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))

 

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.  

 

 


 

Item  5.02 . Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers .

Departure of Chief Executive Officer

On November 29, 2018, Amin N. Maredia, chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (the “Company”) provided notice to the Company that effective December 30, 2018, he will resign as chief executive officer and director.

In connection with Mr. Maredia’s departure, he and the Company have entered into a letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”), dated as of November 29, 2018, setting forth Mr. Maredia’s severance and post-departure advisory arrangement.

Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, following Mr. Maredia’s departure from the Company, he will make himself available to consult with the Company regarding matters with which he was involved or has knowledge on an as-needed basis through March 31, 2019. The Letter Agreement also specifies the terms of the Company’s severance obligations to Mr. Maredia pursuant to his Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated August 6, 2015, as well as his confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation obligations. The foregoing description of the Letter Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Letter Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Appointment of Co-Interim Chief Executive Officers

In connection with Mr. Maredia’s departure, the Company’s board of directors has appointed Jim Nielsen and Brad Lukow to serve as the Company’s co-interim chief executive officers. Messrs. Nielsen and Lukow, collectively, shall act as the Company’s principal executive officer until a permanent successor has been named.

Mr. Nielsen joined the Company in April 2011 as its chief operating officer and has served as the Company’s president and chief operating officer since August 2015. Mr. Lukow has served as the Company’s chief financial officer since March 2016, having previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada’s leading drug store retailer, from January 2009 to November 2014.

On November 29, 2018, the Company issued a press release announcing this leadership change. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

 

 

 

10.1

 

Letter Agreement, dated November 29 , 2018, by and between Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. and Amin N. Maredia

 

 

99.1

  

Press release of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., dated November 29 , 2018, entitled “Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. Announces Leadership Change”

 

 


 

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.

 

 

 

SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET, INC.

 

 

 

Date: December 4, 2018

 

By:

 

/s/ Brandon F. Lombardi

 

 

Name:

 

Brandon F. Lombardi

 

 

Title:

 

Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET, INC.

5455 East High Street, Suite 111

Phoenix, Arizona 85054

 

November 29, 2018

 

 

Amin N. Maredia

c/o Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.

5455 East High Street, Suite 111

Phoenix, Arizona 85054

 

Re: Resignation as Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

Dear Amin:

 

I want to express to you on behalf of the Board of Directors of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (the “ Company ”) our appreciation for your service to the Company as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. This Separation Agreement (“ Agreement ”) confirms our mutual agreement regarding the terms and conditions of your resignation as Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company. The Company agrees to provide you with certain payments (as set forth in Paragraph 3) as consideration for your agreement to the provisions set forth below, including without limitation a general release of claims in favor of the Company in a form to be provided to you. (the “ Release ”).  

 

Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between you and the Company entered into and effective August 6, 2015 (the “ Employment Agreement ”).  

 

You and the Company agree as follows:

 

 

1.

Concluding Employment .

 

 

a.

You acknowledge that you hereby resign from employment with the Company and each of its direct or indirect subsidiaries effective December 30, 2018 (the “ Separation Date ”). You further acknowledge your resignation from the Company’s Board of Directors effective on the Separation Date. The Company hereby accepts your resignation from employment and service on its Board of Directors.

 

 

b.

Upon the Separation Date, you will no longer hold any officer or director position, or any other position, with the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or its charitable foundation.  

 

 

c.

During the period commencing on the Separation Date and continuing through March 31, 2019 (the “ Consulting Period ”), you agree to serve as a consultant to the Company and to perform such services as reasonably requested by the Company (the “ Consulting Services ”).

 

 


 

 

d.

The Separation Date shall be the termination date of your employment for purposes of participation in and coverage under all benefit plans and programs sponsored by or through the Company except as otherwise provided herein.

 

 

2.

Compensation .  Your total and final compensation, payments and benefits from the Company shall be as follows (subject to applicable deductions and withholdings):

 

 

a.

You will receive your annual Base Salary, payable in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices, and continue to participate in all Company benefit plans in which you currently participate, through the Separation Date.

 

 

b.

You will receive a lump sum payment for any reimbursable expenses incurred during the performance of your duties on behalf of the Company that have been incurred, but not paid, as of your Separation Date.

 

 

c.

You will receive a lump sum payment for any other benefits or compensation that have been accrued or earned, but not paid, as of your Separation Date.

 

 

3.

Consideration . As consideration for, among other things, your provision of the Consulting Services and your compliance with the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, you will be entitled to the following payments and benefits (in each case subject to applicable withholding taxes):

 

 

a.

An amount equal to $3,312,468, representing the sum of (i) two times your annual base salary and (ii) the annual bonuses payable to you in respect of 2016 and 2017, payable in installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, commencing with the first payroll period after the 6-month anniversary of the Separation Date, and ending with the payroll period coincident with or next following the twenty-four (24) month anniversary of the Separation Date, with the first such installment to include all amounts that would have been paid had installments commenced on the first payroll period following the Separation Date.

 

 

b.

You will be eligible to receive an annual bonus for the 2018 fiscal year, determined without regard to your termination of employment and payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll procedures at the time 2018 bonuses are paid to its executive officers.

 

 

c.

You will receive reimbursement for any premiums you pay for continued health benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“ COBRA ”) during the twenty-four (24) month period following the Separation Date.

 

 

d.

In respect of the vesting of your outstanding RSUs, Restricted Shares, Performance Shares and Stock Options that would otherwise vest in March, 2019, your employment will be treated as continuing through the end of the Consulting Period.   


 

For the avoidance of doubt, all other stock, stock unit and stock option awards that are unvested as of the Separation Date will terminate as of the Separation Date . W ith respect to any stock options that remain outstanding as of the Separation Date, your employment will be treated as having terminated at the end of the Consulting Period for purposes of determining the period of time during which you may exercise them (e.g., such that such options will terminate no lat er than the 90th day following March 31, 2019 ).

 

 

4.

Release .  As a condition of your entitlement to the payments and benefits set forth in Paragraph 3, you must timely sign, return and not revoke the Release.  You must sign and return the Release no earlier than the Separation Date, and no later than December 31, 2018.  Once you sign the Release, you will have a period of seven days to revoke it.  The Release will become effective after the expiration of such revocation period, assuming you have not in fact exercised your right to revoke the Release.

 

 

5.

No Other Entitlements .  You understand and agree that the compensation, payments and benefits provided for in Paragraph 3 of this Agreement are in excess of those to which you may be entitled from the Company.  Once the Company has made to you the payments provided for in Paragraph 3 of this Agreement, you acknowledge and agree that you will have received all entitlements due from the Company relating to your employment with the Company, including but not limited to, all wages earned, sick pay, vacation pay, bonus awards, and any paid and unpaid personal leave for which you were eligible and entitled, and that no other entitlements are due to you other than as set forth in this Agreement.

 

6.

Employment Agreement . The Employment Agreement shall be terminated as of the Separation Date.  Neither you nor the Company will have any further obligation under the Employment Agreement following the Separation Date, including but not limited to severance compensation, provided that your obligations under Sections 6.1 and 6.4, and the Company’s obligations under Section 6.1, will continue in force, as will the procedural provisions of Section 6 that relate to such sections, and the provisions of all such sections are hereby incorporated herein. Except for purposes of Paragraph 3(d) above, you will no longer be deemed an employee of the Company as of the Separation Date.

 

 

7.

Confidentiality, Work Product and Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation . You hereby reaffirm your agreement to abide by the terms of the Confidentiality, Non-Competition, and Non-Solicitation Agreement dated as of May 26, 2015.

 

 

8.

Permitted Conduct .  

 

a.

Subject to your ethical obligations, the attorney-client privilege, the attorney work product doctrine, and/or any other applicable privileges of the Company, nothing in this Agreement or the Release shall prohibit or restrict you from:  (i) making any disclosure of relevant, necessary and truthful non-privileged information or documents in connection with any charge, action, investigation, or proceeding relating to this Agreement or as required by law or legal process or (ii) participating, cooperating, or providing truthful testimony in any charge, action, investigation, or proceeding with, or providing non-privileged information to, any self-regulatory


 

organization, governmental agency or legislative body, or the Company’s Legal Department, provided that , to the extent permitted by law, upon receipt of any subpoena, court order or other legal process compelling the disclosure of any such information or documents, you give prompt written notice to Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., 5455 East High Street, Suite 111, Phoenix, Arizona 85054, attention Chief Legal Officer so as to permit the Company to protect its interests in confidentiality to the fullest extent possible. To the fullest extent provided by law, you acknowledge and agree, however, that pursuant to the Release, you are waiving any right to recover monetary damages or any other form of personal relief in connection with any such charge, action, investigation or proceeding. To the extent you receive any personal or monetary relief in connection with any such charge, action, investigation or proceeding, the Company will be entitled to an offset for the payments made pursuant to Paragraph 3 of this Agreement, to the fullest extent provided by law.

 

 

b.

Nothing in this Agreement, the Release, the Confidentiality, Non-Competition, and Non-Solicitation Agreement, or the Employment Agreement , restricts or prohibits you from initiating communications directly with, responding to any inquiries from, providing testimony before, providing confidential information to, reporting possible violations of law or regulation to, or from filing a claim or assisting with an investigation directly with a self-regulatory authority or a government agency or entity, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General (collectively, the “ Regulators ”), or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of state or federal law or regulation.  However, to the maximum extent permitted by law, you are waiving your right to receive any individual monetary relief from the Company or any others covered by the Release resulting from such claims or conduct, regardless of whether you or another party has filed them, and in the event you obtain such monetary relief the Company will be entitled to an offset for the payments made pursuant to this Agreement.  This Agreement does not limit your right to receive an award from any Regulator that provides awards for providing information relating to a potential violation of law.  You do not need the prior authorization of the Company to engage in conduct protected by this Paragraph, and you do not need to notify the Company that you have engaged in such conduct .

Please take notice that federal law provides criminal and civil immunity to federal and state claims for trade secret misappropriation to individuals who disclose a trade secret to their attorney, a court, or a government official in certain, confidential circumstances that are set forth at 18 U.S.C. §§ 1833(b)(1) and 1833(b)(2), related to the reporting or investigation of a suspected violation of the law, or in connection with a lawsuit for retaliation for reporting a suspected violation of the law.

 

9.

Severability.   If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, void or unenforceable, such provision shall have no effect; however, the remaining provisions shall be enforced


 

to the maximum extent possible.  Further, if any portion of this Agreement is held to be overbroad or unreasonable, such provision shall be given effect to the maximum extent possible by narrowing or enforcing in part that aspect of the provision found overbroad or unreasonable.

 

10.

Breach of Agreement.   You agree that if you breach any of your commitments contained in this Agreement, it will constitute a material breach as to which the Company may seek all relief available under the law or at equity, and the Company will be relieved of its obligations pursuant to Paragraph 3 of this Agreement. You further acknowledge that your breach of the promises set forth in this Agreement will cause the Company irreparable harm for which there is no adequate remedy at law, and you therefore consent to the issuance of an injunction in favor of the Company enjoining the breach of any of those promises by any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

11.

Acknowledgments .  You hereby acknowledge that:

 

a.

The Company advises you to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement or the Release;

 

b.

You have obtained independent legal advice from an attorney of your own choice with respect to this Agreement and the Release , or you have knowingly and voluntarily chosen not to do so;

 

c.

You have had a minimum of twenty-one (21) days to review and consider this Agreement and the Release.  You and the Company agree that changes made to this Agreement and the Release, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of this twenty-one (21) day review period;

 

d.

If you knowingly and voluntarily choose to do so, you may accept the terms of this Agreement before the twenty-one (21) day consideration period provided for in Paragraph 11(c) above has expired;

 

e.

You are signing this Agreement and the Release voluntarily and of your own free will and agree to abide by all the terms and conditions contained herein;

 

f.

You have a right to revoke the Release by notifying the Company representative designated in Paragraph 14 in writing within seven (7) days of your execution of the Release;


 

g.

In exchange for your waivers, releases and commitments set forth in this Agreement and the Release , including your waiver and release of all claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the payments and other benefits that you are receiving pursuant to this Agreement (i) are in full discharge of any and all liabilities and obligations of the Company to you, monetarily or with respect to employee benefits or otherwise, including but not limited to any and all obligations arising under any alleged written or oral employment agreement, policy, plan or procedure of the Company and/or any alleged understanding or arrangement between you and the Company ; (ii) exceed any payment, benefit, or other thing of value to which you might otherwise be entitled under any policy, plan or procedure of the Company and/or any agreement between you and the Company; and (iii) are just and sufficient consideration for the waivers, releases and commitments set forth in this Agreement and the Release; and

 

h.

No promise or inducement has been offered to you, except as expressly set forth herein, and you are not relying upon any such promise or inducement in entering into this Agreement or the Release

 

 

12.

Section 409A of the Code .  Notwithstanding the other provisions hereof, this letter agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”).  Accordingly, all provisions herein, or incorporated by reference, shall be construed and interpreted to comply with section 409A of the Code.  Any amounts payable solely on account of an involuntary separation from service within the meaning of section 409A of the Code shall be excludible from the requirements of section 409A of the Code, either as involuntary separation pay or as short-term deferral amounts to the maximum possible extent.  Any reimbursements or in-kind benefits provided under this letter agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of section 409A of the Code, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the period of time specified in this letter agreement, (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year, (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made no later than the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

13.

Miscellaneous .

 

a.

Entire Agreement .  Subject to Paragraphs 6 and 7, you understand that this Agreement constitutes the complete understanding between the Company and you, and supersede any and all agreements, understandings, and discussions, whether written or oral, between you and the Company (including, without limitation, the Employment Agreement (except as set forth in Paragraphs 6 and 7).  No other promises or agreements shall be binding unless in writing and signed by both the Company and you after the execution of this Agreement.


 

b.

No Admission .  This Agreement is not intended, and shall not be construed, as an admission that the Company has violated any federal, state, or local statute, order, law, ordinance, regulation or the like or common law, breached any contract or committed any wrong whatsoever against you.

 

c.

Construction .  Should any provision of this Agreement require interpretation or construction, it is agreed by the parties that the entity interpreting or construing this Agreement shall not apply a presumption against one party by reason of the rule of construction that a document is to be construed more strictly against the party who prepared the document.

 

d.

Assignment.   This Agreement is binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

e.

Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.

 

f.

Headings and Captions .  The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only.  They shall not be considered part of the Agreement and shall not be employed in the construction of the Agreement.

 

14.

Acceptance .  You may accept this Agreement by signing it and returning it to Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., 5455 East High Street, Suite 111, Phoenix, Arizona 85054, Attention:  Chief Legal Officer.  In the event you do not accept this Agreement or the Release, or you revoke the Release, this Agreement shall be deemed automatically null and void, and the Company shall have no obligations hereunder, including but not limited to an obligation to provide the payments and benefits pursuant to Paragraph 3.

 

15.

Counterparts .  This letter may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which will be considered one and the same agreement, and will become a binding agreement when one or more counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party.

 

Sincerely,

 

SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET, INC.

 

By:       /s/ Brandon Lombardi

 

Name: Brandon Lombardi

Title: Chief Human Resources and Legal Officer

 

 

 

 



UNDERSTOOD, AGREED TO

AND ACCEPTED WITH THE

INTENTION TO BE LEGALLY BOUND:

 

 

/s/ Amin Maredia

Amin Maredia

 

Date: November 29, 2018

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

Investor Contact:

Media Contact:

Susannah Livingston

 

(602) 682-1584

(602) 682-3173

susannahlivingston@sprouts.com

media@sprouts.com

SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET, INC. Announces LEADERSHIP CHANGE

PHOENIX, Ariz. – (Globe Newswire) – November 29, 2018 – Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (Nasdaq: SFM) today announced that Amin Maredia, the Company’s chief executive officer and member of the board of directors, will transition away from the Company on December 30, 2018 to pursue other interests. Jim Nielsen, the Company’s president and chief operating officer, and Brad Lukow, the Company’s chief financial officer, will serve as the Company’s co-interim chief executive officers until a permanent successor has been named. The Company is in the process of engaging a leading executive search firm to conduct a comprehensive search for a new chief executive officer. Mr. Maredia will remain available for a period of time in an advisory role to assist with the transition.

“On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to express our gratitude to Amin for his many years of service to Sprouts,” said Joseph Fortunato, chairman of the board. “Over the past three years, Amin has overseen our tremendous growth from coast to coast and put us on a firm footing for continued success. We wish Amin all the best in his future endeavors. While we search for a new CEO, the Board has deep confidence in Jim and Brad to continue executing the Company’s strategic initiatives, driving shareholder value and delivering on our mission of ‘Healthy Living for Less.’”

“It has been an enormous privilege to have been part of the Sprouts team during this incredible period in the company’s history over the past eight years,” said Maredia. “As I transition , it is comforting knowing that Sprouts is well-positioned with a strong management team for robust growth and sustained success.”

Mr. Nielsen joined the Company in April 2011 as its chief operating officer and has served as the Company’s president and chief operating officer since August 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Nielsen served as President of Henry’s Farmers Markets from 2007 through April 2011. Mr. Lukow has served as the Company’s chief financial officer since March 2016, having previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada’s leading drug store retailer, from 2009 to 2014.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact (including, but not limited to, statements to the effect that Sprouts Farmers Market or its management "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "expects," or "believes," or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions) should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the company’s guidance, outlook and opportunities. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations as of the date of this release.  These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks associated with the company’s ability to successfully compete in its intensely competitive industry; the company’s ability to successfully open new stores; the company’s ability to manage its rapid growth; the company’s ability to maintain or improve its operating margins; the company’s ability to identify and react to trends in consumer preferences; product supply disruptions; general economic conditions; and other factors as set forth from time to time in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, without limitation, the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The company intends these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this release and does not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available, except as required by law.

Corporate Profile

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. specializes in fresh, natural and organic products at prices that appeal to everyday grocery shoppers. Based on the belief that healthy food should be affordable, Sprouts’ welcoming environment and


knowledgeable team members continue to drive its growth. Sprouts offers a complete shopping experience that includes an array of fresh produce in the heart of the store, a deli with prepared entrees and side dishes, The Butcher Shop, The Fish Market, an expansive vitamins and supplements department and more. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Sprouts employs more than 28,000 team members and ope rates more than 300 stores in 19 states from coast to coast. Visit about.sprouts.com for more information.

 

###

Source: Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.

Phoenix, AZ

11/29/18