EXHIBIT 10.18
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of the 1st day of
January, 2003, between ▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ RESTAURANT GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation
("Morton's" or "Company") and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ("▇▇▇▇▇▇▇"), an individual.
WHEREAS, Morton's and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ entered into an Employment Agreement dated as
of March 1, 2001, as amended by an Amendment dated as of December 6, 2002 (the
"Employment Agreement");
WHEREAS, Morton's and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ have agreed to amend and restate the
Employment Agreement by this Amended And Restated Employment Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Morton's has employed, and wishes to continue to employ, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Morton's and various
of its affiliates and subsidiaries (in the aggregate, the "Morton's Subs" and
individually a "Morton's Sub").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises
herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT.
(a) Morton's hereby continues to employ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ hereby
accepts such continued employment for a term beginning as January 1, 2003 (the
"Commencement Date") and continuing thereafter for a three (3) year period;
provided, that upon the first anniversary of the Commencement Date (the "First
Anniversary"), the employment term shall continue thereafter such that at any
date following the First Anniversary, the term of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ employment shall be
two (2) years (the period before or after the First Anniversary shall be
referred to as the "Employment Period"), unless in any either case sooner
terminated as hereinafter provided.
(b) At any time during the Employment Period, Morton's may send a
notice to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, terminating his employment ("Morton's Notice"). Morton's
Notice shall set forth the date of termination, which shall in no event be
earlier than (x) prior to the First Anniversary, the number of months equal to
the remaining portion of the Employment Period or (y) on and after the First
Anniversary, twenty-four (24) months. Following the delivery of Morton's Notice,
Morton's compensation obligation to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be as set forth in Section
7(f).
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2. COMPENSATION; BENEFITS; EXPENSES; AND BONUS
(a) As compensation for the services to be rendered hereunder, until
December 31, 2001, Morton's shall pay to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ a base salary (as adjusted
thereafter pursuant to the next sentence hereof, the "Base Salary") at the rate
of $266,000 per annum, payable in equal installments at such times as shall be
agreed upon by Morton's and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, but no less frequently than monthly. The
annual Base Salary for the calendar year commencing January 1, 2002 and for each
calendar year thereafter shall increase at no less than the rate of increase in
the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, as
compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the preceding year (the
"CPI"). The Base Salary may be increased at a faster rate than that of the CPI,
at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
(b) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be eligible to participate in benefit programs, if
any, of Morton's which are in effect for its executive personnel from time to
time, including but not limited to profit sharing, pension, insurance, incentive
or other supplemental or special compensation plans or arrangements, and stock
purchase programs, in each case in accordance with the terms of such program.
(c) Morton's recognizes that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, in rendering the services
hereunder, will be required to spend sums of money for the entertainment of
various persons and representatives of companies and organizations with whom
Morton's is having, or would like to have business relations, and otherwise in
performance of his duties hereunder. Morton's will advance and/or reimburse
reasonable traveling or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred or to be incurred
by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in rendering the services hereunder on behalf of Morton's, and
Morton's will advance such funds to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, or reimburse ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ upon
presentation of vouchers or other documents reasonably necessary to verify the
expenditures and sufficient, in form and substance, to satisfy Internal Revenue
Service ("IRS") requirements for any traveling or other expenses.
(d) Morton's recognizes ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ need for an automobile for business
purposes and to facilitate the performance of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ duties hereunder.
Therefore, Morton's shall pay to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ a monthly automobile allowance to be
used by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ towards the purchase or lease of an automobile, (the make and
model of which shall be selected by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇), and all costs related to the
operation and maintenance of such automobile.
(e) Morton's may elect to pay annual bonuses. The decision to pay any
bonuses and the actual payment of such bonuses, if any, shall be at the sole
discretion of the Company.
3. DUTIES.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have the title and perform the duties of Executive
Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Morton's. He shall have charge of
such books and papers as properly belong to his office. He shall report to the
Chairman of the Board of Directors. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall also serve, if elected or
appointed, to other offices of the Company and as a director of the Company
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and/or as a director and an officer of any and all Morton's Subs.
4. EXTENT OF SERVICES; VACATIONS.
(a) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall devote substantially all his full professional
time, energies, skills and attention to the performance of his duties and
responsibilities hereunder. However, the Company acknowledges that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
presently does and may hereafter serve as a director of and advisor/consultant
to other business entities and nothing contained herein shall prevent him from
so serving provided such service does not conflict or materially interfere with
his obligations to the Company hereunder.
(b) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be entitled to take periodic vacations consistent
with past practices and with his duties hereunder.
5. WORKING FACILITIES. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be furnished with a private office,
secretarial help and services, consistent with past practices and suitable to
his position and adequate for the performance of his duties.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY, ETC.
Upon the termination of the Employment Period or at such other time as
Morton's may request, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees to return to the Company all originals and
copies, whether generated by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or anyone else, of all material documents,
files, lists, forms, contracts, notebooks, rolodexes, keys, credit cards, and
any other material which, during the Employment Period, came into, and continue
to be in, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ possession and relate to Morton's, the Morton's Subs, their
respective businesses or their potential acquisitions and investments.
7. DEATH OR DISABILITY OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; OTHER TERMINATION.
(a) If ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is unable to perform his duties by reason of illness
or incapacity (a "Disability") for a continuous period of more than six (6)
months, the compensation otherwise payable to him during the continued period of
such illness or incapacity after such six (6) month period shall be at the
annual rate of $88,666.66. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ full compensation shall be reinstated upon
his return to employment and the discharge of his full duties hereunder.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be absent from
his employment by reason of illness or incapacity for a continuous period of
more than eighteen (18) months, this Agreement shall terminate, except ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇
legal representatives shall be entitled to receive the compensation herein
provided to the last day of the eighteenth month of such continuous period.
(b) If ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ dies during the term of this Agreement, this Agreement
shall terminate, except that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ legal representatives shall be entitled
to receive the compensation herein provided only to the last day of the month in
which ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ death occurs.
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(c) In addition to Morton's rights set forth in clauses (a) and (b)
above, subject to clause (d) below, this Agreement shall terminate in the event:
(i) A licensed physician shall determine that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is a
"drug dependent person" (as defined in the New York Mental Hygiene Law or any
successor statute); or
(ii) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be declared to be incompetent pursuant to
the New York Mental Hygiene Law or any successor or similar statute, or a
conservator of his property shall have been appointed pursuant to the New York
Mental Hygiene Law or any successor or similar statute; or
(iii) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is convicted in a court of law of theft,
embezzlement, fraud or other felony or of any other crime that constitutes a
felony in the jurisdiction involved; or
(iv) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ willfully breaches a substantial provision of
this Agreement or commits any act not approved by the Board of Directors of the
Company involving any material conflict of interest which substantially
adversely affects the Company or any Morton's Sub.
(d) In the event of a termination pursuant to Section 7(c)(iv) above,
Morton's shall deliver to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ a notice setting forth a reasonably detailed
description of the breached provision or unauthorized conduct constituting the
basis for termination, and this Agreement shall not terminate unless ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
fails to cure same within 20 days after receipt of notice, or, if ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ cannot
reasonably be expected to effect a cure within such 20 day period, if ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
fails to commence such cure within such 20 day period and diligently proceed to
effect same within 90 days after the aforesaid notice. In the event of a
termination pursuant to Section 7(c)(i) - (iii) above, Morton's shall deliver to
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ a notice stating which of the ground(s) it alleges for termination of
this Agreement, together with a reasonably detailed description of such
ground(s).
(e) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ obligations under this Agreement shall terminate at
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ option for any one of the following events ("Good Reason"): (i)
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is assigned any duties or responsibilities inconsistent with his
position as Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Morton's
(including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), (ii) Morton's
fails to pay any sum of money to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ when the same becomes due and payable
and such failure continues for thirty (30) days after such sum of money is due
or (iii) Morton's moves its corporate headquarters to a location more than fifty
(50) miles from its location on the date hereof and requires ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ to work at
such new location without his consent.
(f) Subject to clause (g) below, in the event (i) this Agreement
terminates pursuant to Section 7(e) or (ii) Morton's has delivered Morton's
Notice (the date of such termination or delivery being the "Measuring Date"),
Morton's covenants and agrees to pay in a lump sum in cash within ten (10) days
after the Measuring Date as damages the product of (x) prior to the First
Anniversary, a number equal to the number of years and any fractions thereof
remaining in the Employment Period or (y) on and after the First Anniversary,
two (2), multiplied by $346,332. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees to use his best efforts to seek
alternative employment as an executive earning a salary
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reasonably comparable with that being paid to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ by Morton's, upon any such
termination. Upon ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ acquisition of such alternative employment, he shall
repay to Morton's an amount equal to the product of $7,392 multiplied by "X",
where X equals the difference between (x) prior to the First Anniversary, a
number equal to the number of months remaining in the Employment Period or (y)
on and after the First Anniversary, twenty-four (24), and the number of months
between the Measuring Date and the date ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ commences such new employment.
Morton's shall also pay to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ all reasonable expenses which ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ may
then or thereafter incur for legal expenses and all other reasonable costs paid
or incurred by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ for enforcing payment of such amounts.
(g) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
to the extent any amounts payable to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ whether pursuant to this Agreement
or under any other employment agreement, employment arrangement or similar plan,
contract or program of severance (collectively, the "Total Severance Benefits"),
would constitute "Parachute Payments" (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), the Total Severance Benefits payable
to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be reduced to the extent necessary such that the Total
Severance Benefits no longer constitute Parachute Payments. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ may elect,
in his sole discretion, which of the Total Severance Benefits shall be
eliminated or reduced (as long as after such election the Total Severance
Benefits no longer constitute Parachute Payments). For purposes of this Section
7(g), the determination of whether payments to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ would constitute
Parachute Payments shall be made by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, in good faith.
8. INSURANCE.
(a) Morton's in its discretion at any time after the execution of
this Agreement, may apply for and procure as owner and for its own benefit,
insurance on the life of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, in such amounts and in such form or forms as
Morton's may choose. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have no interest whatsoever in any such
policy or policies, but he shall, at the request of Morton's, submit to such
medical examinations, supply such information, and execute such documents as may
be required by the insurance company or companies to whom Morton's has applied
for such insurance.
(b) Morton's shall, for so long as ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is employed by it, pay for
the benefit of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ the premium on the medical, dental, life and disability
policies presently being provided to him, or policies substantially similar to
same.
(c) Upon the termination of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ employment, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have
the option, within thirty (30) days thereafter, to acquire Morton's interest in
the policy or policies that may be procured by Morton's pursuant to subparagraph
(a) above, to the extent permitted by such policy or policies, upon payment to
Morton's of such policy's or policies' then cash surrender value. If ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
exercises such option, Morton's will take whatever reasonable steps are
necessary to assign all the rights in the entire policy or policies to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
to the extent permitted by such policy or policies, and to deliver physical
possession of the policy or policies to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. If ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall fail to
exercise such option, Morton's may cancel the policy or policies and take down
their cash surrender value, and neither ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ nor any person claiming through
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have any rights
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whatsoever in any part of the policy or policies or their values.
9. SURVIVAL OF OBLIGATIONS. Notwithstanding the expiration of the term of
this Agreement or any termination of this Agreement, any duty or obligation
which has been incurred and which has not been fully observed, performed and/or
discharged, and any right, unconditional or conditional, which has been created
and has not been fully enjoyed, enforced, and/or satisfied, shall survive such
expiration or termination until such duty or obligation has been fully observed,
performed and/or discharged and such right has been enforced, enjoyed and/or
satisfied.
10. REMEDIES, ETC.
The parties recognize that irreparable damage may result in the event
that the provisions of Section 6 hereof shall not be specifically enforced. If
any dispute arises concerning action in violation of any such provision, the
parties hereto agree that an injunction be issued restraining such action
pending determination of such controversy and that no bond or other security
shall be required in connection therewith. If any dispute arises concerning the
right or obligation of any party hereto, such right or obligation shall be
enforceable by a decree of specific performance. Such remedies shall, however,
not be exclusive of and shall be in addition to any other remedies which the
parties may have, including injunctive relief and actions for damages.
11. NOTICES. All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
mailed, delivered by hand or telecopied. All such notices shall be deemed to
have been given or delivered three days after the date mailed in any general or
branch United States Post Office enclosed in a registered postpaid envelope
addressed to the address of the respective parties stated below, on the date of
the by hand delivery if so delivered, or on the date of receipt, if telecopied.
The notices shall be addressed as follows:
If to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
with a copy to:
Salamon, Gruber, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Blaymore, P.C.
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
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If to Morton's:
▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Restaurant Group, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
with a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
or to such other address as a party hereto may notify the other pursuant to this
Section 11.
12. WAIVER. Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the
terms, covenants or conditions hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of such term,
covenant or condition, nor shall any waiver or relinquishment of any right or
power hereunder at any one time or more times be deemed a waiver or
relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times.
13. SEVERABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions
hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision.
14. MODIFICATION. This Agreement cannot be changed, modified or discharged
orally, but only if consented to in writing by both parties.
15. ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement is a personal contract and, except as
specifically set forth herein, the rights and interests of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ herein may
not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated. In the event of any
attempted assignment or transfer of rights hereunder contrary to the provisions
hereof, Morton's shall have no further liability for payments hereunder.
16. BENEFIT. Except as otherwise herein expressly provided, this Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Morton's, its successors and
assigns, including but not limited to any corporation which may acquire all or
substantially all of Morton's assets and business or with or into which Morton's
may be consolidated or merged, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, his heirs, executors, administrators
and legal representatives, provided that the obligation of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ hereunder may
not be delegated.
17. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made
and to be performed entirely within such State.
18. INDEMNITY. Morton's shall indemnify ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and hold him harmless for
any acts or
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decisions made by him in good faith while performing services for Morton's as an
officer of Morton's and shall include him under any insurance policy now in
force or hereinafter obtained during the term of this Agreement, covering the
other officers and directors of Morton's against lawsuits; provided, however,
Morton's shall be under no obligation to obtain any such coverage. To the extent
permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law, Morton's will pay all
reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and necessarily
incurred by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in connection with the defense of such act, suit or
proceeding and in connection with any appeal thereon including the cost of court
settlements.
19. WITHHOLDING OF TAXES. Morton's may withhold from any amounts or
benefits payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city and other taxes
as shall be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.
20. CONTRACT HEADINGS. All headings of the Articles of this Agreement have
been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part
of this Agreement, and shall in no way affect the interpretation of any of the
provisions of this Agreement.
21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The foregoing contains the entire agreement of the
parties.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Agreement as of the day
and year first above written.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Attest: ▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------------------- By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ ------------------------------
Vice President of Communications Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Chairman of the Board
President
Chief Executive Officer
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