8-K

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): April 21, 2005

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

1-13395	56-201079
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

6415 Idlewild Road, Suite 109 Charlotte, North Carolina	28212
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (704) 566-2400

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ 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.

Adoption of Equity Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors

On April 21, 2005, our stockholders approved the Sonic Automotive, Inc. 2005 Formula Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “2005 Formula Plan”), which the Board of Directors had adopted on February 10, 2005, subject to stockholder approval. The purpose of the plan is to provide non-employee directors with an ownership interest in Sonic and to enhance Sonic’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified individuals to serve as directors on its Board.

The 2005 Formula Plan provides for formula grants of restricted stock to Sonic’s non-employee directors, occurring automatically without any discretionary administration. Otherwise, the 2005 Formula Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors. Sixty thousand (60,000) shares of Sonic’s Class A Common Stock are reserved for issuance under the 2005 Formula Plan, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the 2005 Formula Plan. Shares of restricted stock that are forfeited or cancelled for any reason will be available for further awards under the 2005 Formula Plan.

Members of our Board of Directors who are not employed by Sonic or any of its subsidiaries will be eligible to participate in the 2005 Formula Plan. An annual grant of restricted stock will be made to each eligible non-employee director on the first business day following each annual meeting of Sonic’s stockholders, beginning with the annual meeting held on April 21, 2005. The number of restricted shares of Class A Common Stock granted to an eligible non-employee director each year will equal $60,000 divided by the average closing sale price of the Class A Common Stock on the NYSE for the twenty trading days immediately prior to the grant date (rounded up to the nearest whole share). Subject to the director’s continued service on Sonic’s Board, the restricted stock will vest in full on the first anniversary of the grant date or, if earlier, the day before the next annual meeting of Sonic’s stockholders following the grant date.

If a non-employee director initially becomes a member of Sonic’s Board of Directors during any calendar year, but after the meeting of Sonic’s stockholders for that year, the non-employee director will receive a restricted stock grant upon his or her appointment to the Board with the number of shares determined as described above. Subject to the director’s continued service on Sonic’s Board, the restricted stock will vest in full on the first anniversary of the grant date.

Shares of restricted stock may not be sold, assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred to the extent they remain unvested. A director holding restricted stock will have the right to vote his or her shares of restricted stock and receive dividends (if any), although dividends paid in shares will be considered restricted stock. If a director’s service on the Board terminates for any reason, all shares of restricted stock not vested at the time of such termination are forfeited.

Upon either the consummation of a tender or exchange offer that constitutes a “change in control” (as defined in the 2005 Formula Plan) of Sonic or the third business day prior to the

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effective date of any other “change in control” of Sonic, all outstanding restricted stock generally will become fully vested.

The Board of Directors may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the 2005 Formula Plan, provided that such an action may be subject to stockholder approval if necessary to comply with legal or regulatory requirements, or if the Board determines that such approval otherwise is desirable. Unless terminated earlier, the 2005 Formula Plan will terminate on February 10, 2015.

The foregoing description of the 2005 Formula Plan is only a summary and is qualified by reference to the 2005 Formula Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1.

Grants to Directors

On April 22, 2005, the Board of Directors issued 2,745 shares of restricted stock to each of its non-employee directors, Messrs. Belk, Benton, Brooks, Capo, Heller and Rewey, under the 2005 Formula Plan described above. The shares of restricted stock will vest on the day before next year’s annual meeting and have the terms and conditions described above. These shares were granted in lieu of grants in 2005 under the Sonic Automotive, Inc. Formula Stock Option Plan for Independent Directors.

Item 1.02. Termination of Material Definitive Agreement.

On April 21, 2005, upon the stockholders’ approval of the 2005 Formula Plan, Sonic’s Formula Stock Option Plan for Independent Directors (the “Directors Plan”) was terminated. The Board of Directors had approved the termination of the Directors Plan on February 10, 2005 to be effective upon, and subject to, stockholder approval of the 2005 Formula Plan, and no stock option grant was made to the non-employee directors pursuant to the Directors Plan during 2005. Prior to its termination, the Directors Plan had authorized the issuance of options to purchase up to an aggregate of 600,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. Under the Directors Plan, each outside director was awarded on or before March 31^st of each year an option to purchase 10,000 shares at an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value per share of the Class A Common Stock at the date of grant. Options granted under the Directors Plan became exercisable six months from the date of grant and generally expired ten years from the date of grant. There were 220,000 shares of Class A Common Stock that remained available for future issuance under the Directors Plan. Sonic will cancel the reservation of the remaining 220,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. Outstanding options previously granted under the Directors Plan will not be affected by the termination.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits.

10.1 Sonic Automotive, Inc. 2005 Formula Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors

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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.

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
By:	/s/ Stephen K. Coss
	Stephen K. Coss
	Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Dated: April 27, 2005

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.	Description
10.1	Sonic Automotive, Inc. 2005 Formula Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors

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EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

2005 FORMULA RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN

FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

ARTICLE 1.    PURPOSE AND EFFECTIVE DATE

1.1    Purpose of the Plan.    The purpose of the Sonic Automotive, Inc. 2005 Formula Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “Plan”) is to promote the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing Non-Employee Directors with an ownership interest in the Company in order to more closely align their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders and to enhance the Company’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified Non-Employee Directors. The Plan is intended to constitute a “formula plan” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act and shall be construed accordingly.

1.2    Effective Date.    The Plan has been established effective upon its adoption by the Board of Directors on February 10, 2005, subject to the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

ARTICLE 2.    DEFINITIONS

2.1    Definitions.    As used in the Plan, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(a)  “Average Market Value” means the average of the closing sale price of the Common Stock on the principal securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then traded for the twenty (20) trading days immediately preceding the Grant Date.

(b)  “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(c)  “Change in Control” means any merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation and which results in the holders of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (determined immediately prior to such merger or consolidation) owning less than a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving corporation (determined immediately following such merger or consolidation), or any sale or transfer by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets or any tender offer or exchange offer for, or the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or group of, all or a majority of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company.

(d)  “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor act thereto.

(e)  “Common Stock” means the Class A common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

(f)  “Company” means Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.

(g)  “Director” means a member of the Board of Directors.

(h)  “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor act thereto.

(i)  “Grant Date” means the date on which a grant of Restricted Stock is made to a Non-Employee Director pursuant to Section 6.1.

(j)  “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board of Directors who is not an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(k)  “Plan” means this Sonic Automotive, Inc. 2005 Formula Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended from time to time.

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(l)  “Restricted Stock” means Common Stock granted to Non-Employee Directors pursuant to Article 6, which Common Stock is nontransferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

(m)  “Restricted Stock Award” means a grant of Restricted Stock.

(n)  “Subsidiary” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity in which the Company directly or indirectly controls more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power or equity or profits interests.

ARTICLE 3.    ADMINISTRATION

Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have full and exclusive power to administer the Plan; to construe and interpret the Plan and any agreement or instrument entered into under the Plan; to establish, amend or waive rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration; and to delegate ministerial administrative responsibilities under the Plan. Determinations made with respect to an individual Non-Employee Director shall be made without participation by such Non-Employee Director. All determinations, decisions and interpretations made by the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties, including Non-Employee Directors, the Company, the Company’s stockholders, and any other interested persons.

ARTICLE 4.    STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

4.1    Stock Available Under the Plan.    Subject to adjustments as provided in Section 4.2, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued in connection with Restricted Stock Awards granted under the Plan is Sixty Thousand (60,000) shares. Shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan may be shares of original issuance, shares held in the treasury of the Company or shares purchased in the open market or otherwise. Shares of Common Stock covered by Restricted Stock Awards which are forfeited or canceled for any reason shall be available for further grants under the Plan.

4.2    Adjustments.    In the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares, merger, consolidation or similar transaction or other change in corporate capitalization affecting the Common Stock, unless the Board should determine otherwise, corresponding adjustments shall be made to (a) the maximum number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan as set forth in Section 4.1; and (b) the number and kind of shares that are subject to then outstanding Restricted Stock Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board, in its discretion, shall make such adjustments as are necessary to eliminate fractional shares that may result from any adjustments made pursuant hereto. Except as expressly provided herein, the issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by an outstanding Restricted Stock Award.

ARTICLE 5.    PARTICIPATION

Each Non-Employee Director shall be eligible to receive Restricted Stock Awards as described below in Article 6 during his or her tenure as a Non-Employee Director.

ARTICLE 6.    FORMULA GRANTS OF RESTRICTED STOCK

6.1    Formula Grants of Restricted Stock.    Subject to the terms of the Plan, Restricted Stock shall be granted to Non-Employee Directors automatically and without further action of the Board of Directors as follows:

(a)  Annual Grants.    On the first business day following each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders beginning with the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, each Non-Employee Director who is then a member of the Board shall receive a grant of Restricted Stock consisting of that number of shares that equals $60,000 divided by the Average Market Value of the Common Stock as of the Grant Date, rounded up to the nearest whole share. The Restricted Stock shall vest in full on the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the Grant Date or (ii) the day before the next annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders following the Grant Date. Vesting on any such date is subject to continued service as a Director (whether or not in the capacity of a Non-Employee Director) through such date.

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(b)  Interim Grants to New Non-Employee Directors.    If a Non-Employee Director initially becomes a member of the Board during a calendar year but after the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders has been held for such year, the Non-Employee Director shall receive a grant of Restricted Stock, effective as of the date of such initial appointment to the Board, consisting of that number of shares that equals $60,000 divided by the Average Market Value of the Common Stock as of the Grant Date, rounded up to the nearest whole share. The shares covered by such grant of Restricted Stock shall vest in full on the first anniversary of the Grant Date. Vesting on such date is subject to continued service as a Director (whether or not in the capacity of a Non-Employee Director) through such date.

6.2    Nontransferability.    The shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, conveyed, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated, alienated or otherwise disposed of or transferred in any manner to the extent they remain unvested.

6.3    Termination of Service.    In the event that a Director’s service on the Board terminates for any reason, all shares of Restricted Stock not vested at the time of such termination shall be immediately and automatically forfeited by such Director.

6.4    Change in Control.    Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, all outstanding shares of Restricted Stock shall be deemed vested as of (a) the date of consummation of a tender offer or exchange offer that constitutes a Change in Control or (b) the third business day prior to the effective date of any other Change in Control.

6.5    Stockholder Rights.    Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, a Non-Employee Director who has been granted Restricted Stock shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends, if and when declared by the Board of Directors. With respect to any shares of Restricted Stock received as a result of adjustments under Section 4.2 hereof and also any shares of Common Stock that result from dividends declared on the Common Stock, the Non-Employee Director shall have the same rights and privileges, and be subject to the same restrictions, as apply generally to Restricted Stock under the Plan.

6.6    Award Agreement.    Each grant of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an award agreement executed by the Non-Employee Director and the Company that contains the Grant Date of the Restricted Stock and the other terms and conditions applicable thereto.

6.7    Issuance of Restricted Stock/Stock Certificates.    A grant of Restricted Stock may be evidenced in such manner as the Company shall deem appropriate, including without limitation, book-entry registration or the issuance of a stock certificate (or certificates) representing the number of shares of Restricted Stock granted to the Non-Employee Director, containing such legends as the Company deems appropriate and held in custody by the Company or on its behalf, in which case the grant of Restricted Stock shall be accompanied by appropriate stop-transfer instructions to the transfer agent for the Common Stock, until the restrictions lapse and the shares of Restricted Stock become vested. The Company may require the Director to deliver to the Company a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the shares of Restricted Stock to be held in custody by or for the Company.

ARTICLE 7.    AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION

The Board may at any time, and from time to time, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan in whole or in part; provided, that no amendment, suspension or termination shall be effective unless approved by the stockholders of the Company (a) to the extent stockholder approval is necessary to satisfy the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act or Rule 16b-3 thereunder, any New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq or securities exchange listing requirements or any other law or regulation; or (b) to the extent the Board determines, in its discretion, that stockholder approval is desirable even if such stockholder approval is not expressly required by the Plan or applicable law or regulation. Unless sooner terminated by the Board, the Plan shall terminate ten years from the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. No further Restricted Stock Awards may be granted after the termination of the Plan, but the Plan shall remain effective with respect to any then outstanding Restricted Stock Awards. Except as otherwise provided herein, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way the rights of a Non-Employee Director under any outstanding Restricted Stock Award without the Non-Employee Director’s consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan or the terms of any outstanding Restricted Stock Award in any respect it deems necessary or advisable to comply with applicable law, including, but not limited to, Section 409A of the Code and applicable guidance thereunder, without obtaining the individual consent of any Non-Employee Director who holds an outstanding Restricted Stock Award.

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ARTICLE 8.    TAX MATTERS

8.1    Withholding.    To the extent applicable, a Director that has received a Restricted Stock Award under this Plan shall pay or make provision for payment to the Company the amount necessary to satisfy any federal, state or local withholding requirements applicable to any taxable event arising in connection with the Restricted Stock Award. The determination of the withholding amounts due in such event shall be made by the Company and shall be binding upon the Director. The Company shall not be required to deliver any shares of Common Stock unless the Director has made acceptable arrangements to satisfy any such withholding requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section shall be construed to impose on the Company a duty to withhold where applicable law does not require such withholding.

8.2    Section 83(b) Election.    If a Non-Employee Director makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to Restricted Stock, the Non-Employee Director shall be required to promptly file a copy of such election with the Company as required under Section 83(b) of the Code.

ARTICLE 9.    GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1    Restrictions on Stock Ownership/Legends.    The Board, in its discretion, may establish guidelines applicable to the ownership of any shares of Common Stock acquired under this Plan as it may deem desirable or advisable, including, but not limited to, time-based or other restrictions on transferability regardless of whether or not the Common Stock is otherwise vested. All stock certificates representing shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to this Plan shall be subject to such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as the Board may deem advisable and the Board may cause any such certificates to have legends affixed thereto to make appropriate references to any applicable restrictions.

9.2    No Guarantee of Continued or Future Service on the Board.    Nothing in the Plan or any award agreement shall be construed to confer upon any Director any right to continued or future service on the Board of Directors.

9.3    Unfunded Plan.    To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive Common Stock under the Plan, such right shall be only contractual in nature unsecured by any assets of the Company or a Subsidiary. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall be required to segregate any specific funds, assets or other property with respect to any Restricted Stock Awards under this Plan. With respect to receipt of Common Stock, a Director (and any person claiming through him) shall have only the status of an unsecured general creditor of the Company.

9.4    Requirements of Law.    The granting of Restricted Stock Awards under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. To the extent applicable, the Plan is intended to comply with all provisions of Rule 16b-3 or any successor rule under the Exchange Act, unless determined otherwise by the Board.

9.5    Approvals and Listing.    The Company shall not be required to grant any Restricted Stock Awards or issue any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock under the Plan prior to (a) obtaining any required approval from the stockholders of the Company; (b) obtaining any approval from any governmental agency which the Company shall, in its discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable; (c) the admission of such shares of Common Stock to listing on any national securities exchange on which the Company’s Common Stock may be listed; and (d) the completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares of Common Stock under any state or federal law or ruling or regulation of any governmental body which the Company shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable. The Company may require that any Non-Employee Director granted a Restricted Stock Award hereunder make such representations and agreements and furnish such information as it deems appropriate to assure compliance with the foregoing or any other applicable legal requirement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated at any time to file or maintain a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to effect similar compliance under any applicable state laws with respect to the Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to this Plan.

9.6    Other Corporate Actions.    Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to limit the authority of the Company to exercise its corporate rights and powers, including, but not by way of limitation, the right of the Company to adopt other compensation arrangements or the right of the Company to authorize any adjustment, reclassification, reorganization, or other change in its capital or business structure, any merger or consolidation of the Company, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its business or assets.

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9.7    Gender and Number.    Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein shall also include the feminine, and the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

9.8    Severability.    The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Plan shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and the Board may elect in its discretion to construe such invalid or unenforceable provision in a manner which conforms to applicable law or as if such provision was omitted.

9.9    Governing Law.    To the extent not preempted by federal law, the Plan, and all award agreements hereunder, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina (excluding the principles of conflict of law thereof).

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