exv10w2

Exhibit 10.2

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), effective as of September 12, 2011 (the “Effective Date”), is made and entered into by and between CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC. (the “Company”) and MICHAEL A. WOODHOUSE (“Executive”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Executive is currently serving as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), pursuant to an employment agreement dated as of March 28, 2011 (the “Prior Employment Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that the Executive’s contribution to the growth and success of the Company during prior years has been substantial and the Board now desires, and deems it to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, to provide for the continued employment of the Executive in the capacity of Executive Chairman of the Board and to make certain changes in the Executive’s employment arrangements with the Company which the Board has determined will reinforce the transition by the Executive of his role in management of the Company while encouraging the Executive’s continued attention and dedication to the future of the Company; and

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing purposes, the Board wishes to continue Executive’s employment as an officer of the Company to serve in the position of Executive Chairman of the Board; and

WHEREAS, Executive is willing to commit himself to continue to serve the Company on the terms and conditions specified herein; and

WHEREAS, in order to effect the foregoing purposes and to terminate the Prior Employment Agreement as of the Effective Date, the Company and the Executive wish to enter into this Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth below.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises, the mutual promises, covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. EMPLOYMENT.

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company hereby employs Executive as the Executive Chairman of the Board.

2. DURATION OF AGREEMENT.

2.1 Term. This employment shall begin as of the Effective Date, and shall continue until it terminates pursuant to this Agreement. Unless extended pursuant to Section 2.2, or earlier terminated pursuant to Article 5 (Termination for Cause), Article 6 (Termination Upon Death), Article 7 (Disability), Article 8 (Termination of Employment by Executive), Article 9

(Termination Without Cause) or Article 10 (Change in Control), this Agreement will automatically terminate on November 30, 2012. The specified period during which this Agreement is in effect is the “Term.”

2.2 Extensions of Term. The Term may be extended to a specified future date at any time by the specific written agreement of the parties signed prior to the original expiration date specified in Section 2.1, or any subsequent expiration date established pursuant to this Section 2.2.

3. POSITION AND DUTIES.

3.1 Position. Subject to the remaining conditions of this Section 3.1, Executive shall serve as the Executive Chairman. Executive shall report to the Board and perform such duties and responsibilities as may be prescribed from time-to-time by the Board, which duties shall include, without limitation, (a) when present, presiding at meetings of the Board and shareholders and (b) coordinating with the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company with respect to the Company’s business and strategic initiatives. So long as Executive is serving as the Executive Chairman, the Company shall nominate Executive for election as a member of the Board at each meeting of the Company’s shareholders at which the election of Executive is subject to a vote by the Company’s shareholders and recommend that the shareholders of the Company vote to elect Executive as a member of the Board. From time to time, Executive also may be from time to time designated to such offices within the Company or its subsidiaries as may be necessary or appropriate for the convenience of the businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries.

3.2 Full-Time Efforts. Executive shall perform and discharge faithfully, diligently and to the best of his ability such duties and responsibilities and shall devote his full-time efforts to the business and affairs of the Company. Executive agrees to promote the best interests of the Company and to take no action that in any way damages the public image or reputation of the Company, its subsidiaries or its affiliates.

3.3 No Interference With Duties. Executive shall not (a) engage in any activities, or render services to or become associated with any other business that in the reasonable judgment of the Board violates any provision of Article 13 of this Agreement, or (b) devote time to other activities which would inhibit or otherwise interfere with the proper performance of his duties; provided, however, that it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to (1) devote reasonable periods of time to charitable and community activities and industry or professional activities (including, without limitation, serving on the board of directors of not-for-profit entities), or (2) manage personal business interests and investments, so long as such activities in (1) or (2) do not interfere with the performance of Executive’s obligations under this Agreement. Executive may, with the prior approval of the Board (or applicable committee thereof), serve on the boards of directors (or other governing body) of other for profit corporations or entities, consistent with this Agreement and the Company’s policies.

3.4 Work Standard. Executive hereby agrees that he shall at all times comply with and abide by all terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and all applicable work policies, procedures and rules as may be issued by the Company. Executive also agrees that he

shall comply with all federal, state and local statutes, regulations and public ordinances governing the performance of his duties hereunder.

4. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

4.1 Base Salary. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, during the Term, the Company shall pay Executive, and Executive shall accept, an annual salary (“Base Salary”) in the amount of $750,000. The Base Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and may be increased from time to time at the sole discretion of the Board (or applicable committee thereof).

4.2 Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive (including, without limitation, long-term incentive plans), savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to senior executive officers of the Company (“Peer Executives”), on the same basis as such Peer Executives, except as to benefits that are specifically applicable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the following provisions shall apply with respect to Executive:

	(a)		Incentive Bonus. Executive shall be entitled to an annual bonus opportunity, the amount of which shall be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”). The amount of and performance criteria with respect to any such bonus in any year shall be determined not later than the date or time prescribed by Treas. Reg. § 1.162-27(e) in accordance with a formula to be agreed upon by the Company and Executive and approved by the Committee that reflects the financial and other performance of the Company and the Executive’s contributions thereto. Throughout the Term, the Executive’s annual target (subject to such performance and other criteria as may be established by the Committee) bonus percentage shall be no less than 100% of the Base Salary.

	(b)		Long-Term Incentive Plan. With respect to any long-term incentive plan established by the Company, the Executive’s target percentage under such a plan shall be no less than 150% of the Base Salary. Any long-term incentive plan award granted during the Term shall provide that (subject to achievement of applicable performance criteria) it shall vest at the earlier of : (1) the regular vesting or performance term of the award, as applicable; or (2) Executive’s cessation of service as a member of the Board (other than as a result of his voluntary resignation or refusal to stand for reelection).

	(c)		Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Term, Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents shall be eligible for participation in, and shall receive all benefits under, the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, executive life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to Peer Executives. Also, throughout the Term, in addition to participating in the other insurance programs provided to Peer Executives, the Company, for the benefit of Executive, shall pay the

			premiums to maintain in force during the Term a policy of term life insurance covering the Executive, with such carrier as is reasonably acceptable to the Company and Executive, in the face amount of $2.5 million, with benefits payable to the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by Executive in writing, or in the absence of such writing, to Executive’s estate.

	(d)		Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to an annual paid vacation commensurate with the Company’s established vacation policy for Peer Executives. The timing of paid vacations shall be scheduled in a reasonable manner by Executive.

	(e)		Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive during the Term in the performance of Executive’s services under this Agreement. Executive shall follow the Company’s expense procedures that generally apply to Peer Executives in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company to the extent applicable generally to Peer Executives.

	(f)		Perquisites. Executive shall be entitled to receive such executive perquisites, fringe and other benefits as are provided to the most senior executives and their families under any of the Company’s plans and/or programs in effect from time to time and such other benefits as are generally available to Peer Executives.

	(g)		Clawback of Incentive-Based Compensation. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, any “incentive-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), will be subject to clawback by the Company in the manner required by Section 10D(b)(2) of the Exchange Act, as determined by the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

5. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.

This Agreement may be terminated immediately at any time by the Company , and Executive shall be entitled to no further payments or benefits hereunder (other than Base Salary through the date of termination and benefits under any plan or agreement covering Executive which shall be governed by the terms of such plan or agreement), under the following conditions, any of which shall constitute “Cause” or “Termination for Cause”:

(a)

(1) any act by Executive involving fraud, (2) any breach by Executive of applicable regulations of competent authorities in relation to trading or dealing with stocks, securities, investments and the like or (3) any willful or grossly negligent act by Executive resulting in an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which, in each of cases (1), (2) and (3) above, a majority of the Board determines in its sole and absolute discretion materially adversely affects the Company or Executive’s ability to perform his duties under this Agreement;

	(b)		attendance at work in a state of intoxication or otherwise being found in possession at his place of work of any prohibited drug or substance, possession of which would amount to a criminal offense;

	(c)		Executive’s personal dishonesty or willful misconduct in connection with his duties to the Company;

	(d)		breach of fiduciary duties to the Company involving personal profit by the Executive;

	(e)		conviction of Executive for, or Executive pleading guilty or no contest to, any felony or crime involving moral turpitude;

	(f)		material breach by Executive of any provision of this Agreement or of any Company policy adopted by the Board, which breach Executive does not cure within 15 days after the Company provides written notice of such breach to Executive; or

	(g)		the continued failure of Executive to perform substantially Executive’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to Disability, and specifically excluding any failure by Executive, after good faith, reasonable and demonstrable efforts, to meet performance expectations for any reason), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to Executive by a majority of the Board that specifically identifies the manner in which such Board believes that Executive has not substantially performed Executive’s duties.

The termination of employment of Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to Executive and Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of such Board, Executive is guilty of the conduct described in any one or more of subsections (a) through (g) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

6. TERMINATION UPON DEATH.

This Agreement shall terminate immediately upon Executive’s death, and Executive or his beneficiaries shall be entitled to no further payments or benefits hereunder, other than the payment of Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section 9.1(a)(1)) and the payment or provision of Other Benefits (as defined in Section 9.1(d)), including, without limitation, benefits under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as are applicable to Executive on the date of his death. The rights of the Executive’s estate with respect to any outstanding equity grants and any benefit plans shall be determined in accordance with the specific terms, conditions and provisions of the applicable award agreements and benefit plans.

7. DISABILITY.

7.1 If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability (as defined in Section 7.2) of Executive has occurred during the Term, it may give to Executive written notice of its intention to terminate Executive’s employment. In such event, Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such written notice by Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided, that, within the 30-day period after such receipt, Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of Executive’s duties. If Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of his Disability, this Agreement shall terminate, and Executive shall be entitled to no further payments or benefits hereunder, other than payment of Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section 9.1(a)(1)), the payment or provision of Other Benefits (as defined in Section 9.1(d)), including, without limitation, benefits under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability benefits, if any, as are applicable to Executive on the Disability Effective Date. The rights of Executive with respect to any outstanding equity grants and any benefit plans shall be determined in accordance with the specific terms, conditions and provisions of the applicable award agreements and benefit plans.

7.2 For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean: (a) a long-term disability entitling Executive to receive benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan as then in effect; or (b) if no such plan is then in effect or the plan does not apply to Executive, the inability of Executive, as determined by the Board, to perform the essential functions of his regular duties and responsibilities hereunder, with or without reasonable accommodation, due to a medically determinable physical or mental illness which has lasted (or can reasonably be expected to last) for a period of at least six consecutive months. At the request of Executive or his personal representative, the Board’s determination that the Disability of Executive has occurred shall be certified by two physicians mutually agreed upon by Executive or his personal representative and the Company. Without such physician certification (if it is requested by Executive or his personal representative), Executive’s termination shall be deemed a termination by the Company without Cause and not a termination by reason of Disability.

8. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY EXECUTIVE.

8.1 Executive’s employment may be terminated at any time by Executive for Good Reason or no reason, subject to Section 8.3 or Section 8.6, as applicable.

8.2 For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall not include Executive’s death or Disability and shall mean any of the following:

(a)

other than his removal for Cause pursuant to Section 5 and subject to the provisos below, without the prior written consent of Executive, the assignment to Executive of any duties inconsistent in any material respect with Executive’s position (including status, offices (inclusive of Chairman of the Board), titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as in effect on the Effective Date, or any other action by the Company which results in a demonstrable diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities; provided, however, that an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith, which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of written notice thereof given by Executive, shall not constitute “Good Reason”;

	(b)		a reduction by the Company in Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the Effective Date or as the same may be increased from time to time, unless such reduction is a part of an across-the-board decrease in base salaries affecting all Peer Executives which reduction is approved by the Committee; provided, however, that in any event, the Company shall not reduce Executive’s Base Salary below 90% of the Base Salary as in effect on the Effective Date;

	(c)		a reduction by the Company in Executive’s (1) annual target bonus percentage to which Executive is entitled pursuant to Section 4.2(a) or (2) target percentage under any long-term incentive plan established by the Company to which Executive is entitled pursuant to Section 4.2(b), unless, in either case (1) or (2), such reduction is a part of an across-the-board proportional decrease in annual target bonuses percentages or target percentages under any long-term incentive plan, as applicable, affecting all other Peer Executives, which reduction is approved by the Committee; provided, however, that in any event, the Company shall not reduce Executive’s annual target bonus below 90% of the Base Salary as in effect on the Effective Date;

	(d)		a reduction by the Company of benefits under (1) a “pension plan or arrangement” or (2) a “compensation plan or arrangement” in which Executive participates, or the elimination of Executive’s participation in any such plan or arrangement which reduction or elimination results in a reduction, in the aggregate, of the benefits provided thereunder, taking into account any replacement plan or arrangement or other additional compensation provided to Executive in connection with or following such reduction or elimination (except for immaterial reductions or across-the-board plan changes or terminations similarly affecting other Peer Executives); provided, that, subject to Section 15.8, in the event of any such changes or terminations, the Company shall timely pay or provide to Executive any accrued amounts or accrued benefits required to be paid or provided or which Executive is eligible to receive under any such plan or arrangement in accordance with the terms of such plan or arrangement;

	(e)		the Company requiring Executive, without his consent, to be based at any office or location more than 50 miles from the Company’s current headquarters in Lebanon, Tennessee;

	(f)		the material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement; or

	(g)		the failure of any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.

8.3 Executive’s continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any circumstance constituting Good Reason hereunder, provided, that Executive raises to the attention of the Board any circumstance he believes in good faith

constitutes Good Reason within 90 days after occurrence thereof or be foreclosed from raising such circumstance thereafter. The Company shall have an opportunity to cure any circumstance alleged to constitute Good Reason (other than under Section 8.2(g)) within 30 days after the receipt of notice of such circumstance from Executive.

8.4 If Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason within one year following the initial existence of any of the conditions set forth in Sections 8.2(a) through 8.2(g) (provided, that the Company did not exercise its right to cure pursuant to Section 8.3), he shall be entitled to the same benefits he would be entitled to under Article 9 as if terminated without Cause or Article 10 as if terminated after a Change in Control (as defined in Section 10.3), but not both, as applicable, upon the execution and effectiveness of the release attached hereto as an addendum and made a part hereof (the “Release”) within the time periods set forth in the applicable provisions.

8.5 If Executive terminates his employment without Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate, and Executive shall be entitled to no further payments or benefits hereunder, other than payment of Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section 9.1(a)(1) but excluding the amounts provided for in Section 9.1(a)(1)(ii)) and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits (as defined in Section 9.1(d)).

8.6 Executive shall not terminate his employment without Good Reason prior to the date which is 60 days following the date on which Executive provides written notice of such termination to the Company; provided, however, that the Company may waive such notice period in writing.

9. TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE.

9.1 If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (it being understood by the parties that termination by death, Disability or expiration of this Agreement shall not constitute termination without Cause) prior to the expiration of the Term, then Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits upon the execution and effectiveness of the Release within the time periods set forth herein; provided, however, that Executive shall not be entitled to payments under this Article 9 if he is entitled to payments under Article 10:

(a)

The Company shall pay to Executive immediately following the expiration of the 30-day period beginning on the date of Executive’s termination of employment (such 30-day period, the “Severance Delay Period”), provided, that Executive has executed and delivered the Release and any revocation period applicable to such Release shall have expired as of the end of the Severance Delay Period, the aggregate of the following amounts:

(1)

in a lump sum in cash, immediately following the end of the Severance Delay Period, the sum of (i) Executive’s Base Salary then in effect through the date of termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (ii) a pro-rata portion of amounts payable under any then existing incentive or bonus plan applicable to Executive (including, without limitation, any incentive bonus referred to in Section 4.2(a)) for that portion of the fiscal year in

			which the termination of employment occurs through the date of termination, (iii) any accrued expenses and vacation pay to the extent not theretofore paid, and (iv) unless Executive has elected a different payout date in a prior deferral election, any compensation previously deferred by Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in subsections (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) shall be referred to in this Agreement as the “Accrued Obligations”); provided, that the amount described in subsection 9.1(a)(1)(ii) shall be paid as soon as practicable after the end of the fiscal year to which such bonus relates and the amount that is pro-rated for Executive’s length of service during the year shall be determined by the actual performance of the Company during such year; and

	(2)		in installments ratably over 24 months in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll cycle and procedures, the amount equal to 1.5 times Executive’s annual Base Salary in effect as of the date of termination.

	(b)		All stock options (or stock units or restricted shares) held by the Executive that are vested prior to the effective date of the termination shall be exercisable in accordance with their terms. With respect to any stock options (or stock units or restricted shares) held by the Executive that, by their terms do not immediately vest and become exercisable upon a termination of employment without Cause, the Executive shall receive a lump sum cash distribution equal: (i) in the case of stock options, to: (A) the number of shares of the Company’s $0.01 par value common stock (“Shares”) that is subject to options held by the Executive which are not vested on the date of termination of employment; multiplied by (B) the difference between: (1) the closing price of a Share as of the day prior to the effective date of termination of employment (or, if the United States securities trading markets are closed on that date, on the last preceding date on which the United States securities trading markets were open for trading), and (2) the applicable exercise price(s) of the non-vested options; and (ii) in the case of stock units or restricted shares, to: (A) the number of Shares (at target) that is subject to units held by the Executive which are not vested on the date of termination of employment; multiplied by (B) the closing price of a Share as of the day prior to the effective date of termination of employment (or, if the United States securities trading markets are closed on that date, on the last preceding date on which the United States securities trading markets were open for trading).

	(c)		The Executive’s participation in the life and medical insurance programs in effect on the date of termination of employment shall continue until the later of (i) 18 months after Executive’s date of termination of employment, or (ii) the expiration of the Term (as in effect at the time of termination); provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to provide such benefits if Executive becomes employed by another employer and is covered or permitted to be covered by that employer’s benefit plans without regard to the extent of such coverage; and provided further that upon the Executive’s becoming eligible for and covered by Medicare, the medical coverage required by this

			subsection will be converted to an obligation on the part of the Company to reimburse the Executive for premiums paid to purchase Medicare Supplement coverage during any remaining period of time referred to in subsection (c)(i) above.

	(d)		To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to Executive any other accrued amounts or accrued benefits required to be paid or provided or which Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy, practice, contract or agreement of the Company (such other amounts and benefits shall be referred to in this Agreement as the “Other Benefits”).

	(e)		Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause prior to the expiration of the Term, the provisions of Section 13.5 shall not apply to the Executive’s activities during the Restricted Period.

10. CHANGE IN CONTROL.

10.1 Except as otherwise provided herein, if, at any time during the Term in effect after a Change in Control (as defined in Section 10.3) occurs and, within 90 days prior to or fifteen months following the date of the Change in Control, (a) Executive is involuntarily terminated by the Company for reasons other than Cause or (b) Executive voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company for Good Reason (as defined in Section 8.2), Executive shall be entitled to receive the benefits described in Section 10.2.

10.2 Subject to the execution, delivery and effectiveness of the Release within the time periods set forth herein and further subject to the limitation imposed by Section 10.4, upon a termination described in Section 10.1, Executive shall be entitled to receive the following payments and benefits:

(a)

The Company shall pay to Executive immediately following the expiration of the Severance Delay Period, provided, that Executive has executed and delivered the Release and any revocation period applicable to such Release shall have expired as of the end of the Severance Delay Period, the aggregate of the following amounts:

	(1)		the Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section 9(a)(1), except that solely for purposes of this Section 10.2(a)(1), Executive’s target bonus shall be prorated based solely on the portion of the fiscal year in which the termination of employment occurs through the date of termination (and not on the Company’s actual performance for such period) and such prorated amount shall be paid contemporaneously with the amounts payable pursuant to Section 10.2(a)(2))); and

	(2)		the amount determined by multiplying two times the sum of (A) Executive’s average annual Base Salary for the five fiscal years prior to the termination, and (B) Executive’s Applicable Annual Bonus (as defined

below). For purposes of this Agreement, “Applicable Annual Bonus” means the greater of Executive’s actual annual incentive bonus from the Company earned in the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which Executive’s termination date falls or Executive’s target annual incentive bonus for the year in which Executive’s termination date falls.

	(b)		All stock options (or stock units or restricted shares) held by Executive that are vested (including, without limitation, those vested by reason of any Change in Control occurring prior to the Executive’s termination) prior to the effective date of the termination shall be exercisable in accordance with their terms. With respect to any stock options held by Executive that, by their terms do not immediately vest and become exercisable upon a termination of employment without Cause, Executive shall receive a lump sum cash distribution equal (i) in the case of stock options, to: (A) the number of Shares that is subject to options held by the Executive which are not vested on the date of termination of employment; multiplied by (B) the difference between: (1) the closing price of a Share as of the day prior to the effective date of termination of employment (or, if the United States securities trading markets are closed on that date, on the last preceding date on which the United States securities trading markets were open for trading), and (2) the applicable exercise price(s) of the non-vested options and (ii) in the case of stock units or restricted shares, to: (A) the number of Shares (at target) that is subject to units held by the Executive which are not vested on the date of termination of employment; multiplied by (B) the closing price of a Share as of the day prior to the effective date of termination of employment (or, if the United States securities trading markets are closed on that date, on the last preceding date on which the United States securities trading markets were open for trading).

	(c)		Executive’s participation in the life and medical insurance programs in effect on the date of termination of employment shall continue until the later of (i) 18 months after Executive’s date of termination of employment, or (ii) the expiration of the Term (as in effect at the time of termination); provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to provide such benefits if Executive becomes employed by another employer and is covered or permitted to be covered by that employer’s benefit plans without regard to the extent of such coverage; and provided further, that upon the Executive’s becoming eligible for and covered by Medicare, the medical coverage required by this subsection will be converted to an obligation on the part of the Company to reimburse the premiums paid by the Executive to purchase Medicare Supplement coverage during any remaining period of time referred to in subsection 10.2(c)(i) above.

	(d)		To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to Executive any Other Benefits (as defined in Section 9.1(d)).

10.3 For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” of the Company shall mean any of the following:

	(a)		any “person” (as defined in Section 13(h)(8)(E) of the Exchange Act), other than the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (or any successor to all or substantially all of the Company’s assets) representing more than 35% of the combined voting power of the Company’s (or such successor’s) then outstanding voting securities that may be cast for the election of directors of the Company (other than as a result of an issuance of securities initiated by the Company (or such successor) in the ordinary course of business);

	(b)		as the result of, or in connection with, any cash tender or exchange offer, merger or other business combination or contested election, or any combination of the foregoing transactions, less than a majority of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company or any successor company or entity entitled to vote generally in the election of the directors of the Company or such other corporation or entity after such transaction are held in the aggregate by the holders of the Company’s securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

	(c)		all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred;

	(d)		the Company’s shareholders approve a plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

	(e)		during the Term, Continuing Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board. For this purpose, a “Continuing Director” is any person who at the beginning of the Term was a member of the Board, or any person first elected to the Board during the Term whose election, or the nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors then in office, but excluding any person (1) initially appointed or elected to office as result of either an actual or threatened election and/or proxy contest by or on behalf of any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) other than the Board, or (2) designated by any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) ) who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 10.3(a) through (d).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that (i) any payment under this Agreement is payable solely upon or following the occurrence of a Change in Control and (ii) such payment is treated as “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the “Code”), a Change in Control shall mean a “change in the ownership of the Company,” a “change in the effective control of the Company,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company” as such terms are defined in Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) of the Treasury Regulations.

10.4 Section 280G Limitation.

	(a)		Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, if any payments or benefits Executive would receive from the Company pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (collectively, the “Payments”) would, either separately or in the aggregate, (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Payments will be equal to the Reduced Amount (defined below). The “Reduced Amount” will be either (1) the entire amount of the Payments, or (2) an amount equal to the largest portion of the Payments that would result in no portion of any of the Payments (after reduction) being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever amount after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from a deduction of such state and local taxes), results in the Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of the Payments. If a reduction in the Payments is to be made so that the amount of the Payments equals the Reduced Amount, the Payments will be paid only to the extent permitted under the Reduced Amount alternative; provided, that in the event the Reduced Amount is paid, the cash payments set forth in Section 10.2(a)(2) shall be reduced as required by the operation of this Section 10.4(a).

	(b)		The accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change in Control shall perform any calculation necessary to determine the amount, if any, payable to Executive pursuant to this Section 10, as limited by this Section 10.4. If the accounting firm so engaged by the Company is also serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group that will control the Company following a Change in Control, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized accounting firm other than the accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required to be made hereunder.

	(c)		The accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within 20 calendar days after the date on which such accounting firm has been engaged to make such determinations or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding, and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.

11. COSTS OF ENFORCEMENT.

If either party brings suit to compel performance of, to interpret, or to recover damages for the breach of this Agreement, upon the exhaustion of any appeal right of the parties, the

prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees in addition to costs and necessary disbursements otherwise recoverable.

12. PUBLICITY; NO DISPARAGING STATEMENT.

Except to the extent required by applicable law, Executive and the Company covenant and agree that they shall not engage in any communications which shall disparage one another or interfere with their existing or prospective business relationships.

13. BUSINESS PROTECTION PROVISIONS.

13.1 Preamble. As a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, and its recognition of the valuable experience, knowledge and proprietary information Executive gained from his employment with the Company, Executive warrants and agrees that he will abide by and adhere to the following business protection provisions in this Article 13.

13.2 Definitions. For purposes of this Article 13, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

	(a)		“Competitive Position” shall mean any employment, consulting, advisory, directorship, agency, promotional or independent contractor arrangement between Executive and any person or Entity engaged, wholly or in material part, or that is an investor or prospective investor in an Entity that is engaged, wholly or in material part, in the restaurant business that is the same or similar to that in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (collectively, the “CBRL Entities”) is engaged on the date of the termination of Executive’s employment, whereby Executive is required to or performs services on behalf of or for the benefit of such person or Entity which are substantially similar to the services in which Executive participated or that he directed or oversaw while employed by the Company.

	(b)		“Confidential Information” shall mean the proprietary or confidential data, information, documents or materials (whether oral, written, electronic or otherwise) belonging to or pertaining to any of the CBRL Entities, other than “Trade Secrets” (as defined below), which is of tangible or intangible value to any of the CBRL Entities and the details of which are not generally known to the competitors of the CBRL Entities. Confidential Information shall also include: any items that any of the CBRL Entities have marked “CONFIDENTIAL” or some similar designation or are otherwise identified as being confidential.

	(c)		“Entity” or “Entities” shall mean any business, individual, partnership, joint venture, agency, governmental agency, body or subdivision, association, firm, corporation, limited liability company or other entity of any kind.

	(d)		“Restricted Period” shall mean two years following termination of Executive’s employment hereunder; provided, however that the Restricted Period shall be extended for a period of time equal to any period(s) of time within the two-year

			period following termination of Executive’s employment hereunder that Executive is determined by a final non-appealable judgment from a court of competent jurisdiction to have engaged in any conduct that violates this Article 13 or any sections thereof, the purpose of this provision being to secure for the benefit of the Company the entire Restricted Period being bargained for by the Company for the restrictions upon the Executive’s activities.

	(e)		“Territory” shall mean each of the United States of America and any foreign country in which the Company operates its business at the time of the termination of Executive’s employment.

	(f)		“Trade Secrets” shall mean information or data of or about any of the CBRL Entities, including, but not limited to, technical or non-technical data, recipes, formulas, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, financial plans, product plans or lists of actual or potential suppliers that: (1) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; (2) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy; and (3) any other information which is defined as a “trade secret” under applicable law.

	(g)		“Work Product” shall mean all tangible work product, property, data, documentation, “know-how,” concepts or plans, inventions, improvements, techniques and processes relating to any of the CBRL Entities that were conceived, discovered, created, written, revised or developed by Executive during the term of his employment with the Company.

13.3 Nondisclosure; Ownership of Proprietary Property.

	(a)		In recognition of the need of the CBRL Entities to protect their legitimate business interests, Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that Executive shall regard and treat Trade Secrets and all Confidential Information as strictly confidential and wholly-owned by the CBRL Entities and shall not, for any reason, in any fashion, either directly or indirectly, use, sell, lend, lease, distribute, license, give, transfer, assign, show, disclose, disseminate, reproduce, copy, misappropriate or otherwise communicate any such item or information to any third party or Entity for any purpose other than in accordance with this Agreement or as required by applicable law, court order or other legal process: (1) with regard to each item constituting a Trade Secret, at all times such information remains a “trade secret” under applicable law, and (2) with regard to any Confidential Information, for the Restricted Period.

	(b)		Executive shall exercise best efforts to ensure the continued confidentiality of all Trade Secrets and Confidential Information, and he shall immediately notify the Company of any unauthorized disclosure or use of any Trade Secrets or Confidential Information of which Executive becomes aware. Executive shall

			assist the CBRL Entities, to the extent necessary, in the protection of or procurement of any intellectual property protection or other rights in any of the Trade Secrets or Confidential Information.

	(c)		All Work Product shall be owned exclusively by the CBRL Entities. To the greatest extent possible, any Work Product shall be deemed to be “work made for hire” (as defined in the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C.A. § 101 et seq., as amended), and Executive hereby unconditionally and irrevocably transfers and assigns to the applicable CBRL Entity all right, title and interest Executive currently has or may have by operation of law or otherwise in or to any Work Product, including, without limitation, all patents, copyrights, trademarks (and the goodwill associated therewith), trade secrets, service marks (and the goodwill associated therewith) and other intellectual property rights. Executive agrees to execute and deliver to the applicable CBRL Entity any transfers, assignments, documents or other instruments which the Company may deem necessary or appropriate, from time to time, to protect the rights granted herein or to vest complete title and ownership of any and all Work Product, and all associated intellectual property and other rights therein, exclusively in the applicable CBRL Entity.

13.4 Non-Interference With Executives.

Executive recognizes and acknowledges that, as a result of his employment by Company, he will become familiar with and acquire knowledge of confidential information and certain other information regarding the other executives and employees of any of the CBRL Entities. Therefore, Executive agrees that, during the Restricted Period, Executive shall not encourage, solicit or otherwise attempt to persuade any person in the employment of the CBRL Entities to end his or her employment with a CBRL Entity or to violate any confidentiality, non-competition or employment agreement that such person may have with a CBRL Entity or any policy of any CBRL Entity. Furthermore, neither Executive nor any person acting in concert with the Executive nor any of Executive’s affiliates shall, during the Restricted Period, employ any person who has been an executive or management employee of any CBRL Entity unless that person has ceased to be an employee of any of the CBRL Entities for at least six months.

13.5 Non-competition.

Executive covenants and agrees to not obtain or work in a Competitive Position within the Territory during the Term and during the Restricted Period. Executive and the Company recognize and acknowledge that the scope, area and time limitations contained in this Agreement are reasonable and are properly required for the protection of the business interests of the Company due to Executives status and reputation in the industry and the knowledge to be acquired by Executive through his association with the Company’s business and the public’s close identification of Executive with the Company and the Company with Executive. Further, Executive acknowledges that his skills are such that he could easily find alternative, commensurate employment or consulting work in his field that would not violate any of the provisions of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges and understands that, as consideration for his execution of this Agreement and his agreement with the terms of this covenant not to

compete, Executive will receive employment with and other benefits from the Company in accordance with this Agreement.

13.6 Remedies.

Executive understands and acknowledges that his violation of any provisions of this Article 13 would cause irreparable harm to the Company and the Company would be entitled to an injunction by any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining and restraining Executive from any employment, service, or other act prohibited by this Agreement The parties agree that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as prohibiting Company from pursuing any remedies available to it for any breach or threatened breach of any provision of this Article 13, including, without limitation, the recovery of damages from Executive or any person or entity acting in concert with Executive. The Company shall receive injunctive relief without the necessity of posting bond or other security, such bond or other security being hereby waived by Executive. If any part of this Article 13 is found to be unreasonable, then it may be amended by appropriate order of a court of competent jurisdiction to the extent deemed reasonable. Furthermore and in recognition that certain severance payments are being agreed to in reliance upon Executive’s compliance with this Article 13 after termination of his employment, in the event Executive breaches any of such business protection provisions or other provisions of this Agreement, any unpaid amounts (e.g., those provided under Article 8 or Article 9) shall be forfeited and the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments or provide any further benefits to Executive following any such breach. Additionally, if Executive breaches any of such business protection provisions or other provisions of this Agreement or such provisions are declared unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, any lump sum payment made pursuant to Section 10.2(a)(2) shall be refunded by Executive to the Company on a pro-rata basis based upon the number of months during the Restricted Period during which he violated the provisions of this Article 13 or, in the event such provisions are declared unenforceable, the number of months during the Restricted Period that the Company did not receive their benefit as a result of the actions of Executive.

14. RETURN OF MATERIALS.

Upon the termination of Executive’s employment, or at any time thereafter upon the written request of the Company, Executive shall return to the Company all written, electronic or descriptive materials of any kind belonging or relating to the Company or its affiliates, including, without limitation, any originals, copies and abstracts containing any Work Product, intellectual property, Confidential Information and Trade Secrets in Executive’s possession or control.

15. REIMBURSEMENT FOR LEGAL EXPENSES.

The Company shall upon proper substantiation reimburse Executive for legal expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement an amount not in excess of $10,000.

16. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

16.1 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, cancelled, renewed or extended only by a writing signed by both of the parties hereto.

16.2 Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Executive, his heirs and personal representatives, and the Company and its successors and assigns.

16.3 Waiver Of Breach; Specific Performance. The waiver of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other breach. The provisions of this Agreement may be waived only by a writing signed by the party waiving compliance. Each of the parties to this Agreement will be entitled to enforce its or his rights under this Agreement, specifically, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in its or his favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its or his sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction for specific performance or injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions of this Agreement.

16.4 Indemnification and Insurance. The Company shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless to the maximum extent permitted by law against judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by Executive, in connection with the defense of, or as a result of any action or proceeding (or any appeal from any action or proceeding) in which Executive is made or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that he is or was an officer of the Company or any of its affiliates. In addition, the Company agrees that Executive is and shall continue to be covered and insured up to the maximum limits provided by all insurance which the Company maintains from time to time to indemnify its directors and officers (and to indemnify the Company for any obligations which it incurs as a result of its undertaking to indemnify its officers and directors) and that the Company will exert its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain such insurance, in not less than its present limits, in effect throughout the term of the Executive’s employment.

16.5 No Effect On Other Arrangements. It is expressly understood and agreed that the payments made in accordance with this Agreement are in addition to any other benefits or compensation to which Executive may be entitled or for which he may be eligible, whether funded or unfunded, by reason of his employment with the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions in Articles 5 through 10 regarding benefits that Executive will receive upon his employment being terminated supersede and are expressly in lieu of any other severance program or policy that may be offered by the Company, except with regard to any rights the Executive may have pursuant to Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.

16.6 Continuation of Compensation. If Executive becomes entitled to payments under Articles 8, 9 or 10 but dies before receipt thereof, the Company agrees to pay to the Executive’s spouse or his estate, as the case may be, pursuant to such designation as Executive shall deliver

to the Company in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, any amounts to which Executive, at the time of his death, was so entitled.

16.7 Tax Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from, or in respect of, each payment made to Executive under this Agreement such amount as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of applicable law relating to taxes. To the extent that amounts are so withheld or paid over to or deposited with the relevant governmental authority by the Company, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to Executive.

16.8 Section 409A.

	(a)		The parties intend that (1) each payment or installment of payments provided under this Agreement will be a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and (2) the payments will satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A of the Code, including those provided under Treasury Regulations 1.409A-1(b)(4) (regarding short-term deferrals), 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) (regarding the two-times, two-year exception), and 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v) (regarding reimbursements and other separation pay). Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, if (x) on the date the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates or at such other time that is relevant under Section 409A of the Code, the Company determines that Executive is a “specified employee” (as such term is defined under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(i)(1)) of the Company and (y) the Company determines that any payments to be provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement are or may become subject to the additional tax under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code or any other taxes or penalties imposed under Section 409A of the Code if provided at the time otherwise required under this Agreement, then such payments will be delayed until the date that is six months after the date of the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company or, if earlier, the date of the Executive’s death. Any payments delayed pursuant to this Section 16.8(a) will be made in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive’s termination of employment or, if earlier, the date of the Executive’s death, and any remaining payments required to be made under this Agreement will be paid upon the schedule otherwise applicable to such payments under this Agreement.

	(b)		Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, a termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of “deferred compensation” (as such term is defined in Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “separation,” “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”

	(c)		Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Section 409A of the Code.

	(d)		For the avoidance of doubt, any payment due under this Agreement within a period following the Executive’s termination of employment or other event, shall be made on a date during such period as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

	(e)		It is intended that this Agreement, to the extent practicable, comply and be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, and the Company shall, as necessary, adopt such conforming amendments as are necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code without reducing the benefits payable hereunder without the express written consent of Executive.

	(f)		To the extent that any reimbursement, fringe benefit or other similar plan or arrangement in which Executive participates during the term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement or thereafter provides for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, (1) the amount eligible for reimbursement or payment under such plan or arrangement in one calendar year may not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement or payment in any other calendar year (except that a plan providing medical or health benefits may impose a generally applicable limit on the amount that may be reimbursed or paid); (2) subject to any shorter time periods provided herein or the applicable plans or arrangements, any reimbursement or payment of an expense under such plan or arrangement must be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred; and (3) any such reimbursement or payment may not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, all in accordance with Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) of the Treasury Regulations.

	(g)		By accepting this Agreement, Executive hereby agrees and acknowledges that the Company does not make any representations with respect to the application of Section 409A of the Code to any tax, economic or legal consequences of any payments payable to Executive hereunder. Additionally, by the acceptance of this Agreement, Executive acknowledges that (1) Executive has obtained independent tax advice regarding the application of Section 409A of the Code to the payments due to Executive hereunder; (2) Executive retains full responsibility for the potential application of Section 409A of the Code to the tax and legal consequences of payments payable to Executive hereunder; and (3) the Company shall not indemnify or otherwise compensate Executive for any violation of Section 409A of the Code that may occur in connection with this Agreement.

	(h)		Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, in the event that Executive’s “separation from service” occurs in connection with an exit incentive program or

other employment termination program offered to a group or class of employees, as defined under the Older Worker Benefit Protection Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 626, the Severance Delay Period shall mean the period beginning the termination of Executive’s employment and ending on the 60th day thereafter.

16.9 Notices.

All notices and all other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and delivered personally to the other designated party, or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or delivered by a recognized national overnight courier service, or sent by facsimile, as follows:


		If to Company to:		Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
				Attn: Chief Legal Officer
				P.O. Box 787
				305 Hartmann Drive
				Lebanon, TN 37088-0787
				Facsimile: (615) 443-9818

		If to Executive to:		Executive’s most recent address on file with the Company

All notices sent under this Agreement shall be deemed given 24 hours after having been sent by facsimile or courier, 72 hours after having been sent by certified or registered mail and when delivered if delivered personally. Either party hereto may change the address to which notice is to be sent hereunder by written notice to the other party in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.9.

16.10 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee (without giving effect to any conflict of law principles that would require the application of any other laws).

16.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the full and complete understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein and this Agreement supersedes and replaces any prior agreement, either oral or written, which Executive may have with the Company that relates generally to the same subject matter including, without limitation, as of the Effective Date, the Prior Employment Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the termination of the Prior Employment Agreement shall be without prejudice to Executive’s rights under Sections 4.3.1 and 4.3.2 of the Employment Agreement between the Company and Executive, dated as of October 30, 2008, which provisions (and any awards made pursuant to those provisions) shall remain in full force and effect.

16.12 Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by Executive without the prior written consent of the Company, and any attempted assignment not in accordance herewith shall be null and void and of no force or effect. Executive may not pledge, encumber or assign any payments or benefits due hereunder, by operation of law or otherwise. The Company may assign its rights, together with its obligations, under this Agreement to any third party in connection

with any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of its business, provided, that no such assignment will relieve the Company from its obligations hereunder.

16.13 Severability. If any one or more of the terms, provisions, covenants or restrictions set forth in this Agreement shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, then the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth in this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and to that end the provisions hereof shall be deemed severable.

16.14 Section Headings. The Section headings set forth herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement whatsoever.

16.15 Interpretation. Should a provision of this Agreement require judicial interpretation, it is agreed that the judicial body interpreting or construing this Agreement shall not apply the assumption that the terms hereof shall be more strictly construed against one party by reason of the rule of construction that an instrument is to be construed more strictly against the party which itself or through its agents prepared the agreement, it being agreed that all parties and/or their agents have participated in the preparation hereof.

16.16 Mediation. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this Section 16.16, the following provisions shall apply to disputes between the Company and Executive: (1) arising out of or related to this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claim that any part of this agreement is invalid, illegal or otherwise void or voidable), or (2) the employment relationship that exists between the Company and Executive:

	(a)		The parties shall first use their best efforts to discuss and negotiate a resolution of the dispute.

	(b)		If efforts to negotiate a resolution do not succeed within five business days after a written request for negotiation has been made, a party may submit the dispute to mediation by sending a letter to the other party requesting mediation. The dispute shall be mediated by a mediator agreeable to the parties or, if the parties cannot agree to a mediator, by a mediator selected by the American Arbitration Association. If the parties cannot agree to a mediator within five business days, either party may submit the dispute to the American Arbitration Association for the appointment of a mediator. Mediation shall commence within ten business days after the mediator has been named.

	(c)		The provisions of this Section 16.16 shall not apply to any dispute relating to the ability of the Company to terminate Executive’s employment pursuant to Article 5 (Termination for Cause) or Article 9 (Termination Without Cause) of this Agreement nor shall they apply to any action by the Company seeking to enforce its rights arising out of or related to the provisions of Article 13 of this Agreement.

16.17 Voluntary Agreement. Executive and the Company hereby represent and agree that each has reviewed all aspects of this Agreement, has carefully read and fully understands all provisions of this Agreement, and is voluntarily entering into this Agreement. Each party

Addendum to Employment

Agreement with Michael A. Woodhouse

RELEASE

THIS RELEASE (this “Release”) is made and entered into by and between Michael A. Woodhouse (“Employee”) and CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC. and its successor or assigns (the “Company”).

WHEREAS, Employee and the Company have agreed that Employee’s employment with the Company shall terminate on ___________________;

WHEREAS, Employee and the Company have previously entered into that certain Employment Agreement, dated September 12, 2011 (the “Agreement”), and this Release is incorporated therein by reference;

WHEREAS, Employee and the Company desire to delineate their respective rights, duties and obligations attendant to such termination and desire to reach an accord and satisfaction of all claims arising from Employee’s employment, and his termination of employment, with appropriate releases, in accordance with the Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Company desires to compensate Employee in accordance with the Agreement for service he has or will provide for the Company;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements of the parties set forth in this Release, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby covenant and agree as follows:

1. Claims Released Under This Agreement. In exchange for receiving the severance benefits described in Article 8 (Termination of Employment by Executive), Article 9 (Termination Without Cause) or Article 10 (Change in Control) of the Agreement and except as provided in Section 2 below, Employee hereby voluntarily and irrevocably waives, releases, dismisses with prejudice, and withdraws all claims, complaints, suits or demands of any kind whatsoever (whether known or unknown) which Employee ever had, may have, or now has against the Company and other current or former subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company and their past, present and future officers, directors, employees, agents, insurers and attorneys, arising out of or relating to (directly or indirectly) Employee’s employment or the termination of his employment with the Company, including but not limited to:

(a)

claims for violations of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act of 1990, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Family and Medical Leave Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the

			Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Labor Management Relations Act, Executive Order 11246, Executive Order 11141, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Tennessee Human Rights Act, the Tennessee Employment of the Handicapped Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, or any other law relating to discrimination or retaliation in employment (in each case, as amended);

	(b)		claims for violations of any other federal or state statute or regulation or local ordinance;

	(c)		claims for lost or unpaid wages, compensation, or benefits, defamation, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, assault, battery, wrongful or constructive discharge, negligent hiring, retention or supervision, misrepresentation, conversion, tortious interference, breach of contract, or breach of fiduciary duty;

	(d)		claims to benefits under any bonus, severance, workforce reduction, early retirement, outplacement, or any other similar type plan sponsored by the Company; or

	(e)		any other claims under state law arising in tort or contract.

2. Claims Not Released Under This Agreement. In signing this Release, Employee is not releasing any claims that may arise under the terms of the Agreement that (a) enforce his rights under the Agreement, (b) arise out of events occurring after the date Employee executes this Release, (c) arise under any written non-employment related contractual obligations between the Company or its affiliates and Employee which have not terminated as of the execution date of this Release by their express terms, (d) arise under a policy or policies of insurance (including director and officer liability insurance) maintained by the Company or its affiliates on behalf of Employee, or (e) relate to any indemnification obligations to Employee under the Company’s bylaws, certificate of incorporation, Tennessee law or otherwise. However, Employee understands and acknowledges that nothing herein is intended to or shall be construed to require the Company to institute or continue in effect any particular plan or benefit sponsored by the Company and the Company hereby reserves the right to amend or terminate any of its benefit programs at any time in accordance with the procedures set forth in such plans. Nothing in this Release shall prohibit Employee from engaging in protected activities under applicable law or from communicating, either voluntarily or otherwise, with any governmental agency concerning any potential violation of law.

3. No Assignment of Claim. Employee hereby represents that he has not assigned or transferred, or purported to assign or transfer, any claims or any portion thereof or interest therein to any party prior to the date of this Release.

4. No Admission Of Liability. This Release shall not in any way be construed as an admission by the Company or Employee of any improper actions or liability whatsoever as to one another, and each specifically disclaims any liability to or improper actions against the other

or any other person, on the part of itself or himself, its or his representatives, employees or agents.

5. Voluntary Execution. Employee hereby warrants, represents and agrees that (a) he has been encouraged in writing to seek advice from anyone of his choosing regarding this Release, including his attorney and accountant or tax advisor prior to his signing it; (b) this Release represents written notice to do so; (c) he has been given the opportunity and sufficient time to seek such advice; and (d) he fully understands the meaning and contents of this Release. He further represents and warrants that he was not coerced, threatened or otherwise forced to sign this Release, and that his signature appearing hereinafter is voluntary and genuine. EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS THAT HE MAY TAKE UP TO 21 DAYS TO CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT HE DESIRES TO ENTER INTO THIS RELEASE.

6. Ability to Revoke Agreement. EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS THAT HE MAY REVOKE THIS RELEASE BY NOTIFYING THE COMPANY IN WRITING OF SUCH REVOCATION WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF HIS EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE AND THAT THIS RELEASE IS NOT EFFECTIVE UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF SUCH SEVEN-DAY PERIOD. HE UNDERSTANDS THAT UPON THE EXPIRATION OF SUCH SEVEN-DAY PERIOD THIS RELEASE WILL BE BINDING UPON HIM AND HIS HEIRS, ADMINISTRATORS, REPRESENTATIVES, EXECUTORS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS AND WILL BE IRREVOCABLE.


	Acknowledged and Agreed To: “COMPANY” CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.
	By:
		Its:
		Date:

I UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING THIS RELEASE, I AM GIVING UP RIGHTS I MAY HAVE. I UNDERSTAND THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO SIGN THIS RELEASE.

“EMPLOYEE”

Michael A. Woodhouse

Date: ___________________________


CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.
By:	/s/ Sandra B. Cochran
	Name:	Sandra B. Cochran
	Title:	President and Chief Executive Officer

“EXECUTIVE”
/s/ Michael A. Woodhouse
Michael A. Woodhouse