2. Stock-Based Compensation:

The Company compensates its officers, directors, and employees with stock-based compensation under the stock plan approved by the Company’s shareholders in 2011, and administered under the supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors. During fiscal year 2013, the Company’s shareholders approved a 1.3 million increase in the number of shares that can be issued under the 2011 stock plan, bringing the aggregate total to 2.3 million. During the years ended September 27, 2014, September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, the Company awarded stock options and restricted stock units under the 2011 plan. During the years ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, the Company awarded restricted stock grants under the 2011 plan. At September 27, 2014, a total of 1,288,160 shares were available for future grant under the 2011 plan. Shares will be available for issuance under the 2011 stock plan until January 31, 2018.

During the fiscal year ended October 1, 2011, the Company's shareholders approved a 2012 Employee Stock Purchase Program (“ESPP”) which was effective on January 1, 2012. The 2002 ESPP expired, and no further share issuances occurred after December 31, 2011. During the years ended September 27, 2014, September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, the Company issued shares of its common stock to participants under the 2012 ESPP. At September 27, 2014, a total of 703,890 shares were available for ESPP share issuances under the 2012 stock plan. Shares will be available for issuance under the 2012 ESPP until December 31, 2021.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense for the fiscal years ended September 27, 2014, September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):



		2014		2013		2012

Stock-based compensation expense by type of award:
Employee stock options	$	2,769	$	1,811	$	1,599
Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)		212		199		184
Restricted stock and restricted stock units		3,073		1,653		1,650
Amounts capitalized as inventory		(1,608)		(806)		(742)
Amounts recognized in income for amounts previously
capitalized as inventory		1,315		879		681

Total stock-based compensation included in income
from operations		5,761		3,736		3,372
Income tax benefit on stock-based compensation		(1,999)		(1,277)		(1,161)
Net compensation expense included in net income	$	3,762	$	2,459	$	2,211

At September 27, 2014, there was $2.9 million of total stock option expense related to non-vested awards not yet recognized, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.1 years. At September 27, 2014, there was $2.9 million and $0.1 million of total restricted stock expense related to non-vested awards of restricted stock units and restricted stock, respectively, not yet recognized, each of which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.1 years.

The fair value of stock options granted under stock-based compensation programs has been estimated as of the date of each grant using the multiple option form of the Black-Scholes valuation model, based on the grant price and assumptions regarding the expected grant life, stock price volatility, dividends, and risk-free interest rates. Each vesting period of an option award is valued separately, with this value being recognized evenly over the vesting period. The weighted average per share fair value of stock options granted during the fiscal years ended September 27, 2014, September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012 was $14.32, $10.25 and $8.36, respectively. The weighted average assumptions used to determine fair value of stock options granted during those fiscal years were as follows:



	2014		2013		2012
Expected life (in years)	4.1		3.1		3.5
Risk-free interest rate	1.1	%	0.4	%	0.5	%
Expected volatility	31.3	%	33.8	%	34.5	%
Dividend yield	1.8	%	2.3	%	2.5	%

The expected life represents the period that the stock option awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on historical and anticipated future exercise and expiration patterns. The risk-free interest rate used is based on the yield of constant maturity U.S. Treasury bonds on the grant date with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the grant. The Company estimates stock price volatility based on a historical weekly price observation. The dividend yield assumption is based on the annualized current dividend divided by the share price on the grant date.

Awards of both restricted stock and restricted stock units are valued based on the market value of the Company’s shares at the date of grant. The value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is allocated to expense evenly over the restricted period. Employee stock purchase plan share awards are valued based on the value of the discount feature plus the fair value of the optional features, which is determined as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The value of these share awards is allocated to expense evenly over each purchase period.

Stock Options

Stock options are granted at exercise prices equal to the closing market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Generally, options vest proportionally on the first three anniversaries of the grant date and expire five years from the grant date.

Stock option activity for the fiscal years ended September 27, 2014, September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012 was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):



	2014			2013			2012
	Shares		WAEP*	Shares		WAEP*	Shares		WAEP*
Options outstanding at beginning of year	518	$	39.52	754	$	36.84	1,048	$	35.80
Granted	355	$	65.34	24	$	52.81	324	$	40.14
Exercised	(182)	$	37.01	(243)	$	32.51	(491)	$	35.17
Forfeited or expired	(57)	$	51.45	(17)	$	39.21	(127)	$	43.79
Options outstanding at end of year	634	$	53.72	518	$	39.52	754	$	36.84
Options eligible for exercise at year-end	194	$	40.36	226	$	36.45	249	$	31.02
*Weighted Average Exercise Price

Prior to the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013 the Company’s historical practice was to grant an annual Company-wide award of stock options to officers and employees in July. The timing of the Company-wide award was changed from July to December beginning in December 2013 and for each subsequent fiscal year thereafter so that the grants will be aligned with a review of individual and Company performance. As a consequence of this timing shift, the only stock option awards granted during the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013 were related to inducement grants for a new officer as well as other new employees. During fiscal year 2014 the annual grant was adjusted to make grantees whole as a result the delay in the fiscal year 2013 grant.

Options outstanding at September 27, 2014 had a weighted average remaining contractual term of 4.3 years, and an aggregate intrinsic value of $9.6 million. Options eligible for exercise at September 27, 2014 had a weighted average remaining contractual term of 2.2 years, and an aggregate intrinsic value of $5.5 million.

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the fiscal years ended September 27, 2014, September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012 was $5.8 million, $6.2 million and $5.8 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock

The Company awards directors and key employees restricted stock units. Directors vest in the restricted stock units over one year, and they are entitled to cash dividend equivalents on unvested shares, but they do not receive voting right on the unvested shares and the sale and transfer of these units is restricted during the vesting period. Restricted stock units awarded to employees vest over three years and participants are not entitled to cash dividends and voting rights on unvested units. Additionally, in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 the Company awarded restricted stock to its directors also with a vesting period of three years. For restricted stock awarded to directors, participants are entitled to cash dividends and voting rights on unvested shares, but the sale and transfer of these shares is restricted during the vesting period.

Restricted stock activity for the fiscal years ended September 27, 2014, September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012 was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):



	2014			2013			2012
	Shares		WAGDFV*	Shares		WAGDFV*	Shares		WAGDFV*
Unvested shares at beginning of year	24	$	51.68	27	$	41.52	30	$	33.61
Granted	-	$	-	12	$	56.44	12	$	49.03
Vested	(14)	$	49.71	(15)	$	37.20	(15)	$	31.26
Forfeited	(1)	$	53.99	-	$	-	-	$	-
Unvested shares at end of year	9	$	54.16	24	$	51.68	27	$	41.52
*Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

Restricted stock unit activity for the fiscal years ended September 27, 2014, September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012 was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):



	2014			2013			2012
	Shares		WAGDFV*	Shares		WAGDFV*	Shares		WAGDFV*
Outstanding at beginning of year	38	$	40.91	62	$	38.90	37	$	33.37
Granted	88	$	63.86	3	$	55.38	60	$	39.26
Vested	(17)	$	41.01	(26)	$	37.61	(26)	$	32.68
Forfeited	(11)	$	50.10	(1)	$	40.79	(9)	$	29.90
Outstanding at end of year	98	$	60.51	38	$	40.91	62	$	38.90
*Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

Prior to the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013 the Company’s historical practice was to grant an annual Company-wide award of restricted stock units to officers and employees in July. The timing of the Company-wide award was changed from July to December so that the grants will be aligned with a review of individual and Company performance. As a consequence of this timing shift, the only restricted stock units granted during the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013 were related to inducement grants for a new officer as well as other new employees.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company’s U.S. employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). Employee purchases of Company stock are funded by payroll deductions over calendar six-month periods. The purchase price is 85% of the lower of the market price at either the beginning or end of the six-month period. The shares are required to be held by the employee for at least eighteen months subsequent to the purchase. Two purchase periods closed in fiscal year 2014 with the combined issuance of 16,295 shares at a weighted average price of $53.01. In fiscal years 2013 and 2012, purchases were 19,937 and 18,734 shares, respectively, with weighted average share prices of $37.68 and $33.65, respectively.