-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Hdj+Ve8Q31nb5FE8r9MEAdtLu2VdB1TYT1oaM4bFZeSYdnH648NYhBE7VEgzmV1F jrpmhocJolFNNu7NCd2+3A== 0001193125-07-080651.txt : 20070413 0001193125-07-080651.hdr.sgml : 20070413 20070413142326 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-07-080651 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20070412 ITEM INFORMATION: Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20070413 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070413 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PANTRY INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000915862 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-AUTO DEALERS & GASOLINE STATIONS [5500] IRS NUMBER: 561574463 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-25813 FILM NUMBER: 07765481 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1801 DOUGLAS DR STREET 2: PO BOX 1410 CITY: SANFORD STATE: NC ZIP: 27330 BUSINESS PHONE: 9197746700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1801 DOUGLAS DR STREET 2: PO BOX 1410 CITY: SANFORD STATE: NC ZIP: 27330 8-K 1 d8k.htm FORM 8-K Form 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 12, 2007

 


THE PANTRY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


Commission File Number: 000-25813

 

Delaware   56-1574463
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

1801 Douglas Drive

Sanford, North Carolina

27330-1410

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (919) 774-6700

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

On April 12, 2007, Daniel J. Kelly, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, notified The Pantry, Inc. (the “Company”) of his desire to resign from his positions with the Company and his willingness to assist the Company in the transition necessitated by his resignation. Mr. Kelly’s resignation is for personal reasons. In connection with his notification to the Company of his desire to resign, Mr. Kelly and the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) which supersedes his prior employment agreement with the Company dated May 2, 2003. The term of employment under the Agreement is for the period commencing on April 12, 2007 and terminating on November 30, 2007.

Pursuant to the Agreement, Mr. Kelly will continue to serve as Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer until the Company hires a successor Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Once the Company does hire such a successor, Mr. Kelly will remain employed pursuant to the Agreement but will assume the title of Consultant to the Company. His annual salary pursuant to the Agreement will remain unchanged at $290,000. In addition, Mr. Kelly is entitled to participate in any incentive program made available to employees of the Company at his level, provided, however, that in the 2007 fiscal year, his total award target under the Company’s Incentive Compensation Plan (“Plan”) for that year will be prorated to reflect the number of days in that year that he was employed by the Company, and any award for that year will be paid as provided in the Plan without regard to whether he is employed by the Company on the payment date. Additionally, Mr. Kelly will be eligible to participate in all medical, dental, disability, insurance, 401(k), pension, vacation and other employee benefit plans and programs made available from time to time to Company employees at his level.

Mr. Kelly will also receive a Stay Bonus of $50,000 if he remains actively employed with the Company until November 30, 2007. If the Company terminates his employment prior to that date without Cause (as defined below), then Mr. Kelly will be entitled to the entire amount of the Stay Bonus, payable in a lump sum on the date of his termination.

If Mr. Kelly’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or if Mr. Kelly terminates his employment without Cause, the Company’s obligation to compensate him will cease on the effective date of termination except for amounts due at the date of termination. If the Company terminates Mr. Kelly’s employment during the term of the Agreement without Cause, then, in addition to amounts due Mr. Kelly on the effective date of termination, Mr. Kelly will be entitled to receive severance pay equal to (i) the amount of salary to which he would have been entitled for the remaining term of the Agreement and (ii) $10,000 per month for the twelve (12) months following November 30, 2007. If his employment is terminated because of death, the Company will pay to his estate his then current monthly salary until November 30, 2007. If Mr. Kelly is terminated because of Disability (as defined in the Agreement), the Company will continue to pay his then current monthly salary until the earlier of November 30, 2007 or the date on which he begins receiving long-term disability insurance benefits in accordance with the Company’s long-term disability plan.

For purposes of the Agreement, “Cause” is defined to mean:

 

   

willful and continued failure by Mr. Kelly to substantially perform his duties;

 

   

insubordination in responding to any specific, reasonable instructions from the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors;

 

   

conduct by Mr. Kelly which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise; or

 

   

conviction of Mr. Kelly or entry of plea of guilty or nolo contendere by Mr. Kelly to any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony.

If Mr. Kelly’s employment is terminated prior to November 30, 2007 following a Change in Control (as defined below) either by the Company without Cause, or for the willful and continued failure by Mr. Kelly to substantially perform his duties, or by Mr. Kelly for Good Reason (as defined below), he would receive salary


continuation and health insurance for a period of 24 months from the termination date or until such time as he engages in other employment, after which he will be entitled to receive the difference, if any, between his previous salary with the Company and his new salary.

A “Change in Control” will occur if:

 

   

any “person” (which could include two or more persons acting as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group), other than (i) the Company, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under one of the Company’s employee benefit plans (iii) a company owned by the Company’s stockholders or (iv) the existing holders of the Company’s common stock, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined under the federal securities laws) of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the Company’s outstanding voting power;

 

   

the Company consummates certain mergers or consolidations; or

 

   

the Company is liquidated or it sells or disposes of all or substantially all of its assets.

“Good Reason” includes:

 

   

an adverse alteration in the nature of Mr. Kelly’s position or responsibility;

 

   

a reduction in Mr. Kelly’s annual base salary;

 

   

moving Mr. Kelly more than 50 miles from his current location;

 

   

the failure to pay the Mr. Kelly any portion of his current compensation or compensation under any deferred compensation program within seven days of the due date;

 

   

the failure to provide Mr. Kelly with benefits substantially similar to those enjoyed by him under any Company plans that he was participating in at the time of a Change in Control; or

 

   

the failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform the Agreement.

The Agreement contains other terms and provisions that are customary for employment agreements of this nature, including a covenant prohibiting Mr. Kelly from, during his employment and for twelve (12) months following the termination of his employment, soliciting the Company’s employees for employment.

The description of the Agreement contained herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

A copy of the press release announcing Mr. Kelly’s resignation is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.  

Description of Exhibit

10.1   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Daniel J. Kelly and the Company
99.1   Press Release dated April 13, 2007


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.

 

 

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

By:

 

/s/ Peter J. Sodini

   

Peter J. Sodini

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: April 13, 2007


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.  

Description of Exhibit

10.1   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Daniel J. Kelly and the Company
99.1   Press Release dated April 13, 2007
EX-10.1 2 dex101.htm AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT Amended and Restated Employment Agreement

Exhibit 10.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into by THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”) and Daniel J. Kelly (the “Employee”). The Corporation and Employee may be referred to herein as “the Parties.”

WHEREAS, the Parties are parties to an Employment Agreement dated May 2, 2003; and

WHEREAS, Employee has expressed a desire to resign from his current position as Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer with the Corporation and a willingness to remain employed with the Corporation under the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the Corporation and Employee have agreed to supercede his existing Employment Agreement with this Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth below and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which the parties acknowledge, the Corporation and Employee agree as follows:

1. PRIOR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT IS SUPERCEDED BY THIS AGREEMENT. The Parties agree that this Agreement supercedes in all respects Employee’s Employment Agreement with the Corporation dated May 2, 2003.

2. EMPLOYMENT. The Corporation employs Employee and Employee accepts employment on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

2.1 Employment as Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Employee shall initially serve as Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer and have such responsibilities and authority as the Corporation may assign from time to time. Employee, at the Corporation’s discretion, may be reassigned or transferred to different units or locations.

2.2 Employment as Consultant. Employee acknowledges that, because of his expressed desire to resign, the Corporation will recruit a person to assume the duties of the position of Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (“Successor CFO”). Once a Successor CFO is hired to assume those duties, Employee will no longer have the title of Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer and will no longer be responsible for all of the duties of that position. Upon the Corporation’s hiring of a Successor CFO, Employee shall become Consultant for the Corporation and shall have such responsibilities and authority as the Corporation may assign from time to time.

2.3 Performance of Duties. Employee shall perform all duties and exercise all authority in accordance with, and otherwise comply with all Corporation policies, procedures, practices and directions.

2.4 No Other Business Activities. Employee shall devote all working time and best efforts to successfully perform his duties and advance the Corporation’s interests. During his employment, Employee shall not engage in any other business activities of any nature whatsoever (including board memberships) for which he receives compensation without the


Corporation’s prior consent; provided, however, this provision does not prohibit him from personally owning and trading in stocks, bonds, securities, real estate, commodities or other investment properties for his own benefit which do not create actual or potential conflicts of interest with the Corporation.

3. COMPENSATION.

3.1 Base Salary. Employee’s annual salary shall remain unchanged at $290,000, less applicable withholdings. Employee’s salary shall be payable in accordance with the Corporation’s policies, procedures and practices as they may exist from time to time.

3.2 Bonus Programs and Stay Bonus. Employee may participate in any incentive program which may be made available from time to time to Corporation’s employees at Employee’s level; provided, however, that in the 2007 fiscal year, his total award target under the Incentive Compensation Plan for that year will be pro-rated to reflect the number of days in that year that he was employed by the Corporation, and any award for that year will be paid as provided in the Plan without regard to whether he is employed by the Corporation on the payment date.

Employee will receive a Stay Bonus of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) if he remains actively employed with the Corporation until the expiration of this Agreement, November 30, 2007. If the Corporation should terminate his employment prior to that date without Cause (as defined herein), then Employee shall be entitled to the entire amount of the Stay Bonus, payable in a lump sum on the date of termination.

3.3 Benefits. Employee may participate in all medical, dental, disability, insurance, 401(k), pension, vacation and other employee benefit plans and programs which may be made available from time to time to Corporation employees at Employee’s level; provided, however, that Employee’s participation is subject to the applicable terms, conditions and eligibility requirements of these plans and programs, some of which are within the plan administrator’s discretion, as they may exist from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall be entitled to three (3) weeks of annual vacation and, thereafter, vacation shall be in accordance with the Corporation’s policies and programs. Subject to applicable state law, accrued, unused vacation may not be carried over from year to year.

3.4 Benefit Plans Subject to Amendment. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Corporation to create, continue or refrain from amending, modifying, revising or revoking any of the plans, programs or benefits set forth in Sections 3.2 and 3.3. Employee acknowledges that the Corporation, in its sole discretion, may amend, modify, revise or revoke any such plans, programs or benefits. Any amendments, modifications, revisions and revocations of these plans, programs and benefits shall apply to Employee. Nothing in this Agreement shall afford Employee any greater rights or benefits with regard to these plans, programs and benefits than are afforded to him under their applicable terms, conditions and eligibility requirements, some of which are within the plan administrator’s discretion, as they may exist from time to time.

3.5 Offset for Disability Payments. If at any time during which Employee is receiving salary or post-termination payments from the Corporation, he receives payments on account of mental or physical disability from any Corporation-provided plan, then the Corporation, in its discretion, may reduce his salary or post-termination payments by the amount of such disability payments.


4. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT AND TERMINATION. The term of employment under this Agreement shall commence on April 12, 2007 and shall terminate on November 30, 2007, subject to the following provisions:

4.1 Without Cause. The employment relationship hereunder shall be terminated without cause thirty (30) days after either the Corporation or the Employee gives written notice of such termination to the other party.

4.2 With Cause. The Corporation may terminate Employee’s employment immediately without notice at any time for the following reasons which shall constitute “Cause”: (i) the willful and continued failure by Employee to substantially perform his duties with the Corporation; (ii) Employee’s insubordination in responding to any specific, reasonable instructions from either the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors; (iii) conduct by the Employee which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Corporation, monetarily or otherwise; or (iv) the conviction of Employee of, or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by Employee to, any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony. Prior to a termination pursuant to Section 4.3(i), Employee shall be given written notice of the manner in which he has failed to perform and a thirty (30) day opportunity to cure such failure.

4.3 Death or Disability. The Corporation may terminate Employee’s employment without notice in the event of Employee’s death or “Disability” which shall mean Employee’s physical or mental inability to perform the essential functions of his duties with or without reasonable accommodation for a period of 180 consecutive days or 180 days in total within a 365-day period as determined by the Corporation in its reasonable discretion and in accordance with applicable law.

4.4 Survival. Section 5 (Compensation Upon Termination), Section 6 (Competitive Business Activities, Trade Secrets, Confidential Information and Corporation Property) and Section 7 (Change in Control) shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement, regardless of the reasons for such expiration or termination, until the obligations set forth therein have been satisfied.

5. COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION.

5.1 By Corporation For Cause or Employee Without Cause. If Employee’s employment is terminated by the Corporation for Cause or by Employee without cause, the Corporation’s obligation to compensate Employee ceases on the effective termination date except as to amounts due at that time.

5.2 By Corporation Without Cause. If the Corporation terminates Employee’s employment without Cause prior to November 30, 2007, then Employee shall be entitled to receive: (i) amounts due on the effective termination date; (ii) an amount (less applicable withholdings) equal to Employee’s then current monthly salary for the then remaining term of this Agreement, payable in accordance with the Corporation’s regular payroll periods or, at the Corporation’s option, as a lump sum; and (iii) Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) (less applicable withholdings) each month for twelve (12) months following November 30, 2007, payable in accordance with the Corporation’s regular payroll periods or, at the Corporation’s option, as a lump sum. During the twelve (12) month period following November 30, 2007, if Employee accepts employment or a consultancy with another entity or becomes self-employed, then he must notify the Corporation before such employment or consultancy begins and the payments made pursuant to Section 5.2(iii) shall be reduced by the amount of compensation to be paid to


him in connection with such employment, consultancy or self-employment. If Employee does not notify the Corporation in accordance with this provision, then its obligation to make payments or further payments pursuant to Section 5.2(iii) shall cease.

5.3 Death or Disability. If Employee’s employment is terminated because of Employee’s death, then the Corporation shall pay to the estate of Employee the then-current monthly salary (less applicable withholdings) each month until November 30, 2007. If Employee’s employment is terminated because of Disability, then the Corporation shall continue to pay Employee his then-current monthly salary (less applicable withholdings) until the earlier of: (i) November 30, 2007; or, (ii) the date on which Employee begins receiving long term disability insurance benefits in accordance with the Corporation’s long term disability plan.

5.4 Expiration of this Agreement. If this Agreement is not earlier terminated pursuant to Section 5.1, 5.2 or 5.3, then, upon the expiration of the term of this Agreement, November 30, 2007, Employee shall be entitled to receive Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) (less applicable withholdings) each month for twelve (12) months, payable in accordance with the Corporation’s regular payroll periods, or, at the Corporation’s option, in a lump sum. During the twelve (12) month period following November 30, 2007, if Employee accepts employment or a consultancy with another entity or becomes self-employed, then he must notify the Corporation before such employment or consultancy begins and the payments made pursuant to this Section 5.4 shall be reduced by the amount of compensation to be paid to him in connection with such employment, consultancy or self-employment. If Employee does not notify the Corporation in accordance with this provision, then its obligation to make payments or further payments pursuant to this Section 5.4 shall cease

5.5 Severance Pursuant to Agreement.

The Corporation’s obligation to provide the payments under Sections 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 (except in the event of termination because of Employee’s death) is conditioned upon Employee’s execution of an enforceable release of all claims and his compliance with Section 6 hereof (specifically including the return of all Corporation property). The required release shall contain a non-disparagement clause. If Employee chooses not to execute such a release or fails to comply with Section 6 of this Agreement, then the Corporation’s obligation to compensate him ceases on the effective termination date except as to amounts due at that time.

Employee is not entitled to receive any compensation or benefits upon his termination except as: (i) set forth in this Agreement; (ii) otherwise required by law; or (iii) otherwise required by any employee benefit plan in which he participates; provided, however, that the terms and conditions afforded Employee under this Agreement are in lieu of any severance benefits to which he otherwise might be entitled pursuant to a severance plan, policy or practice. Nothing in this Agreement, however, is intended to waive or supplant any death, disability, retirement, 401(k) or pension benefits to which Employee may be entitled under employee benefit plans in which Employee participates.

6. COMPETITIVE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES, TRADE SECRETS, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND CORPORATION PROPERTY. Employee acknowledges that by virtue of Employee’s employment and position with the Corporation, Employee (i) has or will have access to trade secrets and Confidential Information (as defined in Section 6.2.2) of the Corporation including valuable information about its business operations and entities with whom it does business in various locations, and (ii) has developed or will develop relationships with parties with whom it does business in various locations. Employee also acknowledges that the trade secrets,


Confidential Information and Competitive Business Activities provisions set forth in this Agreement are reasonably necessary to protect the Corporation’s legitimate business interests, are reasonable as to the time, territory and scope of activities which are restricted, do not interfere with public policy or public interest and are described with sufficient accuracy and definiteness to enable him to understand the scope of the restrictions imposed on him.

6.1 Competitive Business Activities. Without the Corporation’s prior written approval, during Employee’s employment and for twelve (12) months following the termination of Employee’s employment regardless of the reason therefor, Employee will not directly or indirectly, request or induce any other employee of the Corporation to: (i) terminate employment with the Corporation, or (ii) accept employment with another business entity, or (iii) become engaged in the convenience store business in competition with the Corporation.

6.2 Trade Secrets; Confidential Information.

6.2.1 Employee hereby covenants and agrees not to use or disclose any Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) or trade secrets except to authorized representatives of the Corporation or except as required by any governmental or judicial authority; provided, however, that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to items that, through no fault of Employee’s, have entered the public domain.

6.2.2 Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means any data or information with respect to the business conducted by the Corporation, other than trade secrets, that is material to the Corporation and not generally known by the public. To the extent consistent with the foregoing definition, Confidential Information includes without limitation: (A) reports, pricing, sales manuals and training manuals, selling and pricing procedures, and financing methods of the Corporation, together with any techniques utilized by the Corporation in designing, developing, manufacturing, testing or marketing its products or in performing services for clients, customers and accounts of the Corporation; and (B) the business plans, financial statements, reports and projections of the Corporation, and the Corporation’s prospective strategic or expansion plans.

6.2.3 Corporation Property. Employee acknowledges that all trade secrets and Confidential Information are and shall remain the sole, exclusive and valuable property of the Corporation and that Employee has and shall acquire no right, title or interest therein. Any and all printed, typed, written and other material which Employee may have or obtain with respect to trade secrets or Confidential Information (including without limitation all copyrights therein) shall be and remain the exclusive property of the Corporation, and any and all such material (including any copies) and all other Corporation property shall, upon request of the Corporation, be promptly delivered by Employee to the Corporation.

6.3 Other Agreements. Nothing in this Agreement shall terminate, revoke or diminish Employee’s obligations or the Corporation’s rights and remedies under law or any agreements relating to trade secrets, confidential information, or non-competition which Employee has executed in the past or may execute in the future or contemporaneously with this Agreement.

7. Change in Control.

7.1 Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall mean:

(A) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), other than: (i) the Corporation; (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Corporation; (iii) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Corporation; or (iv) the existing holders of capital stock of the Corporation as of the date hereof, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding securities; or


(B) the consummation of a merger, share exchange, consolidation or reorganization involving the Corporation and any other corporation or other entity as a result of which less than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Corporation or of the surviving or resulting corporation or entity after such transaction is held in the aggregate by the holders of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction; or

(C) the stockholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Corporation or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’ s assets.

7.2 Termination Following a Change in Control. After the occurrence of a Change in Control, Employee shall be entitled to receive payments and benefits pursuant to this Agreement if Employee’s employment is terminated following the Change in Control and prior to the expiration of the term of this Agreement either by the Corporation, without Cause, or with Cause as defined in Section 3.3(i) (failure to perform) hereof, or by Employee for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall exist for Employee to terminate his employment if Employee resigns within six (6) months of any of the following occurrences:

(A) the assignment to Employee of any duties inconsistent (except in the nature of a promotion) with the position in the Corporation that he held immediately prior to the Change in Control or a substantial adverse alteration in the nature or status of his position or responsibilities or the conditions of his employment from those in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;

(B) a reduction by the Corporation in Employee’s annual base salary;

(C) the Corporation’s requiring Employee to be based more than fifty (50) miles from the Corporation’s offices at which he was principally employed immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control;

(D) the failure by the Corporation to pay to Employee any portion of his current compensation or compensation under any deferred compensation program of the Corporation within seven (7) days of the date such compensation is due;


(E) the failure by the Corporation to continue in effect any compensation, welfare or benefit plan in which Employee is participating at the time of a Change in Control without substituting plans providing Employee with substantially similar or greater benefits, or the taking of any action by the Corporation which would adversely affect Employee’s participation in or materially reduce Employee’s benefits under any such plans or deprive Employee of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by Employee at the time of the Change in Control;

(F) the failure of the Corporation to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement.

7.3 Severance Pay and Benefits. If Employee’s employment with the Corporation terminates under circumstances as described in Section 7.2 above, Employee shall be entitled to receive all of the following:

(A) all accrued compensation through the termination date;

(B) a severance payment equal to Employee’s then current monthly salary for twenty-four (24) months (less applicable withholdings), payable in accordance with the Corporation’s regular payroll periods or, at the Corporation’s option, a lump sum. During the twenty-four (24) month period following termination, if Employee accepts employment or a consultancy with another entity or becomes self-employed, then he must notify the Corporation before such employment or consultancy begins and the payments made pursuant to this Section 7.3(B) shall be reduced by the amount of compensation to be paid to him in connection with such employment, consultancy or self-employment. If Employee does not notify the Corporation in accordance with this provision, then its obligation to make payments or further payments pursuant to this Section 7.3(B) shall cease;

(C) unless the Employee obtains comparable medical insurance coverage from a subsequent employer, then, for the twenty-four (24) months following the termination of Employee’s employment, he may continue to participate, to the extent permitted by the plan, in the medical insurance plan in which he participated on the effective termination of employment date. The Corporation will pay or, at the Corporation’s option, reimburse the Employee for the premiums actually paid, to continue coverage under the medical insurance plan during the period. In the event that the Employee is ineligible to participate in such medical insurance plan following termination of employment, the Corporation shall arrange to provide the Employee with substantially similar medical insurance benefits, at no greater cost to the Employee than the cost he paid for such benefits immediately prior to termination.

8. WAIVER OF BREACH. The Corporation’s or Employee’s waiver of any breach of a provision of this Agreement shall not waive any subsequent breach by the other party.

9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement: (i) supersedes all other understandings and agreements, oral or written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement; and (ii) constitutes the sole agreement between the parties with respect to this subject matter. Each party acknowledges that: (i) no representations, inducements, promises or agreements, oral or written, have been made by any party or by anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied in this Agreement; and (ii) no agreement, statement or promise not contained in this Agreement shall be valid. No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the parties unless such change or modification is in writing and is signed by the parties.


10. SEVERABILITY. If a court of competent jurisdiction holds that any provision or sub-part thereof contained in this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision in this Agreement. Additionally, if any of the provisions, clauses or phrases in the Competitive Business Activities, Trade Secrets, Confidential Information and Corporation Property provisions set forth in this Agreement are held unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the parties desire that they be “blue-penciled” or rewritten by the court to the extent necessary to render them enforceable.

11. PARTIES BOUND. The terms, provisions, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement shall apply to, be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Corporation’s successors and assigns. The Corporation, at its discretion, may assign this Agreement. Employee may not assign this Agreement without the Corporation’s prior written consent.

12. REMEDIES. Employee acknowledges that his breach of this Agreement would cause the Corporation irreparable harm for which damages would be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain and legal remedies would be inadequate. Therefore, in addition to any legal or other relief to which the Corporation may be entitled by virtue of the Employee’s breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, the Corporation may seek equitable relief, including but not limited to preliminary and injunctive relief, and such other available remedies.

13. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the employment relationship created by it shall be governed by North Carolina law without giving effect to North Carolina choice of law provisions.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have entered into this Agreement on the day and year written below.

 

/s/ Daniel J. Kelly

   

4/12/2007

Daniel J. Kelly

    Date

 

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

By:  

/s/ Peter J. Sodini

   

4/13/2007

  Peter J. Sodini     Date
EX-99.1 3 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

For Immediate Release    Contact: Selby Kewin
April 13, 2007    (919) 774-6700 ext. 5358

THE PANTRY, INC. ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION OF ITS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Sanford, North Carolina, April 13, 2007—The Pantry, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTRY), the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States, today announced that Daniel J. Kelly, its Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, notified the Board of Directors of The Pantry, Inc. (the “Company”) that he intends to resign from his positions with the Company.

Mr. Kelly stated, “It was a difficult decision, but for personal and health reasons and a desire to spend more time with my family, I decided to reduce my professional commitments.”

Commenting on Mr. Kelly’s resignation, Peter J. Sodini, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “We appreciate Dan’s financial leadership during his tenure with us and I have enjoyed working with him. We now undertake a search for a new CFO, and Dan has indicated he will be available until November 30, 2007 to help effect a smooth transition and to provide financial advice after the appointment of a new CFO. We thank him for his service and look forward to continuing to work with him in this process.”

About The Pantry

Headquartered in Sanford, North Carolina, The Pantry, Inc. is the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States and one of the largest independently operated convenience store chains in the country, with revenues for fiscal 2006 of approximately $6.0 billion. As of April 13, 2007, the Company operates over 1,600 stores in eleven states under select banners, including Kangaroo Express(SM), its primary operating banner. The Pantry’s stores offer a broad selection of merchandise, as well as gasoline and other ancillary services designed to appeal to the convenience needs of its customers.


Safe Harbor Statement

Statements made by the Company in this press release relating to future plans, events, or financial performance are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current plans and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to vary materially from the results and events anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any number of factors could affect actual results and events, including, without limitation, uncertainty regarding the timing and outcome of its search for a new CFO. These and other risk factors are discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on the Company’s estimates and plans as of April 13, 2007. While the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.

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