DEAN & DELUCA, INC.
1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN
AS ADOPTED ON NOVEMBER 29, 1999
1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN. The purposes of this Stock Option Plan are to
attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and
Consultants and to promote the success of the Company's business. Options
granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock
Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant. Stock Purchase
Rights may also be granted under the Plan.
2. DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) 'ADMINISTRATOR' means the Board or any of its Committees
as shall be administering the Plan in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
(b) 'APPLICABLE LAWS' means the requirements relating to the
administration of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S.
federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of
any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock Purchase Rights are
granted under the Plan.
(c) 'CAUSE' shall mean (a) an Optionee's willful engagement in
conduct which is injurious to the Company or any Subsidiary or gross negligence
or misconduct in the performance of Optionee's duties as determined by the Board
in its reasonable discretion, (b) an Optionee's theft or misappropriation of
funds of the Company or any Subsidiary, (c) an Optionee's conviction of, or plea
of nolo contendere to, a felony or, if involving moral turpitude, a misdemeanor
or (d) the Optionee's causing the Company or any Subsidiary to violate a
material local, state or federal law. If the Optionee has entered into an
employment agreement with the Company on or after the date of grant of an
Option, the Board in its discretion may substitute with respect to the Optionee
the definition of 'cause' set forth in such agreement for this definition.
(d) 'BOARD' means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) 'CODE' means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
(f) 'COMMITTEE' means a committee of Directors appointed by
the Board in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
(g) 'COMMON STOCK' means the Common Stock of the Company.
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(h) 'COMPANY' means Dean & Deluca, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
(i) 'CONSULTANT' means any person who is engaged by the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary to render consulting or advisory services to
such entity.
(j) 'DIRECTOR' means a member of the Board of Directors of the
Company.
(k) 'DISABILITY' means total and permanent disability as
defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(l) 'EMPLOYEE' means any person, including Officers and
Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A
Service Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave
of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor.
For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety (90)
days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute
or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by
the Company is not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive
Stock Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive
Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock
Option. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the
Company shall be sufficient to constitute 'EMPLOYMENT' by the Company.
(m) 'EXCHANGE ACT' means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
(n) 'FAIR MARKET VALUE' means, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established
stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the
Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market,
its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable;
(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair
Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the
Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination;
or
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by
the Administrator.
(o) 'INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION' means an Option intended to
qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Code.
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(p) 'NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION' means an Option not intended
to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(q) 'OFFICER' means a person who is an officer of the Company
within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
(r) 'OPTION' means a stock option granted pursuant to the
Plan.
(s) 'OPTION AGREEMENT' means a written or electronic agreement
between the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an
individual Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan.
(t) 'OPTION EXCHANGE PROGRAM' means a program whereby
outstanding Options are exchanged for Options with a lower exercise price.
(u) 'OPTIONED STOCK' means the Common Stock subject to an
Option or a Stock Purchase Right.
(v) 'OPTIONEE' means the holder of an outstanding Option or
Stock Purchase Right granted under the Plan.
(w) 'PARENT' means a 'PARENT CORPORATION,' whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(x) 'PLAN' means this 1999 Stock Option Plan.
(y) 'RESTRICTED STOCK' means shares of Common Stock acquired
pursuant to a grant of a Stock Purchase Right under Section 11 below.
(z) 'SECTION 16(B)' means Section 16(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(aa) 'SERVICE PROVIDER' means an Employee, Director or
Consultant.
(bb) 'SHARE' means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 12 below.
(cc) 'STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT' means a right to purchase Common
Stock pursuant to Section 11 below.
(dd) 'SUBSIDIARY' means a 'SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION,' whether
now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
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3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. Subject to the provisions of Section 12
of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to
option and sold under the Plan is 1,077,320 Shares. The Shares may be authorized
but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes unexercisable
without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an Option
Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become
available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated). However, Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan, upon
exercise of either an Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall not be returned to
the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan,
except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are repurchased by the Company at
their original purchase price, such Shares shall become available for future
grant under the Plan.
4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a Committee
appointed by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted to comply with
Applicable Laws.
(b) POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. Subject to the provisions of
the Plan and, in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the
Board to such Committee, and subject to the approval of any relevant
authorities, the Administrator shall have the authority in its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value;
(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Options and
Stock Purchase Rights may from time to time be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by
each such award granted hereunder;
(iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the
Plan;
(v) to determine the terms and conditions, of any Option
or Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include,
but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Options or
Stock Purchase Rights may be exercised (which may be based on performance
criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and
any restriction or limitation regarding any Option or Stock Purchase Right or
the Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;
(vi) to determine whether and under what circumstances
an Option may be settled in cash under subsection 9(e) instead of Common Stock;
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(vii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the
then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock
covered by such Option has declined since the date the Option was granted;
(viii) to initiate an Option Exchange Program;
(ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to
sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment
under foreign tax laws;
(x) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax
obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be
issued upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right that number of Shares
having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The Fair
Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that
the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by Optionees
to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under
such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable; and
(xi) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and
awards granted pursuant to the Plan.
(c) EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATOR'S DECISION. All decisions,
determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and
binding on all Optionees.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights may
be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to
Employees.
(b) Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as
either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However,
notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such
Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this
Section 5(b), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be
determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.
(c) Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase Right
shall confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to continuing the
Optionee's relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall it
interfere in any way with his or her right or the Company's right to terminate
such relationship at any time, with or without cause.
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6. TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by
the Board. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless
sooner terminated under Section 14 of the Plan.
7. TERM OF OPTION. The term of each Option shall be stated in the
Option Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten
(10) years from the date of grant thereof. In the case of an Incentive Stock
Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns stock
representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Option shall
be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided
in the Option Agreement.
8. OPTION EXERCISE PRICE AND CONSIDERATION.
(a) The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the
Administrator, but shall be subject to the following:
(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option
(A) granted to an Employee who, at the time
of grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of
the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary, the exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market
Value per Share on the date of grant.
(B) granted to any other Employee, the per
Share exercise price shall be no less than one hundred percent (100) % of the
Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option
(A) granted to a Service Provider who, at
the time of grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent
(10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent
or Subsidiary, the exercise price shall be no less than one hundred ten (110%)
of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the grant.
(B) granted to any other Service Provider,
the per Share exercise price shall be no less than eighty five percent (85%) of
the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be
granted with a per Share exercise price other than as required above pursuant to
a merger or other corporate transaction.
(b) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued
upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined
by the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be
determined at the time of grant). Such consideration may consist of
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(1) cash, (2) check, (3) promissory note, (4) other Shares which (x) in the case
of Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Optionee
for more than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair
Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of
the Shares as to which such Option shall be exercised, (5) consideration
received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the
Company in connection with the Plan, or (6) any combination of the foregoing
methods of payment. In making its determination as to the type of consideration
to accept, the Administrator shall consider if acceptance of such consideration
may be reasonably expected to benefit the Company.
9. EXERCISE OF OPTION.
(a) PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Any
Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms hereof at
such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set
forth in the Option Agreement, but in no case at a rate of less than 20% per
year over five (5) years from the date the Option is granted. Unless the
Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Options granted hereunder shall be
tolled during any unpaid leave of absence. An Option may not be exercised for a
fraction of a Share.
An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i)
written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option
Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if
requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.
Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books
of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist
with respect to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The
Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the
Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right
for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as
provided in Section 12 of the Plan.
Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the
number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for
sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised.
(b) TERMINATION OF RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER. If an
Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider due to termination by the Company
without Cause, such Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period
of time as is specified in the Option Agreement (of at least thirty (30) days)
to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no
event later than the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the
Option Agreement). If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider due to
termination by the Company for Cause, or the voluntary resignation by Optionee,
all Options held by Optionee will expire upon such termination. In the absence
of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable
for three (3) months following the
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Optionee's termination. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not
vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested
portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the
Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the
Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option
shall revert to the Plan.
(c) DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE. If an Optionee ceases to be a
Service Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may
exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the
Option Agreement (of at least six (6) months) to the extent the Option is vested
on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the
term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a
specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for
twelve (12) months following the Optionee's termination. If such disability is
not a 'DISABILITY' as such term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, in
the case of an Incentive Stock Option such Incentive Stock Option shall
automatically cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be
treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the day three months
and one day following such termination. If, on the date of termination, the
Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination,
the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.
(d) DEATH OF OPTIONEE. If an Optionee dies while a Service
Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified
in the Option Agreement (of at least six (6) months) (but in no event later than
the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant),
by the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the
Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Option is
vested on the date of death. In the absence of a specified time in the Option
Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following
the Optionee's termination. If, at the time of death, the Optionee is not vested
as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of
the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. The Option may be exercised by
the executor or administrator of the Optionee's estate or, if none, by the
person(s) entitled to exercise the Option under the Optionee's will or the laws
of descent or distribution. If the Option is not so exercised within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such
Option shall revert to the Plan.
(e) BUYOUT PROVISIONS. The Administrator may at any time offer
to buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted, based
on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and
communicate to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.
10. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS AND STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS. Options
and Stock Purchase Rights may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated,
transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of
descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the
Optionee, only by the Optionee.
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11. STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS.
(a) RIGHTS TO PURCHASE. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued
either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the
Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator
determines that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall
advise the offeree in writing or electronically of the terms, conditions and
restrictions related to the offer, including the number of Shares that such
person shall be entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, and the time within
which such person must accept such offer. The terms of the offer shall comply in
all respects with Section 260.140.42 of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations. The offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock
purchase agreement in the form determined by the Administrator.
(b) REPURCHASE OPTION. Unless the Administrator determines
otherwise, the Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall grant the Company a
repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of
the purchaser's service with the Company for any reason (including death or
disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the
Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall be the original price paid by the
purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser
to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at such rate as the
Administrator may determine, but in no case at a rate of less than 20% per year
over five years from the date of purchase.
(c) OTHER PROVISIONS. The Restricted Stock purchase agreement
shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with
the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
(d) RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Once the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, the purchaser shall have rights equivalent to those of a shareholder
and shall be a shareholder when his or her purchase is entered upon the records
of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment shall be
made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the
date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 12 of
the Plan.
12. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, MERGER OR ASSET SALE.
(a) CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION. Subject to any required action
by the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered
by each outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of
Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or which have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt
of consideration by the Company. The
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conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to
have been 'EFFECTED WITHOUT RECEIPT OF CONSIDERATION.' Such adjustment shall be
made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding
and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company
of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock
of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made
with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an
Option or Stock Purchase Right.
(b) DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise his or her Option until fifteen (15) days prior to
such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including
Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition,
the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to
any Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall
lapse as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation
takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not
been previously exercised, an Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.
(c) MERGER OR ASSET SALE. In the event of a merger of the
Company with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of
the assets of the Company, each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right
shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor
corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event
that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option or
Stock Purchase Right, the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the right to
exercise the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to all of the Optioned Stock,
including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If
an Option or Stock Purchase Right becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu
of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the
Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing or electronically that the
Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be fully exercisable for a period of
fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option or Stock Purchase
Right shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of
this paragraph, the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be considered assumed
if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the
right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the
Option or Stock Purchase Right immediately prior to the merger or sale of
assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property)
received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each
Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered
a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such
consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common
stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with
the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be
received upon the exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each Share
of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right, to be solely
common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market
value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the
merger or sale of assets.
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13. TIME OF GRANTING OPTIONS AND STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS. The date of
grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall, for all purposes, be the date
on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Option or Stock
Purchase Right, or such other date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice
of the determination shall be given to each Employee or Consultant to whom an
Option or Stock Purchase Right is so granted within a reasonable time after the
date of such grant.
14. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The Board may at any time
amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.
(b) SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. The Board shall obtain shareholder
approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply
with Applicable Laws.
(c) EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION. No amendment,
alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any
Optionee, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the
Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and
the Company. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's
ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Options
granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.
15. CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES.
(a) LEGAL COMPLIANCE. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to
the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance
and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be
further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.
(b) INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS. As a condition to the exercise
of an Option, the Administrator may require the person exercising such Option to
represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being
purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or
distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a
representation is required.
16. INABILITY TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY. The inability of the Company to
obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority
is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and
sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in
respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite
authority shall not have been obtained.
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17. RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
shall at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
18. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the
shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is
adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner
required under Applicable Laws.
19. INFORMATION TO OPTIONEES AND PURCHASERS. The Company shall provide
to each Optionee and to each individual who acquires Shares pursuant to the
Plan, not less frequently than annually during the period such Optionee or
purchaser has one or more Options or Stock Purchase Rights outstanding, and, in
the case of an individual who acquires Shares pursuant to the Plan, during the
period such individual owns such Shares, copies of annual financial statements.
The Company shall not be required to provide such statements to (i) key
employees whose duties in connection with the Company assure their access to
equivalent information, or (ii) Optionee's who are no longer Service Providers.
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1999 Stock Option Plan - Dean & DeLuca Inc.
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