Non-Competition Agreement

EX-10.2 3 ex10_2.htm EXHIBIT 10.2 Unassociated Document

Exhibit 10.2


EXECUTION VERSION


NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

This Non-Competition Agreement dated June ____, 2008 (the "Non-Competition Agreement"), is by and among Rick’s Cabaret International, Inc., Texas corporation, (“Rick’s”),  RCI Entertainment (Northwest Highway), Inc., a Texas corporation (the “Buyer”) and John Auletta (“Auletta”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the parties entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement dated May 10, 2008 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), between the Buyer, Rick’s,  North by East Entertainment, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership (the “Seller”) by and through its general partner, Northeast Platinum, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (the “General Partner”) and Auletta pursuant to which Buyer will acquire the assets of Seller for a total cash purchase price of $1,500,000 (the “Transaction”).

WHEREAS, Seller owns and operates an adult entertainment cabaret known as “Platinum Club II” (the “Business”), located at 10557 Wire Way, Dallas, Texas  75220 (the “Real Property”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms and condition of the Asset Purchase Agreement, Seller has agreed to sell to Buyer all of the assets related to the Business (the “Acquisition”); and

WHEREAS, Auletta is the sole principal of the Seller and will benefit from the Transaction; and

WHEREAS, in connection with the Transaction, Buyer has agreed to pay Seller consideration as more fully described in the Asset Purchase Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Buyer and Rick’s require that Auletta enter into this Non-Competition Agreement as a condition to Buyer and Rick’s entering into the Transaction; and

WHEREAS, Auletta agree to enter into this Non-Competition Agreement in consideration of acts on the part of Buyer and Rick’s as contemplated by the Transaction; and

WHEREAS, all terms not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the closing of the Transaction and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 
 

 
 
1.           Covenants.      From and after the date of this Non-Competition Agreement through and including the five (5) year period immediately following the date of this Non-Competition Agreement (such five (5) year period, the “Restricted Period”), Auletta shall not compete with  Rick’s or Buyer or any of Rick’s subsidiaries or affiliates, or the club known as “Platinum Club II”, and shall not either individually or jointly, directly or indirectly, whether for compensation or not, alone or in association with any other person or entity, without the express written consent of Rick’s by:

 
(a)
Owning or sharing in the earnings of, carry on, manage, operate, control, be engaged in, render services to, solicit customers for, participate in or otherwise be connected with, any business engaged in the operation of an establishment with an urban theme that both serves liquor and provides live female nude or semi-nude adult entertainment in Dallas County,  Tarrant County, Texas, or any of the adjacent counties thereto; provided, however, that the Non-Competition Agreement will permit Auletta the right to own and/or operate an establishment without an urban theme that both serves liquor and provides live female nude or semi-nude adult entertainment in Dallas County, Texas, Tarrant County, Texas, or any of the adjacent counties thereto; or
     
 
(b)
Soliciting or inducing, or attempting to solicit or induce, any employee, independent contractor, or agent or consultant of Rick’s or Platinum Club II to leave his or her employment or terminate his or her agreement or relationship with Rick’s or the Platinum Club II.

2.           Acknowledgments and Agreements of Auletta.  Auletta acknowledges and agrees that:

 
(a)
Due to the nature of Rick’s and Buyer’s business, the foregoing covenants place no greater restraint upon Auletta than is reasonably necessary to protect the business and goodwill of Rick’s or the Buyer;

 
(b)
These covenants protect a legitimate interest of Rick’s and the Buyer and do not serve solely to limit Rick’s and the Buyer’s future competition;

 
(c)
This Non-Competition Agreement is not an invalid or unreasonable restraint of trade;

 
(d)
A breach of these covenants by Auletta would cause irreparable damage to Rick’s and Buyer;

 
(e)
These covenants will not preclude Auletta from becoming gainfully employed following the closing of the Asset Purchase Agreement;

 
(f)
These covenants are reasonable in scope and are reasonably necessary to protect Rick’s and the Buyer’s business and goodwill and valuable and extensive trade which Rick’s has established through its own expense and effort;

 
Non-Competition Agreement - Page 2

 

 
(g)
The signing of this Non-Competition Agreement is necessary as part of the consummation of the Transaction previously discussed; and

 
(h)
Auletta has carefully read and considered all provisions of this Non-Competition Agreement and agrees that all of the restrictions set forth are fair and reasonable and are reasonably required for the protection of the interests of Rick’s and the Buyer.

3.           Remedies, Injunction.  In the event of an actual breach of any provisions of this Non-Competition Agreement by Auletta, Auletta agrees that Rick’s and the Buyer shall be entitled to a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction and/or permanent injunction restraining and enjoining Auletta from violating the provisions herein.  Nothing in this Non-Competition Agreement shall be construed to prohibit Rick’s or Buyer from pursuing any other available remedies for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from Auletta.  Auletta further agrees that, for the purpose of any such injunction proceeding, it shall be presumed that Rick’s and the Buyer’s legal remedies would be inadequate and that Rick’s and the Buyer would suffer irreparable harm as a result of any violation of the provisions of this Non-Competition Agreement by Auletta.

4.           Severability.  In the event that any of the provisions of this Non-Competition Agreement are held to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, those provisions to the extent enforceable and all other provisions shall nevertheless continue to be valid and enforceable as though the invalid or unenforceable parts had not been included in this Non-Competition Agreement.  In the event that any provision relating to the time period or scope of a restriction shall be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the maximum time period or scope such court deems reasonable and enforceable, then the time period or scope of the restriction deemed reasonable and enforceable by the court shall become and shall thereafter be the maximum time period or the applicable scope of the restriction.  Auletta further agrees that such covenants and/or any portion thereof are severable, separate and independent, and should any specific restriction or the application thereof, to any person, firm, corporation, or situation be held to be invalid, that holding shall not affect the remainder of such provisions or covenants.

5.           General Provisions.

 
(a)
Notices.  Any notices to be given hereunder by either party to the other may be effected either by personal delivery in writing or by mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid with return receipt requested or by a recognized overnight delivery service.  Mailed notices shall be addressed to the parties at the addresses set forth below, but each party may change their address by written notice in accordance with this Paragraph (a).  Notices delivered person­ally shall be deemed communicated as of actual receipt; mailed notices shall be deemed communicated as of three (3) days after mailing; and overnight delivery service shall be deemed delivered one (1) day after depositing with the overnight delivery service.

 
If to Rick’s, Buyer
Eric Langan, President
10959 Cutten Road
Houston, Texas 77066

 
Non-Competition Agreement - Page 3

 

 
With a copy to:
Mr. Robert D. Axelrod
Axelrod, Smith & Kirshbaum
5300 Memorial Drive, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77007

 
If to Auletta:
John Auletta
1595 N. Central Expressway
Richardson, Texas 75080

 
With a copy to:
Art Selander
Quilling, Selander, Cummiskey & Lownds, P.C.
2001 Bryan Street, Suite 1800
Dallas, Texas 75201


 
(b)
Law Governing Non-Competition Agreement and Venue.  This Non-Competition Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

 
(c)
Execution.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart.  In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.

 
(d)
Contract Terms to be Exclusive.  This Non-Competition Agreement contains the sole and entire agreement between the parties and shall supersede any and all other agreements between the parties with respect to the agreement of Auletta not to compete with Rick’s or the Buyer.

 
(e)
Waiver or Modification Ineffective Unless in Writing.  It is further agreed that no waiver or modification of this Non-Competition Agreement or of any covenant, condition, or limitation herein contained shall be valid unless in writing and duly executed by the party to be charged therewith and that no evidence of any waiver or modification shall be offered or received in evidence in any proceeding or litigation between the parties hereto arising out of or affecting this Non-Competition Agreement, or the rights or obligations of any party hereunder, unless such waiver or modification is in writing, duly executed as aforesaid.

 
(f)
Assignment.  The rights and benefits of Rick’s and the Buyer under this Non-Competition Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of Rick’s and the Buyer.  The rights of Auletta hereunder are personal and nontransferable except that the rights and benefits hereof shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and legal representatives of Auletta.

Non-Competition Agreement - Page 4

 
 
(g)
Binding Effect.  Except as otherwise provided herein, this Non-Competition Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Non-Competition Agreement has been executed as of the ______ day of June, 2008.


 
RICK’S CABARET INTERNATIONAL, INC.
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Eric Langan
   
  Eric Langan, President
     
     
 
RCI ENTERTAINMENT (NORTHWEST HIGHWAY), INC.
     
 
By:
/s/ Eric Langan
   
  Eric Langan, President
     
     
  /s/ John Auletta
  John Auletta, Individually

 
Non-Competition Agreement - Page 5