Separation and Transition Agreement by and between Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. and G.J. Hart dated April 24, 2025
EXHIBIT 10.2
SEPARATION AND TRANSITION AGREEMENT
This Separation and Transition Agreement (the “Agreement”) is dated as of April 24, 2025 (the “Effective Date”), by and among Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and G.J. Hart (the “Executive”).
WHEREAS, the Executive is employed by the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Red Robin International, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“RRI”), and is a party to that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2022 (as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time, the “Employment Agreement”);
WHEREAS, capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement are defined as set forth in the Employment Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Executive serves the Company, RRI, and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates (the “Company Group”) in the office of President and Chief Executive Officer;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have agreed that, on the Effective Date, the Executive shall (i) step down from his role as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall cease to be an executive officer of the Company Group, and (ii) resign from any and all titles, positions, and appointments the Executive holds with the Company or any member of the Company Group in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, his role as Special Advisor (as defined below));
WHEREAS, between the Effective Date and September 24, 2025, the Executive will serve as a special advisor to the Company, pursuant to the terms set forth in Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have agreed that the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate on September 24, 2025 (the “Separation Date”);
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to provide the Executive with a severance package, which is conditioned on the Executive’s timely, irrevocable execution of this Agreement and fulfilling all of his obligations in both the Employment Agreement, as applicable, and this Agreement, including his continued compliance with certain restrictive covenants that survive his separation from service with the Company Group; and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to set forth in this Agreement the terms and conditions of the Executive’s separation from employment, and this Agreement shall govern the Executive’s and the Company’s respective rights and obligations in connection with such separation.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, mutual covenants and other good and valuable consideration set forth in this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Executive and the Company (the “Parties”) agree as follows:
1. | Entire Agreement. |
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement, and the release set forth in Section 9 of this Agreement, is the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and contains all agreements, whether written, oral, express, or implied, between the Parties relating thereto and supersedes and extinguishes all other agreements relating thereto, whether written, oral, express, or implied, between the Parties, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company’s Executive Severance Plan, effective as of August 25, 2023.
2. | Transition Period. |
During the period between the Effective Date and the Separation Date (the “Transition Period”) the Executive will serve as a special advisor to the Company (“Special Advisor”), and will perform the transition and advisory services described hereunder for ten (10) hours per week, if required or requested by the Company. While serving as Special Advisor, the Executive will provide such support to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, as requested by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, including participation in the May 2025 earnings call (collectively, the “Services”). The Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Executive will perform his Services as Special Advisor during the Transition Period. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that the Executive fails to perform the Services described hereunder, including a failure to participate in the May 2025 earnings call or to provide ten (10) hours per week of Services (if required or requested by the Company), the Transition Period will terminate with immediate effect (with such earlier termination date being the “Separation Date” for the purposes of this Agreement) and any unpaid Monthly Service Fee (as defined below) will be forfeited; provided, however, that before any termination of the Transition Period, cessation of the Monthly Service Fee, or cessation of any severance benefits, including the 2025 Pro-Rata Bonus (as defined below), the Company shall first provide the Executive written notice of any alleged failure to perform Services as required hereunder and a period of not less than fourteen (14) calendar days for the Executive to cure any alleged failure.
3. | Transition Fee. |
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Executive’s satisfactory provision of the Services and compliance with the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, during the Transition Period, the Company will pay the Executive a monthly rate of $110,000 prorated (x) for the first month of the Transition Period or (y) if the Executive resigns or terminates the Services before the end of the Transition Period (the “Monthly Service Fee”). Any Monthly Service Fee earned will be payable bi-weekly through the Company’s payroll. In addition, the Company will reimburse the Executive for any actual, reasonable and documented expenses incurred in connection with the Executive’s provision of the Services hereunder, but only to the extent that such expenses are approved in advance by the Chief Executive Officer and incurred in accordance with the Company’s travel and expense policy. For the avoidance of doubt, during the Transition Period, the Executive shall not be eligible for an annual bonus or any annual long-term incentive awards, except as expressly set forth herein.
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4. | Separation from Service. |
A. General. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that (x) his separation from service with the Company Group will become effective on the Separation Date and (y) his resignation from any and all titles, positions, and appointments the Executive holds with the Company or any member of the Company Group, whether as an officer, director, employee, consultant, trustee, committee member, agent, or otherwise, will become effective as of the Effective Date (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, his role as Special Advisor). Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, effective as of the Effective Date, the Executive shall have no authority to act on behalf of any member of the Company Group and shall not hold himself out as having such authority, enter into any agreement or incur any obligations on behalf of any member of the Company Group, commit any member of the Company Group in any manner, or otherwise act in an executive or other decision-making capacity with respect to any member of the Company Group. The Executive agrees to promptly execute such documents as the Company, in its sole discretion, shall reasonably deem necessary to effect such resignations. The Separation Date shall be the termination date of the Executive’s employment for purposes of participation in and coverage under all benefit plans and programs sponsored by or through the Company, except as otherwise provided herein.
5. | Entitlements. |
In consideration for, and subject to, the Executive’s entering into this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to the payments and benefits set forth in this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the payments and benefits described in this Agreement (other than those described in Section 5.A) are subject to (i) the Executive’s execution and delivery of this Agreement (including the release set forth in Section 9 herein) within twenty-one (21) days following the date hereof, (ii) the Executive’s continued compliance with all restrictive covenants with the Company Group to which he is subject (including the restrictive covenants in Annex A of the Employment Agreement, which are incorporated by reference herein), and (iii) the Executive’s continued compliance with this Agreement (subject to any notice-and-cure periods under this Agreement).
A. Accrued Obligations. The Company shall pay to the Executive (i) an amount equal to the sum of (1) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary or Monthly Service Fee, as applicable, through the Separation Date to the extent not theretofore paid and (2) reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred through the Separation Date, which shall be paid in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days following the Separation Date or such earlier date as may be required by law, and (ii) any payments, benefits, or fringe benefits to which the Executive shall be entitled under the terms of any applicable law or applicable compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or fringe benefit plan or program or grant, or the Employment Agreement, which shall be paid at such times and in such forms as provided for by such plan, program, or grant or such earlier date as may be required by law; provided, that this Section 5.A shall not result in duplication of benefits with any other payment or benefit under this Agreement or any other agreement or plan. For the avoidance of doubt, any medical, dental, and other health insurance coverage in which the Executive (and his beneficiaries) participate as of the Separation Date shall continue through the end of the month during which the Separation Date takes place.
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B. Severance. The Company shall (i) pay to the Executive an aggregate amount equal to $1,800,000, which equals eighteen (18) months of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, in installment payments over the eighteen (18) months following the Separation Date in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, and (ii) pay to the Executive a lump-sum cash payment equal to a pro rata portion of the Executive’s Annual Bonus, if any, for 2025 based on full-year actual performance of the Company (as determined by the Board and the Compensation Committee), determined by multiplying such Annual Bonus by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the then-current calendar year through May 31, 2025 and the denominator of which is three hundred and sixty-five (365), payable at such time as bonuses are generally paid by the Company to its similarly situated executives (the “2025 Pro-Rata Bonus”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Executive must participate in the May 2025 earnings call to be eligible to receive the 2025 Pro-Rata Bonus.
C. Full Satisfaction. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, (i) the Executive is not entitled to any other compensation or benefits from the Company or any member of the Company Group (including, without limitation, any severance or termination compensation or benefits), and (ii) as of and after the Separation Date, except for purposes of any medical, dental, and other health insurance coverage in which the Executive (and his beneficiaries) participate pursuant to Section 5.B of this Agreement, the Executive shall no longer participate in, accrue service credit, or have contributions made on his behalf under any employee benefit plan sponsored by any member of the Company Group in respect of periods commencing on and following the Separation Date, including without limitation, any plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
D. Equity. The Executive’s vested restricted stock units that are subject solely to time-based vesting conditions (the “RSUs”) and performance-based RSUs (“PSUs”) shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable equity plan and award agreements issued thereunder. The Executive’s unvested RSUs granted in September 2022 (the “2022 RSU Award”) will remain outstanding and eligible to vest during the Transition Period. For the avoidance of doubt, a total of 41,254 of the Executive’s RSUs from the 2022 RSU Award shall vest during or upon the end of the Transition Period, subject to the Executive’s continued employment during the Transition Period. Any other outstanding but unvested RSUs and unvested PSUs, as of the Effective Date, shall be immediately forfeited as of the Effective Date. For the avoidance of doubt, the Executive must provide the Services (subject to any applicable notice-and-cure period under this Agreement) throughout the Transition Period to be eligible to continue vesting in his 2022 RSU Award, including the full vesting of the 41,254 total RSUs in the final tranche of the 2022 RSU Award during or upon end of the Transition Period.
6. Post-Employment Cooperation. For a period of six months (6) following the Separation Date, upon reasonable request and notice the Executive shall cooperate to the best of his ability with the Company to answer, to the extent of his personal knowledge, any questions or provide any information that the Company reasonably requires, and to cooperate to the best of his ability in any other manner reasonably requested by the Company related to the transition of the Executive’s job duties and responsibilities to a designated representative or agent of the Company; provided, however, that the Executive’s cooperation pursuant to this sentence shall not require the
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Executive to cooperate more than three (3) hours per workweek during normal business hours. For a period of three (3) years following the Separation Date, upon reasonable request and notice, the Executive shall cooperate to the best of his ability with the Company in preparing for any trials, hearings, or other proceedings, and providing truthful testimony in connection therewith, in each case relating to his time of employment with the Company and the business of the Company, and provided that such cooperation shall only pertain to such matters within the Executive’s personal knowledge. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for any reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him in connection with his compliance with this Section 6 pursuant to the Company’s expense reimbursement policy. The Company agrees that the Executive’s obligations in this Section 6 are not intended to unreasonably interfere with his ongoing business and personal activities.
7. Restrictive Covenants. The Executive agrees that Annex A of the Employment Agreement survives the termination of his employment, and he confirms that he is bound by such provisions, including but not limited to the non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disparagement obligations set forth therein. The Executive also agrees that he is subject to continuing obligations under the terms of the equity award agreements between the Executive and the Company that survive the termination of his employment, and he confirms that he is bound by such provisions, including the non-solicitation obligations set forth therein. If there is a conflict between the Executive’s continuing obligations under the Employment Agreement, the equity award agreements, and any other restrictive covenants to which the Executive may be bound, the provisions more protective of the Company Group’s interests shall apply, as determined by the Company Group in its sole discretion.
8. No Complaints, Claims, or Actions Filed. The Executive represents that the Executive has not filed any complaints, claims, or actions against the Company or any Released Party (as defined in Section 9 below) with any state, federal, or local agency or court. Subject to Section 13 of this Agreement, the Executive covenants and agrees that the Executive will not file any complaints, claims, or actions against the Company or any Released Party with respect to a claim released pursuant to Section 9 below at any time hereafter. The Executive warrants and represents that, as of the date of execution of this Agreement, the Executive is not aware of any facts that would establish, tend to establish, or in any way support an allegation that the Company or any Released Party has engaged in conduct that the Executive believes could violate any federal, state, or local law, or to the extent that the Executive has or ever had any such information, the Executive has reported that information to the Company in accordance with Company policy.
9. Release of All Claims. In consideration for the promises and obligations set forth in this Agreement, the Executive hereby irrevocably, unconditionally, and fully releases the Company, RRI, each member of the Company Group, and any affiliated entities, and each and all of its/their current and former shareholders, officers, agents, directors, supervisors, employees, and representatives, and its/their successors and assigns, and all persons acting by, though, under, or in concert with any of them (“Released Parties”), from any and all charges, complaints, claims, and liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected (hereinafter referred to as “claim” or “claims”), that the Executive at any time had or claimed to have or that the Executive may have or claim to have regarding any matter as of the date of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any and all claims related to or in any manner incidental
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to the Executive’s employment or termination of employment with the Company. It is expressly understood by the Executive that among the various rights and claims being waived in this release include those arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), the Family and Medical Leave Act, common law and any and all other applicable federal, state, county or local statutes, ordinances, or regulations, and the law of contract and tort. The released claims also include claims of discrimination or harassment on the basis of workers’ compensation status, but do not include workers’ compensation claims. By signing this Agreement, the Executive acknowledges that the Executive intends to waive and release all rights known or unknown that Executive may have against the Released Parties under these and any other laws; provided that the Executive does not waive or release claims with respect to (A) any rights that the Executive may have to any payments or benefits pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement, (B) any claims or rights under any indemnification policy or insurance plan of any member of the Company Group, which all parties acknowledge survive the termination of the Executive’s employment pursuant to its terms, (C) any claims under Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. § 1001, et seq., relating to an employee benefit plan that is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or that is a medical or health care plan, (D) any claims that Executive may have against Company for breach of the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, (E) any claims for worker’s compensation insurance coverage or unemployment insurance coverage, and (F) any claims or other rights that cannot be released as a matter of law.
10. Reemployment. The Executive hereby waives any and all claims to reemployment with the Company or any of its affiliates and affirmatively agrees not to seek further employment with the Company or any of its affiliates.
11. Release of Claims and Notices Required under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act. The Executive understands and agrees that the Executive:
A. Has been offered at least twenty-one (21) days during which to consider this Agreement before signing it and understands that if he signs this Agreement prior to the expiration of such twenty-one (21) day period he knowingly and voluntarily waives the remainder of such consideration period;
B. Has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Agreement;
C. Is waiving and releasing any rights under the ADEA, among other claims;
D. Knowingly and voluntarily agrees to all of the terms set forth in this Agreement;
E. Knowingly and voluntarily intends to be legally bound by the terms of this Agreement;
F. Was advised and hereby is advised in writing to consider the terms of this Agreement and consult with an attorney of the Executive’s choice prior to executing this Agreement;
G. Has a full seven (7) days from the date of execution of this to revoke this Agreement (including, without limitation, any and all claims arising under the ADEA) by sending written
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notice to Sarah Mussetter, Chief Legal Officer, and that neither the Company nor any other person is obligated to provide any payments or benefits to the Executive pursuant to Section 5.B until eight (8) days have passed since the Executive’s signing of this Agreement without the Executive’s having revoked this Agreement;
H. Understands that rights or claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. § 621, et seq.) that may arise after the date this Agreement is executed are not waived;
I. Understands that nothing in this Agreement (including Section 9) prevents or precludes the Executive from challenging or seeking a determination of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA in good faith, nor that it imposes any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law;
J. Understands that once the Company has made its final offer of severance, any changes, whether material or immaterial, to this Agreement do not restart the twenty-one (21) day period in which to consider the Agreement before signing it; and
12. No Admission of Liability. This Agreement and compliance with this Agreement shall not be construed as an admission by the Company or any Released Party of any liability whatsoever, or as an admission by the Company or any Released Party of any violations of the rights of the Executive or any person or violation of any order, law, statute, duty, or contract whatsoever against the Executive or any person. The Company and each Released Party specifically disclaims any liability to the Executive or any other person for any alleged violation of the rights of the Executive or any person, or for any alleged violation of any order, law, statute, duty, or contract on the part of the Company or any Released Party.
13. Communication with Government Agency. Nothing in this Agreement, including Sections 6, 8, and 9, (A) limits or affects the Executive’s right to challenge the validity of this Agreement, including, without limitation, a challenge under the ADEA; (B) in any way interferes with the Executive’s right and responsibility to give truthful testimony under oath; or (C) precludes the Executive from participating in an investigation, filing a charge or otherwise communicating with any federal, state or local government office, official or agency, including, but not limited to, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Labor, or National Labor Relations Board. However, the Executive promises never to seek or accept any compensatory damages, back pay, front pay, or reinstatement remedies for the Executive personally with respect to any claims released by this Agreement.
14. | Miscellaneous. |
A. Modification. This Agreement may not be modified or amended, nor may any rights hereunder be waived, except in a writing signed and agreed to by the Parties.
B. Notices. Any notice given pursuant to this Agreement to any party hereto shall be deemed to have been duly given when mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight courier, or when hand delivered as follows:
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If to the Company:
Red Robin International, Inc.
10000 E. Geddes Avenue, Suite 500
Englewood, CO 80112
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
If to the Executive, at the Executive’s most recent address on the payroll records of the Company.
or at such other address any party shall from time to time designate by written notice, in the manner provided herein, to the other parties hereto.
C. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Executive and the Company Group and upon their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of said parties, and each of them, and to their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns. The Executive expressly warrants that the Executive has not transferred to any party or entity any rights, causes of action, or claims released in this Agreement. The Executive agrees that each successor or affiliate of the Company shall be an express third-party beneficiary hereto and shall be entitled to enforce the provisions of this Agreement.
D. General Consequences of Breach. If any party to this Agreement breaches this Agreement, for example, by bringing a lawsuit based on claims that such party has released, by making a false representation in this Agreement, by failing to make any payments due under this Agreement, by failing to provide any notice-and-cure period provided by this Agreement, or by a past or future breach of Section 6 of this Agreement, the non-breaching party will be entitled to recover all damages flowing from such breach; specifically, including, but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees and all other costs incurred by the non-breaching party as a result of the breach or false representation, such as the cost of defending any suit brought with respect to a released claim by the breaching party.
E. Taxes. The Executive shall be responsible for the payment of any and all required federal, state, local, and foreign taxes incurred, or to be incurred, in connection with any amounts payable to the Executive under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company or any member of the Company Group, as applicable, may withhold from all amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state, local, and foreign taxes that are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable laws and regulations.
F. Section 409A. The Parties intend that the compensation and benefits under this Agreement either be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”), and Annex B of the Employment Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference mutatis mutandis as if fully set forth herein. For purposes of Section 409A, Executive’s right to receive installment payments pursuant to Section 5.B of this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.
G. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be unaffected
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and shall remain in full force and effect. In addition, if any provision is determined to be invalid or unenforceable due to its duration and/or scope, the duration and/or scope of such provision, as the case may be, shall be reduced, such reduction shall be to the smallest extent necessary to comply with applicable law, and such provision shall be enforceable, in its reduced form, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
H. Entire Agreement Between Parties. This Agreement (and the documents referenced herein) sets forth the entire agreement between the Parties hereto and, unless otherwise set forth herein, fully supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings, written or oral, between the Parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, if there is a conflict between this Agreement and any confidentiality, non-compete, or non-solicitation agreement the Executive previously signed, the provisions more protective of the Company’s interests shall apply, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.
I. Amendments; Waivers. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by the Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than the Executive) that expressly identifies the amended provision of this Agreement. By an instrument in writing similarly executed and similarly identifying the waived compliance, the Executive or a duly authorized officer of the Company may waive compliance by the other party or parties with any provision of this Agreement that such other party was or is obligated to comply with or perform; provided, however, that such waiver shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any other or subsequent failure to comply or perform. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right, remedy, or power hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise of any other right, remedy, or power provided herein or by law or in equity.
J. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE LEGAL RELATIONS HEREBY CREATED BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF. THE EXECUTIVE SHALL SUBMIT TO THE VENUE AND PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF THE COLORADO STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS CONCERNING ANY DISPUTE FOR WHICH JUDICIAL REDRESS IS PERMITTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT; HOWEVER THE COMPANY IS NOT LIMITED IN SEEKING RELIEF IN THOSE COURTS.
K. Arbitration. Except as otherwise provided herein, any controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement, its enforcement or interpretation, or because of an alleged breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of its provisions, or any other controversy arising out of the Executive’s employment, including, but not limited to, any state or federal statutory or common law claims, shall be submitted to arbitration in Denver, Colorado, before a single arbitrator (the “Arbitrator”) selected from Judicial Arbiter Group, Inc., Denver, Colorado, or its successor (“JAG”), or if JAG is no longer able to supply the arbitrator, such arbitrator shall be selected from the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”), or other mutually agreed upon arbitration provider, as the exclusive forum for the resolution of such dispute. Provisional injunctive relief may, but need not, be sought by either party to this Agreement in a court of law while arbitration proceedings are pending, and any provisional injunctive relief
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granted by such court shall remain effective until the matter is finally determined by the Arbitrator. Final resolution of any dispute through arbitration may include any remedy or relief which the Arbitrator deems just and equitable, including any and all remedies provided by applicable state or federal statutes. At the conclusion of the arbitration, the Arbitrator shall issue a written decision that sets forth the essential findings and conclusions upon which the Arbitrator’s award or decision is based. Any award or relief granted by the Arbitrator hereunder shall be final and binding on the Parties and may be enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction. The Parties acknowledge and agree that they are hereby waiving any rights to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim brought by either of the Parties against the other in connection with any matter whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with this Agreement or the Executive’s employment, and under no circumstances shall class claims be processed or participated in by the Executive. The Parties agree that Company shall be responsible for payment of the forum costs of any arbitration hereunder, including the Arbitrator’s fee. The Executive and the Company further agree that in any proceeding to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party, as determined by the Arbitrator, shall be entitled to its or his reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by it or him in connection with resolution of the dispute in addition to any other relief granted.
L. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of identification only and are not intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent, or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
M. Construction. This Agreement shall be deemed drafted equally by the Parties. Its language shall be construed as a whole and according to its fair meaning. Any presumption or principle that the language is to be construed against any party shall not apply. The headings in this Agreement are only for convenience and are not intended to affect construction or interpretation. Any references to paragraphs, subparagraphs, sections, or subsections are to those parts of this Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary. Also, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary: (i) the plural includes the singular, and the singular includes the plural; (ii) “and” and “or” are each used both conjunctively and disjunctively; (iii) “any,” “all,” “each,” or “every” means “any and all,” and “each and every”; (iv) “includes” and “including” are each “without limitation”; and (v) “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” and other similar compounds of the word “here” refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section, or subsection.
N. Counterparts. The Agreement may be executed by one or more of the Parties hereto on any number of separate counterparts and all such counterparts shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument. Each party hereto confirms that any facsimile copy or .pdf of such party’s executed counterpart of the Agreement (or its signature page thereof) shall be deemed to be an executed original thereof.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date written below.
EXECUTIVE | |||||
Date: | April 24, 2024 | /s/ G.J. Hart | |||
G.J. Hart | |||||
COMPANY | |||||
RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC. | |||||
Date: | April 24, 2024 | By: | /s/ Sarah A. Mussetter | ||
Name: | Sarah A. Mussetter | ||||
Title: | Chief Legal Officer |