Wild Oats Markets Inc. Contracts
Sample Business Contracts
1996 Equity Incentive Plan - Wild Oats Markets Inc.
WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.
1996 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ADOPTED AUGUST 19, 1996
APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS ___________, 1996
INTRODUCTION.
In June, 1996, the Board of Directors adopted the Wild Oats Markets,
Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan. In August, 1996, the Board of Directors amended
and restated the 1996 Stock Option Plan in the form of this 1996 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "Plan").
1. PURPOSES.
(a) The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means by which
selected Employees and Directors and Consultants may be given an opportunity to
benefit from increases in value of the common stock of the Company ("Common
Stock") through the granting of (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory
Stock Options, (iii) stock bonuses, and (iv) rights to purchase restricted
stock.
(b) The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain the
services of persons who are now Employees or Directors of or Consultants to the
Company and its Affiliates, to secure and retain the services of new Employees,
Directors and Consultants, and to provide incentives for such persons to exert
maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its Affiliates.
(c) The Company intends that the Stock Awards issued under the
Plan shall, in the discretion of the Board or any Committee to which
responsibility for administration of the Plan has been delegated pursuant to
subsection 3(c), be either (i) Options granted pursuant to Section 6 hereof,
including Incentive Stock Options and Nonstatutory Stock Options, or (ii) stock
bonuses or rights to purchase restricted stock granted pursuant to Section 7
hereof. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or
Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and in such form as issued
pursuant to Section 6, and a separate certificate or certificates will be
issued for shares purchased on exercise of each type of Option.
2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) "AFFILIATE" means any parent corporation or subsidiary
corporation, whether now or hereafter existing, as those terms are defined in
Sections 424(e) and (f) respectively, of the Code.
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(b) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(d) "COMMITTEE" means a Committee appointed by the Board in
accordance with subsection 3(c) of the Plan.
(e) "COMPANY" means Wild Oats Markets, Inc. a Delaware
corporation.
(f) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, engaged
by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting services and who is
compensated for such services, provided that the term "Consultant" shall not
include Directors who are paid only a director's fee by the Company or who are
not compensated by the Company for their services as Directors.
(g) "CONTINUOUS STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT"
means the employment or relationship as a Director or Consultant is not
interrupted or terminated. The Board, in its sole discretion, may determine
whether Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant shall be
considered interrupted in the case of: (i) any leave of absence approved by
the Board, including sick leave, military leave, or any other personal leave;
or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company,
Affiliates or their successors.
(h) "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board.
(i) "EMPLOYEE" means any person, including Officers and Directors,
employed by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company. Neither service as a
Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company shall be sufficient to
constitute "employment" by the Company.
(j) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(k) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of the
Common Stock of the Company determined as follows:
(1) If the Common Stock is listed on any established
stock exchange, or traded on the Nasdaq National Market or the Nasdaq SmallCap
Market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing
sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as
quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest
volume of trading in Common Stock) on the last market trading day prior to the
day of determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such other
source as the Board deems reliable;
(2) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock,
the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Board.
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(l) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to qualify
as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and
the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(m) "NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR" means a Director who either (i) is not
a current Employee or Officer of the Company or its parent or subsidiary, does
not receive compensation (directly or indirectly) from the Company or its
parent or subsidiary for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity
other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not
be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the
Securities Act of 1933 ("Regulation S-K"), does not possess an interest in any
other transaction as to which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of
Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship as to which
disclosure would be required under Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is
otherwise considered a "non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(n) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(o) "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.
(p) "OPTION" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(q) "OPTION AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the
Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual
Option grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan.
(r) "OPTIONEE" means a person to whom an Option is granted
pursuant to the Plan.
(s) "OUTSIDE DIRECTOR" means a Director who either (i) is not a
current employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" (within the
meaning of Treasury regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code),
is not a former employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation"
receiving compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a tax
qualified pension plan), was not an officer of the Company or an "affiliated
corporation" at any time, and is not currently receiving direct or indirect
remuneration from the Company or an "affiliated corporation" for services in
any capacity other than as a Director, or (ii) is otherwise considered an
"outside director" for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(t) "PLAN" means this Wild Oats Markets, Inc. 1996 Equity
Incentive Plan.
(u) "RULE 16B-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any
successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with
respect to the Plan.
(v) "STOCK AWARD" means any right granted under the Plan,
including any Option, any stock bonus and any right to purchase restricted
stock.
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(w) "STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the
Company and a holder of a Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an
individual Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to
the terms and conditions of the Plan.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Board unless and until
the Board delegates administration to a Committee, as provided in subsection
3(c).
(b) The Board shall have the power, subject to, and within the
limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(1) To determine from time to time which of the persons
eligible under the Plan shall be granted Stock Awards; when and how each Stock
Award shall be granted; whether a Stock Award will be an Incentive Stock
Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a stock bonus, a right to purchase
restricted stock or a combination of the foregoing; the provisions of each
Stock Award granted (which need not be identical), including the time or times
when a person shall be permitted to receive stock pursuant to a Stock Award and
the number of shares with respect to which a Stock Award shall be granted to
each such person.
(2) To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards
granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for
its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any
defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement,
in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the
Plan fully effective.
(3) To amend the Plan or a Stock Award as provided in
Section 13.
(4) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform
such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best
interests of the Company which are not in conflict with the provisions of the
Plan.
(c) The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a
committee or committees ("Committee") of one or more members of the Board. In
the discretion of the Board, a Committee may consist solely of two or more
Outside Directors, in accordance with Code Section 162(m), or solely of two or
more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16(b)-3. If
administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall have, in
connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore
possessed by the Board (and references in this Plan to the Board shall
thereafter be to the Committee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to
time by the Board. The Board may abolish the Committee at any time and revest
in the Board the administration of the Plan.
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4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 12 relating to
adjustments upon changes in stock, the stock that may be issued pursuant to
Stock Awards shall not exceed in the aggregate [FOUR HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHT
THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY (468,670)] shares of the Common Stock. If any
Stock Award shall for any reason expire or otherwise terminate, in whole or in
part, without having been exercised in full (or vested in the case of
Restricted Stock), the stock not acquired under such Stock Award shall revert
to and again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(b) The stock subject to the Plan may be unissued shares or
reacquired shares, bought on the market or otherwise.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.
Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to
Employees, Directors or Consultants.
(b) No person shall be eligible for the grant of an Incentive
Stock Option if, at the time of grant, such person owns (or is deemed to own
pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent
(10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company
or of any of its Affiliates unless the exercise price of such Option is at
least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of such stock at
the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of
five (5) years from the date of grant.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 12 relating to
adjustments upon changes in stock, no person shall be eligible to be granted
Options covering more than one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of the Common
Stock in any calendar year. This subsection 5(c) shall not apply until (i) the
earliest of: (A) the first material modification of the Plan (including any
increase to the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan in
accordance with Section 4); (B) the issuance of all of the shares of Common
Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan; (C) the expiration of the Plan; or
(D) the first meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected that
occurs after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar year
in which occurred the first registration of an equity security under Section 12
of the Exchange Act; or (ii) such other date required by Section 162(m) of the
Code and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
6. OPTION PROVISIONS.
Each Option shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and
conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate
Options need not be identical, but
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each Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by
reference in the Option or otherwise) the substance of each of the following
provisions:
(a) TERM. No Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of
ten (10) years from the date it was granted.
(b) PRICE. The exercise price of each Incentive Stock Option
shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of
the stock subject to the Option on the date the Option is granted and the
exercise price of each Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be not less than
eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of the stock subject to the
Option on the date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an
Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the
preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or
substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of
Section 424(a) of the Code.
(c) CONSIDERATION. The purchase price of stock acquired pursuant
to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and
regulations, either (i) in cash at the time the Option is exercised, or (ii) at
the discretion of the Board or the Committee, at the time of the grant of the
Option, (A) by delivery to the Company of other Common Stock of the Company,
(B) according to a deferred payment or other arrangement (which may include,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of other Common Stock
of the Company) with the person to whom the Option is granted or to whom the
Option is transferred pursuant to subsection 6(d), or (C) in any other form of
legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board.
In the case of any deferred payment arrangement, interest shall be
payable at least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate of interest
necessary to avoid the treatment as interest, under any applicable provisions
of the Code, of any amounts other than amounts stated to be interest under the
deferred payment arrangement.
(d) TRANSFERABILITY. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be
transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and
shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the person to whom the Incentive
Stock Option is granted only by such person. A Nonstatutory Stock Option may
be transferred to the extent provided in the Option Agreement; provided that if
the Option Agreement does not expressly permit the transfer of a Nonstatutory
Stock Option, the Nonstatutory Stock Option shall not be transferable except by
will, by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic
relations order satisfying the requirements of Rule 16b-3 and shall be
exercisable during the lifetime of the person to whom the Option is granted
only by such person or any transferee pursuant to a domestic relations order.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the person to whom the Option is granted may, by
delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the
Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the
Optionee, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.
(e) VESTING. The total number of shares of stock subject to an
Option may, but need not, be allotted in periodic installments (which may, but
need not, be equal). The Option
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Agreement may provide that from time to time during each of such installment
periods, the Option may become exercisable ("vest") with respect to some or all
of the shares allotted to that period, and may be exercised with respect to
some or all of the shares allotted to such period and/or any prior period as to
which the Option became vested but was not fully exercised. The Option may be
subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be
exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Board
may deem appropriate. The provisions of this subsection 6(e) are subject to
any Option provisions governing the minimum number of shares as to which an
Option may be exercised.
(f) TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR RELATIONSHIP AS A DIRECTOR OR
CONSULTANT. In the event an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee,
Director or Consultant terminates (other than upon the Optionee's death or
disability), the Optionee may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that
the Optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of termination) but only
within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date thirty (30)
days after the termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee,
Director or Consultant (or such longer or shorter period specified in the
Option Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set
forth in the Option Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionee does not
exercise his or her Option within the time specified in the Option Agreement,
the Option shall terminate, and the shares covered by such Option shall revert
to and again become available for issuance under the Plan.
An Optionee's Option Agreement may also provide that if the exercise
of the Option following the termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status as
an Employee, Director, or Consultant (other than upon the Optionee's death or
disability) would result in liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act,
then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the
term of the Option set forth in the Option Agreement, or (ii) the tenth (10th)
day after the last date on which such exercise would result in such liability
under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. Finally, an Optionee's Option
Agreement may also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the
termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or
Consultant (other than upon the Optionee's death or disability) would be
prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares would violate the
registration requirements under the Act, then the Option shall terminate on the
earlier of (i) the expiration of the term of the Option set forth in the first
paragraph of this subsection 6(f), or (ii) the expiration of a period of thirty
(30) days after the termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status as an
Employee, Director or Consultant during which the exercise of the Option would
not be in violation of such registration requirements.
(g) DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE. In the event an Optionee's Continuous
Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates as a result of the
Optionee's disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option (to the
extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of
termination), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i)
the date six (6) months following such termination (or such longer or shorter
period specified in the Option Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term
of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, at the date of
termination, the Optionee is not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option,
the shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall revert to
and
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again become available for issuance under 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 and again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(h) DEATH OF OPTIONEE. In the event of the death of an Optionee
during, or within a period specified in the Option after the termination of,
the Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant, the
Option may be exercised (to the extent the Optionee was entitled to exercise
the Option at the date of death) by the Optionee's estate, by a person who
acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a
person designated to exercise the option upon the Optionee's death pursuant to
subsection 6(d), but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the
date twelve (12) months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter
period specified in the Option Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term
of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, at the time of death,
the Optionee was not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the shares
covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall revert to and again
become available for issuance under the Plan. If, after death, the Option is
not exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and
the shares covered by such Option shall revert to and again become available
for issuance under the Plan.
(i) EARLY EXERCISE. The Option may, but need not, include a
provision whereby the Optionee may elect at any time while an Employee,
Director or Consultant to exercise the Option as to any part or all of the
shares subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option. Any
unvested shares so purchased may be subject to a repurchase right in favor of
the Company or to any other restriction the Board determines to be appropriate.
(j) RE-LOAD OPTIONS. Without in any way limiting the authority of
the Board or Committee to make or not to make grants of Options hereunder, the
Board or Committee shall have the authority (but not an obligation) to include
as part of any Option Agreement a provision entitling the Optionee to a further
Option (a "Re-Load Option") in the event the Optionee exercises the Option
evidenced by the Option agreement, in whole or in part, by surrendering other
shares of Common Stock in accordance with this Plan and the terms and
conditions of the Option Agreement. Any such Re-Load Option (i) shall be for a
number of shares equal to the number of shares surrendered as part or all of
the exercise price of such Option; (ii) shall have an expiration date which is
the same as the expiration date of the Option the exercise of which gave rise
to such Re-Load Option; and (iii) shall have an exercise price which is equal
to one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock
subject to the Re-Load Option on the date of exercise of the original Option.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Re-Load Option which is an Incentive Stock
Option and which is granted to a 10% stockholder (as described in subsection
5(c)), shall have an exercise price which is equal to one hundred ten percent
(110%) of the Fair Market Value of the stock subject to the Re-Load Option on
the date of exercise of the original Option and shall have a term which is no
longer than five (5) years.
Any such Re-Load Option may be an Incentive Stock Option or a
Nonstatutory Stock Option, as the Board or Committee may designate at the time
of the grant of the original Option;
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provided, however, that the designation of any Re-Load Option as an Incentive
Stock Option shall be subject to the one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000)
annual limitation on exercisability of Incentive Stock Options described in
subsection 11(d) of the Plan and in Section 422(d) of the Code. There shall be
no Re-Load Options on a Re-Load Option. Any such Re-Load Option shall be
subject to the availability of sufficient shares under subsection 4(a) and
shall be subject to such other terms and conditions as the Board or Committee
may determine which are not inconsistent with the express provisions of the
Plan regarding the terms of Options.
7. TERMS OF STOCK BONUSES AND PURCHASES OF RESTRICTED STOCK.
Each stock bonus or restricted stock purchase agreement shall be in
such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board or the
Committee shall deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of stock bonus or
restricted stock purchase agreements may change from time to time, and the
terms and conditions of separate agreements need not be identical, but each
stock bonus or restricted stock purchase agreement shall include (through
incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise)
the substance of each of the following provisions as appropriate:
(A) PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price under each restricted
stock purchase agreement shall be such amount as the Board or Committee shall
determine and designate in such agreement but in no event shall the purchase
price be less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the stock's Fair Market Value
on the date such award is made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board or
the Committee may determine that eligible participants in the Plan may be
awarded stock pursuant to a stock bonus agreement in consideration for past
services actually rendered to the Company for its benefit.
(B) TRANSFERABILITY. No rights under a stock bonus or restricted
stock purchase agreement shall be transferable except by will or the laws of
descent and distribution or, if the agreement so provides, pursuant to a
domestic relations order satisfying the requirements of Rule 16b-3 so long as
stock awarded under such agreement remains subject to the terms of the
agreement.
(C) CONSIDERATION. The purchase price of stock acquired pursuant
to a stock purchase agreement shall be paid either: (i) in cash at the time of
purchase; (ii) at the discretion of the Board or the Committee, according to a
deferred payment or other arrangement with the person to whom the stock is
sold; or (iii) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable
to the Board or the Committee in its discretion. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Board or the Committee to which administration of the Plan has
been delegated may award stock pursuant to a stock bonus agreement in
consideration for past services actually rendered to the Company or for its
benefit.
(D) VESTING. Shares of stock sold or awarded under the Plan may,
but need not, be subject to a repurchase option in favor of the Company in
accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board or the
Committee.
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(E) TERMINATION OF CONTINUOUS STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR
CONSULTANT. In the event a Participant's Continuous Status as an Employee,
Director or Consultant terminates, the Company may repurchase or otherwise
reacquire any or all of the shares of stock held by that person which have not
vested as of the date of termination under the terms of the stock bonus or
restricted stock purchase agreement between the Company and such person.
8. CANCELLATION AND RE-GRANT OF OPTIONS.
(a) The Board or the Committee shall have the authority to effect,
at any time and from time to time, (i) the repricing of any outstanding Options
under the Plan and/or (ii) with the consent of any adversely affected holders
of Options, the cancellation of any outstanding Options under the Plan and the
grant in substitution therefor of new Options under the Plan covering the same
or different numbers of shares of stock, but having an exercise price per share
not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value for a
Nonstatutory Stock Option, one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value
for an Incentive Stock Option or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option held
by a 10% stockholder (as described in subsection 5(c)), not less than one
hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per share of stock on the
new grant date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board or the Committee may
grant an Option with an exercise price lower than that set forth above if such
Option is granted as part of a transaction to which section 424(a) of the Code
applies.
(b) Shares subject to an Option canceled under this Section 8
shall continue to be counted against the maximum award of Options permitted to
be granted pursuant to subsection 5(c) of the Plan. The repricing of an Option
under this Section 8, resulting in a reduction of the exercise price, shall be
deemed to be a cancellation of the original Option and the grant of a
substitute Option; in the event of such repricing, both the original and the
substituted Options shall be counted against the maximum awards of Options
permitted to be granted pursuant to subsection 5(c) of the Plan. The
provisions of this subsection 8(b) shall be applicable only to the extent
required by Section 162(m) of the Code.
9. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
(a) During the terms of the Stock Awards, the Company shall keep
available at all times the number of shares of stock required to satisfy such
Stock Awards.
(b) The Company shall seek to obtain from each regulatory
commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be
required to issue and sell shares under Stock Awards; provided, however, that
this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") either the Plan, any Stock Award
or any stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award. If, after
reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory
commission or agency the authority which counsel for the Company deems
necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of stock under the Plan, the Company
shall be relieved from any liability for failure to
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issue and sell stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such
authority is obtained.
10. USE OF PROCEEDS FROM STOCK.
Proceeds from the sale of stock pursuant to Stock Awards shall
constitute general funds of the Company.
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) The Board shall have the power to accelerate the time at which
a Stock Award may first be exercised or the time during which a Stock Award or
any part thereof will vest pursuant to subsection 6(e) or 7(d), notwithstanding
the provisions in the Stock Award stating the time at which it may first be
exercised or the time during which it will vest.
(b) Neither an Employee, Director nor a Consultant nor any person
to whom a Stock Award is transferred in accordance with the Plan shall be
deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with
respect to, any shares subject to such Stock Award unless and until such person
has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Stock Award pursuant to its
terms.
(c) Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed or Stock Award
granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Employee, Consultant or other
holder of Stock Awards any right to continue in the employ of the Company or
any Affiliate or to continue serving as a Consultant and Director, or shall
affect the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the employment of
any Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, or the right to
terminate the relationship of any Consultant pursuant to the terms of such
Consultant's agreement with the Company or Affiliate or service as a Director
pursuant to the Company's By-laws.
(d) To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined
at the time of grant) of stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options
are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee during any calendar year
under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates exceeds one hundred thousand
dollars ($100,000), the Options or portions thereof which exceed such limit
(according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as
Nonstatutory Stock Options.
(e) The Company may require any person to whom a Stock Award is
granted, or any person to whom a Stock Award is transferred in accordance with
the Plan, as a condition of exercising or acquiring stock under any Stock
Award, (1) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to such
person's knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to
employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is
knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters, and that he or
she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser
representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (2) to
give written assurances satisfactory to the Company
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stating that such person is acquiring the stock subject to the Stock Award for
such person's own account and not with any present intention of selling or
otherwise distributing the stock. The foregoing requirements, and any
assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall be inoperative if (i) the
issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of stock under the
Stock Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, or (ii) as to any particular requirement, a
determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not
be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The
Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock
certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or
appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but
not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the stock.
(f) To the extent provided by the terms of a Stock Award
Agreement, the person to whom a Stock Award is granted may satisfy any federal,
state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or
acquisition of stock under a Stock Award by any of the following means or by a
combination of such means: (1) tendering a cash payment; (2) authorizing the
Company to withhold shares from the shares of the Common Stock otherwise
issuable to the participant as a result of the exercise or acquisition of stock
under the Stock Award; or (3) delivering to the Company owned and unencumbered
shares of the Common Stock of the Company.
12. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN STOCK.
(a) If any change is made in the stock subject to the Plan, or
subject to any Stock Award, without the receipt of consideration by the Company
(through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization,
reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock
split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change
in corporate structure or other transaction not involving the receipt of
consideration by the Company), the Plan will be appropriately adjusted in the
class(es) and maximum number of shares subject to the Plan pursuant to
subsection 4(a) and the maximum number of shares subject to award to any person
during any calendar year pursuant to subsection 5(d), and the outstanding Stock
Awards will be appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and number of shares and
price per share of stock subject to such outstanding Stock Awards. Such
adjustments shall be made by the Board or the Committee, the determination of
which shall be final, binding and conclusive. (The conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as a "transaction
not involving the receipt of consideration by the Company".)
(b) In the event of: (1) a dissolution, liquidation or sale of
substantially all of the assets of the Company; (2) a merger or consolidation
in which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or (3) a reverse merger
in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of the
Company's common stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are
converted by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of
securities, cash or otherwise, then to the extent permitted by applicable law:
(i) any surviving corporation or an Affiliate of such surviving corporation
shall assume any Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan or shall substitute
similar Stock Awards for those outstanding under the Plan, or (ii) such
12.
<PAGE> 13
Stock Awards shall continue in full force and effect. In the event any
surviving corporation and its Affiliates refuse to assume or continue such
Stock Awards, or to substitute similar options for those outstanding under the
Plan, then, with respect to Stock Awards held by persons then performing
services as Employees, Directors or Consultants, the time during which such
Stock Awards may be exercised shall be accelerated and the Stock Awards
terminated if not exercised prior to such event.
13. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND STOCK AWARDS.
(a) The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend the
Plan. However, except as provided in Section 12 relating to adjustments upon
changes in stock, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the
stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval is necessary for
the Plan to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, Rule 16b-3 or
any Nasdaq or securities exchange listing requirements.
(b) The Board may in its sole discretion submit any other
amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to,
amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m)
of the Code and the regulations thereunder regarding the exclusion of
performance-based compensation from the limit on corporate deductibility of
compensation paid to certain executive officers.
(c) It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan
in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide eligible
Employees, Directors or Consultants with the maximum benefits provided or to be
provided under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated
thereunder relating to Incentive Stock Options and/or to bring the Plan and/or
Incentive Stock Options granted under it into compliance therewith.
(d) Rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted before
amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless
(i) the Company requests the consent of the person to whom the Stock Award was
granted and (ii) such person consents in writing.
(e) The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend the
terms of any one or more Stock Award; provided, however, that the rights and
obligations under any Stock Award shall not be impaired by any such amendment
unless (i) the Company requests the consent of the person to whom the Stock
Award was granted and (ii) such person consents in writing.
14. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.
(a) The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time.
Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate ten (10) years from the date
the Plan is adopted by the Board or approved by the stockholders of the
Company, whichever is earlier. No Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan
while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
13.
<PAGE> 14
(b) Rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the
Plan is in effect shall not be impaired by suspension or termination of the
Plan, except with the consent of the person to whom the Stock Award was
granted.
15. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
This amendment and restatement of the Plan shall become effective on
the date of closing of the initial public offering pursuant to an effective
registration statement covering the offer and sale of Common Stock to the
public, but no Stock Awards granted under the Plan shall be exercised unless
and until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, which
approval shall be within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan
is adopted by the Board.
14.
<PAGE> 15
WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION
___________________________________, Optionee:
Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (the "Company"), pursuant to its 1996 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), has this day granted to you, the optionee named
above, an option to purchase shares of the common stock of the Company ("Common
Stock"). This option is intended to qualify as an "incentive stock option"
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code").
The details of your option are as follows:
1. (a) THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO
THIS OPTION IS __________________________.
(a) Subject to the conditions stated herein, this option
shall be exercisable with respect to each installment shown below on or after
the date of vesting applicable to such installment; provided, however, that
should Optionee's employment terminate for "cause" this option shall be
terminated and canceled immediately and shall not be exercisable for any number
of shares. For purposes of this option, "cause" shall mean misconduct
including, but not limited to, criminal acts involving moral turpitude or
dishonesty.
NUMBER OF SHARES (INSTALLMENT) DATE OF EARLIEST EXERCISE (VESTING)
2. (a) The exercise price of this option is $_____________
per share, being not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the date of grant of this option.
(a) Payment of the exercise price per share is due in
full in cash (including check) upon exercise of all or any part of each
installment which has become exercisable by you.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this option may be
exercised pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by
the Federal Reserve Board which results in the receipt of cash (or check) by
the Company prior to the issuance of Common Stock.
3. This option may not be exercised for any number of shares
which would require the issuance of anything other than whole shares.
4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
this option may not be exercised unless the shares issuable upon exercise of
this option are then registered under the
<PAGE> 16
Act or, if such shares are not then so registered, the Company has determined
that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration
requirements of the Act.
5. The term of this option commences on the date hereof and,
unless sooner terminated as set forth below or in the Plan, terminates ten
(10) years from the date of grant. In no event may this option be exercised on
or after the date on which it terminates. This option shall terminate prior to
the expiration of its term as follows: Thirty (30) days after the termination
of your employment with the Company or an affiliate of the Company (as defined
in the Plan) for any reason or for no reason unless;
(a) such termination of employment is due to your
permanent and total disability (within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the
Code), in which event the option shall terminate on the earlier of the
termination date set forth above or six (6) months following such termination
of employment; or
(b) such termination of employment is due to your death,
in which event the option shall terminate on the earlier of the termination
date set forth above or twelve (12) months after your death; or
(c) during any part of such thirty (30) days period the
option is not exercisable solely because of the condition set forth in
paragraph 4 above, in which event the option shall not terminate until the
earlier of the termination date set forth above or until it shall have been
exercisable for an aggregate period of thirty (30) days after the termination
of employment.
However, this option may be exercised on or after the
termination of employment only as to that number of vested shares as to which
it was exercisable on the date of termination of employment under the
provisions of paragraphs 1 and 3 of this option; provided however, that if your
employment is terminated prior to the First Exercise Date (as defined in
subparagraph 3(a) hereof), subject to paragraph 1 hereof, the date of your
termination of employment shall be deemed the First Exercise Date.
6. (a) This option may be exercised, to the extent specified
above, by delivering a notice of exercise (in a form designated by the Company)
together with the exercise price to the Secretary of the Company, or to such
other person as the Company may designate, during regular business hours,
together with such additional documents as the Company may then require
pursuant to the Plan.
(b) By exercising this option you agree that:
(i) the Company may require you to enter an
arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax
withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (1) the exercise of
this option; (2) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the
shares are subject at the time of exercise; or (3) the disposition of shares
acquired upon such exercise; and
(ii) you will notify the Company in writing within
fifteen (15) days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the
Common Stock issued upon exercise of this option that occurs within two (2)
years after the date of this option grant or
<PAGE> 17
within one (1) year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon
exercise of this option.
7. This option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.
8. Any notices provided for in this option or the Plan shall be
given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the
case of notices delivered by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in
the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the address
specified below or at such other address as you hereafter designate by written
notice to the Company.
9. This option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, a
copy of which is attached hereto and its provisions are hereby made a part of
this option, including without limitation the provisions of the Plan relating
to option provisions, and is further subject to all interpretations,
amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated
and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the
provisions of this option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan
shall control.
Dated the _________ day of ____________, 199__.
Very truly yours,
WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.
By______________________________________
Duly authorized on behalf of the Board
of Directors
<PAGE> 18
The undersigned:
(a) Acknowledges receipt of the foregoing option and the
attachments referenced therein and understands that all rights and liabilities
with respect to this option are set forth in the option and the Plan; and
(b) Acknowledges that as of the date of grant of this option, it
sets forth the entire understanding between the undersigned optionee and the
Company and its affiliates regarding the acquisition of stock in the Company
and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements on that subject with the
exception of the following agreements only:
NONE __________________________
(Initial)
OTHER ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
____________________________________
Optionee
Address: ____________________________________
___________________________________________
ATTACHMENTS:
1996 Stock Option Plan
Notice of Exercise
<PAGE> 19
WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION
___________________________________,Optionee:
Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (the "Company"), pursuant to its 1996 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), has this day granted to you, the optionee named
above, an option to purchase shares of the common stock of the Company ("Common
Stock"). This option is not intended to qualify and will not be treated as an
"incentive stock option" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
The details of your option are as follows:
1. (a) The total number of shares of Common Stock
subject to this option is ____________________________
(a) Subject to the conditions stated herein, this
option shall be exercisable with respect to each installment shown below on or
after the date of vesting applicable to such installment; provided, however,
that should Optionee's employment terminate for "cause" this option shall be
terminated and canceled immediately and shall not be exercisable for any number
of shares. For purposes of this option, "cause" shall mean misconduct
including, but not limited to, criminal acts involving moral turpitude or
dishonesty.
NUMBER OF SHARES (INSTALLMENT) DATE OF EARLIEST EXERCISE (VESTING)
2. (a) The exercise price of this option is
___________________ ($_______) per share, being not less than eighty five
percent (85%) of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant
of this option.
(a) Payment of the exercise price per share is
due in full in cash (including check) upon exercise of all or any part of each
installment which has become exercisable by you.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this option
may be exercised pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as
promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board which results in the receipt of cash
(or check) by the Company prior to the issuance of Common Stock.
3. This option may not be exercised for any number of shares
which would require the issuance of anything other than whole shares.
4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
this option may not be exercised unless the shares issuable upon exercise of
this option are then registered under the
<PAGE> 20
Act or, if such shares are not then so registered, the Company has determined
that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration
requirements of the Act.
5. The term of this option commences on the date hereof and,
unless sooner terminated as set forth below or in the Plan, terminates ten (10)
years from the date of grant. In no event may this option be exercised on or
after the date on which it terminates. This option shall terminate prior to
the expiration of its term as follows: Thirty (30) days after the termination
of your employment with the Company for any reason or for no reason unless;
(a) such termination of employment is due to your
permanent and total disability (within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the
Code), in which event the option shall terminate on the earlier of the
termination date set forth above or six (6) months following such termination
of employment; or
(b) such termination of employment is due to your death,
in which event the option shall terminate on the earlier of the termination
date set forth above or twelve (12) months after your death; or
(c) during any part of such thirty (30) days period the
option is not exercisable solely because of the condition set forth in
paragraph 4 above, in which event the option shall not terminate until the
earlier of the termination date set forth above or until it shall have been
exercisable for an aggregate period of thirty (30) days after the termination
of employment.
However, this option may be exercised on or after the
termination of employment only as to that number of vested shares as to which
it was exercisable on the date of termination of employment under the
provisions of paragraphs 1 and 3 of this option; provided however, that if your
employment is terminated prior to the First Exercise Date (as defined in
subparagraph 3(a) hereof), subject to paragraph 1 hereof, the date of your
termination of employment shall be deemed the First Exercise Date.
6. (a) This option may be exercised, to the extent specified
above, by delivering a notice of exercise (in a form designated by the Company)
together with the exercise price to the Secretary of the Company, or to such
other person as the Company may designate, during regular business hours,
together with such additional documents as the Company may then require
pursuant to the Plan.
(i) By exercising this option you agree that the
Company may require you to enter an arrangement providing for the payment by
you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by
reason of (1) the exercise of this option; (2) the lapse of any substantial
risk of forfeiture to which the shares are subject at the time of exercise; or
(3) the disposition of shares acquired upon such exercise.
7. This option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.
<PAGE> 21
8. Any notices provided for in this option shall be given in
writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of
notices delivered by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the
United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the address specified
below or at such other address as you hereafter designate by written notice to
the Company.
9. If the partners hereto shall have any conflict regarding the
terms of this option, the interpretation of the Company's Compensation
Committee shall prevail.
Dated the ______ day of _________________, 199___.
Very truly yours,
WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.
By ___________________________________
Duly authorized on behalf of the Board
of Directors
<PAGE> 22
The undersigned:
(a) Acknowledges receipt of the foregoing option and the
attachments referenced therein and understands that all rights and liabilities
with respect to this option are set forth in the option and the Plan; and
(b) Acknowledges that as of the date of grant of this option, it
sets forth the entire understanding between the undersigned optionee and the
Company and its affiliates regarding the acquisition of stock in the Company
and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements on that subject with the
exception of the following agreements only:
NONE _____________________
(Initial)
OTHER __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
______________________________________________
Optionee
Address:
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
ATTACHMENTS:
1996 Stock Option Plan
Notice of Exercise
<PAGE> 23
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
Wild Oats Markets, inc.
1645 Broadway,
Boulder, CO 80302 Date of Exercise:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This constitutes notice under my stock option that I elect to purchase
the number of shares for the price set forth below.
Type of option (check one) Incentive Nonstatutory
Stock option dated:
Number of shares as to which
option is exercised:
Certificates to be issued in
name of: _____________________
Total exercise price:
$
Cash payment delivered
herewith: $
By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as
you may require pursuant to the terms of the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan, (ii)
to provide for the payment by me to you (in the manner designated by you) of
your withholding obligation, if any, relating to the exercise of this option,
and (iii) if this exercise related to an incentive stock option, to notify you
in writing within fifteen (15) days after the date of any disposition of any of
the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of this option that occurs
within two (2) years after the date of grant of this option or within one (1)
year after such shares of Common Stock are issued upon exercise of this option.
I hereby make the following certifications and representations with
respect to the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company listed above
(the "Shares"), which are being acquired by me for my own account upon exercise
of the Option as set forth above:
<PAGE> 24
I acknowledge that the Shares have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and are deemed to constitute
"restricted securities" under Rule 701 and "control securities" under Rule 144
promulgated under the Act. I warrant and represent to the Company that I have
no present intention of distributing or selling said Shares, except as
permitted under the Act and any applicable state securities laws.
I further acknowledge that I will not be able to resell the Shares for
at least ninety days after the stock of the Company becomes publicly traded
(i.e., subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 of 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) under Rule 701 and that more restrictive
conditions apply to affiliates of the Company under Rule 144.
I further acknowledge that all certificates representing any of the
Shares subject to the provisions of the Option shall have endorsed thereon
appropriate legends reflecting the foregoing limitations, as well as any
legends reflecting restrictions pursuant to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation, Bylaws and/or applicable securities laws.
I further agree that, if required by the Company (or a representative
of the underwriters) in connection with the first underwritten registration of
the offering of any securities of the Company under the Act, I will not sell or
otherwise transfer or dispose of my shares of Common Stock or other securities
of the Company during such period (not to exceed two hundred seventy (270)
days) following the effective date of the registration statement of the Company
filed under the Act (the "Effective Date") as may be requested by the Company
or the representative of the underwriters. For purposes of this restriction I
will be deemed to own securities that (i) are owned directly or indirectly by
me, including securities held for my benefit by nominees, custodians, brokers
or pledges; (ii) may be acquired by me within sixty (60) days of the Effective
Date; (iii) are owned directly or indirectly, by or for my brothers or sisters
(whether by whole or half blood), spouse, ancestors and lineal descendants; or
(iv) are owned, directly or indirectly, by or for a corporation, partnership,
estate or trust of which I am a shareholder, partner or beneficiary, but only
to the extent of my proportionate interest therein as a shareholder, partner or
beneficiary thereof. I further agree that the Company may impose stop-transfer
instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions
until the end of such period.
Very truly yours,
_________________________________
2.