EXHIBIT 10.1
Updated May 2025
AUTOZONE, INC. 2020 OMNIBUS Incentive AWARD Plan
STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
AutoZone, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2020 Omnibus Incentive Award Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the individual listed below (the “Participant”), an option to purchase the number of shares of the common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”) set forth below (the “Option”). This Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth in this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A, the additional terms and conditions set forth in the Country Addendum for the Participant’s country of employment, if any (collectively, the “Agreement”) and the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement and the Plan.
Participant: | |
Employee ID#: | |
Grant Date: | |
Exercise Price per Share: | |
Total Number of Shares Subject to the Option: | |
Vesting Commencement Date: | |
Expiration Date: | |
Type of Option: | |
Vesting Schedule: |
|
Termination:
By electronic acceptance (which shall be deemed to have occurred if neither acceptance or rejection is made by the Participant within 90 days from the Grant Date), the Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement (collectively, the “Stock Option Governing Terms”). The Participant has reviewed the Stock Option Governing Terms in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to acceptance and fully understands all provisions of the Stock Option Governing Terms. The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Stock Option Governing Terms.
AUTOZONE, INC.
______________________________________
______________________________________
PARTICIPANT
______________________________________
EXHIBIT A
TO STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Stock Option Agreement and any Country Addendum for the Participant’s country of employment (this “Agreement”) is attached, AutoZone, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), has granted to the Participant an option under the Company’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Award Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of Shares indicated in the Grant Notice (the “Option”). All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan.
The Participant acknowledges that an Incentive Stock Option exercised more than three (3) months after the Participant’s Termination of Employment, other than by reason of death or Disability, will be taxed as a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Participant further acknowledges that Participant is responsible for keeping track of the exercise periods following Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason. The Company will not provide further notice of such periods.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Company shall have the right to specify all conditions of the manner of exercise, which conditions may vary by country and which may be subject to change from time to time.
COUNTRY ADDENDUM
TO
AUTOZONE, INC.
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
This Country Addendum includes additional terms and conditions that govern the Option granted to the Participant if the Participant works and/or resides outside of the United States. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Grant Notice, the Stock Option Award Agreement and the Plan.
Language. The Participant acknowledges that the Participant is sufficiently proficient in English, or has consulted with an advisor who is sufficiently proficient in English, so as to allow the Participant to understand the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If the Participant received this Agreement, or any other document related to the Option and/or the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control, unless otherwise required by applicable law.
Change in Residency or Employment. If the Participant is a citizen or resident (or is considered as such for local law purposes) of a country other than the country in which the Participant is currently residing and/or working, or if the Participant transfers residency or employment to and/or otherwise becomes subject to the laws, rules and/or regulations of another country after the Grant Date, the Administrator shall, in its discretion, determine to what extent the terms and conditions contained herein shall be applicable to the Participant.
Termination not Extended by Notice Periods. For purposes of the Option, the Participant’s Termination of Service is deemed to occur as of the date the Participant is no longer actively providing services to the Company or any Affiliate (regardless of the reason for the termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of applicable law in the jurisdiction where the Participant is rendering services or the terms of the Participant’s employment or other service agreement, if any) (the “Termination Date”), and unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the Participant’s right to vest in the Option, if any, will terminate as of the Termination Date and will not be extended by any notice period (e.g., the Participant’s period of service would not include any contractual notice period or any period of “garden leave” or similar period mandated under the applicable law of the jurisdiction where the Participant is rendering services or the terms of the Participant’s employment or other service agreement, if any). The Administrator shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when the Participant is no longer actively providing services for purposes of the Option (including whether the Participant may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence) and, hence, when the Termination Date occurs.
Legal, Regulatory and Tax Compliance. If the Participant resides or is employed outside of the United States, the Participant agrees to take any and all actions as may be required to comply with the Participant’s personal legal, regulatory and tax obligations under local laws, rules and regulations in the Participant’s country of employment (and country of residence, if different), including (but not limited to) any obligations to repatriate all payments attributable to the Shares and/or cash acquired under the Plan (e.g., any proceeds derived from the sale of Shares acquired pursuant to the Option). The Participant acknowledges that the Participant is responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable foreign asset/account, exchange control and tax reporting requirements and should consult the Participant’s personal legal advisor on this matter. In addition, the Participant also agrees to take any and all actions, and consent to any and all actions taken by the Company and any of its Affiliates, as may be required to allow the Company and any of its Affiliates to comply with local laws, rules and regulations in the Participant’s country of employment (and country of residence, if different).
Non-Reliance of Information. The Country Addendum also includes information regarding securities, exchange controls, tax and certain other issues of which the Participant should be aware with respect to the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The information is based on the securities, exchange control, tax and other laws in effect in the respective countries as of May 2025. Such laws are often complex and change frequently. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that the Participant not rely on the information noted herein as the only source of information relating to the consequences of the Participant’s participation in the Plan because the information may be out of date at the time the Participant exercises the Option or sells Shares acquired under the Plan. In addition, the information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to the Participant’s particular situation, and the Company is not in a position to assure the Participant of any particular result. Accordingly, the Participant should
seek appropriate professional advice as to how the relevant laws in the Participant’s country may apply to the Participant’s situation.
BRAZIL / EUROPEAN UNION (“EU”) / EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (“EEA”) / THE UNITED KINGDOM
Data Privacy. If the Participant resides and/or is employed in Brazil, the EU / EEA, or the United Kingdom, the following provision replaces Article 5.18 of the Agreement:
The Company is located at 123 South Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, United States of America and grants Options under the Plan to employees of the Company and its Affiliates in its sole discretion. The Participant should review the following information about the Company’s data processing practices.
Age Discrimination Rules. If the Participant is a local national of and employed in the EU/EEA, the grant of the Option and the terms and conditions governing the Option are intended to comply with the age discrimination laws, rules and regulations of the Participant’s country of employment (and country of residence, if different) (the “Age Discrimination Rules”). To the extent that a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, under the Age Discrimination Rules, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to revise or strike such provision to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable to the full extent permitted under local law.
BRAZIL
Terms and Conditions
Method of Exercise. The Participant acknowledges that due to regulatory requirements, and notwithstanding any terms or conditions of the Plan or the Agreement to the contrary, the Participants residing in Brazil will be restricted to the cashless sell-all method of exercise with respect to their Options. To complete a cashless sell-all exercise, the Participant understands that the Participant needs to instruct the broker to: (i) sell all of the purchased Shares issued upon exercise; (ii) use the proceeds to pay the exercise price for the Shares, brokerage fees and any applicable Tax-Related Items; and (iii) remit the balance in cash to the Participant. In the event of changes in regulatory requirements, the Company reserves the right to eliminate the cashless sell-all method of exercise requirement and, in its sole discretion, to permit cash exercises, cashless sell-to-cover exercises or any other method of exercise and payment deemed appropriate by the Company.
Labor Law Policy and Acknowledgment. The following provision supplements Article 5.20 of the Agreement:
By accepting the Option, the Participant agrees that the Participant is (i) making an investment decision; and (ii) the value of the underlying Shares is not fixed and may increase or decrease over the vesting period without compensation to the Participant.
Compliance with Law. By accepting the Option, the Participant acknowledges that the Participant agrees to comply with applicable Brazilian laws and to pay any and all applicable Tax-Related Items associated with the exercise of the Option, and the sale of Shares acquired under the Plan and the receipt of any dividends.
Notifications
Foreign Asset/Account Reporting Information. If the Participant is a resident or domiciled in Brazil, the Participant may be required to submit an annual declaration of assets and rights held outside of Brazil to the Central Bank of Brazil. If the aggregate value of such assets and/or rights is US$1,000,000 or more but less than US$100,000,000, a declaration must be submitted annually. If the aggregate value exceeds US$100,000,000, a declaration must be submitted quarterly.
Tax on Financial Transaction (IOF). Repatriation of funds (e.g., the proceeds from the sale of Shares) into Brazil and the conversion of USD into BRL associated with such fund transfers may be subject to the Tax on Financial Transactions. It is the Participant’s responsibility to comply with any applicable Tax on Financial Transactions arising from the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Participant should consult with the Participant’s personal tax advisor for additional details.
CHINA
Terms and Conditions
Method of Exercise. The Participant acknowledges that due to regulatory requirements, and notwithstanding any terms or conditions of the Plan or the Agreement to the contrary, the Participants residing in mainland China will be restricted to the cashless sell-all method of exercise with respect to their Options. To complete a cashless sell-all exercise, the Participant understands that the Participant needs to instruct the broker to: (i) sell all of the purchased Shares issued upon exercise; (ii) use the proceeds to pay the exercise price for the Shares, brokerage fees and any applicable Tax-Related Items; and (iii) remit the balance in cash to the Participant. In the event of changes in regulatory requirements, the Company reserves the right to eliminate the cashless sell-all method of exercise requirement and, in its sole discretion, to permit cash exercises, cashless sell-to-cover exercises or any other method of exercise and payment deemed appropriate by the Company.
Notifications
Exchange Control Restrictions. If the Participant is a local national of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), the Participant understands that, except as otherwise provided herein, the Participant’s Option can be exercised only by means of the cashless sell-all method, under which all Shares underlying the Option are immediately sold upon exercise.
In addition, the Participant understands and agrees that, pursuant to local exchange control requirements, the Participant is required to repatriate the cash proceeds from the cashless sell-all method of exercise of the Option (i.e., the sale proceeds less the exercise price of the Shares and any administrative fees). The Participant agrees that the Company is authorized to instruct its designated broker to assist with the immediate sale of such Shares (on the Participant’s behalf pursuant to this authorization), and the Participant expressly authorizes such designated broker to complete the sale of such Shares. If the Company changes its designated brokerage firm, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may transfer any Shares issued under the Plan to the new designated brokerage firm, if necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. The Participant agrees to sign any documentation necessary to facilitate the transfer of Shares. Further, the Participant acknowledges that the Company’s broker is under no obligation to arrange for the sale of Shares at any particular price. The Company reserves the right to provide additional methods of exercise depending on the development of local law.
In addition, the Participant understands and agrees that the cash proceeds from the exercise of the Participant’s Option, (i.e., the proceeds of the sale of the Shares underlying the Option, less the exercise price for the Shares and any administrative fees) will be repatriated to China. The Participant further understands that, under local law, such repatriation of the cash proceeds may be effectuated through a special foreign exchange control account to be approved by the local foreign exchange administration, and the Participant hereby consents and agrees that the proceeds from the sale of Shares acquired under the Plan, net of the exercise price for the Shares and administrative fees, may be transferred to such special account prior to being delivered to the Participant. The proceeds, net of Tax-Related Items, may be paid to the Participant in U.S. dollars or local currency at the Company’s discretion (as of the Grant Date, the proceeds are paid to the Participant in local currency). In the event the proceeds are paid to the Participant in U.S. dollars, the Participant understands that the Participant will be required to set up a U.S. dollar bank account in China and provide the bank account details to the Employer and/or the Company so that the proceeds may be deposited into this account. If the proceeds are paid to the Participant in local currency, the Participant agrees to bear any currency fluctuation risk between the time Shares are sold and the time the sale proceeds are distributed through any such special exchange account.
Exchange Control Notice. If the Participant is a local national of the PRC, the Participant understands that exchange control restrictions may limit the Participant’s ability to access and/or convert funds received under the Plan, particularly if these amounts exceed US$50,000. The Participant should confirm the procedures and requirements for withdrawals and conversions of foreign currency with the Participant’s local bank prior to the Option exercise. The Participant agrees to comply with any other requirements that may be imposed by the Company in the future in order to facilitate compliance with exchange control requirements in the PRC. The Participant should consult with the Participant’s personal advisor(s) regarding any personal legal, regulatory or foreign exchange obligations the Participant may have in connection with the Participant’s participation in the Plan.
Foreign Asset/Account Reporting Information. PRC residents are required to report to SAFE details of their foreign financial assets and liabilities, as well as details of any economic transactions conducted with non-PRC
residents, either directly or through financial institutions. The Participant may be subject to reporting obligations for the Shares or awards acquired under the Plan and Plan-related transactions. The Participant should consult with the Participant’s personal advisor(s) regarding any personal foreign asset/foreign account tax obligations the Participant may have in connection with the Participant’s participation in the Plan.
GERMANY
Terms and Conditions
No country-specific provisions.
Notifications
Exchange Control Information. Cross-border payments in excess of €50,000 must be reported to the German Federal Bank (Bundesbank). If the Participant receives a cross-border payment in excess of this amount (e.g., proceeds from the sale of Shares acquired under the Plan) and/or if the Company withholds or sells Shares with a value in excess of €12,500 for any Tax-Related Items, the Participant must report the payment and/or the value of the Shares received and/or sold or withheld to the Bundesbank, either electronically using the “General Statistics Reporting Portal” (“Allgemeines Meldeportal Statistik”) available on the Bundesbank website (www.bundesbank.de) or via such other method (e.g., by email or telephone) as is permitted or required by Bundesbank. The report must be submitted monthly or within other such timing as is permitted or required by Bundesbank. The Participant should consult with the Participant’s personal advisor(s) regarding any personal legal, regulatory or foreign exchange obligations the Participant may have in connection with the Participant’s participation in the Plan.
Foreign Asset/Account Reporting Information. German residents must notify their local tax office of the acquisition of Shares when they file their personal income tax returns for the relevant year if the value of the Shares acquired exceeds €150,000 or in the unlikely event that the resident holds Shares exceeding 10% of the Company’s total Shares outstanding. However, if the Shares are listed on a recognized U.S. stock exchange and the Participant owns less than 1% of the total Shares, this requirement will not apply even if Shares with a value exceeding €150,000 are acquired. The Participant should consult with the Participant’s personal advisor(s) regarding any personal foreign asset/foreign account tax obligations the Participant may have in connection with the Participant’s participation in the Plan.
INDIA
Terms and Conditions
Method of Exercise. The Participant acknowledges that due to regulatory requirements, and notwithstanding any terms or conditions of the Plan or the Agreement to the contrary, the Participants residing in India will be restricted to the cashless sell-all method of exercise with respect to their Options. To complete a cashless sell-all exercise, the Participant understands that the Participant needs to instruct the broker to: (i) sell all of the purchased Shares issued upon exercise; (ii) use the proceeds to pay the exercise price for the Shares, brokerage fees and any applicable Tax-Related Items; and (iii) remit the balance in cash to the Participant. In the event of changes in regulatory requirements, the Company reserves the right to eliminate the cashless sell-all method of exercise requirement and, in its sole discretion, to permit cash exercises, cashless sell-to-cover exercises or any other method of exercise and payment deemed appropriate by the Company.
Notifications
Tax Collection at Source. If the Participant remits funds from India to pay the exercise price for the Shares, the Participant may be subject to Tax Collection At Source (“TCS”) if the Participant’s annual remittances out of India exceed a certain amount (currently INR 700,000). The Participant may be required to provide a declaration to the bank remitting the funds to determine if the TCS limit has been reached. If deemed necessary to comply with applicable laws, the Company may require the Participant to pay for the Shares purchased on exercise, and any Tax-Related Items through a cashless exercise or net exercise method. The Company reserves the right to prescribe
alternative methods of payment depending on the development of local laws.
Exchange Control Information. The Participant must repatriate any proceeds from the sale of the Shares and any cash dividends acquired under the Plan to India and convert the proceeds into local currency within a certain period from the time of receipt (90 days for sale proceeds and 180 days for dividend payments, or within such other period of time as may be required under applicable regulations and to convert the proceeds into local currency). The Participant will receive a foreign inward remittance certificate (“FIRC”) from the bank where the Participant deposits the foreign currency. The Participant should maintain the FIRC as evidence of the repatriation of funds in the event the Reserve Bank of India or the Employer requests proof of repatriation. Further, the Participant agrees to provide any information that may be required by the Company or the Employer to enable them to make any applicable filings they may have under exchange control laws in India. The Participant should consult with the Participant’s personal advisor(s) regarding any personal legal, regulatory or foreign exchange obligations the Participant may have in connection with participation in the Plan.
Foreign Asset/Account Reporting Information. The Participant is required to declare the Participant’s foreign bank accounts and any foreign financial assets (including Shares held outside India) in the Participant’s annual tax return. The Participant is personally responsible for complying with local exchange control laws, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary of the Company will be liable for any resulting fines or penalties. The Participant should consult with the Participant’s personal advisor(s) regarding any personal legal, regulatory or foreign exchange obligations the Participant may have in connection with the Participant’s participation in the Plan.
MEXICO
Terms and Conditions
Acknowledgment of the Agreement. By participating in the Plan, the Participant acknowledges that the Participant has received a copy of the Plan, has reviewed the Plan in its entirety and fully understands and accepts all provisions of the Plan. The Participant further acknowledges that the Participant has read and expressly approves the terms and conditions set forth in Article 5.20 of the Agreement, in which the following is clearly described and established:
| (i) | the Participant’s participation in the Plan does not constitute an acquired right; |
| (ii) | the Plan and the Participant’s participation in the Plan are offered by the Company on a wholly discretionary basis; |
| (iii) | the Participant’s participation in the Plan is voluntary; and |
| (iv) | the Company or any Affiliate is not responsible for any decrease in the value of the underlying Shares. |
Labor Law Policy and Acknowledgment. By participating in the Plan, the Participant expressly recognizes that the Company, with registered offices at 123 South Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, U.S.A., is solely responsible for the administration of the Plan and that the Participant’s participation in the Plan and acquisition of Shares does not constitute an employment relationship between the Participant and the Company since the Participant is participating in the Plan on a wholly commercial basis. Based on the foregoing, the Participant expressly recognizes that the Plan and the benefits that the Participant may derive from participation in the Plan do not establish any rights between the Participant and the Company and do not form part of the employment conditions and/or benefits provided by the Company and any modification of the Plan or its termination shall not constitute a change or impairment of the terms and conditions of the Participant’s employment.
The Participant further understands that the Participant’s participation in the Plan is as a result of a unilateral and discretionary decision of the Company; therefore, the Company reserves the absolute right to amend and/or discontinue the Participant’s participation at any time without any liability to the Participant.
Finally, the Participant hereby declares that the Participant does not reserve any action or right to bring any claim
against the Company for any compensation or damages regarding any provision of the Plan or the benefits derived under the Plan, and the Participant therefore grants a full and broad release to the Company or any Affiliate, branches, representation offices, its shareholders, officers, agents or legal representatives with respect to any claim that may arise.
Términos y Condiciones
Reconocimiento del Contrato. Al participar en el Plan, usted reconoce que ha recibido una copia del Plan, que ha revisado el Plan en su totalidad, y que entiende y acepta en su totalidad, todas y cada una de las disposiciones del Plan. Asimismo reconoce que ha leído y aprueba expresamente los términos y condiciones señalados en el Artículo 5.20 del Contrato, en lo que claramente se describe y establece lo siguiente:
| (i) | su participación en el Plan no constituye un derecho adquirido; |
| (ii) | el Plan y su participación en el Plan son ofrecidos por la Compañía sobre una base completamente discrecional; |
| (iii) | su participación en el Plan es voluntaria; y |
| (iv) | la Compañía y sus Afiliadas no son responsables de ninguna por la disminución en el valor de las Acciones subyacentes. |
Política de Legislación Laboral y Reconocimiento. Al participar en el Plan, usted reconoce expresamente que la Compañía, con oficinas registradas en 123 South Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, EE.UU, es la única responsable por la administración del Plan, y que su participación en el Plan, así como la adquisición de las Acciones, no constituye una relación laboral entre usted y la Compañía, debido a que usted participa en el plan sobre una base completamente mercantil. Con base en lo anterior, usted reconoce expresamente que el Plan y los beneficios que pudiera obtener por su participación en el Plan, no establecen derecho alguno entre usted y la Compañía, y no forman parte de las condiciones y/o prestaciones laborales que la Compañía ofrece, y que las modificaciones al Plan o su terminación, no constituirán un cambio ni afectarán los términos y condiciones de su relación laboral.
Asimismo usted entiende que su participación en el Plan es el resultado de una decisión unilateral y discrecional de la Compañía; por lo tanto, la Compañía se reserva el derecho absoluto de modificar y/o suspender su participación en cualquier momento, sin que usted incurra en responsabilidad alguna.
Finalmente, usted declara que no se reserva acción o derecho alguno para interponer reclamación alguna en contra de la Compañía, por concepto de compensación o daños relacionados con cualquier disposición del Plan o de los beneficios derivados del Plan, y por lo tanto, usted libera total y ampliamente de toda responsabilidad a la Compañía o sus Afiliadas, sucursales, oficinas de representación, sus accionistas, funcionarios, agentes o representantes legales, con respecto a cualquier reclamación que pudiera surgir.
Securities Law Information. The Option granted, and any Shares acquired, under the Plan have not been registered with the National Register of Securities maintained by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission and cannot be offered or sold publicly in Mexico. In addition, the Plan, Award Agreement and any other document relating to the Option may not be publicly distributed in Mexico. These materials are addressed to the Participant because of the Participant’s existing relationship with the Company and these materials should not be reproduced or copied in any form. The offer contained in these materials does not constitute a public offering of securities, but rather a private placement of securities addressed specifically to certain Employees and are made in accordance with the provisions of the Mexican Securities Market Law. Any rights under such offering shall not be assigned or transferred.
UNITED KINGDOM
Terms and Conditions
Responsibility for Taxes. The following provision supplements Article 4.8 of the Agreement:
Without limitation to Article 4.8 of the Agreement, the Participant hereby agrees that the Participant is liable for all Tax-Related Items and hereby covenants to pay all such Tax-Related Items, as and when requested by the Company, or if different, the Employer, or by HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) (or any other tax authority or any other relevant authority). The Participant also hereby agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified the Company and, if different, the Employer, against any Tax-Related Items that they are required to pay or withhold, or have paid or will pay to HMRC (or any other tax authority or any other relevant authority) on the Participant’s behalf.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant is a director or executive officer of the Company (within the meaning of Article 13(k) of the Exchange Act), the Participant may not be able to indemnify the Company or the Employer for the amount of any income tax not collected from or paid by the Participant, as it may be considered a loan. In this case, the amount of any uncollected amounts may constitute a benefit to the Participant on which additional income tax and employee National Insurance contributions (“NICs”) may be payable. The Participant will be responsible for reporting and paying any income tax due on this additional benefit directly to HMRC under the self-assessment regime and for paying the Company or the Employer for the value of any NICs due on this additional benefit, which the Company or the Employer may recover by any of the means referred to in Article 4.8 of the Agreement.
*******************************************