10/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/26/2026 06:02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Filed by the Registrant ☑
|
|
|
Filed by a party other than the Registrant ☐
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
☐
|
Preliminary Proxy Statement
|
|
☐
|
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
|
|
☑
|
Definitive Proxy Statement
|
|
☐
|
Definitive Additional Materials
|
|
☐
|
Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12
|
|
|
|
Village Super Market, Inc.
|
|
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
|
|
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
|
|
|
|
☑
|
No fee required
|
|
☐
|
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
|
|
☐
|
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11
|
|
(1)
|
To elect nine directors for the ensuing year;
|
|
(2)
|
To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm ("independent auditors") for the 2027 fiscal year;
|
|
(3)
|
To vote on a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Company's named executive officers;
|
|
(4)
|
To approve the Village Super Market, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan; and
|
|
(5)
|
To transact any other business which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
Age
|
|
|
Position with the Company
|
|
John J. Sumas
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
Nicholas J. Sumas II
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
President and Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
|
John P. Sumas
|
|
|
77
|
|
|
Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director
|
|
Robert Sumas
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
Senior Advisor and Director
|
|
Perry J. Blatt
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
Director of E-Commerce and Business Development, Director
|
|
Kevin Begley
|
|
|
68
|
|
|
Director
|
|
Steven Crystal
|
|
|
70
|
|
|
Director
|
|
Stephen F. Rooney
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
Director
|
|
Prasad Pola
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
Class A Stock
|
|
|
Class B Stock
|
|||||||
|
Name
|
|
|
Shares
Owned
|
|
|
Percentage
of
Class
|
|
|
Shares
Owned
|
|
|
Percentage
of
Class
|
|
Named Executive Officers, Directors and Director Nominees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Robert Sumas(1)(2)(3)
|
|
|
1,023,722
|
|
|
8.8%
|
|
|
948,484
|
|
|
23.0%
|
|
John P. Sumas(1)
|
|
|
573,418
|
|
|
5.1%
|
|
|
470,480
|
|
|
11.4%
|
|
Nicholas J. Sumas II(1)(3)(4)
|
|
|
1,082,807
|
|
|
9.2%
|
|
|
1,036,058
|
|
|
25.1%
|
|
John J. Sumas(1)(5)
|
|
|
1,473,242
|
|
|
12.2%
|
|
|
1,356,915
|
|
|
32.9%
|
|
John Van Orden
|
|
|
32,023
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-%
|
|
Luigi Perri
|
|
|
15,839
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-%
|
|
Kevin Begley
|
|
|
46,533
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-%
|
|
Stephen F. Rooney
|
|
|
39,372
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-%
|
|
Steven Crystal(6)(8)
|
|
|
1,412,058
|
|
|
12.7%
|
|
|
440,320
|
|
|
10.7%
|
|
Perry J. Blatt
|
|
|
49,515
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-%
|
|
Prasad Pola
|
|
|
14,572
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-%
|
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)(7)
|
|
|
5,122,685
|
|
|
35.8%
|
|
|
3,612,345
|
|
|
87.6%
|
|
5%+ Holders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Sumas Family Group(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)
|
|
|
3,512,773
|
|
|
25.4%
|
|
|
3,172,025
|
|
|
76.9%
|
|
Crystal Family Charitable Foundation(8)
|
|
|
1,016,940
|
|
|
9.3%
|
|
|
216,940
|
|
|
5.3%
|
|
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(9)
|
|
|
732,365
|
|
|
6.9%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-%
|
|
BlackRock, Inc.(10)
|
|
|
580,894
|
|
|
5.4%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
Less than 1%.
|
|
(1)
|
The Sumas Family Group is comprised of Robert Sumas, John P. Sumas, Nicholas J. Sumas II and John J. Sumas. Assuming no conversion of shares of Class B Stock to Class A Stock, the Sumas Family Group beneficially owns 340,748 shares of Class A Stock and 3,172,025 shares of Class B Stock, or 61.7% of the combined voting power. By virtue of the existence of this "group," the Company is a "controlled company" pursuant to Section 5615(c)(1) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules. Shares beneficially owned by more than one director or executive officer are counted only once in the total for all directors and executive officers as a group.
|
|
(2)
|
Includes (i) 108,572 shares of Class B Stock held by the spousal trust for the benefit of Mrs. Robert Sumas, of which Robert Sumas is a co-trustee and as to which he shares voting and investment power; and (ii) 200,000 shares of Class B Stock held by the Nicholas Sumas Grandchildren Trust for the benefit of Robert Sumas's children, of which Robert Sumas is the sole trustee.
|
|
(3)
|
Includes (i) 504 shares of Class A Stock and 548,236 shares of Class B Stock held by Robert Sumas Family LLC, of which Robert Sumas and Nicholas J. Sumas II are managers and share voting and investment power; and (ii) 91,676 shares of Class B Stock held by a spousal trust for the benefit of Robert Sumas, of which Nicholas J. Sumas II is a co-trustee and as to which he shares voting and investment power. Nicholas J. Sumas II, his wife and trusts for their children own 55.3% of the Robert Sumas Family LLC.
|
|
(4)
|
Includes 133,120 shares of Class B Stock held by two trusts for the benefit of the grandchildren of Robert Sumas, of which Nicholas J. Sumas II is a co-trustee and as to which he shares voting and investment power.
|
|
(5)
|
Includes (i) 200,000 shares of Class B Stock held by the Nicholas Sumas Grandchildren Trust for the benefit of James Sumas's children, of which John J. Sumas is a co-trustee and as to which he shares voting and investment power; and (ii) 71,513 shares of Class A Stock and 844,620 shares of Class B Stock held by various family trusts for the benefit of the children of James Sumas, of which John J. Sumas is the sole trustee or a co-trustee. John J. Sumas shares voting and investment power held by the trusts of which he is a co-trustee.
|
|
(6)
|
Includes (i) 70,025 shares of Class A Stock and 223,380 shares of Class B Stock held by a decedent trust, of which Mr. Crystal is the sole trustee; and (ii) 800,000 shares of Class A Stock and 216,940 shares of Class B Stock owned by the Crystal Family Charitable Foundation, of which Mr. Crystal is the sole trustee.
|
|
(7)
|
Shares beneficially owned by more than one director or executive officer are counted only once in the total for all directors and executive officers as a group.
|
|
(8)
|
Mr. Crystal is the sole trustee of the foundation and may be deemed the beneficial owner of the 800,000 shares of Class A Stock and 216,940 shares of Class B Stock held by the Crystal Family Charitable Foundation.
|
|
(9)
|
As reported in a Schedule 13G/A dated February 9, 2024, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, furnishes investment advice to four investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and serves as investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts (such investment companies, trusts and accounts, collectively referred to as the "Funds"). In certain cases, subsidiaries of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP may act as an adviser or sub-adviser to certain Funds. In its role as investment adviser, sub-adviser and/or manager, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP or its subsidiaries (collectively, "Dimensional") possess voting and/or dispositive power over the securities of the Company that are owned by the Funds, and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 732,365 shares of the Company held by the Funds, over which it has (a) sole voting power with respect to 718,324 shares of Class A Stock and (b) sole dispositive power over 732,365 shares of Class A Stock. However, all shares of Class A Stock reported herein are owned directly by the Funds and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. To the knowledge of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, none of the Funds individually owns more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Class A Stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP's address is Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746.
|
|
(10)
|
As reported in a Schedule 13G/A dated January 31, 2024, BlackRock, Inc. ("BlackRock") may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 580,894 shares of Class A Stock, over which it has (a) sole voting power with respect to 568,179 shares of Class A Stock and (b) sole dispositive power with respect to 580,894 shares of Class A Stock. BlackRock's address is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.
|
|
*
|
The foregoing report of the Audit Committee is not to be deemed "soliciting material" or deemed to be "filed" with the SEC (irrespective of any general incorporation language in any document filed with the SEC) or subject to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
Age
|
|
|
Position with the Company
|
|
John J. Sumas
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
Nicholas J. Sumas II
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
President and Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
|
John P. Sumas
|
|
|
77
|
|
|
Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director
|
|
Robert Sumas
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
Senior Advisor and Director
|
|
John Van Orden
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
|
|
Luigi Perri
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
Vice President of Finance (Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AMCON Distributing Company
|
|
|
Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.
|
|
Five Below, Inc.
|
|
|
PriceSmart, Inc.
|
|
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.
|
|
|
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.
|
|
Ingles Markets, Incorporated
|
|
|
The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc.
|
|
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.
|
|
|
Weis Markets, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
The foregoing Compensation Committee Report is not to be deemed "filed" with the SEC (irrespective of any general incorporation language in any document filed with the SEC) or subject to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed with the SEC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and
principal position(1)
|
|
|
Fiscal
Year
|
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
|
Stock
awards
($)(2)
|
|
|
Option
awards
($)
|
|
|
Non-equity
incentive
plan
compensation
|
|
|
Change
in pension
value and
non-qualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
($)(3)
|
|
|
All other
compensation
($)(4)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
John J. Sumas
CEO
|
|
|
2026
|
|
|
$876,000
|
|
|
$646,000
|
|
|
$1,382,071
|
|
|
$-
|
|
|
$-
|
|
|
$-
|
|
|
$60,323
|
|
|
$2,964,394
|
|
|
2025
|
|
|
818,212
|
|
|
680,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
56,395
|
|
|
1,554,607
|
||
|
|
2024
|
|
|
740,000
|
|
|
433,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
52,987
|
|
|
1,225,987
|
||
|
Nicholas J. Sumas II
President and Chairman of the Board
|
|
|
2026
|
|
|
876,000
|
|
|
646,000
|
|
|
1,382,071
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
60,143
|
|
|
2,964,214
|
|
|
2025
|
|
|
818,212
|
|
|
680,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
55,614
|
|
|
1,553,826
|
||
|
|
2024
|
|
|
740,000
|
|
|
432,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
54,361
|
|
|
1,226,361
|
||
|
John P. Sumas
Executive Vice President
|
|
|
2026
|
|
|
843,565
|
|
|
537,000
|
|
|
665,448
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
164,407
|
|
|
51,753
|
|
|
2,262,173
|
|
|
2025
|
|
|
818,565
|
|
|
565,600
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
141,202
|
|
|
56,395
|
|
|
1,581,762
|
||
|
|
2024
|
|
|
796,484
|
|
|
434,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
149,537
|
|
|
51,672
|
|
|
1,431,693
|
||
|
John Van Orden
CFO
|
|
|
2026
|
|
|
575,000
|
|
|
371,000
|
|
|
685,935
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
48,998
|
|
|
1,680,933
|
|
Luigi Perri
Vice President of Finance
|
|
|
2026
|
|
|
375,000
|
|
|
166,000
|
|
|
307,136
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
38,468
|
|
|
886,604
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Each of our named executive officers is employed at-will. None of our named executive officers has an employment contract that provides for payments or benefits in the event of a termination of employment or a change in control of the Company.
|
|
(2)
|
These amounts represent the grant date fair value of restricted share awards granted to the named executive officer with respect to the fiscal year, based on the closing price of the Company's Class A common stock on the date of the award. Restricted shares granted on March 27, 2026 vest in three installments, subject to the officer's continued employment with the Company through each applicable vesting date, as follows: one-half of the shares vest on March 16, 2027; one-third of the shares vest on March 14, 2028; and the remaining shares vest on March 13, 2029. Any dividends declared on the Company's Class A common stock are payable on the restricted shares.
|
|
(3)
|
This amount shows the change in pension value in each fiscal year presented. See section below entitled "Pension Benefits" for additional information.
|
|
(4)
|
In accordance with SEC rules, this table omits information regarding group life and health plans that do not discriminate in favor of executive officers of the Company and that are generally available to all salaried employees. The amounts reported in this column comprise of dividends received on unvested restricted stock, matching contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan, automobile allowances and long-term disability insurance premiums.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
Grant
Date
|
|
|
All other
stock awards:
number of shares
of stock or units
(#)(1)
|
|
|
Grant date
fair value of
stock awards
($)(2)
|
|
John J. Sumas
|
|
|
3/27/2026
|
|
|
33,056
|
|
|
$1,382,071
|
|
Nicholas J. Sumas II
|
|
|
3/27/2026
|
|
|
33,056
|
|
|
$1,382,071
|
|
John P. Sumas
|
|
|
3/27/2026
|
|
|
15,916
|
|
|
$665,448
|
|
John Van Orden
|
|
|
3/27/2026
|
|
|
16,406
|
|
|
$685,935
|
|
Luigi Perri
|
|
|
3/27/2026
|
|
|
7,346
|
|
|
$307,136
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Restricted shares granted vest in three installments, subject to the officer's continued employment with the Company through each applicable vesting date, as follows: one-half of the shares vest on March 16, 2027; one-third of the shares vest on March 14, 2028; and the remaining shares vest on March 13, 2029. Any dividends declared on the Company's Class A common stock are payable on the restricted shares.
|
|
(2)
|
The grant date fair value of stock awards is calculated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718, "Compensation - Stock Compensation" ("ASC Topic 718"), based on the closing price of the Company's Class A common stock on the date of the award.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
Number of shares
or units of stock
that have not vested
(#)(1)
|
|
|
Market value of shares
or units of stock
that have not vested
($)(2)
|
|
John J. Sumas
|
|
|
33,056
|
|
|
$1,408,847
|
|
Nicholas J. Sumas II
|
|
|
33,056
|
|
|
$1,408,847
|
|
John P. Sumas
|
|
|
15,916
|
|
|
$678,340
|
|
John Van Orden
|
|
|
16,406
|
|
|
$699,224
|
|
Luigi Perri
|
|
|
7,346
|
|
|
$313,087
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Restricted shares vest in three installments, subject to the officer's continued employment with the Company through each applicable vesting date, as follows: one-half of the shares vest on March 16, 2027; one-third of the shares vest on March 14, 2028; and the remaining shares vest on March 13, 2029.
|
|
(2)
|
Based on the closing market price of the Company's Class A common stock on July 25, 2026 of $42.62.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
Number of shares
acquired on vesting
(#)
|
|
|
Value realized
on vesting
($)(1)
|
|
John J. Sumas
|
|
|
26,000
|
|
|
$1,112,540
|
|
Nicholas J. Sumas II
|
|
|
26,000
|
|
|
$1,112,540
|
|
John P. Sumas
|
|
|
26,000
|
|
|
$1,112,540
|
|
John Van Orden
|
|
|
26,000
|
|
|
$1,112,540
|
|
Luigi Perri
|
|
|
14,000
|
|
|
$599,060
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Based on the closing market price of the Company's Class A common stock on March 16, 2026 of $42.79.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
Plan Name
|
|
|
Number of
years of
credited service
(#)
|
|
|
Present value
accumulated benefit
($)(1)
|
|
|
Payments
during last
fiscal year
($)
|
|
John P. Sumas
|
|
|
SERP
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
$2,893,713
|
|
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
The present value of the accumulated benefit for each named executive officer reflects pension benefits payable at the earliest age the named executive officer may retire without significant benefit reductions, or current age, if later. The actuarial present values reported in the Pension Benefits Table were determined using the same methods and assumptions used for financial reporting purposes under U.S. GAAP, except that retirement age was determined in accordance with Item 402(h) of Regulation S-K. The principal assumptions included a discount rate of 4.96% and the applicable mortality tables used in the Company's pension valuation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan category
|
|
|
Number of
securities to
be issued
upon exercise
of outstanding
options
|
|
|
Weighted-average
exercise price
of outstanding
options
|
|
|
Number of
securities
remaining available
for future
issuance
under equity
compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected
in column (a))
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
452,610
|
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Annual total compensation of our median employee, excluding John J. Sumas: $30,653
|
|
•
|
Annual total compensation for our CEO, John J. Sumas: $2,964,394
|
|
•
|
Ratio of total annual compensation of our CEO to our median employee: 97 to 1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Fiscal
Year
|
|
|
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for PEO
(John
J. Sumas)(1)
|
|
|
Compensation
Actually
Paid to PEO
(John
J. Sumas)(2)
|
|
|
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for PEO
(Robert
Sumas)(3)
|
|
|
Compensation
Actually
Paid to PEO
(Robert
Sumas)(2)
|
|
|
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for non-PEO
NEOs(4)
|
|
|
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid
to non-PEO
NEOs(2)
|
|
|
Value of Initial Fixed $100
Investment Based(5)
|
|
|
GAAP Net
Income(6)
($ in Millions)
|
|
|
Adjusted Net
Income(7)
($ in Millions)
|
|||
|
|
TSR
|
|
|
Peer Group
TSR
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2026
|
|
|
$2,964,394
|
|
|
$3,169,270
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1,948,481
|
|
|
$2,079,655
|
|
|
$226.72
|
|
|
$195.23
|
|
|
$52.5
|
|
|
$52.7
|
||
|
2025
|
|
|
1,554,607
|
|
|
1,694,487
|
|
|
$902,261
|
|
|
$972,788
|
|
|
1,567,794
|
|
|
1,637,073
|
|
|
186.06
|
|
|
190.94
|
|
|
56.4
|
|
|
56.4
|
|
2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,432,211
|
|
|
1,601,724
|
|
|
1,322,414
|
|
|
1,421,465
|
|
|
153.57
|
|
|
146.15
|
|
|
50.5
|
|
|
51.9
|
||
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,955,159
|
|
|
1,975,907
|
|
|
1,823,359
|
|
|
1,844,107
|
|
|
112.93
|
|
|
127.54
|
|
|
49.7
|
|
|
48.9
|
||
|
2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,251,742
|
|
|
1,252,210
|
|
|
1,124,397
|
|
|
1,124,865
|
|
|
104.59
|
|
|
123.70
|
|
|
26.8
|
|
|
35.4
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Represents the total compensation for Mr. John J. Sumas, our Chief Executive Officer, for 2026 and 2025. Mr. J. Sumas was appointed as Chief Executive Officer effective December 13, 2024.
|
|
(2)
|
Represents the total compensation from the Summary Compensation Table for our Principal Executive Officer ("PEO") and the average total compensation for our named executive officers other than the PEO (referred to in this Pay Versus Performance disclosure as our "non-PEO NEOs") during 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022 as adjusted to reflect changes in the fair value of outstanding stock and option awards in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The adjustments to the values reported in the Summary Compensation table are set forth below in the Reconciliation of Summary Compensation Totals and Compensation Actually Paid.
|
|
(3)
|
Represents the total compensation for Mr. Robert Sumas, our former Chief Executive Officer and PEO, for 2025 (through December 13, 2024), 2024, 2023 and 2022. Mr. R. Sumas stepped down as Chief Executive Officer effective December 13, 2024.
|
|
(4)
|
Represents the average total compensation for Messrs. John P. Sumas, Nicholas J. Sumas II, John Van Orden and Luigi Perri, our non-PEO NEOs, from the Summary Compensation Table for 2026; Messrs. John P. Sumas and Nicholas J. Sumas II for 2025; Messrs. William Sumas, John P. Sumas, John J. Sumas and Nicholas J. Sumas II for 2024; and Messrs. William Sumas and John P. Sumas for 2023 and 2022.
|
|
(5)
|
Total Shareholder Return ("TSR"), for each fiscal year is based on a $100 common equity investment at the close of July 31, 2021, measuring through and including the end of the applicable year. Cumulative TSR is calculated by dividing (a) the sum of the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and the difference between the Company's share price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period by (b) the Company's share price at the beginning of the measurement period. The peer group selected by the Company for purposes of the TSR benchmarking for the pay versus performance disclosures is the Dow Jones U.S. Food Retailers & Wholesalers Total Stock Market Index, which is the same peer group the Company uses for the performance graph in its Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K.
|
|
(6)
|
The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of net income reflected in the Company's audited financial statements for the applicable fiscal year.
|
|
(7)
|
Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income excluding certain non-routine transactions that, in the opinion of management, affect the comparability of operating results from period to period. For a reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years presented.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
PEO
John J. Sumas
|
|
|
PEO
Robert Sumas
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
2026
($)
|
|
|
2025
($)
|
|
|
2025
($)
|
|
|
2024
($)
|
|
|
2023
($)
|
|
|
2022
($)
|
|
|
Summary Compensation Table Total
|
|
|
$2,964,394
|
|
|
$1,554,607
|
|
|
$902,261
|
|
|
$1,432,211
|
|
|
$1,955,159
|
|
|
$1,251,742
|
|
Deduct: Stock and Option Awards
|
|
|
(1,382,071)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(595,400)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Deduct: Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(69,353)
|
|
|
(18,727)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Equity Award Adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
Add (Deduct): Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in the Year
|
|
|
1,408,847
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
606,320
|
|
|
-
|
|
Add (Deduct): Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that are Unvested at Year End
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
139,880
|
|
|
139,880
|
|
|
188,240
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
468
|
|
Add (Deduct): Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year
|
|
|
178,100
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
9,828
|
|
|
-
|
|
Compensation Actually Paid
|
|
|
$3,169,270
|
|
|
$1,694,487
|
|
|
$972,788
|
|
|
$1,601,724
|
|
|
$1,975,907
|
|
|
$1,252,210
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
Average Non-PEO NEOs
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
2026
($)
|
|
|
2025
($)
|
|
|
2024
($)
|
|
|
2023
($)
|
|
|
2022
($)
|
|
|
Summary Compensation Table Total
|
|
|
$1,948,481
|
|
|
$1,567,794
|
|
|
$1,322,414
|
|
|
$1,823,359
|
|
|
$1,124,397
|
|
Deduct: Stock and Option Awards
|
|
|
(760,148)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(595,400)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Deduct: Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
|
|
|
(41,102)
|
|
|
(70,601)
|
|
|
(65,529)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Equity Award Adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
Add (Deduct): Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in the Year
|
|
|
774,874
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
606,320
|
|
|
-
|
|
Add (Deduct): Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that are Unvested at Year End
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
139,880
|
|
|
141,180
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
468
|
|
Add (Deduct): Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year
|
|
|
157,550
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
23,400
|
|
|
9,828
|
|
|
-
|
|
Compensation Actually Paid
|
|
|
$2,079,655
|
|
|
$1,637,073
|
|
|
$1,421,465
|
|
|
$1,844,107
|
|
|
$1,124,865
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Performance Measure
|
|
|
Description
|
|
Adjusted Net Income
|
|
|
Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income excluding certain non-routine transactions that, in the opinion of management, affect the comparability of operating results from period to period.
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
EBITDA is defined as net income before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization expense.
|
|
Same Store Sales
|
|
|
New stores, replacement stores and stores with banner changes are included in same store sales in the quarter after the store has been in operation for four full fiscal quarters. Store renovations and expansions are included in same store sales immediately.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
Fees earned
or paid
in cash
($)
|
|
|
Stock
awards
($)(3)
|
|
|
Option
awards
($)
|
|
|
Non-
equity
incentive
plan
compensation
($)
|
|
|
Change in
pension
value and
nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
($)(4)
|
|
|
All other
compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Perry J. Blatt(1)
|
|
|
$-
|
|
|
$511,880
|
|
|
$-
|
|
|
$-
|
|
|
$-
|
|
|
$756,280
|
|
|
$1,268,160
|
|
Robert Sumas(2)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
107,535
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
449,925
|
|
|
557,460
|
|
Stephen F. Rooney
|
|
|
52,500
|
|
|
107,535
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
160,035
|
|
Kevin Begley
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
107,535
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
157,535
|
|
Steven Crystal
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
107,535
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
157,535
|
|
Prasad Pola
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
107,535
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
157,535
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Perry J. Blatt serves as Director of E-Commerce and Business Development. All other compensation paid to Mr. Blatt comprised of the following: base salary of $477,900; cash bonus of $232,000; dividends received on unvested restricted stock of $19,122; matching contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan of $13,863; an automobile allowance of $12,000; and long-term disability insurance premium payments of $1,395. In accordance with SEC rules, the amount disclosed in this table omits information regarding group life and health plans that do not discriminate in favor of employee directors of the Company and that are generally available to all salaried employees.
|
|
(2)
|
Robert Sumas serves as Senior Advisor. All other compensation paid to Mr. R. Sumas comprised of the following: base salary of $416,772; dividends received on unvested restricted stock of $14,286; matching contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan of $13,077; an automobile allowance of $4,395; and long-term disability insurance premium payments of $1,395. In accordance with SEC rules, the amount disclosed in this table omits information regarding group life and health plans that do not discriminate in favor of employee directors of the Company and that are generally available to all salaried employees.
|
|
(3)
|
The grant date fair value of these stock awards, which were granted on March 27, 2026, was $41.81 as calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. Perry J. Blatt was awarded 12,243 Class A restricted shares, which vest in three installments, subject to his continued employment with the Company through each applicable vesting date, as follows: one-half of the shares vest on March 16, 2027; one-third of the shares vest on March 14, 2028; and the remaining shares vest on March 13, 2029. Messrs. Robert Sumas, Stephen F. Rooney, Kevin Begley, Steven Crystal and Prasad Pola each were awarded 2,572 Class A restricted shares. Restriction on these shares lapse on March 16, 2027.
|
|
(4)
|
A decrease in pension value for Robert Sumas of $150,030 was excluded from the above amounts. Refer to section above entitled "Pension Benefits" for information related to the Company's pension benefits.
|
|
•
|
All obligations of the Company to Wakefern, as described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, are personally guaranteed by Robert Sumas, John P. Sumas, John J. Sumas and Nicholas J. Sumas II.
|
|
•
|
The Company's supermarket in Chatham, New Jersey is leased from Hickory Square Associates, a limited partnership. The lease is dated April 1, 1986 and expired on March 31, 2026. The Company executed an amendment to the lease to extend the term through March 31, 2041, plus three additional five-year optional renewals that could extend the lease through March 31, 2056. The lease extension included aggregate fixed rent payments of $15,531,185, payable through March 31, 2041. The annual rent under this lease was $811,930 in fiscal 2026. Sumas Realty Associates is a 30% limited partner in Hickory Square Associates. Sumas Realty Associates is a general partnership in which Robert Sumas and John P. Sumas each have a 20% ownership interest.
|
|
•
|
On December 19, 2025, the Company entered into a financing transaction with Valley National Bank Community Investment Fund, LLC ("Valley Bank") under a qualified New Markets Tax Credit ("NMTC") program related to the construction of a replacement store in East Orange, New Jersey. The NMTC program was provided for in the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (the "Act") and is intended to induce capital investment in qualified lower income communities. The Act permits taxpayers to claim credits against their Federal income taxes for up to 39% of qualified investments in the equity of community development entities ("CDEs"). CDEs are privately managed investment institutions that are certified to make qualified low-income community investments.
|
|
•
|
The Company employs Stephanie Sumas, sister of John J. Sumas, Chief Executive Officer, in employee relations. Ms. S. Sumas is also a member of the Wakefern Retail HR committee. Ms. S. Sumas receives total compensation of approximately $545,000, including base salary and annual cash bonus. The Company employs Alexandria Good, daughter of John P. Sumas, Executive Vice President, in leadership development and store design. Mrs. Good is also a member of the Wakefern Price-Rite committee. Mrs. Good receives total compensation of approximately $503,000, including base salary and annual cash bonus. The Company employs Laura Sumas, daughter of John P. Sumas, Executive Vice President, in real estate asset management and customer experience. Mrs. L. Sumas is also a member of the Wakefern Customer Satisfaction committee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
Fiscal Years
|
||||
|
|
|
2026
|
|
|
2025
|
|
|
Audit fees(1)
|
|
|
$827,500
|
|
|
$807,337
|
|
Audit-related fees(2)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Tax fees(3)
|
|
|
64,800
|
|
|
63,000
|
|
All other fees
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total fees
|
|
|
$892,300
|
|
|
$870,337
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Audit fees consist of audits of the annual consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, quarterly reviews and services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filing engagements, including issuance of consents.
|
|
(2)
|
Audit-related fees include assurance and related services not reported under audit fees, including attest, agreed upon procedures and related services not required by statute or regulations. No such services were provided to us in fiscal 2026 and 2025.
|
|
(3)
|
Tax fees consist of fees for tax compliance and consultation services.
|
|
•
|
recipients of awards;
|
|
•
|
the type of awards to be granted;
|
|
•
|
the exercise, purchase, or strike price of stock awards, if any;
|
|
•
|
the number of shares subject to each stock award;
|
|
•
|
the vesting schedule applicable to the awards, together with any vesting acceleration; and
|
|
•
|
the form of consideration, if any, payable on exercise or settlement of the award.
|
|
•
|
Monitor the integrity of the Company's financial reporting process and systems of internal controls regarding financial, accounting, regulatory and legal compliance.
|
|
•
|
Monitor the independence and performance of the Company's independent auditors and the adequacy of disclosures to shareholders.
|
|
•
|
Provide an avenue of communication among the independent auditors, management and the Board.
|
|
1.
|
Review and reassess the adequacy of the Committee Charter at least annually. Submit the charter to the Board for approval and have the Charter published at least every three years in accordance with applicable regulations.
|
|
2.
|
Review the Company's quarterly and annual financial statements prior to filing or distribution. Review should include discussion with management and the independent auditors of significant issues regarding accounting principles, practices and judgments.
|
|
3.
|
In consultation with management and the independent auditors, consider the integrity of the Company's financial reporting processes and controls. Discuss significant financial risk exposures and the action management has taken to monitor, control and report such exposures. Review significant findings prepared by the independent auditors together with management responses. Review the results with the Board.
|
|
4.
|
Not less than on a quarterly basis, discuss any significant changes to the Company's accounting principles and any items required to be communicated by the independent auditors in accordance with applicable auditing standards. The Chairman of the Committee, or his designee on the Audit Committee, may represent the entire Committee for purposes of this review.
|
|
5.
|
Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, including procedures for the confidential, anonymous submissions by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting, financial or auditing matters.
|
|
6.
|
Review and approve related person transactions, as defined by SEC rules, and establish and oversee policies and procedures for the review and approval of related person transactions.
|
|
7.
|
Receive reports from the principal executive and financial officers of the Company regarding each of the following:
|
|
i)
|
Their evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures and the Company's internal controls over financial reporting and procedures for financial reporting ("internal controls").
|
|
ii)
|
All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls that could adversely affect the Company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data.
|
|
iii)
|
Whether they have identified for the independent auditor any material weakness in the internal controls over financial reporting.
|
|
iv)
|
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal controls.
|
|
v)
|
Whether there were significant changes in the internal controls or in the other factors that could significantly affect the internal controls since the date they evaluated them, including corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
|
|
8.
|
The independent auditors are directly accountable to the Committee. The Committee shall review the independence and performance of the auditors and annually recommend to the Board the appointment of the independent auditors or approve any discharge of auditors when circumstances warrant. The lead Partner of the independent auditor team will be reviewed and evaluated by the Committee.
|
|
9.
|
Approve in advance the services to be provided and the fees and other significant compensation to be paid to the independent auditors for all services provided (including tax services).
|
|
10.
|
On an annual basis, the Committee should review and discuss with the independent auditors any relationships they have with the Company that could impair the auditor's independence.
|
|
11.
|
Review the auditor's plan with respect to scope, staffing, locations, reliance upon management and general audit approach.
|
|
12.
|
Prior to releasing quarterly and year-end earnings, discuss the results of the quarterly reviews or year-end audit with the independent auditors. Discuss certain matters required to be communicated to the Audit Committee in accordance with applicable auditing standards.
|
|
13.
|
Consider the independent auditor's judgment about the quality and appropriateness of the Company's accounting principles as applied to its financial reporting.
|
|
14.
|
On at least an annual basis, review with legal counsel any legal matters that could have a significant impact on the organization's financial statements, the Company's compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and inquiries received from regulators, government agencies, and any other relevant authorities.
|
|
15.
|
Annually prepare a report to shareholders as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement.
|
|
16.
|
Maintain minutes of meetings and periodically report to the Board on significant results of the foregoing activities.
|
|
1.
|
Establishment and Purpose
|
|
1.1
|
The purpose of the Village Super Market, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to provide a means whereby eligible employees, officers and non-employee directors develop a sense of proprietorship and personal involvement in the development and financial success of the Company (as defined herein) and to encourage them to devote their best efforts to the business of the Company, thereby advancing the interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain the services of such eligible persons and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
|
|
1.2
|
The Plan permits the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Incentive Bonus Awards, Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. This Plan shall become effective upon the date set forth in Section 17.1 hereof.
|
|
2.
|
Definitions
|
|
2.1
|
"Affiliate" means, with respect to a Person, a Person that directly or indirectly Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such Person.
|
|
2.2
|
"Applicable Law" means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards or equity compensation plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction that applies to Awards.
|
|
2.3
|
"Award" means an award of a Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Incentive Bonus Award, Other Cash-Based Award and/or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.
|
|
2.4
|
"Award Agreement" means either (i) a written or electronic agreement entered into between the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and conditions of an Award, including any amendment or modification thereof, or (ii) a written or electronic statement issued by the Company to a Participant describing the terms and provisions of such Award, including any amendment or modification thereof. The Committee may provide for the use of electronic, internet or other non-paper Award Agreements, and the use of electronic, internet or other non-paper means for the acceptance thereof and actions thereunder by a Participant. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and need not be identical.
|
|
2.5
|
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
|
|
2.6
|
"Cause" means a Participant's (i) indictment for, or conviction of, or the entry of a plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or any other crime that causes or is reasonably likely to result in the Company or its Affiliates disgrace or disrepute, or materially and adversely affects the Company's or its Affiliates' business, operations or financial performance, (ii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or any of its Affiliates, including, without limitation fraud, embezzlement, theft or proven dishonesty in the course of Participant's employment or other service, or conduct of a Participant, in connection with Participant's employment or service, that has, or could reasonably be expected to result in, material injury to the business or reputation of the Company or any Affiliate; (iii) use of controlled drugs other than in accordance with a physician's prescription; (iv) acts of willful misconduct on the part of a Participant in the course of Participant's employment or service that has, or could be reasonably expected to result in, material injury to the reputation or business of the Company or any
|
|
2.7
|
"Change in Control" means, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, the occurrence of any one of the following events:
|
|
2.8
|
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. For purposes of this Plan, references to sections of the Code shall be deemed to include references to any applicable regulations thereunder and any successor or similar provision.
|
|
2.9
|
"Committee" means the committee of the Board delegated with the authority to administer the Plan, or the full Board, as provided in Section 3 of the Plan. With respect to any decision relating to a Reporting Person, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more directors who are disinterested within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor provision. The fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify under any of these requirements shall not invalidate an Award if the Award is otherwise validly made under the Plan. The Board may at any time appoint additional members to the Committee, remove and replace members of the Committee with or without cause, and fill vacancies on the Committee however caused.
|
|
2.10
|
"Common Stock" means the Class A Common Stock of the Company.
|
|
2.11
|
"Company" means Village Super Market, Inc., a New Jersey corporation, and any successor thereto as provided in Section 15.8.
|
|
2.12
|
"Continuous Service" means that the Participant's service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an employee or director, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an employee or director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant's service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant's Continuous Service; provided, however, that if the entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, such Participant's Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an employee of the Company to a director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Committee or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party's sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in an Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company's (or an Affiliate's) leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law or permitted by the Committee. Unless the Committee provides otherwise, in its sole discretion, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, vesting of Awards shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of absence by a Participant.
|
|
2.13
|
"Control" means, as to any Person, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, or the power to appoint directors of the Company, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise (the terms "Controlled by", "Controlling" and "under common Control with" shall have correlative meanings).
|
|
2.14
|
"Date of Grant" means the date on which an Award under the Plan is granted by the Committee, or such later date as the Committee may specify to be the effective date of an Award.
|
|
2.15
|
"Disability" means a Participant being considered "disabled" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(4), as well as any successor regulation or interpretation or in the case of any Participant who, as of the date of determination, is a party to an employment, consulting or other similar services agreement with the Company or any Affiliate that employs such Participant that specifically defines "disability", then "Disability" shall have the meaning specified in such agreement.
|
|
2.16
|
"Effective Date" means the date set forth in Section 17.1 hereof.
|
|
2.17
|
"Eligible Person" means any person who is an employee, officer or director of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any person who is determined by the Committee to be a prospective employee, officer or director of the Company or any Subsidiary.
|
|
2.18
|
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
|
|
2.19
|
"Fair Market Value" of a share of Common Stock shall be, as applied to a specific date (i) the closing price of a share of Common Stock as of such date on the principal established stock exchange or national market system on which the Common Stock is then traded (or, if there is no trading in the Common Stock as of such date, the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the most recent date preceding such date on which trades of the Common Stock were recorded), or (ii) if the shares of Common Stock are not then traded on an established stock exchange or national market system but are then traded in an over-the-counter market, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for the shares of Common Stock in such over-the-counter market as of such date (or, if there are no closing bid and asked prices for the shares of Common Stock as of such date, the average of the closing bid and the asked prices for the shares of Common Stock on the most recent date preceding such date on which such closing bid and asked prices are available on such over-the-counter market), or (iii) if the shares of Common Stock are not then listed on a national securities exchange or national market system or traded in an over-the-counter market, the price of a share of Common Stock as determined by the Committee in its discretion in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv), as well as any successor regulation or interpretation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, solely for purposes of determining the exercise price of any grant of a Stock Option or the base price of any grant of a Stock Appreciation Right, in lieu of the determination of Fair Market Value under clauses (i) and (ii) above, the Committee may in its discretion base Fair Market Value on the last sale before or the first sale after the grant, the closing price on the trading day before or the trading day of the grant, the arithmetic mean of the high and low prices on the trading day before or the trading day of the grant, or any other reasonable method using actual transactions of the Common Stock as reported by the exchange or market on which the Common Stock is traded. In addition, the determination of Fair Market Value also may be made using any other method permitted under Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv).
|
|
2.20
|
"Incentive Bonus Award" means an Award granted under Section 12 of the Plan.
|
|
2.21
|
"Incentive Stock Option" means a Stock Option granted under Section 6 hereof that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
|
|
2.22
|
"Nonqualified Stock Option" means a Stock Option granted under Section 6 hereof that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
|
|
2.23
|
"Other Cash-Based Award" means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 13 hereof entitling such Eligible Person to receive a cash payment at such times, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
|
|
2.24
|
"Other Stock-Based Award" means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 13 representing a notional unit interest equal in value to a share of Common Stock to be paid and distributed at such times, and subject to such conditions as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
|
|
2.25
|
"Outside Director" means a director of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary.
|
|
2.26
|
"Participant" means any Eligible Person who holds an outstanding Award under the Plan.
|
|
2.27
|
"Person" shall mean, unless otherwise provided, any individual, partnership, firm, trust, corporation, limited liability company or other similar entity. When two or more Persons act as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of Common Stock, such partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or group shall be deemed a "Person".
|
|
2.28
|
"Performance Goals" shall mean performance goals established by the Committee as contingencies for the grant, exercise, vesting, distribution, payment and/or settlement, as applicable, of Awards.
|
|
2.29
|
"Performance Shares" means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 10 hereof representing a notional unit interest equal in value to a share of Common Stock to be paid and distributed at such times, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
|
|
2.30
|
"Performance Unit" means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 11 hereof representing a notional dollar interest as determined by the Committee to be paid and distributed at such times, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
|
|
2.31
|
"Plan" means this Village Super Market, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.
|
|
2.32
|
"Reporting Person" means an officer, director or greater than ten percent (10%) stockholder of the Company within the meaning of Rule 16a-2 under the Exchange Act, who is required to file reports pursuant to Rule 16a-3 under the Exchange Act.
|
|
2.33
|
"Restricted Stock Award" means a grant of shares of Common Stock to an Eligible Person under Section 8 hereof that are issued subject to such vesting and transfer restrictions and such other conditions as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
|
|
2.34
|
"Restricted Stock Unit Award" means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 9 hereof representing notional unit interests equal in value to a share of Common Stock to be paid and distributed at such times, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
|
|
2.35
|
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
|
|
2.36
|
"Stock Appreciation Right" or "SAR" means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 7 hereof entitling such Eligible Person to receive a payment, upon the exercise of such right, in such amount and at such time, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
|
|
2.37
|
"Stock Option" means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6 hereof to purchase shares of Common Stock at such time and price, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
|
|
2.38
|
"Subsidiary" means an entity (whether or not a corporation) that is wholly or majority owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company; provided, however, that with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the term "Subsidiary" shall include only an entity that qualifies under section 424(f) of the Code as a "subsidiary corporation" with respect to the Company.
|
|
3.
|
Administration
|
|
3.1
|
Committee Members. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee; provided that the entire Board may act in lieu of the Committee on any matter, subject to Section 16b-3 Award requirements referred to in Section 2.9 of the Plan. If and to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Committee may authorize one or more Reporting Persons (or other officers) to make Awards to Eligible Persons who are not Reporting Persons (or other officers whom the Committee has specifically authorized to make Awards). Subject to Applicable Law and the restrictions set forth in the Plan, the Committee may delegate administrative functions to individuals who are Reporting Persons, officers, or employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
|
|
3.2
|
Committee Authority. The Committee shall have such powers and authority as may be necessary or appropriate for the Committee to carry out its functions as described in the Plan. Subject to the express
|
|
3.3
|
No Liability; Indemnification. Neither the Board nor any Committee member, nor any Person acting at the direction of the Board or the Committee, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award or Award Agreement. Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, the Company's independent certified public accountants, or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall pay or reimburse any member of the Committee, as well as any other Person who takes action on behalf of the Plan, for all reasonable expenses incurred with respect to the Plan, and to the full extent allowable under Applicable Law shall indemnify each and every one of them for any claims, liabilities, and costs (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of their good faith performance of duties on behalf of the Company with respect to the Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries may, but shall not be required to, obtain liability insurance for this purpose.
|
|
4.
|
Shares Subject to the Plan
|
|
4.1
|
Plan Share Limitation.
|
|
4.2
|
Outside Director Limitation. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, the grant date fair value (determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles) of Awards granted under the Plan to any Outside Director during any calendar year shall not exceed $300,000; provided that in the case of a new Outside Director, such amount shall be increased to $500,000 for the initial year of the Outside Director's term.
|
|
4.3
|
Adjustments. If there shall occur any change with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock by reason of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, or other distribution with respect to the shares of Common Stock, or any merger, reorganization, consolidation, combination, spin-off or other similar corporate change, or any other change affecting the Common Stock, the Committee shall, in the manner and to the extent that it deems appropriate and equitable to the Participants and consistent with the terms of the Plan, cause an adjustment to be made in (i) the maximum numbers and kind of shares provided in Section 4.1 hereof, (ii) the numbers and kind of shares of Common Stock, units, or other rights subject to then outstanding Awards, (iii) the price for each share or unit or other right subject to then outstanding Awards, (iv) the performance measures or goals relating to the vesting of an Award, (v) the limits set forth in Section 4.2, and (vi) any other terms of an Award that are affected by the event to prevent dilution or enlargement of a Participant's rights under an Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, any such adjustments shall, to the extent practicable, be made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code.
|
|
4.4
|
Inducement Awards; Mergers or Acquisitions. Shares of Common Stock may be issued as inducement awards and/or in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c) or, if applicable, NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, AMEX Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan.
|
|
5.
|
Participation and Awards
|
|
5.1
|
Designation of Participants. All Eligible Persons are eligible to be designated by the Committee to receive Awards and become Participants under the Plan. The Committee has the authority, in its discretion, to determine and designate from time to time those Eligible Persons who are to be granted Awards, the types of Awards to be granted and the number of shares of Common Stock or units subject to Awards granted under the Plan. In selecting Eligible Persons to be Participants and in determining the type and amount of Awards to be granted under the Plan, the Committee shall consider any and all factors that it deems relevant or appropriate.
|
|
5.2
|
Determination of Awards. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of all Awards granted to Participants in accordance with its authority under Section 3.2 hereof. An Award may consist of one type of right or benefit hereunder or of two or more such rights or benefits granted in tandem or in the alternative. To the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, an Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement as described in Section 15.1 hereof.
|
|
6.
|
Stock Options
|
|
6.1
|
Grant of Stock Option. A Stock Option may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.6 hereof and Section 422 of the Code, each Stock Option shall be designated, in the sole discretion of the Committee, as an Incentive Stock Option or as a Nonqualified Stock Option.
|
|
6.2
|
Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of a Stock Option shall be such price as is determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, but shall be subject to the following:
|
|
6.3
|
Vesting of Stock Options. The Committee shall in its sole discretion prescribe the time or times at which, or the conditions upon which, a Stock Option or portion thereof shall become vested and/or exercisable. The requirements for vesting and exercisability of a Stock Option may be based on the Continuous Service of the Participant for a specified time period (or periods) and/or on the attainment of a specified performance goal (or goals) established by the Committee in its discretion. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting or exercisability of any Stock Option at any time, but not beyond the expiration of the term of the Award, including, but not limited to, when a Participant's Continuous Service with the Company is terminated as a result of Disability or death. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may allow a Participant to exercise unvested Nonqualified Stock Options, in which case the shares of Common Stock then issued shall be Restricted Stock having analogous vesting restrictions to the unvested Nonqualified Stock Options. For avoidance of doubt, no dividends or dividend equivalents shall be payable with respect to Stock Options.
|
|
6.4
|
Term of Stock Options. The Committee shall, in its discretion, prescribe in an Award Agreement the period during which a vested Stock Option may be exercised, provided that the maximum term of a Stock Option shall be ten (10) years from the Date of Grant. A Stock Option may be earlier terminated as specified by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement upon or following the termination of a Participant's Continuous Service for any reason, including by reason of voluntary resignation, death, Disability, termination for Cause or any other reason. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6 or in an Award Agreement as such agreement may be amended from time to time upon authorization of the Committee, no Stock Option may be exercised at any time during the term thereof unless the Participant is then in Continuous Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise:
|
|
6.5
|
Stock Option Exercise. Subject to such terms and conditions as shall be specified in an Award Agreement, a Stock Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the term thereof by notice in the form required by the Company, and payment of the aggregate exercise price by certified or bank check, or such other means as the Committee may accept. As set forth in an Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, at or after grant, payment in full or in part of the exercise price of an Option may be made: (i) in the form of shares of Common Stock that have been held by the Participant for such period as the Committee may deem appropriate for accounting purposes or otherwise, valued at the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date of exercise; (ii) by surrendering to the Company shares of Common Stock otherwise receivable on exercise of the Option; (iii) by a cashless exercise program implemented by the Committee in connection with the Plan; (iv) subject to the approval of the Committee, by a full recourse, interest bearing promissory note having such terms as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit and/or (v) by such other method as may be approved by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement. Subject to any governing rules or regulations, as soon as practicable after receipt of written notification of exercise and full payment of the exercise price and satisfaction of any applicable tax withholding pursuant to Section 16.5, the Company shall deliver to the Participant evidence of book entry shares of Common Stock, or upon the Participant's request, Common Stock certificates in an appropriate amount based upon the number of shares of Common Stock purchased under the Option. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all payments under all of the methods indicated above shall be paid in United States dollars or shares of Common Stock, as applicable. The Committee may, in its discretion, require that shares of Common Stock acquired as a result of the exercise of a Stock Option be subject to such holding period restrictions as the Committee deems appropriate.
|
|
6.6
|
Additional Rules for Incentive Stock Options.
|
|
7.
|
Stock Appreciation Rights
|
|
7.1
|
Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted on a basis that allows for the exercise of the right by the Participant or that provides for the automatic payment of the right upon a specified date or event.
|
|
7.2
|
Base Price. The base price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the base price for any grant of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant, subject to adjustments as provided for under Section 4.3.
|
|
7.3
|
Vesting of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee shall in its discretion prescribe the time or times at which, or the conditions upon which, a Stock Appreciation Right or portion thereof shall become vested and/or exercisable. The requirements for vesting and exercisability of a Stock Appreciation Right may be based on the Continuous Service of a Participant for a specified time period (or periods) or on the attainment of a specified performance goal (or goals) established by the Committee in its discretion. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting or exercisability of any Stock Appreciation Right at any time. For avoidance of doubt, no dividends or dividend equivalents shall be payable with respect to Stock Appreciation Rights.
|
|
7.4
|
Term of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee shall in its discretion prescribe in an Award Agreement the period during which a vested Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised, provided that the maximum term of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be ten (10) years from the Date of Grant, provided, that if the Stock Appreciation Right exercise period would expire at a time when trading in the shares of Common Stock is prohibited by the Company's insider trading policy or Company-imposed blackout period, then the Stock Appreciation Right exercise period shall be automatically extended until the earlier of (i) the thirtieth (30th) day following the expiration of such prohibition, and (ii) the expiration of the original Stock Appreciation Right exercise period. A Stock Appreciation Right may be earlier terminated as specified by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement upon or following the termination of a Participant's Continuous Service for any reason, including by reason of voluntary resignation, death, Disability, termination for Cause or any other reason. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7 or in an Award Agreement, as such agreement may be amended from time to time upon authorization of the Committee, no Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised at any time during the term thereof unless the Participant is then in Continuous Service.
|
|
7.5
|
Payment of Stock Appreciation Rights. Subject to such terms and conditions as shall be specified in an Award Agreement, a vested Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the term thereof by notice in the form required by the Company and payment of any exercise price. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right and payment of any applicable exercise price, a Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount determined by multiplying: (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right over the base price of such Stock Appreciation Right, by (ii) the number of shares as to which such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised. Payment of the amount determined under the immediately preceding sentence may be made, as approved by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, in shares of Common Stock valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise, in cash, or in a combination of shares of Common Stock and cash, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements set forth in
|
|
8.
|
Restricted Stock Awards
|
|
8.1
|
Grant of Restricted Stock Awards. A Restricted Stock Award may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. The Committee may require the payment by the Participant of a specified purchase price in connection with any Restricted Stock Award. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement for the payment of dividends and distributions to the Participant at such times as paid to stockholders generally or at the times of vesting or other payment of the Restricted Stock Award. If any dividends or distributions are paid in stock while a Restricted Stock Award is subject to restrictions under Section 8.3 of the Plan, the dividends or other distribution shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the shares of Common Stock to which they were paid unless otherwise set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee may also subject the grant of any Restricted Stock Award to the execution of a voting agreement with the Company or with any Affiliate of the Company.
|
|
8.2
|
Vesting Requirements. The restrictions imposed on shares of Common Stock granted under a Restricted Stock Award shall lapse in accordance with the vesting requirements specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement. Upon vesting of a Restricted Stock Award, such Award shall be subject to the tax withholding requirement set forth in Section 16.5. The requirements for vesting of a Restricted Stock Award may be based on the Continuous Service of the Participant for a specified time period (or periods) or on the attainment of a specified performance goal (or goals) established by the Committee in its discretion. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award at any time. If the vesting requirements of a Restricted Stock Award shall not be satisfied, the Award shall be forfeited and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award shall be returned to the Company. In the event that the Participant paid any purchase price with respect to such forfeited shares, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, the Company will refund to the Participant the lesser of (i) such purchase price and (ii) the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date of forfeiture.
|
|
8.3
|
Restrictions. Shares granted under any Restricted Stock Award may not be transferred, assigned or subject to any encumbrance, pledge, or charge until all applicable restrictions are removed or have expired, unless otherwise allowed by the Committee. The Committee may require in an Award Agreement that certificates representing the shares granted under a Restricted Stock Award bear a legend making appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed, and that certificates representing the shares granted or sold under a Restricted Stock Award will remain in the physical custody of an escrow holder until all restrictions are removed or have expired.
|
|
8.4
|
Rights as Stockholder. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 8 and the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant to whom a Restricted Stock Award is made shall have all rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares granted to the Participant under the Restricted Stock Award, including the right to vote the shares and receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect thereto, unless the Committee determines otherwise at the time the Restricted Stock Award is granted.
|
|
8.5
|
Section 83(b) Election. If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to a Restricted Stock Award, the Participant shall file, within thirty (30) days following the Date of Grant, a copy of such election with the Company (directed to the Secretary thereof) and with the Internal Revenue Service, in accordance with the regulations under Section 83 of the Code. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that the Restricted Stock Award is conditioned upon the Participant's making or refraining from making an election with respect to the Award under Section 83(b) of the Code.
|
|
9.
|
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
|
|
9.1
|
Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. The value of each stock unit under a Restricted Stock Unit Award is
|
|
9.2
|
Vesting of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. On the Date of Grant, the Committee shall, in its discretion, determine any vesting requirements with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit Award, which shall be set forth in the Award Agreement. The requirements for vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be based on the Continuous Service of the Participant for a specified time period (or periods) or on the attainment of a specified performance goal (or goals) established by the Committee in its discretion. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit Award at any time. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may also be granted on a fully vested basis, with a deferred payment date as may be determined by the Committee or elected by the Participant in accordance with rules established by the Committee.
|
|
9.3
|
Payment of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. A Restricted Stock Unit Award shall become payable to a Participant at the time or times determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, which may be upon or following the vesting of the Award. Payment of a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be made, at the discretion of the Committee, in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination thereof as described in the Award Agreement, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements set forth in Section 16.5. Any cash payment of a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be made based upon the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, determined on such date or over such time period as determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless specified otherwise in the Award Agreement, any Restricted Stock Unit, whether settled in Common Stock or cash, shall be paid no later than two-and-a-half (2 ½) months after the later of the calendar year or fiscal year in which the Restricted Stock Units vest. If Restricted Stock Unit Awards are settled in shares of Common Stock, then as soon as practicable following the date of settlement, the Company shall deliver to the Participant evidence of book entry shares of Common Stock, or upon the Participant's request, Common Stock certificates in an appropriate amount; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its discretion, require that shares of Common Stock acquired as a result of the settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit Award be subject to such holding period restrictions as the Committee deems appropriate.
|
|
10.
|
Performance Shares
|
|
10.1
|
Grant of Performance Shares. Performance Shares may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. A Performance Share Award shall be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall specify. A Performance Share Award may be granted with a dividend equivalent right with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award, which may be accumulated and may be deemed reinvested in additional stock units, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
|
|
10.2
|
Value of Performance Shares. Each Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion that, depending on the extent to which they are met over a specified time period, shall determine the number of Performance Shares that shall be paid to a Participant.
|
|
10.3
|
Earning of Performance Shares. After the applicable time period has ended, the number of Performance Shares earned by the Participant over such time period shall be determined as a function of the extent to which the applicable corresponding performance goals have been achieved. This determination shall be made solely by the Committee. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, waive any performance or vesting conditions relating to a Performance Share Award.
|
|
10.4
|
Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Shares. The Committee shall pay at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as practicable thereafter, any earned Performance Shares in
|
|
11.
|
Performance Units
|
|
11.1
|
Grant of Performance Units. Performance Units may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. A Performance Unit Award shall be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall specify in a Participant's Award Agreement.
|
|
11.2
|
Value of Performance Units. Each Performance Unit shall have an initial notional value equal to a dollar amount determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion that, depending on the extent to which they are met over a specified time period, will determine the number of Performance Units that shall be settled and paid to the Participant.
|
|
11.3
|
Earning of Performance Units. After the applicable time period has ended, the number of Performance Units earned by the Participant, and the amount payable in cash, in shares or in a combination thereof, over such time period shall be determined as a function of the extent to which the applicable corresponding performance goals have been achieved. This determination shall be made solely by the Committee. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, waive any performance or vesting conditions relating to a Performance Unit Award. For avoidance of doubt, no dividends or dividend equivalents shall be payable with respect to Performance Units.
|
|
11.4
|
Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units. The Committee shall pay at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as practicable thereafter, any earned Performance Units in the form of cash or in shares of Common Stock or in a combination thereof, as specified in a Participant's Award Agreement, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements set forth in Section 16.5. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless specified otherwise in the Award Agreement, all Performance Units shall be paid no later than two-and-a-half (2 ½) months following the later of the calendar year or fiscal year in which such Performance Units vest. Any shares of Common Stock paid to a Participant under this Section 11.4 may be subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee. If Performance Units are settled in shares of Common Stock, then as soon as practicable following the date of settlement the Company shall deliver to the Participant evidence of book entry shares of Common Stock, or upon the Participant's request, Common Stock certificates in an appropriate amount.
|
|
12.
|
Incentive Bonus Awards
|
|
12.1
|
Incentive Bonus Awards. The Committee, at its discretion, may grant Incentive Bonus Awards to such Participants as it may designate from time to time. The terms of a Participant's Incentive Bonus Award shall be set forth in the Participant's Award Agreement. Each Award Agreement shall specify such general terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.
|
|
12.2
|
Incentive Bonus Award Performance Criteria. The determination of Incentive Bonus Awards for a given year or years may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of Company or Subsidiary performance as measured by pre-established, objective performance criteria determined at the discretion of the Committee. The Committee shall (i) select those Participants who shall be eligible to receive an Incentive Bonus Award, (ii) determine the performance period, (iii) determine target levels of performance, and (iv) determine the level of Incentive Bonus Award to be paid to each selected Participant upon the achievement of each performance level. The Committee generally shall make the foregoing determinations prior to the commencement of services to which an Incentive Bonus Award relates, to the extent applicable, and while the outcome of the performance goals and targets is uncertain.
|
|
12.3
|
Payment of Incentive Bonus Awards.
|
|
13.
|
Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards
|
|
13.1
|
Other Cash-Based and Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may grant other types of equity-based or equity-related Awards not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted Shares) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine. Such Awards may involve the transfer of actual shares of Common Stock to a Participant, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of shares of Common Stock. In addition, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Other Cash-Based Awards to a Participant in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.
|
|
13.2
|
Value of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be expressed in terms of shares of Common Stock or units based on shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. Each Other Cash-Based Award shall specify a payment amount or payment range as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. If the Committee exercises its discretion to establish performance goals, the value of Other Cash-Based Awards that shall be paid to the Participant will depend on the extent to which such performance goals are met.
|
|
13.3
|
Payment of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Payment, if any, with respect to Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, in cash or shares of Common Stock as the Committee determines.
|
|
14.
|
Change in Control
|
|
14.1
|
Effect of a Change in Control.
|
|
15.
|
General Provisions
|
|
15.1
|
Award Agreement. To the extent deemed necessary by the Committee, an Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in a written or electronic form approved by the Committee setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock or units subject to the Award, the exercise price, base price, or purchase price of the Award, the time or times at which an Award will become vested, exercisable or payable, the clawback rights of the Company with respect to the Award, and the term of the Award. The Award Agreement may also set forth the effect on an Award of termination of Continuous Service under certain circumstances. The Award Agreement shall be subject to and incorporate, by reference or otherwise, all of the applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may also set forth other terms and conditions applicable to the Award as determined by the Committee consistent with the limitations of the Plan. Award Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. The grant of an Award under the Plan shall not confer any rights upon the Participant holding such Award other than such terms, and subject to such conditions, as are specified in the Plan as being applicable to such type of Award (or to all Awards) or as are expressly set forth in the Award Agreement.
|
|
15.2
|
Forfeiture Events/Representations. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement at the time of the Award that the Participant's rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events shall
|
|
15.3
|
No Assignment or Transfer; Beneficiaries.
|
|
15.4
|
Rights as Stockholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a holder of shares of Common Stock with respect to any unissued shares of Common Stock covered by an Award until the date the Participant becomes the holder of record of such securities. Except as provided in Section 4.3 hereof, no adjustment or other provision shall be made for dividends or other stockholder rights, except to the extent that the Award Agreement provides for dividend payments or dividend equivalent rights.
|
|
15.5
|
Employment or Continuous Service. Nothing in the Plan, in the grant of any Award or in any Award Agreement shall confer upon any Eligible Person or Participant any right to continue in Continuous Service, or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to terminate the employment or other service relationship of an Eligible Person or Participant for any reason at any time.
|
|
15.6
|
Fractional Shares. In the case of any fractional share or unit resulting from the grant, vesting, payment or crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents under an Award, the Committee shall have the discretionary authority to (i) disregard such fractional share or unit, (ii) round such fractional share or unit to the nearest lower or higher whole share or unit, or (iii) convert such fractional share or unit into a right to receive a cash payment.
|
|
15.7
|
Other Compensation and Benefit Plans. The amount of any compensation deemed to be received by a Participant pursuant to an Award shall not constitute includable compensation for purposes of determining the amount of benefits to which a Participant is entitled under any other compensation or benefit plan or program of the Company or any Subsidiary, including, without limitation, under any bonus, pension, profit-sharing, life insurance, salary continuation or severance benefits plan, except to the extent specifically provided by the terms of any such plan.
|
|
15.8
|
Plan Binding on Transferees. The Plan shall be binding upon the Company, its transferees and assigns, and the Participant, the Participant's executor, administrator and permitted transferees and beneficiaries. In addition, all obligations of the Company under this Plan with respect to Awards granted hereunder shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.
|
|
15.9
|
Foreign Jurisdictions. The Committee may adopt, amend and terminate such arrangements and grant such Awards, not inconsistent with the intent of the Plan, as it may deem necessary or desirable to comply with any tax, securities, regulatory or other laws of other jurisdictions with respect to Awards that may be subject to such laws. The terms and conditions of such Awards may vary from the terms and conditions that would otherwise be required by the Plan solely to the extent the Committee deems necessary for such purpose. Moreover, the Board may approve such supplements to or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of the Plan, not inconsistent with the intent of the Plan, as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes, without thereby affecting the terms of the Plan as in effect for any other purpose.
|
|
15.10
|
No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising an Award. Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award.
|
|
15.11
|
Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board or Committee consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Award Agreement, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement.
|
|
15.12
|
Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant's regular level of time commitment in the performance of the Participant's services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an employee of the Company and the employee has a change in status from a full-time employee to a part-time employee) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Committee has the right in its sole discretion to (i) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment and (ii) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.
|
|
15.13
|
Substitute Awards in Corporate Transactions. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Committee to grant Awards under the Plan in connection with the acquisition, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or other corporate transaction, of the business or assets of any corporation or other entity. Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may grant Awards under the Plan to an employee or director of another corporation who becomes an Eligible Person by reason of any such corporate transaction in substitution for awards previously granted by such corporation or entity to such person. The terms and conditions of the substitute Awards may vary from the terms and conditions that would otherwise be required by the Plan solely to the extent the Committee deems necessary for such purpose. Any shares of Common Stock subject to these substitute Awards shall not be counted against any of the maximum share limitations set forth in the Plan.
|
|
16.
|
Legal Compliance
|
|
16.1
|
Securities Laws. No shares of Common Stock will be issued or transferred pursuant to an Award unless and until all then applicable requirements imposed by Federal and state securities and other laws, rules and regulations and by any regulatory agencies having jurisdiction, and by any exchanges upon which the shares of Common Stock may be listed, have been fully met. As a condition precedent to the issuance of shares pursuant to the grant or exercise of an Award, the Company may require the Participant to take any reasonable action to meet such requirements. The Committee may impose such conditions on any shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under the Securities Act, as amended, under the requirements of any exchange upon which such shares of the same class are then listed, and under any blue sky or other securities laws applicable to such shares. The Committee may also require the Participant to represent and warrant at the time of issuance or transfer that the shares of Common Stock are being acquired only for investment purposes and without any current intention to sell or distribute such shares. All Common Stock issued pursuant to the terms of this Plan shall constitute "restricted securities," as that term is defined in Rule 144 promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, and may not be transferred except in compliance herewith and with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. Certificates representing Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Award may bear such legend as the Company may consider appropriate under the circumstances. If an Award is made to an Eligible Person who is subject to Chinese jurisdiction, and approval of the Award by China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange is needed, the Award may be converted to cash or other equivalent amount if and to the extent that such approval is not obtained.
|
|
16.2
|
Incentive Arrangement. The Plan is designed to provide an on-going, pecuniary incentive for Participants to produce their best efforts to increase the value of the Company. The Plan is not intended to provide retirement income or to defer the receipt of payments hereunder to the termination of a Participant's employment or beyond. The Plan is thus intended not to be a pension or welfare benefit plan that is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), and shall be construed accordingly. All interpretations and determinations hereunder shall be made on a basis consistent with the Plan's status as not an employee benefit plan subject to ERISA.
|
|
16.3
|
Unfunded Plan. The adoption of the Plan and any reservation of shares of Common Stock or cash amounts by the Company to discharge its obligations hereunder shall not be deemed to create a trust or other funded arrangement. Except upon the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to an Award, any rights of a Participant under the Plan shall be those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company, and neither a Participant nor the Participant's permitted transferees or estate shall have any other interest in any assets of the Company by virtue of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have the right to implement or set aside funds in a grantor trust, subject to the claims of the Company's creditors or otherwise, to discharge its obligations under the Plan.
|
|
16.4
|
Section 409A Compliance. To the extent applicable, it is intended that the Plan and all Awards hereunder comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereto, and the Plan and all Award Agreements shall be interpreted and applied by the Committee in a manner consistent with this intent in order to avoid the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, in the event that any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement is determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to not comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereto, the Committee
|
|
16.5
|
Tax Withholding.
|
|
16.6
|
No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. Neither the Company, the Board, the Committee nor any other Person makes any commitment or guarantee that any federal, state, local or foreign tax treatment will apply or be available to any Participant or any other Person hereunder.
|
|
16.7
|
Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
16.8
|
Stock Certificates; Book Entry Form. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, any obligation set forth in the Plan pertaining to the delivery or issuance of stock certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock may be satisfied by having issuance and/or ownership of such shares recorded on the books and records of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).
|
|
16.9
|
Governing Law. The Plan and all rights hereunder shall be subject to and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, without reference to the principles of conflicts of laws, and to applicable Federal securities laws.
|
|
17.
|
Effective Date, Amendment and Termination
|
|
17.1
|
Effective Date. The Plan shall be effective upon approval of the Plan by the requisite percentage of the holders of the Common Stock of the Company.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment; Termination. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan (or any portion thereof) at any time and may amend the Plan at any time and from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable or in the best interests of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that (a) no such amendment, suspension or termination shall materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant under any outstanding Awards, without the consent of such Participant, (b) to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required, and (c) stockholder approval is required for any amendment to the Plan that (i) increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, or (ii) changes the persons or class of persons eligible to receive Awards. For purposes of clause (a) above, no modification or amendment of an Incentive Stock Option shall be considered to materially and adversely affect the rights of a Participant solely because such modification or amendment causes an Incentive Stock Option to become a Nonqualified Stock Option or to be considered granted as of the date of such modification or amendment pursuant to Section 424 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.424-1(e). The Plan will continue in effect until terminated in accordance with this Section 17.2; provided, however, that no Award will be granted hereunder on or after the 10th anniversary of the Effective Date (the "Expiration Date"); but provided further, that Awards granted prior to such Expiration Date may extend beyond that date.
|