Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of August 29, 2020, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of AutoZone’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as amended. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of August 29, 2020.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A report of AutoZone’s management on our internal control over financial reporting (as such term defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) as a report of Ernst & Young, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, on the effectiveness of AutoZone’s internal control over financial reporting are included in Part I, Item 8 of this document and is incorporated herein by reference.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reportings
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended August 29, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Attestation Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm
Our internal control over financial reporting as of August 29, 2020 has been audited by Ernst & Young, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, which also audited our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended August 29, 2020, as stated in their report included herein, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of August 29, 2020.
Item 9B. Other Information
Not applicable.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this document in the section entitled “Information about our Executive Officers,” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item. Additionally, the information contained in AutoZone, Inc.’s Proxy Statement dated October 26, 2020, in the sections entitled “Corporate Governance Matters,” “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors” and “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Executives that applies to its chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer and other financial executives. The Company has made the Code of Ethical Conduct available at www.autozone.com, which can be accessed by clicking “Investor Relations” located at the bottom of the page.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information contained in AutoZone, Inc.’s Proxy Statement dated October 26, 2020, in the section entitled “Executive Compensation,” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information contained in AutoZone, Inc.’s Proxy Statement dated October 26, 2020, in the sections entitled “Security Ownership of Management and Board of Directors,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Equity Compensation Plans” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information contained in AutoZone, Inc’s Proxy Statement dated October 26, 2020, in the sections entitled “Related Party Transactions” and “Corporate Governance Matters – Independence” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information contained in AutoZone, Inc.’s Proxy Statement dated October 26, 2020, in the section entitled “Proposal 2 – Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
The following information required under this item is filed as part of this report.
(a) Financial Statements
The following financial statements, related notes and reports of independent registered public accounting firm are filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K in Part II, Item 8:
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Income for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2020 , August 31, 2019, and August 25, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2020, August 31, 2019, and August 25, 2018
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 29, 2020, and August 31, 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2020, August 31, 2019, and August 25, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2020, August 31, 2019, and August 25, 2018
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(b)
Exhibits
The following exhibits are being filed herewith:
3.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation of AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 13, 1999.
3.2
Seventh Amended and Restated By-Laws of AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2018.
4.1
Indenture dated as of August 8, 2003, between AutoZone, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-107828) filed August 11, 2003.
4.2
Officers’ Certificate dated April 24, 2012, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 3.700% Senior Notes due 2022. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2012.
4.3
Form of 3.700% Senior Notes due 2022. Incorporated by reference from the Form 8-K dated April 24, 2012 .
4.4
Officers’ Certificate dated November 13, 2012, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 2.875% Senior Notes due 2023. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 13, 2012.
4.5
Form of 2.875% Senior Notes due 2023. Incorporated by reference from the Form 8-K dated November 13, 2012.
4.6
Officers’ Certificate dated April 29, 2013, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 3.125% Senior Notes due 2023. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2013.
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4.7
Form of 3.125% Senior Notes due 2023. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K dated April 29, 2013.
4.8
Officers’ Certificate dated April 29, 2015, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 2.500% Senior Notes due 2021. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2015.
4.9
Form of 2.500% Senior Notes dated 2021. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2015.
4.10
Officers’ Certificate dated April 29, 2015, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 3.250% Senior Notes due 2025. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2015.
4.11
Form of 3.250% Senior Notes due 2025. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2015.
4.12
Officers’ Certificate dated April 21, 2016, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 3.125% Senior Notes due 2026. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 21, 2016.
4.13
Form 3.125% Senior Notes due 2026. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 21, 2016.
4.14
Officers’ Certificate dated April 18, 2017, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 3.750% Senior Notes due 2027. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 18, 2017.
4.15
Form of 3.750% Senior Notes due 2027. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 18, 2017.
4.16
Officers’ Certificate dated April 18, 2019, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 3.125% Senior Notes due 2024. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 18, 2019.
4.17
Officers’ Certificate dated April 18, 2019, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 3.750% Senior Notes due 2029. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 18, 2019.
4.18
Form of 3.125% Senior Notes due 2024. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 18, 2019.
4.19
Form of 3.750% Senior Notes due 2029. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 18, 2019.
4.20
Officers’ Certificate dated March 30, 2020, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture, dated March 30, 2020, setting forth the terms of the 3.625% Senior Notes due 2025. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 30, 2020.
4.21
Officers’ Certificate dated March 30, 2020, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture, dated March 30, 2020, setting forth the terms of the 4.000% Senior Notes due 2030. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 30, 2020.
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4.22
Form of 3.625% Note due 2025. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 30, 2020.
4.23
Form of 4.000% Note due 2030. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 30, 2020.
4.24
Form of 4.000% Note due 2030. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 30, 2020.
4.25
Form of 1.650% Note due 2031. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 14, 2020.
4.26
Form of 1.650% Note due 2031. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 14, 2020.
4.27
Officers’ Certificate dated August 14, 2020, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture, dated August 14, 2020, setting forth the terms of the 1.650% Senior Notes due 2031. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 14, 2020.
4.28
Description of Securities of AutoZone, Inc.
*10.1
Second Amended and Restated 1998 Director Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 26, 2000.
*10.2
AutoZone, Inc. 2003 Director Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Appendix D to the definitive proxy statement dated November 1, 2002, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held December 12, 2002.
*10.3
Third Amendment to the AutoZone, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K dated December 12, 2012.
*10.4
AutoZone, Inc. 2006 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the definitive proxy statement dated October 25, 2006, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held December 13, 2006.
*10.5
Form of Stock Option Agreement. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 25, 2007.
*10.6
Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. 2003 Director Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 4, 2008.
*10.7
Form of non-compete and non-solicitation agreement for Section 16 executive officers and by AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2008.
*10.8
Agreement dated February 14, 2008, between AutoZone, Inc. and William C. Rhodes, III. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2008.
*10.9
AutoZone, Inc. 2015 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the definitive proxy statement dated October 27, 2014, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held December 18, 2014.
83
*10.10
AutoZone, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the definitive proxy statement dated October 25, 2010, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held December 15, 2010.
*10.11
Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2006 Stock Option Plan, effective September 2010. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated December 16, 2010.
*10.12
Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2006 Stock Option Plan for certain executive officers, effective September 2010. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated December 16, 2010.
*10.13
Form of Letter Agreement dated as of December 14, 2010, amending certain Stock Option Agreements of executive officers. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated December 16, 2010.
*10.14
Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 17, 2011.
*10.15
Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan for officers effective September 27, 2011. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2011.
*10.16
First Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. Enhanced Severance Pay Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 17, 2011.
*10.17
Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan for officers effective September 27, 2011. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2011.
*10.18
Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan for certain executive officers effective September 27, 2011. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2011.
*10.19
Second Amendment to the AutoZone, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 14, 2011.
*10.20
Offer letter dated August 5, 2020, to Jamere Jackson. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K dated September 14, 2020.
*10.21
Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan dated December 17, 2013. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 25, 2014.
*10.22
AutoZone, Inc. Director Compensation Program effective January 1, 2020.
*10.23
Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan dated December 16, 2015. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the definitive proxy statement dated October 26, 2015, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held December 16, 2015.
10.24
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2016, among AutoZone, Inc., as Borrower, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 21, 2016.
84
*10.25
AutoZone, Inc. Sixth Amended and Restated Executive Stock Purchase Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the definitive proxy statement dated October 24, 2016, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held December 14, 2016.
10.26
Master Extension, New Commitment and Amendment Agreement dated as of November 18, 2017 among AutoZone, Inc. as Borrower; Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Syndication Agent; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Joint Lead Arrangers; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Barclay’s Capital as Joint Book Runners; SunTrust Bank, U.S. Bank National Association, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Barclay’s Bank PLC as Documentation Agents; and the several lenders party thereto.
*10.27
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan for officers effective September 27, 2011. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated December 17, 2018.
*10.28
364-Day Credit Agreement, dated April 3, 2020, by and among the Company, as borrower, the several lenders from time to time party thereto, and U.S. Bank, National Association., as administrative agent for the lenders. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 7, 2020.
21.1
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Document
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Document
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104
Cover Page XBRL File
*
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
(c) Financial Statement Schedules
Schedules are omitted because the information is not required or because the information required is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
86
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
AUTOZONE, INC.
By:
/s/ WILLIAM C. RHODES, III
William C. Rhodes, III
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Dated: October 26, 2020
87
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/ WILLIAM C. RHODES, III
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
October 26, 2020
William C. Rhodes, III
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ WILLIAM T. GILES
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice
October 26, 2020
William T. Giles
President – Finance, Information Technology and
Store Development (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ CHARLIE PLEAS, III
Senior Vice President and Controller
October 26, 2020
Charlie Pleas, III
(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ DOUGLAS H. BROOKS
Director
October 26, 2020
Douglas H. Brooks
/s/ MICHAEL M. CALBERT
Director
October 26, 2020
Michael M. Calbert
/s/ LINDA A. GOODSPEED
Director
October 26, 2020
Linda A. Goodspeed
/s/ EARL G. GRAVES, JR.
Director
October 26, 2020
Earl, G. Graves, Jr.
/s/ ENDERSON GUIMARAES
Director
October 26, 2020
Enderson Guimaraes
/s/ D. BRYAN JORDAN
Director
October 26, 2020
D. Bryan Jordan
/s/ GALE V. KING
Director
October 26, 2020
Gale V. King
/s/ GEORGE R. MRKONIC, JR.
Director
October 26, 2020
George R. Mrkonic, Jr.
/s/ JILL A. SOLTAU
Director
October 26, 2020
Jill A. Soltau
88