UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Soliciting Material Under Rule14a-12

AUTOZONE, INC.

    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

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AutoZone, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Itsin its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other thanOther Than the Registrant)

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange ActRule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

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LOGO

AUTOZONE, INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

DECEMBER 18, 2019

What:

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

When:

December 18, 2019, 14, 2022
8:00 a.m. Central Standard Time

Where:

J. R. Hyde III Store Support Center

123 S. Front Street

Memphis, Tennessee 38103

Close of business on
October 17, 2022

123 South Front Street

Memphis, Tennessee

Stockholders

will vote regarding:

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Proposal

Board Voting Recommendation

1.
Election of 10 directors

FOR
each nominee

2.

Election of ten directors

Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2023 fiscal year

FOR

3.
Approval of an advisory vote on the compensation of named executive officers

FOR

In addition, we will transact such other business properly brought before the meeting.

VOTING

Your vote is important. We strongly encourage you to submit your vote as promptly as possible through the Internet, by telephone or by mailing your completed and signed proxy card (or voting instruction form, if you hold your shares through a broker, bank or nominee). For more specific instructions on how to vote, please see page 58.

MEETING MATERIALS

This Proxy Statement and our 2022 Annual Report are available on the Investor Relations section of our website at investors.autozone.com. Additionally, you may access our proxy materials at www.envisionreports.com/AZO.

ATTENDING THE MEETING

We are holding the 2022 Annual Meeting at our principal executive offices in Memphis Tennessee. For additional information on how you may attend or vote at the meeting, please see page 58.

Memphis, Tennessee
October 24, 2022

By Order of the Board of Directors,

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Kristen C. Wright
Secretary


PROXY SUMMARY

This Proxy Summary provides general information about AutoZone and highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. As it is only a summary, please refer to the entire Proxy Statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2020 fiscal year ended August 27, 2022 before you vote. In this Proxy Statement, we use the term “AutoZone,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company” to refer to AutoZone, Inc.

MEETING INFORMATION

Approval of Advisory vote on executive compensation

The transaction of other business that may be properly brought before the meeting

DATE & TIME

LOCATION

RECORD DATE

Record Date:P92C4T5#yIS1

Stockholders

December 14, 2022
at 8:00 a.m. CT

P94C6T5#yIS1

J. R. Hyde III Store Support Center, 123 S. Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103

P96C8T5#yIS1

Shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 21, 2019, may vote at the meeting.17, 2022 are entitled to vote.

By order of the Board of Directors,

Kristen C. Wright

Secretary

Memphis, TennesseeITEMS OF BUSINESS

Proposal No.

Board Recommendation

Page

1.

Election of 10 directors

FOR
each of the directors

18

2.

Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2023 fiscal year

FOR

24

3.

Approval of an advisory vote on the compensation of named executive officers

FOR

25

October 28, 2019VOTING

We strongly encourage you to submit your vote as promptly as possible through the Internet, by telephone or Internet, both of which are convenient,

cost-effectiveby mailing your completed and reliable alternatives to returning yoursigned proxy card by mail.(or voting instruction form, if you hold your shares through a broker, bank or nominee). You may also attend the Annual Meeting and vote in-person.


Internet

Telephone

Mail

At the Meeting

The MeetingP67C5T3#yIS1

Visit the website on your proxy card, voting instruction form or electronic communications.

1

About this Proxy StatementP69C7T3#yIS1

Call the telephone number on your proxy card, voting instruction form or electronic communications.

1

Information about VotingP71C9T3#yIS1

Sign, date and return your proxy card or voting instruction form in the enclosed envelope.

1

Corporate Governance MattersP73C11T3#yIS1

3

Independence

3

Board Leadership Structure

4

Board Risk Oversight

4

Corporate Governance Documents

5

Meetings and Attendance

5

Committees of the Board

6

Audit Committee

6

Audit Committee Report

7

Compensation Committee

8

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

8

Director Nomination Process

9

Procedure for Communication with the Board of Directors

10

Compensation of Directors

10

Other Information

13

Security Ownership of Management and Board of Directors

13

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

14

The Proposals

15

PROPOSAL 1 – Election of Directors

15

Nominees

15

PROPOSAL 2 – Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

18

PROPOSAL 3 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

18

Other Matters

20

Executive Compensation

20

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

20

Compensation Committee Report

31

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

32

Compensation Program Risk Assessment

32

Summary Compensation Table

33

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

35

Outstanding Equity Awards at FiscalYear-End

38

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

40

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

40

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

42

Ratio ofAttend the Annual Total Compensation ofMeeting and vote in-person.

For more specific instructions on how to vote as well as how to attend the Median-Paid Employee to the CEO

45

Related Party Transactions

45

Equity Compensation Plans

46

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

47

Stockholder Proposals for 2020 Annual Meeting

47

Annual Report

48


AutoZone, Inc.

123 South Front Street

Memphis, Tennessee 38103

Proxy Statement

for

Annual Meeting, please see page 58.

ABOUT THESE MATERIALS

We began mailing our Notice of Stockholders

December 18, 2019

The Meeting

TheInternet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to each shareholder entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of AutoZone, Inc. will be held at AutoZone’s offices, the J. R. Hyde III Store Support Center, 123 South Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee, at 8:00 a.m. CST on December 18, 2019.

About this Proxy Statement

or about October 24, 2022. Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) has sent you this Proxy Statement to solicit your vote at the Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote on the matters brought before the Meeting. Please read it carefully.

In this Proxy Statement:

“AutoZone,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company” mean AutoZone, Inc.

“Annual Meeting” or “Meeting” means the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on December 18, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. CST at the J. R. Hyde III Store Support Center, 123 South Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of AutoZone, Inc.

AutoZone will pay all expenses incurred in this proxy solicitation. We also may make additional solicitations in person, by telephone, facsimile,e-mail, or other forms of communication. Brokers, banks, and others who hold our stock for beneficial owners will be reimbursed by us for their expenses related to forwarding our proxy materials to the beneficial owners.

This Proxy Statement is first being sent or given to security holders on or about October 28, 2019.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 18, 2019. This Proxy Statement and the annual report to security holders are available at Investors.AutoZone.com.

Information about Voting

What matters will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to vote on the following proposals:

1. to elect ten directors;

2. to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2020 fiscal year; and

3. to approve an advisory vote on executive compensation.

Stockholders also will transact any other business that may be properly brought before the Meeting.

Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

The record date for the Annual Meeting is October 21, 2019. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date are entitled to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting. The only class of stock that can be voted at the Meeting is our common stock. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters that come before the Meeting. At the close of business on the record date, October 21, 2019, we had 23,827,496 shares of common stock outstanding.

How do I vote my shares?

You may vote your shares in person or by proxy:

By Proxy:    You can vote by telephone, on the Internet or by mail.We encourage you to vote by telephone or Internet, both of which are convenient, cost-effective, and reliable alternatives to returning your proxy card by mail.

1.By Telephone:    You may submit your voting instructions by telephone by following the instructions printed on the enclosed proxy card. If you submit your voting instructions by telephone, you do not have to mail in your proxy card.

2.On the Internet:    You may vote on the Internet by following the instructions printed on the enclosed proxy card. If you vote on the Internet, you do not have to mail in your proxy card.

3.By Mail:    If you properly complete and sign the enclosed proxy card and return it in the enclosed envelope, it will be voted in accordance with your instructions. The enclosed envelope requires no additional postage if mailed in the United States.

In Person:    You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. If you are a registered holder of your shares (if you hold your stock in your own name), you need only to attend the Meeting. However, if your shares are held in an account by a broker, you will need to present a written consent from your broker permitting you to vote the shares in person at the Annual Meeting.

How will my vote be counted?

Your vote for your shares will be cast as you indicate on your proxy card. If you sign your card without indicating how you wish to vote, your shares will be voted FOR our nominees for director, FOR Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm, FOR the advisory vote on executive compensation, and in the proxies’ discretion on any other matter that may properly be brought before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

2022 Proxy Statement

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AutoZone Highlights

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FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS*

$16.3 Billion in Revenue and $117.19 Diluted Earnings per Share
Completed $4.4 billion in Share Repurchases
Average of 18.5% Total Shareholder Return (TSR) for past 20 years.
6,943 Stores Globally
5,342 Commercial Programs in the U.S.

For more information, see: AutoZone’s Form 10-K for FY22 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Leadership consists of Chairman, CEO and President as well as Lead Independent Director
Annual Elections of Directors
Committees are made entirely of Independent Directors
One class of outstanding shares with each share entitled to one vote
Committee charters reflect strong oversight of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters
Corporate Governance Guidelines amended to provide for Board Diversity Policy

For more information, see: Corporate Governance beginning on page 7.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Significant portion of executive’s compensation is variable or at-risk compensation
Annual Incentive Plan tied to economic profit, as a function of EBIT and ROIC
Shareholder support for Say-On-Pay Vote at 95% for average of past ten years, and 86% last year
Compensation plans and practices reviewed to ensure they do not encourage excessive risk-taking
Stock Ownership Guidelines aligned to compensation strategy

For more information, see: Compensation, Discussion & Analysis beginning on page 26.

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SHAREHOLDER ENGAGMENT

Conduct year-round outreach through our senior management, investor relations and legal teams to understand shareholders’ perspectives, priorities and concerns.
In fall of 2022, invited investors to discuss ESG and executive compensation practices.
During fiscal year 2021, engaged with shareholders representing over 30% of our outstanding shares to discuss the Company’s environmental, social and governance practices and discuss investors’ feedback generally.

For more information, see: Shareholder Engagement on page 15 and Compensation, Discussion & Analysis on page 26.

* Information reflected as of, and for the fiscal year ended, August 27, 2022, as applicable

Disclaimer: The contents of any websites, reports or other materials are not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement and do not constitute a part of this proxy statement.

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2022 Proxy Statement


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CULTURE

Our Pledge and Values foster a strong, unique culture of teamwork and customer service. Every AutoZoner, from the Board of Directors and CEO Team (Vice Presidents and above) to AutoZoners in our stores, strive to Live the Pledge.
Meetings at AutoZone begin with our Cheer, to remind us of our commitment to customer satisfaction and our promise to put customers first, and an Extra Miler Story, to recognize fellow AutoZoners for living our Pledge and Values and taking care of our customers.
We believe our commitment to living the Pledge and Values and strong culture of recognition is what sets us apart from our competitors and drives our success.

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HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Approximately 112,000 AutoZoners Globally
Ranked #39 in Forbes World’s Best Employers for 2021
Significant diversity of backgrounds, experiences and tenures represented on the Board and Executive Committee
6 Business Resource Groups supported by a cross-functional Diversity Council and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Steering Committee.
Published EEO-1 compliant disclosure in ESG Report

For more information, see: Our most recent ESG Report at investors.autozone.com.

Forward Looking Statements:Certain statements contained in this proxy statement, including statements about our estimates, expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Meeting.

The votes will be tabulatedPrivate Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These are based on assumptions and certifiedassessments made by our transfer agent, Computershare. A representativemanagement in light of Computershare will serve asexperience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors that we believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are discussed in more detail in the inspector of election.

Can I change my vote after I submit my proxy?

Yes, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Meeting by:

giving written notice to our Secretary that you have revoked the proxy, or

providing a later-dated proxy.

Any written notice should be sent to the Secretary at 123 South Front Street, Dept. 8074, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.

How many shares must be present to constitute a quorum for the Meeting?

Holders of a majority of the shares of the voting power“Risk Factors” section contained in Item 1A under Part 1 of the Company’s stock must be present in person or by proxy in orderAnnual Report on Form 10-K for a quorum to be present. If a quorum is not present at the scheduled timeyear ended August 27, 2022. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the Annual Meeting,date made. Except as required by applicable law, we may adjournundertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Board of Directors Nominees

Name and Principal
Occupation

Independent

Age

Director
Since

Diversity

Committee Membership

Gender

Ethnicity

Audit

Comp

NomGov

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Michael A. George

Former President and CEO of Qurate Retail

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61

2022

M

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Linda A. Goodspeed

Former Managing Partner and COO of WealthStrategies Financial Advisors

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60

2013

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M

M

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Earl G. Graves, Jr.

President and CEO of Black Enterprise

Lead

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60

2002

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Enderson Guimaraes

Former President and COO for Laureate Education, Inc.

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63

2012

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M

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Brian Hannasch

President and CEO of Alimentation Couche-Tard

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56

2022

M

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D. Bryan Jordan

Chairman, President and CEO of First Horizon Corporation

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60

2013

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Gale V. King

Former EVP and Chief Administrative Officer of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company

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66

2018

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M

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George R. Mrkonic, Jr.

Former Non-Executive Chairman of Maru Group

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70

2006

M

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William C. Rhodes, III

Chairman, President and CEO of AutoZone, Inc.

57

2005

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Jill Soltau

Former CEO of J.C. Penney Company, Inc.

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55

2018

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Director Skills & DIVERSITY

Michael A. George

Linda A. Goodspeed

Earl G. Graves, Jr.

Enderson Guimaraes

Brian Hannasch

D. Bryan Jordan

Gale V. King

George R. Mrkonic, Jr.

William C. Rhodes, III

Jill Soltau

Total (#)

Total (%)

EXPERIENCE

CEO / C-Suite

10

100%

Other Public Directorship

8

80%

Retail or Automotive Industry

6

60%

Risk Management

10

100%

Accounting or Finance

10

100%

International

6

60%

Strategy & Bus Development

10

100%

DIVERSITY

Female

3

30%

Ethnic / Racial

3

30%

Tenure

0-5 Years

4

40%

6-10 Years

3

30%

11+ Years

3

30%

Executive Committee AT-A-Glance

Diversity

DEI Leadership*

Tenure

Female: ●●

BRG Sponsors: ●●●●●●●●

0-5 Years:●●

Black:●●●●

DEI Council Members:●●●●●

6-10 Years:●●

Hispanic / Latin:●●

11-20 Years:

Two or More Races: ●●

21+ Years:●●●●●●●●●

Total: 14 Executive Committee Members

* Refers to leadership, support and promotion of the Meeting, without notice other than announcement atCompany’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) initiatives, through serving as an Executive Sponsor on one of our Business Resource Groups (“BRGs”) or as a member of the Meeting, untilcross-functional DEI Council which oversees DEI initiatives.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

AutoZone has a quorum is present or represented. Any business which could have been transacted atlong-standing commitment to promoting the Meeting as originally scheduled can be conducted atlong-term interests of our customers, AutoZoners and shareholders. In furtherance of this commitment, the adjourned meeting.

Corporate Governance Matters

Independence

How many independent directors does AutoZone have?

Our Board has determined that elevenadopted a comprehensive governance framework to allow it to provide effective oversight and make informed decisions relating to the business, strategy, risk, culture and more. The following section discusses key aspects of our current twelve directors are independent: Douglas H. Brooks, Michael M. Calbert, Linda A. Goodspeed, Earl G. Graves, Jr., Enderson Guimaraes, D. Bryan Jordan, Gale V. King, W. Andrew McKenna, George R. Mrkonic, Jr., Luis P. Nieto, Jr.corporate governance structure, policies and Jill A. Soltau. Allpractices.

Governance Framework

Board leadership structure

We do not have an express policy on whether the roles of these directors meetBoard Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be combined or separated. Instead, the independence standardsBoard prefers to maintain the flexibility to determine which leadership structure best serves the interests of our Corporate Governance Principles andshareholders. If the New York Stock Exchange listing standards.

How does AutoZone determine whether a director is independent?

In accordance with AutoZone’s Corporate Governance Principles, a director is considered independent if the director meets the independence requirementspositions of the applicable New York Stock Exchange listing standards, and, with respect to the Audit Committee, the applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

In determining the independence of our directors, the Board considers relationships involving directors and their immediate family members that are relevant under applicable laws and regulations, the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, and the standards contained in our Corporate Governance Principles. The Board relies on information from Company records and questionnaires completed annually by each director.

As part of its most recent independence determinations, the Board noted that AutoZone does not have, and did not have during fiscal 2019, significant commercial relationships with companies at which Board members served as officers or directors, or in which Board members or their immediate family members held an aggregate of 10% or more direct or indirect interest.

The Board considered the fact that Mr. Jordan is the Chairman of the Board President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of First Horizon National Corporation, parent company of First Tennessee Bank, which:

participates in one of AutoZone’s supplier confirmed receivables programs (under which some AutoZone vendorsCEO are borrowers, but AutoZone is not);

has established a Daylight Overdraft line which allows AutoZone to make large payments early in the morning creating a “daylight” overdraft which is rectified at the end of the day;

acted as Trustee for AutoZone’s pension plan;

offers brokerage services to AutoZone employees exercising stock options, and

holds various AutoZone deposit accounts.

During fiscal 2019, First Horizon National Corporation did business with AutoZone in arm’s length transactions which were not, individually or cumulatively, material to either AutoZone or First Horizon National Corporation and which did not materially benefit Mr. Jordan, either directly or indirectly.

The Board also considered the fact that Mr. Brooks is a member of the board of directors of Southwest Airlines. During fiscal 2019, AutoZone purchased airline tickets from Southwest Airlines which were not, individually or cumulatively, material to either AutoZone or Southwest Airlines and which did not materially benefit Mr. Brooks, either directly or indirectly.

The Board also reviewed donations madeheld by the Company tonot-for-profit organizations with which Board memberssame person, or their immediate family members were affiliatedif the Chairman is employed by membership or service or as directors or trustees.

Based on its reviewnot independent of the above matters,AutoZone, then the Board determined that none of Messrs., Brooks, Calbert, Graves, Guimaraes, Jordan, McKenna, Mrkonic, Nieto or Mses. Goodspeed, King, or Soltau haswill select a material relationship withnon-employee director to serve as the Company and that all of them are independent within the meaning of the AutoZone Corporate Governance Principles and applicable law and listing standards. The Board also determined that Mr. Rhodes is not independent since he is an employee of the Company.Lead Director.

Board Leadership Structure

OurCurrently, our Board believes that having a combined Chairman/Chairman and CEO, independenta Lead Independent Director, Independent Committee Chairs, Independent Committee members and chairs for each90% of ourIndependent Board committees, and an independent Lead Director currentlymembers provides the best board leadershipBoard structure for AutoZone. This structure, together with our other corporate governance practices, provides strong independent oversight of management while ensuring clear strategic alignment throughout the Company. Our Lead Director isWhile we currently have anon-employee director who is elected by combined Chairman and CEO leadership structure, the Board. Earl G. Graves, Jr., a director since 2002, currently servesBoard regularly reevaluates this structure as our Lead Director.

Our Lead Director:

Chairs Board meetings when the Chairman is not present, including presiding at all executive sessionspart of the Board (without management present) at every regularly scheduledevaluation and Board meeting;succession planning processes.

Lead Director

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Earl G. Graves, Jr.

Lead Director

Our Lead Director, Earl G. Graves, Jr., is a non-employee director who is elected by the Board annually. Our Corporate Governance Principles provide our Lead Director with clearly defined responsibilities as follows:

Presides at all executive sessions of the Board (without management present) at every regularly scheduled Board meeting;
Chairs Board meetings when the Chairman is not present;
Works with management to determine the information and materials to be provided to Board members;
Approves Board meeting agendas, schedules, and other information to be provided to the Board;
Consults with the Chairman on such other matters as are pertinent to the Board and the Company;
Has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors;
Is available for direct communication and consultation with major shareholders upon request; and
Serves as a liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors.

In addition, our Lead Director, Mr. Graves, serves as Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee which enables him to ensure the governance practices of the Board are best suited for the needs of the Company and its shareholders. In this capacity, Mr. Graves and the other independent members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversee Board evaluations and Board refreshment, among other things.

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COMMITTEES.AutoZone’s Board has three standing committees, each consisting solely of independent directors—the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Additional information about each of the Committees is included below.

GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS. The key governance documents and policies adopted by the Board are:

Corporate Governance Principles;
Charters for its Audit, Compensation, and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees;
Code of Conduct for all AutoZoners, including directors, officers and employees;
Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Executives; and
Policy on Political Contributions and Lobbying Engagements.

The Board reviews these corporate governance documents and policies from time to time and revises them when it believes it serves the interests of the Company and its shareholders to do so, such as in response to changing governance practices or legal requirements. Each of these documents is available on our website at investors.autozone.com and is also available, free of charge, in print to any shareholder who requests it.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE (ESG) REPORTS.As part of our commitment to continuous improvement and maximizing long-term shareholder value, the Company’s commitment to sustainability has expanded over time. AutoZone has published an ESG Report, and the most current version of this report is available on our website at investors.autozone.com.

Our website and the information and materialscontained therein or linked thereto are not intended to be provided to Board members;

Approves Board meeting agendas, schedules,incorporated into this Proxy Statement. Further, our ESG Report is not, and other informationwill not be deemed to be, provided to the Board;

Consultsa part of this Proxy Statement or incorporated by reference into any of our other filings with the Chairman on such other matters as are pertinent to the Board and the Company;SEC.

Has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors;

Is available for direct communication and consultation with major shareholders upon request; and

Serves as liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors.

Board Risk Oversight

Oversight of risk management is a responsibility of the Board and is an integral part of the Board’s oversight of AutoZone’s business. AutoZone’s management takes a variety of calculated risks in order to enhance Company performance and shareholder value. The primary responsibility for the identification, assessment and management of the various risks resides with AutoZone’s management. The Board is primarily responsible for ensuring that management has established and adequately resourced processes for identifying and preparing the Company to manage risks effectively.

Strategic Planning and Operating Risks

Additionally, the Board reviews the Company’s principal strategic and operating risks as part of its regular discussion and consideration of AutoZone’s strategy

and operating results. The Board also regularly reviews periodically with the General Counsel legal matters that may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with laws, and any material reports received from regulatory agencies.

Financial Risks

The Audit Committee is involved in the Board’s oversight of risk management. At each of its regular meetings, the Audit Committee reviews the Company’s major financial exposures and the steps management has taken to identify, assess, monitor, control, remediate and report such exposures. The Audit Committee, along with management, also evaluates the effectiveness of the risk avoidance and mitigation processes in place. Such risk-related information is then summarized, reported and discussed at each quarterly Board meeting.

Enterprise Risks

To assist with risk management and oversight, AutoZone has adopted the concept of Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) using the framework issued in 2004 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the

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2022 Proxy Statement


Treadway Commission. The Company’s Vice President of Internal Audit, who reports directly to the Audit Committee, has been charged with leading the Company’s ERM processes with the assistance of Company management. The Vice President of Internal Audit presents to the Audit Committee a comprehensive review of the Company’s ERM processes quarterly. This presentation includes an overview of all significant risks that have been identified and assessed and the strategies developed by management for managing such risks. The Vice President of Internal Audit leads open discussions with the Audit Committee members to analyze the significance of the risks identified and seeks to verify that the list isall-inclusive. Company management is also involved in these discussions to ensure that the Board gains a full understanding of the risks and the strategies that management has implemented to manage the risks.

OtherInformation Security Risks

The Audit Committee, in connection with its oversight of the Company’s ERM processes described above, reviews and discusses the Company’s information security risks directly with the Company’s Chief Information Security Officer. This review takes place at each routine, quarterly committee meeting and includes a discussion of significant threats, risk mitigation strategies, any IT security program assessments and identified improvements. Additionally, information security matters are included within a broader IT update which is typically presented annually to the full Board of Directors.

Environmental, Social and Governance

The Board exercises its oversight responsibilities of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters both as a full Board and through its committees also consideras appropriate for the subject matter. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has primary responsibility for assisting the Board in overseeing Board governance policies and practices, AutoZone’s DEI efforts, ESG reporting, significant risks within their areas of responsibility.human capital management matters and ESG-related shareholder engagement efforts. The Compensation Committee considers risk in connection with the design of AutoZone’s compensation programs.programs and periodically reviews and discusses with management the alignment among AutoZone’s compensation programs, company strategy and human capital management strategy. The NominatingAudit Committee provides oversight of the regulatory environment as part of ERM, including with respect to environmental and Corporate Governance Committee oversees risks relatedsafety compliance.

Climate change is currently a matter of shared oversight. For example, reporting of initiatives and goals intended to reduce our impact on climate change is overseen by the Company’s governance policies and practices.

Corporate Governance Documents

Our Board has adopted Corporate Governance Principles; charters for its Audit, Compensation, and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees;Committee as part of their oversight of ESG reporting; oversight of climate change as a Codematter of Conduct for directors, officersenvironmental-related compliance is overseen by the Audit Committee; and employees of AutoZone;climate change, to the extent it presents a strategic risk and a Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Executives.opportunity is overseen by the full Board. Each of these documents is availablethe Committees provide reports and feedback to the full Board for its collective review and discussion.

In addition to providing routine oversight, the Board and its Committees may receive more focused updates on our corporate website at Investors.AutoZone.coman ad hoc basis allowing for greater interaction with members of the management team and is also available, freedeeper insight into a particular area of charge,the business. For example, in print to any stockholder who requests it.each of fiscal years 2021 and 2022, management provided the full Board with a dedicated update regarding the ESG landscape, including the regulatory environment, the Company’s energy reduction goal, updated ESG reporting, shareholder engagement efforts, capital allocation strategies and other internal workstreams and priorities.

Board and Committee Meetings

Board Meetings and Attendance

How many times did AutoZone’s Board meet during the last fiscal year?

During the 2019 fiscal year,FY22, the Board held five5 meetings.

Did any The non-management members of AutoZone’s directors attend fewer than 75% of the meetings of theour Board and their assigned committees?regularly meet in executive sessions in conjunction with each regularly scheduled Board meeting, with our Lead Director, Mr. Graves, presiding at these sessions.

All of our directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and their assigned committees during the fiscal year or such portion of the fiscal year after their election or appointment if they did not serve the entire fiscal year.FY22

What is AutoZone’s policy with respect to directors’ attendance at the Annual Meeting?

As a general matter, allAll directors are expected to attend our Annual Meetings.annual meetings of shareholders. At our 20182021 Annual Meeting, which was held virtually, all directors were present.present virtually and able to answer questions similar to an in-person

Do AutoZone’snon-management directors meet regularly in executive session?

2022 Proxy Statement

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9

Thenon-management members


Committees ofannual meeting (other than Messrs. George and Hannasch, who were not serving on the Board as of such meeting date).

What are the standing committees of AutoZone’s Board?

AutoZone’s Board has three standing committees: Audit Committee

Meetings in FY22: 9

Members:

D. Bryan Jordan (Chair)
Michael George
Linda A. Goodspeed
George R. Mrkonic, Jr.

Independent: All

Qualifications: The Board has determined that each Committee member meets the qualifications of an audit committee financial expertas defined by the SEC and is financially literateas defined by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).

The Audit Committee assists the Board in overseeing the integrity of the Company’s financial statements; the independent auditor’s qualification, independence and performance; the performance of the Company’s internal audit function, and the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Accordingly, the Audit Committee has responsibility for:

evaluating, appointing or dismissing, determining compensation for, and overseeing the work of the independent public accounting firm employed to conduct the annual audit, which reports to the Audit Committee;
conducting periodic reviews with Company officers, management, independent auditors, and the internal audit function;
reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor the Company’s annual audited financial statements, quarterly financial statements, internal controls report and the independent auditor’s attestation thereof, and other matters related to the Company’s financial statements and disclosures;
overseeing the Company’s internal audit function; and
reporting periodically to the Board and making appropriate recommendations.

Compensation Committee

All

: The Board has determined that each Committee member meets the qualifications of an audit committee financial expertas defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission and is financially literateas defined by the New York Stock Exchange.

, among other things:

and

Meetings in FY22: 5

Members:

George R. Mrkonic, Jr (Chair)
Douglas H. Brooks*
Linda A. Goodspeed
Brian Hannasch
Gale King

Independent: All

Qualifications:The Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee meets the additional independence requirements of the SEC and NYSE applicable to Compensation Committee members.

* not standing for re-election

The Compensation Committee has responsibility for:

reviewing and approving AutoZone’s compensation philosophy, strategy and objectives;
reviewing and approving the compensation programs, plans, policies and awards for executive officers;
leading the independent directors in the evaluation of the performance of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) in meeting established goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the CEO;
acting as administrator as may be required by AutoZone’s short- and long-term incentive plans and stock or stock-based plans;
reviewing the compensation of AutoZone’s non-employee directors from time to time and recommend to the full Board any changes that the Compensation Committee deems necessary; and
reviewing and discussing with management the alignment between AutoZone’s compensation programs, company strategy and human capital management strategy.

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2022 Proxy Statement


NOMINating and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, each consisting only of independent directors.

Audit Committee

What is the function of the Audit Committee?

The Audit Committee is responsible for:

the integrity of the Company’s financial statements,

the independent auditor’s qualification, independence and performance,

the performance of the Company’s internal audit function, and

the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

The Audit Committee performs its duties by:

evaluating, appointing or dismissing, determining compensation for, and overseeing the work of the independent public accounting firm employed to conduct the annual audit, which reports to the Audit Committee;

pre-approving all audit and permittednon-audit services performed by the independent auditor, considering issues of auditor independence;

conducting periodic reviews with Company officers, management, independent auditors, and the internal audit function;

reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor the Company’s annual audited financial statements, quarterly financial statements, internal controls report and the independent auditor’s attestation thereof, and other matters related to the Company’s financial statements and disclosures;

overseeing the Company’s internal audit function;

reporting periodically to the Board and making appropriate recommendations; and

preparing the report of the Audit Committee required to be included in the annual proxy statement.

Who are the members of the Audit Committee?

The Audit Committee consists of Mr. Calbert, Ms. Goodspeed, Mr. Jordan, Mr. McKenna (Chair), Mr. Mrkonic, and Mr. Nieto.

Are all of the members of the Audit Committee independent?

Yes, the Audit Committee consists entirely of independent directors under the standards of AutoZone’s Corporate Governance Principles, the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Does the Audit Committee have an Audit Committee Financial Expert?

The Board has determined that Mr. Calbert, Ms. Goodspeed, Mr. Jordan, Mr. McKenna, Mr. Mrkonic and Mr. Nieto each meet the qualifications of an audit committee financial expert as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. All members of the Audit Committee meet the New York Stock Exchange definition of financial literacy.

How many times did the Audit Committee meet during the last fiscal year?

During the 2019 fiscal year, the Audit Committee held eight meetings.

Where can I find the charter of the Audit Committee?

The Audit Committee’s charter is available on our corporate website atInvestors.AutoZone.com and is also available, free of charge, in print to any stockholder who requests it.

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”) of AutoZone, Inc. has reviewed and discussed AutoZone’s audited financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2019, with AutoZone’s management. In addition, we have discussed with Ernst & Young LLP, AutoZone’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No.1301,Communications with Audit Committees, as amended and as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the charter of the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and we have discussed with Ernst & Young LLP their independence from the Company and its management. The Audit Committee has discussed with AutoZone’s management and the auditing firm such other matters and received such assurances from them as we deemed appropriate.

As a result of our review and discussions, we have recommended to the Board the inclusion of AutoZone’s audited financial statements in the annual report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019, onForm 10-K for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in its charter, the Audit Committee does not have the duty to plan or conduct audits or to determine that AutoZone’s financial statements are complete, accurate, or in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; AutoZone’s management and the independent auditor have this responsibility. Nor does the Audit Committee have the duty to assure compliance with laws and regulations and the policies of the Board.

Michael M. Calbert

Linda A. Goodspeed

D. Bryan Jordan

W. Andrew McKenna (Chair)

George R. Mrkonic, Jr.

Luis P. Nieto

Compensation Committee

What is the function of the Compensation Committee?

The Compensation Committee has the authority, based on its charter and the AutoZone Corporate Governance Principles, to:

review and approve AutoZone’s compensation objectives;

review and approve the compensation programs, plans, policies and awards for executive officers, including recommending equity-based plans for stockholder approval;

lead the independent directors in the evaluation of the performance of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) in meeting established goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the CEO;

act as administrator as may be required by AutoZone’s short- and long-term incentive plans and stock or stock-based plans; and

review the compensation of AutoZone’snon-employee directors from time to time and recommend to the full Board any changes that the Compensation Committee deems necessary.

The Compensation Committee may appoint subcommittees from time to time with such responsibilities as it may deem appropriate; however, the Compensation Committee may not delegate its authority to any other persons.

AutoZone’s processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation, including the role of the Compensation Committee and compensation consultants, are described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” on page 20.

Who are the members of the Compensation Committee?

The Compensation Committee consists of Mr. Brooks, Ms. Goodspeed, Ms. King, Mr. McKenna, and Mr. Mrkonic (Chair), all of whom are independent directors under the standards of AutoZone’s Corporate Governance Principles and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

How many times did the Compensation Committee meet during the last fiscal year?

During the 2019 fiscal year, the Compensation Committee held four meetings.

Where can I find the charter of the Compensation Committee?

The Compensation Committee’s charter is available on our corporate website atInvestors.AutoZone.com and is also available, free of charge, in print to any stockholder who requests it.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

What is the function of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee?

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee ensures that:

qualified candidates are presented to the Board for election as directors;

the Board has adopted appropriate corporate governance principles that best serveCommittee

All

: The Board has determined that each Committee member meets the qualifications of an audit committee financial expertas defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission and is financially literateas defined by the New York Stock Exchange.

, among other things:

and

Meetings in FY22: 3

Members:

Earl G. Graves, Jr (Chair)
Enderson Guimaraes
D. Bryan Jordan
Jill Soltau

Independent: All

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has responsibility for:

ensuring that qualified candidates are presented to the Board for election as directors;
assisting the Board in its oversight of AutoZone’s ESG practices, including DEI and other human capital management matters;
assisting the Board in developing criteria and procedures for the evaluation of the Board, its committees and directors;
reviewing and recommending changes to the corporate governance principles with the aim of best serving the practices and objectives of the Board; and
reviewing and recommending changes to AutoZone’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws with the aim of best serving the interests of the shareholders.

Board Composition

Personal Characteristics and objectives of the Board; and

AutoZone’s Articles of Incorporation andBy-Laws are structured to best serve the interests of the stockholders.

Who are the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee?

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Messrs. Graves (Chair), Guimaraes, Jordan, Nieto, and Ms. Soltau, all of whom are independent directors under the standards of AutoZone’s Corporate Governance Principles and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

How many times did the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meet during the last fiscal year?

During the 2019 fiscal year, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held six meetings.

Where can I find the charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee?

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s charter is available on our corporate website atInvestors.AutoZone.com and is also available, free of charge, in print to any stockholder who requests it.

Director Nomination Process

What is the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s policy regarding consideration of director candidates recommended by stockholders? How do stockholders submit such recommendations?

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s policy is to consider director candidate recommendations from stockholders if they are submitted in writing to AutoZone’s Secretary in accordance with the procedure set forth in Article III, Section 1 of AutoZone’s Seventh Amended and RestatedBy-Laws(“By-Laws”), including biographical and business experience, information regarding the nominee and other information required by said Article III, Section 1. Copies of theBy-Laws will be provided upon written request to AutoZone’s Secretary and are also available on AutoZone’s corporate website atInvestors.AutoZone.com.

What qualifications must a nominee have in order to be recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for a position on the Board?Core Competencies

The Board believes each individual director should possess certain personal characteristics, and that the Board as a whole should possess certain core competencies. Such personal characteristics are integrity and accountability, informed judgment, financial literacy, mature confidence, high performance standards, and passion. They should also have demonstrated the confidence to be truly independent, as well as be business savvy, have an owner orientation and have a genuine interest in AutoZone. Core competencies of the Board as a whole, areinclude accounting and finance, business judgment, management expertise, crisis response, industry knowledge, international markets, strategy and vision. These characteristics and competencies are set forth in more detail in AutoZone’s Corporate Governance Principles, which are available on AutoZone’s corporate website atInvestors.AutoZone.com.at investors.autozone.com.

HowDirector independence

As stated in AutoZone’s Corporate Governance Principles, a substantial majority of the Board of Directors should be independent in accordance with the rules of the NYSE. The Board annually assesses director independence after reviewing relevant relationships involving such director and AutoZone.

As part of this review, the Board specifically considered the following matters, all of which were conducted in arm’s length transactions in FY22 as part of the ordinary course of business.

Mr. Brooks is a member of the board of directors of Southwest Airlines, and AutoZone purchased airline tickets from Southwest Airlines.
Mr. Hannasch is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Alimentation Couche-Tard, which operates Circle K convenience stores, from whom AutoZone purchased miscellaneous goods.
Mr. Jordan is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors of First Horizon Corporation, which: participates in one of AutoZone’s supplier confirmed receivables programs (under which some AutoZone vendors are borrowers, but AutoZone is not); offers brokerage services to AutoZone employees exercising stock options, and holds various AutoZone deposit accounts.
Ms. King is a member of the board of directors of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. and Unum Group, with whom AutoZone procured freight and delivery services and group insurance, respectively.
Donations made by the Company to not-for-profit organizations with which Board members or their immediate family members were affiliated.

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The Board concluded that none of the above transactions were, individually or cumulatively, material to AutoZone and also did not materially benefit any director, directly or indirectly. Accordingly, the Board affirmatively determined that none of Mses. Goodspeed, King, or Soltau or Messrs. Brooks, George, Graves, Guimaraes, Hannasch, Jordan or Mrkonic has a material relationship with the Company other than in their capacity as a Board member and that all of them are independent within the meaning of the AutoZone Corporate Governance Principles, the NYSE listing standards and applicable law. The Board also determined that Mr. Rhodes is not independent since he is an employee of the Company.

Board Refreshment

The Board has a variety of mechanisms in place to promote Board refreshment in a manner that aligns with the long-term interests of AutoZone and its shareholders. In particular, the Board relies upon thorough and meaningful evaluations as well as a resignation policy in the event a director experiences a change in professional role or responsibility. The Board does not have an age-based or tenure-based resignation policy as the Board believes neither can adequately assess an individual director’s contribution, engagement and value to the overall effectiveness of the Board. Instead, we believe thoughtful succession planning and reflection of the Board’s overall composition allow us to refresh the makeup of the Board in a more organic and intentional manner. For example, we have had one director inform the Board of their decision to not stand for re-election at each of the 2021 and 2022 Annual Meetings. Also during this time frame, we appointed two new directors to the Board, each with experience serving as a Chief Executive Officer and each possessing other valuable and complementary skills to ensure the Board and its Committees remain well rounded and effective in discharging their responsibilities.

Board Evaluations

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually reviews and approves the process by which the Board, its Committees and the individual directors conduct an evaluation. These evaluations help inform Board succession planning as well as contribute to different enhancements that may allow the Board to carry out its roles and responsibilities more effectively. The annual Board and Committee evaluation process is typically administered by the Corporate Secretary’s office; however, the Board has periodically engaged a third-party consultant to ensure the process remains dynamic and intentional. For example, in 2021, at the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, identifythe evaluation was administered by an independent, third-party and evaluate nominees for director?consisted of both survey data and one-on-one interviews. These findings were then aggregated, analyzed and reported upon to the full Board collectively and each individual director. In 2022, the Board reverted to its more traditional evaluation process facilitated by the Corporate Secretary’s office.

Director Nominations and BOARD DIVERSITY

Prior to each annual meeting of stockholdersshareholders at which directors are to be elected, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers incumbent directors and other qualified individuals, if necessary,appropriate, as potential director nominees. In evaluating a potential nominee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the personal characteristics described above, and also reviews the composition of the full

Board and reflects upon learnings from the Board evaluations to determine the areas of expertise and core competencies needed to enhance the functioneffectiveness of the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also consider other factors such as the size of the Board, whether a candidate is independent, how many other public company directorships a candidate holds and the listing standards requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and any current guidelines and recommendations of certain proxy advisory firms.NYSE.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recognizes the importance of selecting directors from various backgrounds and professions in order to ensure that the Board as a whole has a variety of experiences and perspectives which contribute to a more effective decision-making process. TheConsistent with AutoZone’s Pledge and Values, the Board does notembraces diversity in its broadest sense and believes it is important to have a specific diversity policy, but considersdirectors with diverse thoughts, skills, knowledge and backgrounds. As stated in the Corporate Governance Principles, when evaluating candidates for nomination as new directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will ensure that the initial list of candidates from which new director nominees are considered include candidates with diversity of race, ethnicity gender, age, cultural background and professional experiences in evaluating candidates for Board membership.or gender.

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2022 Proxy Statement


The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee uses a variety of methods for identifying potential nominees for director. Candidates may come to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee through current Board members, stockholdersshareholders or other persons. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may retain a search firm or other consulting firm from time to time to identify potential nominees. Nominees recommended by stockholdersshareholders in accordance with the procedure described above,below, i.e., submitted in writing to AutoZone’s Secretary, accompanied by the biographical and business experience information regarding the nominee and the other information required by Article III, Section 1 of theAutoZone’s Seventh Amended and Restated By-Laws (“By-Laws”), will receive the same consideration as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s other potential nominees.

Procedure for Communication with the Board of DirectorsDirector Nominations by Shareholders

How can stockholders and other interested parties communicate with the Board?

Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with the Board by writing to the Board, to any individual director or to thenon-management directors as a group c/o Corporate Secretary, AutoZone, Inc., 123 South Front Street, Dept. 8074, Memphis, Tennessee 38103. The Company’s General Counsel and Secretary will review all such correspondence and will forward correspondence that, in her opinion, deals with the function of the Board or that she otherwise determines requires the attention of any member, group or committee of the Board. Communications addressed to the Board or to thenon-management directors as a group, and determined by the Company’s General Counsel and Secretary to merit their attention, will be forwarded to the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee,Committee’s policy is to consider director candidate recommendations from shareholders if they are submitted in writing to AutoZone’s Secretary in accordance with the procedure set forth in Article III, Section 1 of By-Laws, including biographical and communications addressed to a committeebusiness experience, information regarding the nominee and other information required by such provision in the By-laws. Copies of the Board, and determined by the Company’s General Counsel and Secretary to merit their attention,By-Laws will be forwardedprovided upon written request to AutoZone’s Secretary and are also available on AutoZone’s corporate website at investors.autozone.com.

In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements under AutoZone’s By-laws, to comply with the universal proxy rules, shareholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than AutoZone’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than October 15, 2023, or not later than the date that is 60 days prior to the chairone-year anniversary of that committee.the Annual Meeting if such meeting takes place on any day other than December 14, 2022.

Director Compensation of Directors

AutoZone’s current director compensation program became effective January 1, 20182022 (the “Director Compensation Program”).

Annual Retainer Fees.Non-employee directors receive an annual retainer fee (the “Annual Retainer”). Furthermore, each director is eligible to receive an additional fee (“Additional Fee”), the amount of which varies depending on his or her role. The Additional Fees and the Annual Retainer, enumerated below, together comprise the “Director Compensation”. There are no meeting fees.

Director compensation componentsCompensation Components

($)

Annual Retainer

215,000

250,000

Additional FeesFees:

Lead Director

30,000

35,000

Audit Committee Chair

25,000

30,000

Audit Committee Member

12,500

15,000

Compensation Committee Chair

20,000

25,000

Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee Chair

15,000

20,000

Under the Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. 2011 Equity2020 Omnibus Incentive Award Plan (the “Amended 2011 Equity“2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan”), and Director Compensation Program, non-employee directors receive Director Compensation in the form of immediately vested Restricted Stock Units which are contractual rights to receive in the future a share of AutoZone common stock. Upon timely delivery of an election form, a(“RSUs”). A non-employee director may elect to receive $85,000a fixed portion of the Annual Retainer plus any Additional Fees in the form of cash, paid in quarterly installments (the “Cash Election”), with the remainder of the Annual Retainer paid in the form of Restricted Stock Units.RSUs. The Cash Election during calendar year 2022 was $100,000. All Restricted Stock UnitsRSUs are granted on January 1 of the applicable calendar year.

If anon-employee director is elected to the Board, or assumes a different position, after January 1, of the applicable year, he or she will receive the Annual Retainer and/or Additional Fees, prorated based on the number of days remaining in the calendar year, for Restricted Stock UnitsRSUs, or the number of days remaining in the quarter, for cash, as appropriate.applicable.

Restricted Stock UnitsRSUs granted to non-employee directors are fully vested on the date of grant and become payable, on the earlier to occur of (1) the fifth anniversary of the grant date, or (2)are settled, on the date on which thenon-employee director ceases to be a director (the “Payment Date”)., or at the director’s election, on the first or fifth anniversary of the grant date. Upon timely delivery of an election form, anon-employee director may elect to receive payment on the date on which he or she ceases to be a director. Restricted Stock Units

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RSUs are payable in shares of AutoZone common stock no later than the fifteenth day of the third month following the end of the tax year in which such Payment Date occurs.

Compensation-Setting Process.    COMPENSATION-SETTING PROCESS. The Compensation Committee reviews the Board’s compensation on a regular basis to ensure thatnon-employee directors are reasonably compensated in relation to AutoZone’s peer group companies (discussed in detail under Benchmarking) and to comparable U.S. companies in general. AutoZone’s Amended 2011 Equity2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan contains a dollar limit of $500,000$750,000 on the total amount of annual compensation payable to itsnon-employee directors, provided that the Board may make exceptions to this limit under extraordinary circumstances. directors.

Director Compensation Table

This table shows the compensation paid to ournon-employee directors during the 20192022 fiscal year.

Name (1)

  Fees
Paid in Cash
($)

(2)
   Stock
Awards
($)

(4)(5)
   Total
($)
 

Douglas H. Brooks

   85,000    129,993    214,993 

Michael M. Calbert(3)

       141,484    141,484 

Linda A. Goodspeed

       227,492    227,492 

Earl G. Graves, Jr.

       259,994    259,994 

Enderson Guimaraes

       214,992    214,992 

D. Bryan Jordan

       227,492    227,492 

Gale King

       214,992    214,992 

W. Andrew McKenna

       240,000    240,000 

George R. Mrkonic, Jr.

       247,495    247,495 

Luis P. Nieto

   97,500    129,993    227,493 

Jill A. Soltau

   21,250    214,992    236,242 

    

Fees

    

Stock

    

Paid in Cash

Awards

($)

($)

Total

Name (1)

(2)

(3)(4)

($)

Douglas H. Brooks

 

98,750

 

150,000

 

248,750

Michael George

 

8,027

 

217,100

 

225,127

Linda A. Goodspeed

 

 

265,000

 

265,000

Earl G. Graves, Jr.

 

 

305,000

 

305,000

Enderson Guimaraes

 

 

250,000

 

250,000

Brian Hannasch

217,100

217,100

D. Bryan Jordan

 

 

280,000

 

280,000

Gale King

 

 

250,000

 

250,000

George R. Mrkonic, Jr.

 

 

290,000

 

290,000

Jill A. Soltau

 

 

250,000

 

250,000

(1)

William C. Rhodes, III, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, serves on the Board but does not receive any compensation for his service as a director. His compensation as an employee of the Company is shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 33.

47.

(2)

As described above, under the Amended 2011 Equity Plan, AutoZone’snon-employee directors receive their director compensation in the form of Restricted Stock Units, which are contractual rights to receive in the future a share of AutoZone stock, but can elect to receive $85,000 of the Annual Retainer and any Additional Fees in the form of cash. This column represents the portion of the Director Compensation that was paid in cash and earned in fiscal year 2019.

2022 pursuant to the Cash Election, as described above.

(3)

Mr. Calbert joined the Board in May, 2019. As a result compensation is only a partial year.

(4)

The “Stock Awards” column represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for awards of Restricted Stock Units under the Amended 2011 Equity2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan during fiscal 2019.2022. See Note B Share-Based Payments, to our consolidated financial statements in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2022 (the “FY22 Form 10-K”) for a discussion of our accounting for share-based awards and the assumptions used. The aggregate number of outstanding awards of common stock under the AutoZone, Inc. 2003 Director Compensation Plan (“Stock Units”) and Restricted Stock Units held by each director at the end of fiscal 20192022 are shown in the following footnote 4.See “Security the section titled “Share Ownership of Management and Board of Directors”Information” beginning on page 1355 for more information about our directors’ stock ownership.

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(5)(4)

As of August 31, 2019,27, 2022, each currentnon-employee director had the following aggregate number of outstanding Restricted Stock Units and Stock Units:

    

Restricted

    

Stock

Stock

Units

Units

Name

  Restricted
Stock
Units

(#)
   Stock
Units
(#)
 

(#)

(#)

Douglas H. Brooks

   1,287   

 

1,419

 

Michael M. Calbert

   136   

Michael George

 

113

 

Linda A. Goodspeed

   2,056   

 

2,582

 

Earl G. Graves

   4,107    3,417 

 

4,706

 

3,417

Enderson Guimaraes

   2,450   

 

2,948

 

Brian Hannasch

113

D. Bryan Jordan

   2,072   

 

2,627

 

Gale V. King

   464   

 

962

 

W. Andrew McKenna

   3,493    4,247 

George R. Mrkonic, Jr.

   3,760    1,405 

 

3,783

 

1,405

Luis P. Nieto

   2,922    1,136 

Jill A. Soltau

   382   

 

880

 

  

 

   

 

 
   23,129    10,205 
  

 

   

 

 

 

20,133

 

4,822

Stock Ownership RequirementRequirement.

The Board has established a stock ownership requirement fornon-employee directors. Each director is required to own AutoZone common stock and/or restricted stock units having a cumulative fair market value in an amount equal to threeseven times the value of the basecash Annual Retainer payable pursuant to the Director Compensation Program within five years of joining the Board, and to maintain such ownership level thereafter. Exceptions to this requirement may only be made by the Board under compelling mitigating circumstances. Shares, Stock Units and Restricted Stock Units issued under the AutoZone, Inc. Second Amended and Restated Director Compensation Plan, the 2003 Director Compensation Plan, the 2011 Equity Plan, and the Amended 2011 Equity Plan and the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan count toward this requirement. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, each director meets or exceeds his or her obligations under the requirement.

Other Predecessor PlansOTHER PREDECESSOR PLANS.

The AutoZone, Inc. Second Amended and Restated Director Compensation Plan was terminated in December 2002 and was replaced by the AutoZone, Inc. First Amended and Restated 2003 Director Compensation Plan (the “2003 Director Compensation Plan”) and the AutoZone, Inc. First Amended and Restated 2003 Director Stock Option Plan (the “2003 Director Stock Option Plan”). The 2003 Director Compensation Plan and the 2003 Director Stock Option Plan were terminated in December 2010 and replaced by the 2011 Equity Plan. The 2011 Equity Plan was terminated in December 2015 and replaced with the Amended 2011 Equity Plan. In December 2020, shareholders approved the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and no further grants have been made under the Amended 2011 Equity Plan. However, grants made under those plans continue in effect under the terms of the grant made and are included in the aggregate awards outstanding shown above.

OTHER INFORMATIONShareholder Engagement

Security OwnershipShareholder Outreach

We value our relationships with our shareholders, and we have a long-standing practice of Managementshareholder engagement. This engagement is a year-round process involving our senior management, investor relations and Boardlegal teams and consists of Directorsa variety of activities, such as participating in industry conferences or initiating meetings on a specific topic we believe might be of interest to our shareholders.

This table shows the beneficial ownershipDuring fiscal year 2021, our Chairman, President and CEO or other members of common stock by each director, the Principal Executive Officer, the Principal Financial Officer and the other three most highly compensated executive officers, and all current directors and executive officers as a group. Unless stated otherwiseour leadership team engaged directly with investors representing, in the notes to the table, each person named below has sole authority to vote and invest the shares shown.

Beneficial Ownership as of October 21, 2019

Name of Beneficial Owner

  Shares   Deferred
Stock
Units(1)
   Option
Awards(2)
   Restricted
Stock
Units(3)
   Total
(#)
   Ownership
Percentage
 

Douglas H. Brooks

   772            1,287    2,059    * 

Michael M. Calpert

               136    136    * 

Linda A. Goodspeed

               2,056    2,056    * 

Earl G. Graves

       3,417        4,107    7,524    * 

Enderson Guimaraes

               2,450    2,450    * 

D. Bryan Jordan

   240            2,072    2,312    * 

Gale King

               464    464    * 

W. Andrew McKenna(4)

   4,061    4,247        3,493    11,801    * 

George R. Mrkonic, Jr.

       1,405        3,760    5,165    * 

Luis Nieto

       1,136        2,922    4,058    * 

Jill A. Soltau

               382    382    * 

William C. Rhodes, III(5)

   43,281        130,437        173,718    * 

William T. Giles(6)

   9,119        71,644        80,763    * 

Mark A. Finestone(7)

   4,194        39,049        43,243    * 

Thomas B. Newbern

   5,187        35,074        40,261    * 

Ronald B. Griffin

   425        34,158        34,583    * 

All current directors and executive officers as a group (25 persons)

   78,179    10,206    492,681    23,129    604,195    2.5

*

Less than 1%.

(1)

Includes shares that may be acquired immediately upon termination as a director by conversion of Stock Units.

(2)

Includes shares that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options either immediately or within sixty (60) days of October 21, 2019.

(3)

Includes Restricted Stock Units that may be acquired within sixty (60) days of termination of service as a director.

(4)

Includes 2,000 shares owned by Mr. McKenna’s spouse.

(5)

Includes 847 shares held as custodian for Mr. Rhodes’ children, 162 shares held as trustee custodian of a trust for Mr. Rhodes’ son, 777 shares held as trustee of trusts for Mr. Rhodes’ nieces and nephews, 9,935 shares owned by a trust for Mr. Rhodes’ wife and 7,298 shares owned by a grantor retained annuity trust. Also includes 2,239 shares held by a charitable foundation for which Mr. Rhodes is president and a director and for which he shares investment and voting power.

(6)

Includes 4,000 shares owned by a grantor retained annuity trust.

(7)

Includes 173 shares held in trusts for Mr. Finestone’s children and 3,751 shares owned by two (2) grantor retained annuity trusts.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

The following entities are known by us to own more than five percentaggregate, over 30% of our outstanding common stock:

Name and Address

of Beneficial Owner

  Shares   Ownership
Percentage(1)
 

Vanguard Group, Inc.(2)

PO Box 2600, V26

Valley Forge, PA 19482

   2,312,252    9.7

Blackrock, Inc.(3)

55 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10055

   2,063,593    8.7

FMR LLC(4)

245 Summer Street

Boston, MA 02210

   1,504,907    6.3

State Street Corp(5)

One Lincoln St.

Boston, MA 02111

   1,179,964    5.0

(1)

The ownership percentages are calculated based on the number of shares of AutoZone common stock outstanding as of October 21, 2019.

(2)

The source of this information is the Form 13F filed by Vanguard Group, Inc. on August 14, 2019 for the quarter ending June 30, 2019. The shares are beneficially owned by a group consisting of Vanguard Group Inc. (2,274,419 shares); Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Co. (22,495 shares); and Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd. (15,338 shares).

(3)

The source of this information is the Amendment No. 1Form 13F filed by Blackrock, Inc. on August 23, 2019 for the quarter ending June 30, 2019. The shares are beneficially owned by a group consisting of BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (72,338 shares); BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited (11,503 shares); BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (34,595 shares); BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (1,505 shares); BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Ltd (261 shares); BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (53,259 shares); BlackRock Advisors LLC (22,937 shares); BlackRock Fund Advisors (820,857 shares); BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (691,540 shares); BlackRock Japan Co. Ltd. (22,719 shares); BlackRock Fund Managers Limited (26,943 shares); BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited (124,586) shares; BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V. (4,788 shares); BlackRock International Limited (8,490 shares); BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited (109,652 shares); BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited (12,169 shares); BlackRock (Luxembourg) S.A. (17,906 shares); BlackRock Life Limited (26,983 shares); BlackRock Asset Management Scheweiz AG (562 shares).

(4)

The source of this information is the Form 13F filed by FMR LLC on August 13, 2019 for the quarter ending June 30, 2019. The shares are beneficially owned by a group consisting of Fidelity Management & Research Co. and FMR Co. Inc. (1,466,213 shares); Strategic Advisers Inc. (33,227) shares); FIAM LLC (4,857 shares); and Fidelity Institutional Asset Management Trust Co., (610 shares).

(5)

The source of this information is the Form 13F filed by State Street Corp on August 14, 2019 for the quarter ending June 30, 2019. The shares are owed entirely by group consisting of SSGA FUNDS MANAGEMENT INC, State Street Global Advisors LTD, State Street Global Advisors Ltd., State Street Global Advisors, Australia, State Street Global Advisors (Japan) Co. Ltd, State Street Global Advisors Singapore LTD, State Street Global Advisors Asia LTD, State Street Global Advisors GmbH, State Street Global Advisors Ireland Ltd, State Street Global Advisors Trust Co (1,179,964 shares).

THE PROPOSALS

PROPOSAL 1 — Election of Directors

Ten directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders in 2020. Pursuant to AutoZone’s Seventh Amended and RestatedBy-Laws, in an uncontested election of directors, a nominee for director is elected to the Board if the number of votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the number of votes cast against such nominee’s election. (If the number of nominees were to exceed the number of directors to be elected, i.e., a contested election, directors would be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting.) Pursuant to AutoZone’s Corporate Governance Principles, incumbent directors must agree to tender their resignation if they fail to receive the required number of votes forre-election, and in such event the Board will act within 90 days following certification of the shareholder vote to determine whether to accept the director’s resignation. These procedures are described in more detail in our Corporate Governance Principles, which are available on our corporate websiteInvestors.AutoZone.com. The Board may consider any factors it deems relevant in deciding whether to accept a director’s resignation. If a director’s resignation offer is not accepted by the Board, that director will continue to serve until AutoZone’s next annual meeting of stockholders or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until the director’s earlier death, resignation, or removal.

Any director nominee who is not an incumbent director and who does not receive a majority vote in an uncontested election will not be elected as a director, and a vacancy will be left on the Board. The Board, in its sole discretion, may either fill a vacancy resulting from a director nominee not receiving a majority vote pursuant to theBy-Laws or decrease the size of the Board to eliminate the vacancy.

Brokernon-votes occur when shares held by a brokerage firm are not voted with respect to a proposal because the firm has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares and the firm does not have the authority to vote the shares in its discretion. Shares abstaining from voting and shares as to which a brokernon-vote occurs are considered present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists but are not considered votes cast or shares entitled to vote with respect to such matter. Accordingly, abstentions and brokernon-votes will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1.

The Board recommends that the stockholders vote FOR each of these nominees.These nominees have consented to serve if elected. Should any nominee be unavailable to serve, your proxy will be voted for the substitute nominee recommended by the Board, or the Board may reduce the number of directors on the Board.

With the exception of Michael M. Calbert, who was appointed to the Board on May 19, 2019, each of the nominees named below was elected a director at the 2018 annual meeting. W. Andrew McKenna and Luis P. Nieto are not standing forre-election to the Board.

Nominees

The nominees are:

Douglas H. Brooks, 67, has been a director since 2013. He is retired. Until his retirement in 2013, he had held various positions with Brinker International, including serving asNon-Executive Chairman of the Board of Brinker International from January 2013 until December 2013; Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brinker from 2004 until January 2013, and President and Chief Operating Officer from 1999 to 2004. He served on the Brinker board of directors from 1999 through 2013 and on the Club Corp. board of directors from 2013 through 2017. Mr. Brooks is also a director of Southwest Airlines.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:    The Board believes Mr. Brooks is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his strategic and operational business background, his knowledge of international operations, his experience as a chief executive officer of a public company, his experience managing a company with a focus on customer service, his owner orientation, and his board experiencespecifically discuss ESG matters as well as his integrity, energy, and willingnessthe 2021 stockholder proposal relating to spend time on andclimate transition plans. Since the annual meeting in December 2021, we have continued our ESG-focused engagement by inviting investors to discuss our executive compensation practices, climate transition plans or other ESG topics that may be of interest in AutoZone.

to them.

Michael M. Calbert, 57, has been a director since 2019. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Dollar General Corporation since January 2016 and previously served as Chairman of the Board of Dollar General from July 2007 until December 2008 and as Lead Director from March 2013 until hisre-appointment as Chairman in January 2016. Mr. Calbert joined the private equity firm KKR & Co. L.P. (“KKR”) in January 2000. He was directly involved with several KKR portfolio companies until his retirement in January 2014, and served as a consultant to KKR from his retirement until June 2015. Mr. Calbert joined Randall’s Food Markets beginning in 1994 and served as the Chief Financial Officer from 1997 until it was sold in September 1999. Mr. Calbert also previously worked as a certified public accountant and consultant with Arthur Anderson Worldwide from 1985 to 1994, where his primary focus was the retail and consumer industry.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:The Board believes Mr. Calbert is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his executive experience in the retail and consumer industry, his background in finance while serving as a Chief Financial Officer, his board experience, as well as his integrity, energy, and willingness to spend time on and interest in AutoZone.

Linda A. Goodspeed, 57 , has been a director since 2013. She retired in 2017 as the Chief Operating Officer and a Managing Partner at WealthStrategies Financial Advisors, positions she had held since 2007. She had served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of ServiceMaster from 2011 to 2014. From 2008 to September 2011, Ms. Goodspeed served as Vice President, Information Systems and Chief Information Officer for Nissan North America, Inc., a subsidiary of Nissan Motor Company, a global manufacturer of vehicles. From 2001 to 2008, Ms. Goodspeed served as Executive Vice President at Lennox International, Inc., a global manufacturer of air conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration equipment. She is also a director of American Electric Power Co., Inc., and Darling Ingredients Inc., and was a director of Global Power Equipment Group through April 2018.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:    The Board believes Ms. Goodspeed is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on her experience in key strategic and operational roles with several large global companies, her expertise in information technology and previous position as the chief information officerWe believe these various engagement efforts, whether they are part of a service company, her owner orientation, her board experiencebroad-based discussion or the result of a targeted outreach effort we have initiated, are invaluable as they allow us to better understand the priorities,

2022 Proxy Statement

Graphic

15


perspectives, and her executive management skills, as well as her integrity, energy,concerns of our shareholders, strengthen our relationships with our shareholders and willingness to spend time on and interest in AutoZone.make more informed decisions for the benefit of our shareholders.

Earl G. Graves, Jr., 57, has been a director since 2002 and was elected Lead Director in January 2009. He has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Black Enterprise, publisher of Black Enterprise Magazine, since January 2006, and was President and Chief Operating Officer from 1998 to 2006. Mr. Graves has been employed by the same company in various capacities since 1988.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:    The Board believes Mr. Graves is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his business, management and strategic planning experience, his knowledge of advertising and marketing, his owner orientation, and his board experience, as well as his integrity, energy, and willingness to spend time on and interest in AutoZone.

Enderson Guimaraes, 60, has been a director since 2012. In 2017, he retired as the President and Chief Operating OfficerProcedure for Laureate Education, Inc., positions he had held since 2015. He was Executive Vice President, Global Categories and Operations of PepsiCo, Inc. from January 2015 through July 2015. He served as Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Europe andSub-Sahara Africa from September 2012 through January 2015. He was also President of PepsiCo Global Operations from October 2011 to September 2012. Mr. Guimaraes previously had served as Executive Vice President of Electrolux and Chief Executive Officer of its major appliances business in Europe, Africa and the Middle East from 2008 to 2011. Prior to this, Mr. Guimaraes spent 10 years at Philips Electronics, first as a regional marketing executive in Brazil and ultimately as Senior Vice President and head of Global Marketing Management and general manager of the WidiWall LED display business. He also served as CEO of Philips’ Lifestyle Incubator group, an innovation engine which created new businesses and developed them over several years. Earlier, Mr. Guimaraes worked in various marketing positions at Danone and Johnson & Johnson. He is also a director of Refresco Group B.V. and Sunshine Top B.V.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:    The Board believes Mr. Guimaraes is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his business, management and strategic planning experience, his knowledge of advertising, marketing and international operations, and his owner orientation as well as his integrity, energy, and willingness to spend time on and interest in AutoZone.

D. Bryan Jordan, 57, has been a director since 2013.    He has served as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Horizon National Corporation since January 1, 2012, and has held the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer and director since 2008. From May 2007 until September 2008 Mr. Jordan was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of First Horizon and First Tennessee Bank National Association, and prior to that he served in various positions at Regions Financial Corporation and its subsidiary Regions Bank, including (beginning in 2002) as Chief Financial Officer.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:    The Board believes Mr. Jordan is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his extensive experience in the banking and financial services industry, his experience serving as the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of public companies, his knowledge of corporate finance and management, and his owner orientation, as well as his integrity, energy, and willingness to spend time on and interest in AutoZone.

Gale V. King, 63, has been a director since 2018. She has been the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Nationwide Insurance Company since 2012, and served as the Executive Vice President – Chief Human Resources Officer from 2009 to 2012.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:    The Board believes Ms. King is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on her extensive experience in human resources, her owner orientation and her executive management skills, as well as her integrity, energy, and willingness to spend time on and interest in AutoZone.

George R. Mrkonic, Jr., 67, has been a director since 2006. He is thenon-Executive Chairman of Maru Group, a London, UK based research, insight and advisory services firm. Previously, he was theNon-Executive Chairman of Paperchase Products Limited, London, UK, a retailer of cards, stationery, wraps and gifts in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, since 2005, and has been a director since 1999. Prior to that, he was President of Borders Group, Inc. from 1994 to 1997 and Vice Chairman of Borders Group, Inc. from 1994 to 2002. He is also a director of Brinker International, Inc., and Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. Mr. Mrkonic was a director of Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. from 2007 to 2015 and Syntel, Inc. from 2009 to May 2016.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:    The Board believes Mr. Mrkonic is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his experience as a senior executive in retail companies, his knowledge of corporate strategy, finance, and management, his owner orientation, and his board experience, as well as his integrity, energy, and willingness to spend time on and interest in AutoZone.

William C. Rhodes, III, 54, was elected Chairman in June 2007. He has been President, Chief Executive Officer, and a director since 2005. Prior to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rhodes was Executive Vice President–Store Operations and Commercial. Prior to fiscal 2005, he had been Senior Vice President–Supply Chain and Information Technology since fiscal 2002, and prior thereto had been Senior Vice President–Supply Chain since 2001. Prior to that time, he served in various capacities within the Company since 1994. Prior to 1994, Mr. Rhodes was a managerCommunication with Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Rhodes is also a director of Dollar General Corporation.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:    The Board believes Mr. Rhodes, AutoZone’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his 20 plus years’ experience with the Company, which have included responsibility for corporate strategy, executive management, operations, finance, supply chain and information technology; his knowledge and understanding of the automotive aftermarket and retail industries; his financial background and his owner orientation, as well as his integrity and energy.

Jill A. Soltau, 52,has been a director since 2018. She has been the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of

Shareholders and other interested parties may communicate with the J.C. Penney Company,Board by writing to the Board, to any individual director or to the non-management directors as a group c/o Corporate Secretary, AutoZone, Inc., since October, 2018. She previously served as President123 South Front Street, Dept. 8074, Memphis, Tennessee 38103. The Company’s General Counsel and Chief Executive OfficerSecretary will review all such correspondence and will forward correspondence that, in her opinion, deals with the function of JOANN Stores from February 2015 to October 2018. Prior to joining JOANN, Ms. Soltau served as President of Shopko Stores and has held senior level positions in national and regional retailers, including Kohl’s and former Saks Inc. subsidiaries.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:    The Board believes Ms. Soltau is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on her experience as a chief executive officer in the retail industry, her owner orientation, her board experience and her executive management skills, as well as her integrity, energy, and willingness to spend time on and interest in AutoZone.

PROPOSAL 2 — Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP, our independent auditor for the pastthirty-two fiscal years, has been selected by the Audit Committee to be AutoZone’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2020 fiscal year. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting to make a statement if they so desire and to answer any appropriate questions.

The Audit Committee recommends that you vote FOR ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as AutoZone’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Under Nevada law and the Company’sBy-Laws, if a quorum is present, Ernst & Young LLP will be ratified as AutoZone’s independent registered public accounting firm if the number of votes cast in favor of the matter exceeds the number of votes cast in opposition to the matter. Brokernon-votes occur when shares held by a brokerage firm are not voted with respect to a proposal because the firm has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares and the firm does not have the authority to vote the shares in its discretion. Shares abstaining from voting and shares as to which a brokernon-vote occurs are considered present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists, but are not considered votes cast or shares entitled to vote with respect to such matter. Accordingly, abstentions and brokernon-votes will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 2. The Audit Committee is not bound by a vote either for or against the firm. The Audit Committee will consider a vote against the firm by the stockholders in selecting our independent registered public accounting firm in the future.

During the past two fiscal years, the aggregate fees for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP were as follows:

   2019  2018 

Audit Fees

  $2,180,628  $1,965,102 

Audit-Related Fees

  $11,586(1)  

Tax and otherNon-Audit-Related Fees

  $390,851(2)  $142,705(2) 

(1)

Audit-Related Fees for 2019 were for attest services rendered for compliance purposes the Company’s operations in Mexico.

(2)

Tax and otherNon-Audit-Related Fees for 2019 and 2018 were for state, local and international tax services.

The Audit Committeepre-approves all services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm under the terms contained in the Audit Committee charter, a copy of which can be obtained at our website atInvestors.AutoZone.com. The Audit Committeepre-approved 100% of the services provided by Ernst & Young LLP during the 2019 and 2018 fiscal years. The Audit Committee considers the services listed above to be compatible with maintaining Ernst & Young LLP’s independence.

PROPOSAL 3 — Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation —“Say-on-Pay”

In accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act, we are asking stockholders to approve the following advisory resolution on the compensation of our Principal Executive Officer, our Principal Financial

Officer and our other three most highly paid executive officers (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers” or “NEO”) at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to AutoZone’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”

This advisory vote, commonly known as a“say-on-pay” proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to endorse or not endorse our executive pay program. The Board recommends a vote “FOR” this resolution because it believes that AutoZone’s executive compensation program, described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, is effective in achieving the Company’s goals of rewarding financial and operating performance and the creation of stockholder value.

Our Board and Compensation Committee believe that there should be a strong relationship between pay and corporate performance, and our executive compensation program reflects this belief. While the overall level and balance of compensation elements in our compensation program are designed to ensure that AutoZone can retain key executives and, when necessary, attract qualified new executives to the organization, the emphasis of AutoZone’s compensation program is linking executive compensation to business results and intrinsic value creation, which is ultimately reflected in increases in stockholder value.

AutoZone sets challenging financial and operating goals, and a significant amount of an executive’s annual cash compensation is tied to these objectives and therefore “at risk”—payment is earned only if performance warrants it.

AutoZone’s compensation program is intended to support long-term focus on stockholder value, so it emphasizes long-term rewards. At target levels, the majority of an executive officer’s total compensation package each year is the potential value of his or her stock options, which yield value to the executive only if the stock price appreciates.

Our management stock ownership requirement effectively promotes meaningful and significant stock ownership by our Named Executive Officers and further aligns their interests with those of our stockholders.

We urge you to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and related compensation tables and narrative, beginning on page 20, which provide detailed information on our compensation philosophy, policies and practices and the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.

Because the vote on this proposal is advisory in nature, it is not binding on AutoZone, the Board or that she otherwise determines requires the Compensation Committee. The vote on this proposal will, therefore, not affectattention of any compensation already paidmember, group or awardedcommittee of the Board. Communications addressed to any Named Executive Officer and will not overrule any decisions made by the Board or to the Compensation Committee. Because we highly valuenon-management directors as a group, and determined by the opinionsCompany’s General Counsel and Secretary to merit their attention, will be forwarded to the Chair of our stockholders, however,the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and communications addressed to a committee of the Board, and the Compensation Committee will consider the results of this advisory vote when making future executive compensation decisions.

Under Nevada law and the Company’sBy-Laws, if a quorum is present, this matter will be approved if the number of votes cast in favor of the matter exceeds the number of votes cast in opposition to the matter. Brokernon-votes occur when shares held by a brokerage firm are not voted with respect to a proposal because the firm has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares and the firm does not have the authority to vote the shares in its discretion. Shares abstaining from voting and shares as to which a brokernon-vote occurs are considered present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists, but are not considered votes cast or shares entitled to vote with respect to such matter. Accordingly, abstentions and brokernon-votes will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 3.

The Board recommends that the stockholders vote FOR this proposal.

Other Matters

We do not know of any matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those discussed in this Proxy Statement. If, however, other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, your proxies will be able to vote those matters in their discretion.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides a principles-based overview of AutoZone’s executive compensation program. It discusses our rationale for the types and amounts of compensation that our executive officers receive and how compensation decisions affecting these officers are made. It also discusses AutoZone’s total rewards philosophy, the key principles governing our compensation program, and the objectives we seek to achieve with each element of our compensation program.

Our fiscal 2019 Named Executive Officers are (i) our CEO, (ii) our CFO and (iii) each of our three other most highly compensated executive officers who were employed as of the last day of fiscal 2019:

William C. Rhodes IIIChairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
William T. GilesExecutive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Finance ,IT & Store Development
Mark A. FinestoneExecutive Vice President, Merchandising, Supply Chain & Marketing
Thomas B. NewbernExecutive Vice President, Store Operations, Commercial, ALLDATA & Loss Prevention
Ronald B. GriffinSenior Vice President, Chief Information Officer

The Company’s 2019 fiscal year is from August 26, 2018 through August 31, 2019 and therefore this Compensation Discussion and Analysis covers that time period. Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Giles, Mr. Finestone and Mr. Newbern were NEOs for fiscal 2018 and remain NEOs in fiscal 2019. Mr. Griffin is a new NEO for fiscal 2019, however Mr. Griffin was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer when hired, effective June 10, 2012.

Compensation Principles and Objectives

Pay for performance.  The primary emphasis of AutoZone’s compensation program is linking executive compensation to business results and intrinsic value creation, which is ultimately reflected in increases in stockholder value. Base salary levels are intended to be competitive in the U.S. marketplace for executives, but the more potentially valuable components of executive compensation are annual cash incentives, which depend on the achievement ofpre-determined business goals, and to a greater extent, long-term compensation, which is based on the value of our stock.

The primary driver of long-term compensation is our stock option program. AutoZone grants stock options due to their inherent sensitivity to stock price appreciation. Stock options only have value when AutoZone’s stock price rises above the grant date price; therefore, our executives can realize gains only when the price rises over time.

Attract and retain talented AutoZoners.  The overall level and balance of compensation elements in our compensation program are designed to ensure that AutoZone can retain key executives and, when necessary, attract qualified new executives to the organization. We believe that a company which provides quality products and services to its customers, and delivers solid financial results, will generate long-term stockholder returns, and that this is the most important component of attracting and retaining executive talent.

Drive high performance.  AutoZone sets challenging financial and operating goals, and a significant amount of an executive’s annual cash compensation is tied to these objectives and therefore “at risk”—payment is earned only if performance warrants goals and objections are met.

Drive long-term stockholder value.  AutoZone’s compensation program is intended to support long-term focus on stockholder value, so it emphasizes long-term rewards. At target levels, the majority of an executive officer’s total compensation package each year is the potential value of his or her stock options.

The table below illustrates how AutoZone’s compensation program weights the base salary and“at-risk” components of its NEOs’ fiscal 2019 total compensation. See the Summary Compensation Table for additional details about fiscal 2019 compensation for all of the NEOs.

     
Executive Base Salary  Annual Incentive  Long-Term Incentive  Total At-Risk 
    

William C. Rhodes III*

  10%   13%   77%   90% 
     

All Other NEOs

  22%   16%   62%   78% 

*

Mr. Rhodes’ long-term incentive consists of fiscal 2019 stock and option grants, plusone-fifth of the total annualized value of hisone-time grant of 50,000 stock options in fiscal 2016. Theone-time award vests 50% on each of the fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant date.

Key Elements of Compensation

The Chief Executive Officer and the other NEOs, as well as the other senior executives comprising AutoZone’s Executive Committee, participate in the compensation program outlined in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The Executive Committee consists of the Chief Executive Officer and officers with the title of senior vice president or executive vice president (a total of 13 executives at the end of fiscal 2019). However, many elements of the compensation program also apply to other levels of AutoZone management. The intent is to ensure that management is motivated to pursue, and is rewarded for achieving, the same financial, operating and stockholder objectives.

The table below summarizes the key elements of AutoZone’s executive compensation program and the objectives they are designed to achieve. More details on these elements follow throughout the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and this Proxy Statement, as appropriate.

Compensation Element

Description

Objectives

Base salary

•  Annual fixed cash compensation.

•  Attract and retain talented executives.

•  Recognize differences in relative size, scope and complexity of positions as well as individual performance over the long term.

Annual cash incentive

•  Annual variable pay tied to the achievement of short-term economic profit objectives, as operationalized by our primary measures:

•  Earnings before interest and taxes, and

•  Return on invested capital.

•  Actual payout depends on the results achieved. Individual potential payout is capped at $4 million; however, payout is zero if threshold targets are not achieved.

•  The Compensation Committee may reduce payouts in its discretion when indicated by individual performance or other reasons but does not have discretion to increase payouts.

•  Communicate key financial and operating objectives.

•  Drive high levels of performance by ensuring that executives’ total cash compensation is linked to achievement of financial and operating objectives.

•  Support and reward consistent, balanced growth and returns performance with links to stockholder returns.

•  Drive cross-functional collaboration and a total-company perspective.

Stock options and other equity compensation

•  Senior executives receivenon-qualified stock options (NQSOs).

•  All stock options are granted at fair market value on the grant date (discounted options are prohibited).

•  AutoZone’s equity compensation plan prohibitsre-pricing of stock options and does not include a “reload” program.

•  AutoZone may grant awards of stock or units with either performance or time-based restrictions.

•  Align long-term compensation with stockholder results. Opportunities for significant wealth accumulation by executives are tightly linked to stockholder returns.

•  Provide retention incentives to ensure business continuity and facilitate succession planning and executive knowledge transfer.

Stock purchase plans

•  AutoZone maintains a broad-based employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) which is qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan allows AutoZoners to make quarterly purchases of AutoZone shares at 85%

•  Allow all AutoZoners to participate in the growth of AutoZone’s stock.

•  Encourage ownership, and therefore alignment of executive and stockholder interests.

Compensation Element

Description

Objectives

of the fair market value on the first or last day of the calendar quarter, whichever is lower. The annual contribution limit under the ESPP is 10% of annual earnings up to a max of $15,000.

•  The Company has implemented an Executive Stock Purchase Plan so that executives may continue to purchase AutoZone shares beyond the limit the IRS and the Company set for the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. An executive may make purchases using up to 25% of their prior fiscal year’s eligible compensation.

Management stock ownership requirement

•  Executive officers must meet specified minimum levels of ownership, using a multiple of base salary approach.

•  Align with stockholders by requiring executive officers to meet specified levels of ownership.

•  Alignment of executive and stockholder interests.

Retirement plans

The Company maintains two retirement plans:

•  401(k) defined contribution plan,

•  Non-qualified deferred compensation plan

Stock options:

•  Retired executives, who meet the definition of retirement, do not receive any additional vesting of their long-term incentives but may hold vested options for the full original term of any given grant.

•  Provide competitive executive retirement benefits.

•  Thenon-qualified plan enables executives to defer 25% of base salary and 75% of annual cash incentives, independent of the IRS limitations set for the qualified 401(k) plan.

•  Retirees’ vested stock options remain subject to original term to motivate successful succession planning.

Health and other benefits

Executives are eligible for a variety of benefits, including:

•  Medical, dental and vision plans;

•  Life and disability insurance plans; and

•  Charitable contribution match program.

Senior executives are permitted to use the Company’s private aircraft for personal travel as long as they reimburse the Company for the direct, incremental cost of such usage.

•  Provide competitive benefits.

•  Minimize perquisites while ensuring a competitive overall rewards package.

Annual cash compensation.    Annual cash compensation consists of base salary and annual cash incentives.

Base Salary.    Salaries are determined within the context of a targeted total cash compensation level for each position. Base salary is a fixed portion of the targeted annual cash compensation, with the specific portion varying based on differences in the size, scope or complexity of the jobs as well as the tenure and individual performance level of incumbents in the positions. AutoZone utilizes a variety of survey data to monitor the market.

The survey data used to periodically adjust salary ranges is broad-based, including data submitted by hundreds of companies. Examples of the types of information contained in salary surveys include summary statistics (e.g., mean, median, 25th percentile, etc.) related to:

base salaries

variable compensation

total annual cash compensation

long-term incentive compensation

total direct compensation

The salary surveys cover both the retail industry and compensation data on a broader, more general public company universe. Multiple salary surveys are used, so that ultimately the data represent hundreds of companies and positions and thousands of incumbents, or people holding those positions. The surveys generally list the participating companies, and for each position “matched”, the number of companies and incumbents associated with the position. Subscribers cannot determine which information comes from which company.

The salary ranges which apply to the NEOs, including the Principal Executive Officer, are part of the structure applicable to thousands of AutoZone’s employees. Each grade in the current salary structure has a salary range associated with it. This range has a midpoint, to which we compare summary market salary data (generally median pay level) of the types discussed above.

Over time, as the median pay levels in the competitive market change, as evidenced by the salary survey data, AutoZone will make appropriate adjustments to salary range midpoints so that on average, these midpoints are positioned at roughly 100% of the market median value for base salaries as revealed by the surveys. This positioning relative to the market allows for competitive base salary levels. This maintains our stated philosophy of delivering competitive total rewards at or above the market median through our performance-based variable compensation. A major review of our management compensation was conducted in 2018-2019 with by Pearl Meyer in order for us to maintain and enhance the structure and processes supportive of competitive and strategically aligned compensation program with corporate strategic objectives.

In making decisions related to compensation of the NEOs, the Compensation Committee uses the survey data and salary ranges as context in reviewing compensation levels and approving pay actions. Other elements that the Compensation Committee considers are individual performance, Company performance, individual tenure, internal equity, position tenure, and succession planning.

Annual Cash Incentive.    Executive officers and certain other employees are eligible to receive annual cash incentives each fiscal year based on the Company’s attainment of certain performance objectives set by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the fiscal year. The annual cash incentive target for each position, expressed as a percentage of base salary, is based on both salary range and level within the organization, and therefore does not change annually. As a general rule, as an executive’s level of management responsibility increases, the portion of his or her total compensation dependent on Company performance increases.

The threshold and target percentage amounts for the NEOs for fiscal 2019 are shown in the table below.

Principal Position  Threshold  Target 

Chairman, President & CEO

   65  130

Executive Vice Presidents

   37.5  75

Senior Vice Presidents

   30  60

Annual cash incentives for executive officers are paid pursuant to the AutoZone, Inc. 2015 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (“EICP”), our performance-based short-term incentive plan. Pursuant to the plan, the Compensation Committee establishes incentive objectives at the beginning of each fiscal year. For more information about the EICP, see Discussion of Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 35.

The actual incentive amount paid depends on Company performance relative to the target objectives and individual achievement of performance goals established at the beginning of the fiscal year. A minimumpre-established goal must be met in order for any incentive award to be paid, and the incentive award as a percentage of annual salary will increase as the Company achieves higher levels of performance. Payouts for individual performance can range from 0% to 130% based on achievement of performance goals.

The Compensation Committee may in its sole discretion reduce the calculated incentive awards paid to NEOs. Under the EICP, the Compensation Committee may not exercise discretion in granting awards in cases where no awards are indicated, nor may the Compensation Committee increase any calculated awards. Any such “positive” discretionary changes, were they to occur, would be paid outside of the EICP and reported under the appropriate Bonus column in the Summary Compensation Table on page 33; however, the Compensation Committee has not historically exercised this discretion.

The Compensation Committee, as described in the EICP, may (but is not required to) disregard the effect ofone-time charges and extraordinary events such as asset write-downs, litigation judgments or settlements, changes in tax laws, accounting principles or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, accruals for reorganization or restructuring, and any other extraordinarynon-recurring items, acquisitions or divestitures and any foreign exchange gains or losses on the calculation of performance.

The incentive objectives for fiscal 2019 were set during a September 2018 Compensation Committee meeting and were based on the achievement of specified levels of earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”) and return on invested capital (“ROIC”), as are the incentive objectives for fiscal 2020, which were set during a Compensation Committee meeting held in October 2019. The total incentive award is determined based on the impact of EBIT and ROIC on AutoZone’s economic profit for the year, rather than by a simple allocation of a portion of the award to achievement of the EBIT target and a portion to achievement of the ROIC target. EBIT and ROIC are key inputs to the calculation of economic profit (sometimes referred to as “economic value added”) and have been determined by our Compensation Committee to be important factors in enhancing stockholder value. If both the EBIT and ROIC targets are achieved, the result will be a 100%, or target, payout. However, the payout cannot exceed 100% unless the EBIT target is exceeded (i.e., unless there is “excess EBIT” to fund the additional incentive payout). It is possible to earn EBIT below target but exceed ROIC target to achieve 100% payout. Additionally, when the aggregate incentive amount is calculated, if the resulting payout amount in excess of target exceeds a specified percentage of excess EBIT (currently 20%), then the incentive payout will be reduced until the total amount of the incentive payment in excess of target is within that specified percentage of excess EBIT limit. For purposes of the EICP, ROIC is defined asafter-tax operating profit (excluding rent) divided by invested capital (which includes a factor to capitalize operating leases). EBIT is defined as net income plus interest and taxes.

The specific targets are tied to achievement of the Company’s operating plan for the fiscal year. In 2019, the target objectives were EBIT of $2,205.8 million and ROIC of 33.3%. The 2019 incentive awards for each NEO were based on the following performance:

   EBIT ($MMs)  ROIC 

EICP Target

   2,205.8   33.3

Actual (as adjusted)

   2,208.0   34.6

Difference

   2.2   1.3

EBIT Surplus

   .1 

Effect of Performance on Total Annual Cash Compensation.    Because AutoZone emphasizes pay for performance, it is only when the Company exceeds its target objectives that an executive’s total annual cash compensation begins to climb relative to the median market level. Similarly, Company performance below target will cause an executive’s total annual cash compensation to drop below market median. As discussed below, AutoZone does not engage in strict benchmarking of compensation levels, i.e., we do not use specific data to support precise targeting of compensation, such as setting an executive’s base pay at the 50th percentile of an identified group of companies.

Stock compensation.    To emphasize achievement of long-term stockholder value, AutoZone’s senior executives receive a significant portion of their targeted total compensation in the form ofnon-qualified stock options. Although stock options have potential worth at the time they are granted, they only confer actual value if AutoZone’s stock price appreciates between the grant date and the exercise date. For this reason, we believe stock options are a highly effective long-term compensation vehicle to reward executives for creating stockholder value. We want our executives to realize total compensation levels well above the market norm, because when they do, such success is the result of achievement of Company financial and operating objectives that leads to growth in theper-share value of AutoZone common stock.

AutoZone grants stock options annually, typically made near the beginning of the fiscal year and does not include a limited number of promotional or new hire grants that may be made during the fiscal year. Currently, the annual grants are reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee in the meeting (typically in late September or early October) at which it reviews prior year results, determines incentive payouts, and takes other compensation actions affecting its executive officers. The Compensation Committee has not delegated its authority to grant stock options; all grants are directly approved by the Compensation Committee. Option grant amounts for the Chief Executive Officer’s direct reports and other senior executives are recommended to the Compensation Committee by the Chief Executive Officer, based on individual performance and the size and scope of the position held.

Newly promoted or hired officers may receive an option or restricted stock grant shortly after their hire or promotion. New hire or promotional grants are individually approved at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Compensation Committee, or via a special called meeting, or by unanimous written consent of the Compensation Committee. The grants are recommended to the Compensation Committee by the Chief Executive Officer based on individual circumstances (e.g., what may be required in order to attract a new executive). Internal promotional grants are prorated based on the time elapsed since the officer received a regular annual grant of stock options or restricted stock.

On October 7, 2015, the Compensation Committee authorized aone-time award of 50,000 nonqualified stock options to Mr. Rhodes. The options, which have an expiration date of October 8, 2025, vest inone-half increments on the fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant. The purpose of thisone-time award is to solidify Mr. Rhodes’ commitment to AutoZone as well as to motivate continued high performance in a way that is aligned with both stockholder results as well as AutoZone’s leadership team incentives.

Stock purchase plans.    AutoZone maintains the Seventh Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“Employee Stock Purchase Plan”) which enables all employees to purchase AutoZone common stock at a discount, subject toIRS-determined limitations. Based on IRS rules, we limit the annual

purchases in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan to no more than $15,000, and no more than 10% of eligible compensation. To support and encourage stock ownership by our executives, AutoZone also established anon-qualified stock purchase plan. The AutoZone, Inc. Sixth Amended and Restated Executive Stock Purchase Plan (“Executive Stock Purchase Plan”) permits participants to acquire AutoZone common stock in excess of the purchase limits contained in AutoZone’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Because the Executive Stock Purchase Plan is not required to comply with the requirements of Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute thereto and the regulations thereunder (the “Internal Revenue Code”),, it has a higher limit on the percentage of a participant’s compensation that may be used to purchase shares (25%) and places no dollar limit on the amount of a participant’s compensation that may be used to purchase shares under the plan.

The Executive Stock Purchase Plan operates in a similar manner to thetax-qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan, in that it allows executives to contributeafter-tax compensation for use in making quarterly purchases of AutoZone common stock. Options are granted under the Executive Stock Purchase Plan each calendar quarter and consist of two parts: a restricted share option and an unvested share option. Shares are purchased under the restricted share option at 100% of the closing price of AutoZone stock at the end of the calendar quarter (i.e., not at a discount), and a number of shares are issued under the unvested share option at no cost to the executive, so that the total number of shares acquired upon exercise of both options is equivalent to the number of shares that could have been purchased with the contributions at a price equal to 85% of the stock price at the end of the quarter. The unvested shares are subject to forfeiture if the executive does not remain with the company for one year after the grant date. After one year, the shares vest, and the executive owes taxes based on the share price on the vesting date (unless aso-called 83(b) election was made on the date of grant).

The table below can be used to compare and contrast the stock purchase plans. For more information about our stock-based plans, including the Executive Stock Purchase Plan, see Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 35.

Employee Stock Purchase PlanExecutive Stock Purchase Plan
ContributionsAfter tax, limited to lower of 10% of eligible compensation or $15,000After tax, limited to 25% of eligible compensation
Discount15% discount based on lowest price at beginning or end of the quarter

15% discount based onquarter-end price

VestingNone(one-year holding period only)

Shares granted to represent 15% discount vest after one year; one-year holding period for shares purchased at fair market value

Taxes — IndividualOrdinary income in amount of spread; capital gains for appreciation; taxed when shares sold

Ordinary income when restrictions lapse (83(b) election optional)

Taxes — CompanyNo deduction unless “disqualifying disposition”Deduction when included in employee’s income

Company Aircraft

Senior Executives may periodically use AutoZone’s private aircraft for personal travel pursuant to an agreement with the Company. Under the agreement, the Company must be reimbursed for the direct, incremental cost to the Company arising from the personal use of the aircraft. These expenses include the cost of fuel, aircraft maintenance plan costs related to the trip, ramp fees, pilot expenses (if contract pilots are used on the trip), any special insurance for the trip, and other smaller direct costs to the Company. All of the fixed costs

related to the use of the private aircraft, such as regular insurance premiums, hangar fees, depreciation and subscription costs, are paid by the Company, and reimbursement is not required for such costs.

Oversight of the Compensation Program

The Company’s executive compensation program is administered and overseen by the Compensation Committee with assistance from the CEO, the Senior Vice President, Human Resources and other senior leaders, as appropriate. The Compensation Committee in fiscal year 2019 selected and retained an independent compensation consultant, Pearl Meyer, who reports directly to the Compensation Committee to assist it in the performance of its duties. The following table identifies the roles and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee and management in the oversight of the Company’s executive compensation program:

Compensation CommitteeManagement

•  Sets policies and gives direction to management on all aspects of the executive compensation program

•  Based upon performance, evaluates, determines and approves compensation (salary, bonus and equity awards) for each executive officer

•  Determines the terms and conditions of equity incentive awards for all award recipients

•  Reviews succession planning to mitigate the risk of executive departure and to help ensure individual development and bench-strength through different tiers of Company leadership

•  Evaluates and considers regulatory and legal perspectives on compensation matters, rating agency opinions on executive pay, published investor compensation policies and position parameters, and recommendations of major proxy voting advisory firms

•  Coordinates with the other committees of the Board to identify, evaluate and address potential compensation risks, where they exist

•  Analyzes competitive information supplied by the independent compensation consultant and others in light of the Company’s financial and operational circumstances

•  Evaluates market data for each executive position within the context of:

•  Importance of each role to the Company’s business model;

•  The Company’s organizational structure;

•  Expected contribution of each executive in light of the responsibilities inherent in his or her position

•  The risks inherent in the annual operating plan

•  Considers how other factors may affect pay decision-making, such as the Company’s annual operating plan, targeted earnings, internal pay equity, overall financial performance and the Company’s ability to absorb increases in compensation costs

•  Uses the data and analysis referenced above to formulate recommendations for the Compensation Committee’s review and consideration

Most of the year’s significant compensation decisions (those pertaining to the setting of base salaries, bonus targets and equity award percentages) are typically made at the meetings of the Compensation Committee and Board that follow the end of the prior fiscal year. In reaching its decisions regarding pay levels, the Compensation Committee does not aim to mirror any other company’s compensation levels or practices. Nonetheless, the Compensation Committee does consider other companies’ practices that might be pertinent to a company with similar margins and to the fact that we operate in multiple geographic locations with differing regulatory obligations and market considerations.

The Compensation Committee selects and engages a compensation consulting firm and authorizes its work. Reports and advice from the consultant may be requested by and are shared between the Compensation Committee, the Board, and management. In March 2019, the Compensation Committee evaluated Pearl Meyer’s independence using the factors set forth in NYSE Rule 303A.02(a) and confirmed Pearl Meyer’s independence.

The Chief Executive Officer attends most meetings of the Compensation Committee and participates in the process by answering Compensation Committee questions about pay philosophy and by ensuring that the

Compensation Committee’s requests for information are fulfilled. He also assists the Compensation Committee in determining the compensation of the executive officers by providing recommendations and input about such matters as individual performance, tenure, and size, scope and complexity of their positions. The Chief Executive Officer makes specific recommendations to the Compensation Committee concerning the compensation of his direct reports and other senior executives, including the executive officers. These recommendations usually relate to base salary increases, changes to annual incentive targets and stock option grants. The Chief Executive Officer also recommends pay packages for newly hired executives. Management provides the Compensation Committee with data, analyses and perspectives on market trends and annually prepares information to assist the Compensation Committee in its consideration of such recommendations. Annual incentive awards are based on achievement of business objectives set by the Compensation Committee, but the Compensation Committee may exercise negative discretion, and if it does so, it is typically in reliance on the Chief Executive Officer’s assessment of an individual’s performance.

The Chief Executive Officer is not a party to the deliberations of the Compensation Committee regarding his own compensation. The Senior Vice President, Human Resources has direct discussions with the Compensation Committee Chair regarding the Compensation Committee’s recommendations on the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation. The Compensation Committee also received input from the independent consultant regarding Chief Executive Officer compensation.

Chief Executive Officer.    The Compensation Committee establishes the compensation level for the Chief Executive Officer, including base salary, annual cash incentive compensation, and stock-based awards. The Chief Executive Officer’s compensation is reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee in conjunction with a review of his individual performance by thenon-management directors, taking into account all forms of compensation, including base salary, annual cash incentive, stock options and other stock-based awards, and the value of other benefits received.

Other Executive Officers.    The Compensation Committee reviews and approves base salaries for AutoZone’s executive officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer) based on each executive officer’s individual performance during the past fiscal year and on the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee approves the annual cash incentive amounts for the executive officers, which are determined by objectives approved by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of each fiscal year as discussed above. The actual incentive amount paid depends on their annual performance.

The Compensation Committee approves stock-based compensation to many levels of management, including executive officers. Stock options are granted to executive officers upon initial hire or promotion, and thereafter are typically granted annually in accordance with guidelines established by the Compensation Committee as discussed above. The actual grant is determined by the Compensation Committee based on the guidelinesCompany’s General Counsel and the performance of the individual in the position. The Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer. Other than grants of stock made pursuantSecretary to merit their attention, will be forwarded to the stock purchase plans discussed above, from time to time the Compensation Committee has sole authority to approve any other individual awardschair of stock-based compensation for executive officers.that committee.

Management Stock Ownership Requirement.    To further reinforce AutoZone’s objective of driving long-term stockholder results, AutoZone maintains a stock ownership requirement for all Executive Committee members (a total of 13 individuals at the end of fiscal 2019). Covered executives must attain a specified minimum level of stock ownership, based on a multiple of their base salary, within 5 years of the executive’s placement into a covered position. Executives who are promoted into a position with a higher multiple will have an additional 3 years to attain the increased required ownership level. In order to calculate whether each executive meets the ownership requirement, we total the value of each executive’s holdings of whole shares of stock, and sixty percent of the intrinsic (or“in-the-money”) value of vested stock options, based on the fiscalyear-end closing price of AutoZone stock, and compare that value to the appropriate multiple of fiscalyear-end base salary. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, all Executive Committee members comply with the guidelines.

To encourage full participation in our equity plans, all AutoZone stock acquired under those plans is included in the executive’s holdings for purposes of calculating his or her ownership. This includes vested stock options and vested shares which have restrictions on sale.

Key features of the stock ownership requirement are summarized in the table below:

Ownership Requirement

• Chief Executive Officer

• Executive Vice President

• Senior Vice President

5 times base salary

3 times base salary

2 times base salary

Holding Requirements

• Individuals who have not achieved the ownership requirement within the specified period will be required to hold 50% of netafter-tax shares upon exercise of any stock option and may not sell any shares of AZO.

• Guidelines will no longer apply after an executive reaches age 62, in order to facilitate appropriate financial planning as potential retirement approaches. The Compensation Committee may waive the guidelines for any other executive at its discretion.

Ownership Definition

• Shares of stock directly owned;

• Indirectly held shares reportable as beneficial holdings;

• Unvested Shares acquired via the Executive Stock Purchase Plan; and

• 60% of vested stock options (based on the “after taxin-the-money” value).

AutoZone has adopted comprehensive and detailed policies that regulate trading in our securities by our officers, directors and employees, including blackout periods when trading in our securities is not permitted. AutoZone’s officers, directors, and employees are strictly prohibited from hedging our securities. Directors, NEOs and other senior executives are strictly prohibited from pledging our securities as collateral.

Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy.    AutoZone maintains an incentive compensation recovery, or “clawback”, policy. The purpose of the policy is to enable AutoZone’s Board, at its discretion, to recover excess incentive compensation in the event that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement to correct an error that is material to previously issued financial statements. “Excess” compensation is generally the amount of performance-based compensation paid above what would have been received had the statements in question been accurate. The Company will revise and administer this policy in compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act provisions, once the rules implementing those provisions become effective.

Benchmarking

AutoZone reviews publicly-available data from a peer group of companies to help us ensure that our overall compensation remains competitive. The peer group data we use is from proxy filings and other published sources – it is not prepared or compiled especially for AutoZone.

We periodically review the appropriateness of this peer group. It typically has changed when such events as acquisitions and spin-offs have occurred, and in the event a member company experiences significant performance challenges. The criteria used to select the peer group companies include:

Direct competitors;

Companies with which we compete for talent, customers and capital; and

Companies with key financial measures within a reasonable range compared to those same measures for AutoZone (e.g., revenues between 50% and 200% of AutoZone’s).

AutoZone Peer Group

Advance Auto Parts

Bed Bath & Beyond

Darden Restaurants

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Dollar General

Dollar Tree

Foot Locker

Gamestop

Gap Stores

Genuine Parts

L Brands

LKQ Corporation

O’Reilly Automotive

Ross Stores

Sherwin Williams

Starbucks

Tractor Supply Company

W.W. Grainger

Yum! Brands

AutoZone reviews peer group compensation data as a point of reference but we do not use information from the peer group or other published sources to set precise compensation targets or make individual compensation decisions. We use such data as context in reviewing AutoZone’s overall compensation levels and approving recommendations. Broad survey data and peer group information are just two elements that we find useful in maintaining a reasonable and competitive compensation program. Other elements that we consider are individual performance, Company performance, individual tenure, position tenure, and succession planning.

Taxation of Compensation

Prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform”) that was signed into law December 22, 2017, the Compensation Committee considered the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code which allowed the Company to take an income tax deduction for compensation up to $1 million and for certain compensation exceeding $1 million paid in any taxable year to a “covered employee” as that term is defined in the Code. There was an exception for qualified performance-based compensation, and AutoZone’s compensation program was designed to maximize the tax deductibility of compensation paid to executive officers, where possible. The Tax Reform includes substantial changes to Section 162(m), which generally eliminate tax deductions for any compensation in excess of $1 million paid to covered employees.

The Tax Reform allows certain compensation to be grandfathered, which will enable the Company to continue to take a tax deduction for such amounts exceeding $1 million for its covered employees. Fiscal 2018-related payments made pursuant to AutoZone’s Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, as well as the stock options granted to the Company’s Named Executive Officers through fiscal 2018 under the Amended 2011 Equity Plan, should qualify as performance-based compensation. After fiscal 2018 base salaries (less deferred compensation), restricted stock awards, Executive Stock Purchase Plan vested shares, stock options, executive incentive compensation, and certain benefits and perquisites do not qualify as performance-based under 162(m).

Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code was created with the passage of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. These tax regulations create strict rules related tonon-qualified deferred compensation earned and vested on or after January 1, 2005. The Internal Revenue Service periodically releases Notices and other guidance related to Section 409A, and AutoZone continues to take actions necessary to comply with the Section’s requirements by the deadlines established by the Internal Revenue Service.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”). Based on the review and discussions, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the CD&A be included in this proxy statement.

Members of the Compensation Committee:

George R. Mrkonic, Jr. (Chair)

Douglas H. Brooks

Linda A. Goodspeed

Gale V. King

W. Andrew McKenna

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The Compensation Committee is composed solely of independent,non-employee directors. None of the members of the Compensation Committee (i) was an officer or employee of the Company at any time during or prior to fiscal 2019 or (ii) is or was a participant in a “related person” transaction with the Company since the beginning of fiscal 2019. No executive officer of the Company served on the compensation committee or board of any company that employed any member of the Compensation Committee or Board.

Compensation Program Risk Assessment

AutoZone’s management conducts periodic assessments of the compensation plans and programs that apply throughout the Company, including those plans and programs in which our executives participate. The assessments are performed by key members of AutoZone’s human resources, finance, operations, and legal teams, and entails thorough discussions of each plan’s or program’s design and operation. Significant findings are reviewed by senior management prior to being reviewed and discussed with the Compensation Committee.

Plan elements which are reviewed include participants, performance measures, performance and payout curves or formulas, how target level performance is determined (including whether any thresholds and caps exist), how frequently payouts occur, and the mix of fixed and variable compensation which the plan delivers. The plans and programs are also reviewed from the standpoint of reasonableness (e.g., how target and above-target pay levels compare to similar plans for similar populations at other companies, and how payout amounts relate to the results which generate the payment), how well the plans and programs are aligned with AutoZone’s goals and objectives, and from an overall standpoint, whether these plans and programs represent an appropriate mix of short- and long-term compensation.

The purpose of these reviews is to determine whether the risks related to the design and operation of these plans and programs, if present, are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. We believe that our compensation plans, policies and practices do not encourage excessive risk-taking and are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The various mitigating factors which support this conclusion include:

Oversight of the management incentive plan and all stock-based compensation by the Compensation Committee of the Board;

Senior management oversight of key plans and programs, including approving target level payouts, setting financial and operating goals, and approving payouts;

Administration and oversight of plans and programs by multiple functions within the Company (e.g., finance, operations, legal and human resources);

Existence of an incentive compensation recovery (“clawback”) policy;

Interrelationship between measures (e.g., correlation between economic profit performance and appreciation in theper-share price of AutoZone’s stock);

Vesting and stock ownership requirements for executive officers which encourage long-term perspectives among participants; and

A preference for performance measures which result in payments only upon achievement of ultimate financial results.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

This table shows the compensation paid to the NEOs during the 2019, 2018 and 2017 fiscal years.

Name and Principal Position

 Year  Salary
($)(1)
  Bonus
($)(2)
  Stock
Awards
($)(3)(4)
  Option
Awards
($)(4)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(5)
  Change In
Pension Value
& Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings

($)(6)
  All Other
Compensation
($)(7)
  Total
($)
 

William C. Rhodes III

  2019   1,062,500      90,187   5,888,287   1,401,417      175,171   8,617,562 

Chairman, President &

  2018   1,000,000      89,621   1,735,439   1,250,000      145,559   4,220,619 

Chief Executive Officer

  2017   1,000,000      89,920   1,054,789   1,018,750      171,779   3,335,238 

William T. Giles

  2019   674,711      28,230   1,822,036   513,422      103,223   3,141,622 

CFO/Executive Vice President,

  2018   641,923      26,717   1,259,639   481,443      98,400   2,508,122 

Finance & IT

  2017   622,387      27,507   1,425,138   380,435      104,553   2,560,020 

Mark A. Finestone

  2019   562,058      24,352   1,733,156   427,698      109,267   2,856,531 

Executive Vice President,

  2018   528,962      13,663   1,068,741   396,722      90,291   2,098,379 

Merchandising, Supply Chain &

  2017   512,692      18,997   1,209,492   313,383      92,991   2,147,555 

Marketing

         

Thomas B. Newbern

  2019   562,058         1,733,156   513,229      56,137   2,864,580 

Executive Vice President,

  2018   528,962         1,068,741   396,722      56,346   2,050,771 

Store Operations, Commercial,

  2017   512,692         1,209,492   313,383   1,425   67,425   2,104,417 

ALLDATA & Loss Prevention

         

Ronald B. Griffin

  2019   482,673      4,512   1,210,987   293,833      18,867   2,010,872 

Senior Vice President,

         

Chief Information Officer

         

(1)

Fiscal year 2019 was a53-week fiscal year, so the 2019 salary and bonus amounts reflect an extra week of pay.

(2)

Annual incentive awards were paid pursuant to the EICP and therefore appear in the“non-equity incentive plan compensation” column of the table.

(3)

Represents shares acquired pursuant to the Executive Stock Purchase Plan.See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” on page 20 for more information about the Executive Stock Purchase Plan. See Note B, Share-Based Payments, to our consolidated financial statements in our 2019 Annual Report for a description of the Executive Stock Purchase Plan and the accounting and assumptions used in calculating expenses in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

(4)

The value of stock awards and option awards was determined as required by FASB ASC Topic 718. There is no assurance that these values will be realized.See Note B, Share-Based Payments, to our consolidated financial statements in our 2019 Annual Report for details on assumptions used in the valuation.

(5)

Incentive amounts were earned for the 2019 fiscal year pursuant to the EICP and were paid in October 2019.See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” on page 20 for more information about this plan. Mr. Newbern received an individual rating of “Exceeds Expectations” based on his individual achievement of performance goals established at the beginning of the fiscal year. This rating resulted in his bonus being increased by 20%.

(6)

During fiscal 2018, the Company terminated the defined benefit pension plans; as a result, there is no actuarial present value to report for fiscal year end.

(7)

All Other Compensation includes the following:

Name

      Perquisites and
Personal
Benefits

($)(A)
  Tax
Gross-

ups
($)(C)
   Company
Contributions
to Defined
Contribution
Plans

($)(D)
   Life
Insurance
Premiums

($)
 

William C. Rhodes III

   2019    76,003(B)   4,077    90,731    4,361 
   2018    60,090(B)       80,788    4,681 
   2017    61,516(B)   3,113    101,750    5,400 

William T. Giles

   2019    55,614(B)       45,461    2,148 
   2018    55,475(B)       40,640    2,285 
   2017    55,127(B)       46,969    2,457 

Mark A. Finestone

   2019    68,072(B)   1,658    37,743    1,795 
   2018    54,851(B)       33,567    1,873 
   2017    53,806(B)       37,782    1,403 

Thomas B. Newbern

   2019    15,656   1,658    37,743    1,080 
   2018    18,216   3,449    33,567    1,080 
   2017    25,549   3,014    37,782    1,080 

Ronald B. Griffin

   2019    7,934       10,231    702 

(A)

Perquisites and personal benefits for all NEOs include Company-provided home security system and/or monitoring services, airline club memberships and status upgrades, Company-paid spouse business-related travel, Company-paid long-term disability insurance premiums, and matching charitable contributions under the AutoZone Matching Gift Program.

(B)

The perquisites or personal benefits which exceeded the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of perquisites and personal benefits for an executive officer, which consisted of matching charitable contributions made under the AutoZone Matching Gift program, under which executives may contribute to qualified charitable organizations and AutoZone provides a matching contribution to the charities in an equal amount, up to $50,000 in the aggregate for each executive officer annually, are as follows:

Name

  2019
($)
   2018
($)
   2017
($)
 

William C. Rhodes III

   50,000    50,000    50,000 

William T. Giles

   50,000    50,000    50,000 

Mark A. Finestone

   50,000    49,000    48,024 

(C)

Represents amounts related to Company-paid spouse business-related travel and personal use of the aircraft.

(D)

Represents employer contributions to the AutoZone, Inc. 401(k) Plan and the AutoZone, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

The following table sets forth information regarding plan-based awards granted to the Company’s NEOs during the 2019 fiscal year.

  Equity
Plans
Grant Date
  Estimated Future Payments
Under Non-equity Incentive
Plans(1)
  All other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of

shares of
Stock or
Units (#)
(2)
  All other
Option
Awards:
Number of
securities
underlying

options (#)
(3)
  Exercise
or

base
price of

option
awards
($)
  Grant
date fair
value of
stock

and
option
awards

($)
 

Name

 Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
 

William C. Rhodes III

   690,625   1,381,250   N/A     
  9/25/2018       26,500   772.80   5,888,287 
  9/30/2018      16     12,411 
  12/31/2018      65     54,492 
  3/31/2019      12     12,289 
  6/30/2019      10     10,995 
        

 

 

 
                               5,978,474 

William T. Giles

   253,017   506,034   N/A     
  9/25/2018       8,200   772.80   1,822,036 
  9/30/2018      10     7,757 
  12/31/2018      8     6,707 
  3/31/2019      7     7,169 
  6/30/2019      6     6,597 
        

 

 

 
                               1,850,266 

Mark A. Finestone

   210,772   421,544   N/A     
  9/25/2018       7,800   772.80   1,733,156 
  9/30/2018      5     3,879 
  12/31/2018      8     6,707 
  3/31/2019      7     7,169 
  6/30/2019      6     6,597 
        

 

 

 
                               1,757,508 

Thomas B. Newbern

   210,772   421,544   N/A     
  9/25/2018       7,800   772.80   1,733,156 
        

 

 

 
                               1,733,156 

Ronald B. Griffin

   144,802   289,604   N/A     
  9/25/2018       5,450   772.80   1,210,987 
  9/30/2018      2     1,551 
  12/31/2018      1     838 
  3/31/2019      1     1,024 
  6/30/2019      1     1,099 
        

 

 

 
                               1,215,499 

(1)

Represents potential threshold, target and maximum incentive compensation for the 2019 fiscal year under the EICP based on each officer’s salary on the date the 2019 fiscal year targets were approved. The amounts actually paid for the 2019 fiscal year are described in the“Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column in the Summary Compensation Table. The “threshold” is the minimum payment level under the EICP which is 50% of the target amount. There is no overall percentage maximum; however, awards paid to any individual pursuant to the EICP may not exceed $4 million.See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” at page 20 and the discussion following this table for more information on the EICP.

(2)

Represents shares awarded pursuant to the Executive Stock Purchase Plan.See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” at page 20 and the discussion following this table for more information on the Executive Stock Purchase Plan.

(3)

Represents options awarded pursuant to the Amended 2011 Equity Plan.See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” at page 20 and the discussion following this table for more information on equity plans.

Discussion of Plan-Based Awards Table

Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.    The EICP was designed to be a performance-based compensation plan under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company’s executive officers, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board, are eligible to participate in the EICP. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee establishes a goal, which may be a range from a minimum to a maximum attainable bonus, based on one or more of the following measures:

•  Earnings

•  Return on invested capital

•  Earnings per share

•  Economic value added

•  Sales

•  Return on inventory

•  Market share

•  EBIT margin

•  Operating or net cash flows

•  Sales per square foot

•  Pre-tax profits

•  Comparable store sales

•  Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT)

The EICP provides that the goal may be different for different executives. The goals can change annually to support our business objectives. After the end of each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee must certify the attainment of goals under the EICP and direct the amount to be paid to each participant in cash. The EICP, along with other plans designed in accordance with Section 162(m), will be reviewed for needed changes as guidance is released by the Internal Revenue Service.See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” on page 20 for more information about the EICP.

Executive Stock Purchase Plan.    The Executive Stock Purchase Plan permits participants to acquire AutoZone common stock in excess of the purchase limits contained in AutoZone’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Because the Executive Stock Purchase Plan is not required to comply with the requirements of Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, it has a higher limit on the percentage of a participant’s compensation that may be used to purchase shares (25%) and places no dollar limit on the amount of a participant’s compensation that may be used to purchase shares under the plan. For more information about the Executive Stock Purchase Plan,see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” on page 20.

Stock Options.    Stock options are awarded to many levels of management, including executive officers, to align the long-term interests of AutoZone’s management and our stockholders. During the 2019 fiscal year, 191 AutoZone employees received stock options. The stock options shown in the table were granted pursuant to the Amended 2011 Equity Plan.

Both incentive stock options andnon-qualified stock options, or a combination of both, can be granted under the Amended 2011 Equity Plan. Incentive stock options have a maximum term of ten years, andnon-qualified stock options have a maximum term of ten years and one day. The stock options subject to Mr. Rhodes’one-time grant in 2015 vest in equal increments on the fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant date. All options granted during the 2019 fiscal year vest inone-fourth increments over a four-year period. All options granted under the Amended 2011 Equity Plan have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of AutoZone common stock on the date of grant, which is defined as the closing price on the grant date. Option repricing is expressly prohibited by the terms of the Amended 2011 Equity Plan.

Each grant of stock options is governed by the terms of a Stock Option Agreement entered into between the Company and the executive officer at the time of the grant. The Stock Option Agreements provide vesting schedules and other terms of the grants in accordance with the Amended 2011 Equity Plan.

Under the Amended 2011 Equity Plan, participants may receive equity-based compensation in the form of stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units, dividend equivalents, deferred stock, stock payments, performance share awards and other incentive awards structured by the Compensation Committee and the Board within parameters set forth in the Amended 2011 Equity Plan. During the 2019 fiscal year, 151 AutoZone employees received restricted stock units.

The aggregate number of shares of AutoZone common stock available for equity grants pursuant to the Amended 2011 Equity Plan will be reduced by two shares for every share delivered in settlement of an award other than (i) a stock option, (ii) a stock appreciation right or (iii) any other award for which the holder pays the intrinsic value existing as of the date of grant (such awards, “Full Value Awards”). To the extent that any award other than a Full Value Award is forfeited, expires or is settled in cash without the delivery of shares to the holder, then any shares subject to the award will again be available for the grant of an award pursuant to the Amended 2011 Equity Plan; if such forfeited, expired or cash-settled award is a Full Value Award, then the number of shares available under the Amended 2011 Equity Plan will be increased by two shares for each share subject to the award that is forfeited, expired or cash-settled. However, shares tendered or withheld in payment of the exercise price of an option or in satisfaction of any tax withholding obligations with respect to an award, shares subject to a stock appreciation right that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the stock appreciation right on exercise thereof, and shares purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds from the exercise of options, will not again be available for the grant of an award pursuant to the Amended 2011 Equity Plan. Any shares of restricted stock repurchased by AutoZone at the same price paid by the participant, so that such shares are returned to AutoZone, will again be available for awards granted pursuant to the Amended 2011 Equity Plan. The payment of dividend equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding awards will not be counted against the shares available for issuance under the Amended 2011 Equity Plan.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCALYEAR-END

The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding stock option awards under the Amended 2011 Equity Plan, the 2011 Equity Plan, the AutoZone, Inc. 2006 Stock Option Plan the (“2006 Stock Option Plan”), other outstanding equity awards under the Amended 2011 Equity Plan and the 2011 Equity Plan, and unvested shares under the Executive Stock Purchase Plan for the Company’s NEOs as of August 31, 2019:

     Option Awards  Stock Awards 
     Number of securities
underlying unexercised
options(1)
  Option
Exercise
Price
  Option
Expiration
Date
  Number
of shares of
stock that
have

not vested(2)
  Market
value

of shares
of stock
that have

not
vested(3)
 

Name

 Grant Date  Exercisable  Unexercisable 

William C. Rhodes III

  9/27/2011   20,800     $326.00   9/28/2021   
  9/27/2012   22,500     $371.47   9/28/2022   
  10/1/2013   19,200     $425.11   10/2/2023   
  9/23/2014   17,400     $507.79   9/24/2024   
  10/6/2015   5,887   1,963  $744.62   10/7/2025   
  10/7/2015      50,000(4)  $736.00   10/8/2025   
  9/23/2016   3,374   3,376  $744.85   9/24/2026   
  9/26/2017   3,000   9,000  $587.13   9/27/2027   
  9/25/2018      26,500  $772.80   9/26/2028   
  9/30/2018       16  $17,627 
  12/31/2018       65  $71,610 
  3/31/2019       12  $13,220 
  6/30/2019       10  $11,017 
       

 

 

 

Totals

      92,161   90,839           103  $113,474 

William T. Giles

  9/27/2011   125     $326.00   9/27/2021   
  9/27/2011   12,000     $326.00   9/28/2021   
  9/27/2012   13,600     $371.47   9/28/2022   
  10/1/2013   11,600     $425.11   10/2/2023   
  9/23/2014   10,600     $507.79   9/24/2024   
  10/6/2015   7,950   2,650  $744.62   10/7/2025   
  9/23/2016   4,560   4,560  $744.85   9/24/2026   
  9/26/2017   2,177   6,533  $587.13   9/27/2027   
  9/25/2018      8,200  $772.80   9/26/2028   
  9/30/2018       10  $11,017 
  12/31/2018       8  $8,814 
  3/31/2019       7  $7,712 
  6/30/2019       6  $6,610 
       

 

 

 

Totals

      62,612   21,943           31  $34,153 

Mark A. Finestone

  10/1/2013   8,700     $425.11   10/2/2023   
  9/23/2014   7,900     $507.79   9/24/2024   
  10/6/2015   8,250   2,750  $744.62   10/7/2025   
  9/23/2016   3,870   3,870  $744.85   9/24/2026   
  9/26/2017   1,847   5,543  $587.13   9/27/2027   
  9/25/2018      7,800  $772.80   9/26/2028   
  9/30/2018       5  $5,508 
  12/31/2018       8  $8,814 
  3/31/2019       7  $7,712 
  6/30/2019       6  $6,610 
       

 

 

 

Totals

      30,567   19,963           26  $28,644 

     Option Awards  Stock Awards 
     Number of securities
underlying unexercised
options(1)
  Option
Exercise
Price
  Option
Expiration
Date
  Number
of shares of
stock that
have

not vested(2)
  Market
value

of shares
of stock
that have

not
vested(3)
 

Name

 Grant Date  Exercisable  Unexercisable 

Thomas B. Newbern

  9/27/2012   2,350     $371.47   9/28/2022   
  10/1/2013   4,350     $425.11   10/2/2023   
  9/23/2014   5,925     $507.79   9/24/2024   
  10/6/2015   8,250   2,750  $744.62   10/7/2025   
  9/23/2016   3,870   3,870  $744.85   9/24/2026   
  9/26/2017   1,847   5,543  $587.13   9/27/2027   
  9/25/2018      7,800  $772.80   9/26/2028   

Totals

      26,592   19,963                 

Ronald B. Griffin

  10/1/2013   8,700     $425.11   10/2/2023   
  9/23/2014   7,900     $507.79   9/24/2024   
  10/6/2015   6,450   2,150  $744.62   10/7/2025   
  9/23/2016   3,094   3,096  $744.85   9/24/2026   
  9/26/2017   1,477   4,433  $587.13   9/27/2027   
  9/25/2018      5,450  $772.80   9/26/2028   
  9/30/2018       2  $2,203 
  12/31/2018       1  $1,102 
  3/31/2019       1  $1,102 
  6/30/2019       1  $1,102 
       

 

 

 

Totals

      27,621   15,129           5  $5,509 

(1)

Unless indicated otherwise, stock options vest annually inone-fourth increments over a four-year period. Both incentive stock options andnon-qualified stock options have been awarded.

(2)

Represents shares acquired pursuant to unvested shares granted under the Executive Stock Purchase Plan. Such shares vest on the first anniversary of the date the option was exercised under the plan and will vest immediately upon a participant’s termination of employment without cause or the participant’s death or disability.

(3)

Based on the closing price of AutoZone common stock on August 30, 2019 ($1,101.69 per share).

(4)

Represents aone-time grant ofnon-qualified stock options pursuant to the 2011 Equity Plan. Fifty percent (50%) of the shares vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant, and the other fifty percent (50%) vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

The following table sets forth information regarding stock option exercises and vested stock awards for the Company’s NEOs during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019:

   Option Awards   Stock Awards 

Name

  Number
of shares
acquired
on exercise
(#)
   Value
realized

on exercise
($)(1)
   Number
of shares
acquired
on vesting
(#)(2)
   Value
realized
on vesting
($)(3)
 

William C. Rhodes III

   23,700    13,079,174    132    117,053 

William T. Giles

   13,500    8,699,041    41    38,014 

Mark A. Finestone

   21,200    12,831,652    21    19,650 

Thomas B. Newbern

                

Ronald B. Griffin

   25,570    13,064,812    7    6,637 

(1)

If the shares were sold immediately upon exercise, the value realized on exercise of the option is the difference between the actual sales price and the exercise price of the option. Otherwise, the value realized is the difference between the closing price of AutoZone common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the option.

(2)

Represents shares acquired pursuant to the Executive Stock Purchase Plan.See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” on page 20 for more information about this plan.

(3)

Based on the closing price of AutoZone common stock on the vesting date.

NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth information regarding nonqualified deferred compensation for the Company’s NEOs as of and for the year ended August 31, 2019.

Name

  

Plan

 Executive
Contributions
in Last FY

($)(1)
  Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY

($)(2)
  Aggregate
Earnings in
Last FY

($)(3)
  Aggregate
withdrawals /
distributions
($)
  Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE

($)
 

William C. Rhodes III

  Executive Deferred Compensation Plan  537,115   79,308   (411,934     14,829,176 

William T. Giles

  Executive Deferred Compensation Plan  171,047   34,181   (9,128     1,370,148 

Mark A. Finestone

  Executive Deferred Compensation Plan  136,527   26,274   28,508      1,526,878 

Thomas B. Newbern

  Executive Deferred Compensation Plan  193,709   26,274   145,154   (10,864 ��1,788,541 

(1)

Represents contributions by the NEOs under the AutoZone, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “EDCP”). Such contributions are included under the appropriate “Salary” and“Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” columns for the NEOs in the Summary Compensation Table.

(2)

Represents matching contributions by the Company under the EDCP. Such contributions are included under the “All Other Compensation” column for the NEOs in the Summary Compensation Table.

(3)

Represents the difference between the aggregate balance at end of fiscal 2019 and the end of fiscal 2018, excluding (i) contributions made by the executive officer and the Company during fiscal 2019 and (ii) any withdrawals or distributions during fiscal 2019. None of the earnings in this column were included in the Summary Compensation Table because they were not preferential or above market.

Officers of the Company with the title of vice president or higher based in the United States are eligible to participate in the EDCP after their first year of employment with the Company. As of August 31, 2019, there were 50 such officers of the Company. The EDCP is a nonqualified plan that allows officers to make a pretax deferral of base salary and bonus compensation. Officers may defer up to 25% of base salary and up to 75% of bonus compensation. The Company match is calculated based on 100% of the first 3% of deferred compensation and 50% of the next 2% deferred, less the maximum value of the Company match available generally to participants in AutoZone’s 401(k) Plan. Participants may select among various mutual funds in which to invest their deferral accounts. Participants may elect to receive distribution of their deferral accounts at retirement or starting in a specific future year of choice before or after anticipated retirement (but not later than the year in which the participant reaches age 75). If a participant’s employment with AutoZone terminates other than by retirement or death, the account balance will be paid in a lump sum payment six months after termination of employment. There are provisions in the EDCP for withdrawal of all or part of the deferral account balance in the event of an extreme and unforeseen financial hardship.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

Our NEOs may receive certain benefits if their employment terminates under specified circumstances. These benefits derive from Company policies, plans, agreements and arrangements described below.

Agreement with Mr. Rhodes

In 2008, Mr. Rhodes and AutoZone entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) providing that if Mr. Rhodes’ employment is terminated by the Company without cause, he will receive severance benefits consisting of an amount equal to 2.99 times his then-current base salary, a lump sum prorated share of any unpaid annual bonus incentive for periods during which he was employed, and AutoZone will pay the cost of COBRA premiums to continue his medical, dental and vision insurance benefits for up to 18 months to the extent such premiums exceed the amount Mr. Rhodes had been paying for such coverage during his employment. The Agreement further provides that Mr. Rhodes will not compete with AutoZone or solicit its employees for a three-year period after his employment with AutoZone terminates.

Executive Officer Agreements (Messrs. Giles, Finestone, Newbern, and Griffin)

AutoZone’s executive officers who do not have written employment agreements, including Messrs. Giles, Finestone, Newbern and Griffin, have entered into agreements (“Severance andNon-Compete Agreements”) with the Company providing that if their employment is involuntarily terminated without cause, and if they sign an agreement waiving certain legal rights, they will receive severance benefits in the form of salary continuation for a period of time ranging from 12 months to 24 months, depending on their length of service at the time of termination. The aforementioned executives all have greater than 5 years of service.

Years of Service

Severance
Period

Less than 2

12 months

2 – less than 5

18 months

5 or more

24 months

The executives will also receive a lump sum prorated share of their annual bonus incentive when such incentives are paid to similarly-situated executives. Medical, dental and vision insurance benefits generally continue through the severance period up to a maximum of 18 months, with the Company paying the cost of COBRA premiums to the extent such premiums exceed the amount the executive had been paying for such coverage. An appropriate level of outplacement services may be provided based on individual circumstances.

The Severance andNon-Compete Agreement further provides that the executive will not compete with AutoZone or solicit its employees for atwo-year period after his or her employment with AutoZone terminates.

Equity Plans

All outstanding, unvested stock options, including those held by the NEOs, will vest immediately upon the option holder’s death pursuant to the terms of the stock option agreements.

Unvested shares under our Executive Stock Purchase Plan, which normally are subject to forfeiture if a participant’s employment terminates prior to the first anniversary of their acquisition, will vest immediately if the termination is by reason of the participant’s death, disability, termination by the Company without cause, or retirement on or after the participant’s normal retirement date. The plan defines “disability,” “cause,” and “normal retirement date.”

Life Insurance

AutoZone provides all salaried employees in active full-time employment in the United States a company-paid life insurance benefit in the amount of two times annual earnings. “Annual earnings” exclude stock

compensation and gains realized from stock option exercises but include salary and incentive compensation received. Additionally, salaried employees are eligible to purchase additional life insurance subject to insurability above certain amounts. The maximum benefit of the company-paid and the additional coverage combined is $5,000,000. All the NEOs are eligible for this benefit.

Disability Insurance

All full-time officers at the level of vice president and above are eligible to participate in two executive long-term disability plans, until age 65. Accordingly, AutoZone purchases individual disability policies for its executive officers that pay 70% of the first $7,143 of insurable monthly earnings in the event of disability. Additionally, the executive officers are eligible to receive an executive long-term disability plan benefit in the amount of 70% of the next $35,714 of insurable monthly earnings to a maximum benefit of $25,000 per month. AutoZone purchases insurance to cover this plan benefit. These two benefits combined provide a maximum benefit of $30,000 per month. The benefit payment for these plans may be reduced by deductible sources of income and disability earnings.

The following table shows the amounts that the NEOs would have received if their employment had been terminated under specified circumstances on August 31, 2019. This table does not include amounts related to the NEOs’ vested benefits under our deferred compensation and pension plans or pursuant to stock option awards, all of which are described in the tables above.

Name

  Voluntary or
For Cause
Termination
($)
   Involuntary
Termination
Not For Cause
($)
   Change in
Control
($)
   Disability
($)
   Death
($)
   Normal
Retirement
($)
 

William C. Rhodes, III(1)

            

Severance Pay

       3,139,500                 

Annual Incentive

       1,401,417        1,401,417    1,401,417    1,401,417 

Benefits Continuation

       27,927            3,549     

Unvested Stock Options

                   33,536,745     

Unvested Stock Awards

       113,474        113,474    113,474     

Disability Benefits

               3,841,551         

Life Insurance Benefits

                   4,516,000     

Total

       4,682,318        5,356,442    39,571,185    1,401,417 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

William T. Giles(2)

            

Severance Pay

       1,330,000                 

Annual Incentive

       513,422        513,422    513,422    513,422 

Benefits Continuation

       30,634            3,302     

Unvested Stock Options

                   8,631,944     

Unvested Stock Awards

       34,153        34,153    34,153     

Disability Benefits

               1,801,702         

Life Insurance Benefits

                   2,260,000     

Total

       1,908,209        2,349,277    11,442,821    513,422 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mark A. Finestone(2)

            

Severance Pay

       1,110,000                 

Annual Incentive

       427,698        427,698    427,698    427,698 

Benefits Continuation

       18,148            1,713     

Unvested Stock Options

                   7,780,461     

Unvested Stock Awards

       28,644        28,644    28,644     

Disability Benefits

               2,311,008         

Life Insurance Benefits

                   1,864,000     

Total

       1,584,490        2,767,350    10,102,516    427,698 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Thomas B. Newbern(2)

            

Severance Pay

       1,110,000                 

Annual Incentive

       513,229        513,229    513,229    513,229 

Benefits Continuation

       30,634            3,302     

Unvested Stock Options

                   6,399,491     

Disability Benefits

               2,851,702         

Life Insurance Benefits

                   1,000,000     

Total

       1,653,863        3,364,931    7,916,022    513,229 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ronald B. Griffin(2)

            

Severance Pay

       950,000                 

Annual Incentive

       293,833        293,833    293,833    293,833 

Benefits Continuation

       18,582            1,843     

Unvested Stock Options

                 5,945,972     

Unvested Stock Awards

       5,509        5,509    5,509     

Disability Benefits

             1,032         

Life Insurance Benefits

                 969,800     

Total

       1,267,924        300,374    7,216,957    293,833 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)

Severance Pay, Annual Incentive and Benefits Continuation amounts shown under the “Involuntary Termination Not for Cause” column reflect the terms of Mr. Rhodes’ Agreement described above. Unvested

stock options are those outstanding, unvested stock options which will vest immediately upon the option holder’s death. Unvested stock awards are shares under the Executive Stock Purchase Plan, which vest upon involuntary termination not for cause, disability, or death. Annual Incentive is shown at actual annual incentive amount for the 2019 fiscal year; it would be prorated if the triggering event occurred other than on the last day of the fiscal year. Disability Benefits are benefits under a Company-paid individual long-term disability insurance policy. Life Insurance Benefits are benefits under a Company-paid life insurance policy.

(2)

Severance Pay, Annual Incentive and Benefits Continuation amounts shown under the “Involuntary Termination Not for Cause” column reflect payments to Mr. Giles, Mr. Finestone, Mr. Newbern and Mr. Griffin under the Severance andNon-Compete Agreements described above. Annual Incentive is shown at actual annual incentive amount for the 2019 fiscal year; it would be prorated if the triggering event occurred other than on the last day of the fiscal year. Benefits Continuation refers to medical, dental and vision benefits. Unvested stock options are those outstanding, unvested stock options which will vest immediately upon the option holder’s death. Unvested stock awards are share options under the Executive Stock Purchase Plan, which vest upon involuntary termination not for cause, disability, or death. Disability Benefits are benefits under Company-paid individual long-term disability insurance policy. Life Insurance Benefits are benefits under a Company-paid life insurance policy.

Ratio of the Annual Total Compensation of the Median-Paid Employee to the CEO

Pursuant to Item 402(u) of RegulationS-K, we have conducted an analysis of our global employee population in order to estimate and disclose the total compensation paid to our median paid employee, not including our CEO, as well as the ratio of the total compensation paid to said median employee as compared to the total compensation paid to our CEO. The analysis, which is described below, yielded the following results:

Total compensation for the median employee for fiscal 2019 (not including the CEO):

 $27,581 

Total compensation for the CEO* :

 $8,617,562 

ResultingCEO-to-median employee pay ratio:

  312:1 

*

See Summary Compensation Table for details

Measurement date.    We identified the median employee from our population as of June 30, 2019.

Compensation measure.    The regulations require us to use a “consistently applied compensation measure”, or CACM, to identify the median employee. Based on an analysis of the AutoZone workforce, we determined that fixed or guaranteed compensation, including overtime and earnings for paid time off, plus variable compensation (e.g., bonus or commission pay) closely approximate the annual total direct compensation of our employees. We converted the earnings paid in local(non-U.S.) currency to U.S. dollars using published exchange rates as of June 30, 2019. We did not apply pay adjustments allowed by the rules in order to ensure a conservative estimate (i.e., it is unlikely that the estimate could have been higher than that calculated).

Excluded population.    We excluded from the analysis AutoZone employees in Brazil, Canada, China, Germany and the United Kingdom, pursuant to thede minimus exemption under the rules. The 480 employees in these locations represent less than 5% of the total employee population of 94,600 as of June 30, 2019.

Related Party Transactions

Our Board has adopted a Related Person Transaction Policy (the “Policy”) which requires the Audit Committee of the Board to conduct a reasonable prior review of, and approve or ratify all Related Person Transactions. The Audit Committee is to consider all of the available relevant facts and circumstances of each transaction, including but not limited to the benefits to the Company; the impact on a director’s independence in the event the Related Person is a director, an immediate family member of a director or an entity in which a director is a partner, shareholder or executive officer; the availability of other sources for comparable products or services; the terms of the transaction; and the terms available to unrelated third parties generally.generally and the existence of any potential conflicts of interest. The Policy further provides that the Audit Committee shall not approve or ratify any such transaction it determines to be inconsistent with the interests of the Company and its shareholders. Related Person Transactions must also comply with the policies and procedures specified in our Code of Conduct and Corporate Governance Principles, as described below.

The Policy also requires disclosure of all Related Person Transactions that are required to be disclosed in AutoZone’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,SEC, in accordance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

A “Related Person Transaction” is defined in the Policy as a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) that occurred since the beginning of the Company’s most recent fiscal year in which the Company (including any of its subsidiaries) was, is or will be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any Related Person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. “Related Persons” include a director or executive officer of the Company, a nominee to become a director of the Company, any person known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of the Company’s voting securities, any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, and any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest.

Our Board has adopted a Code of Conduct (the “Code of Conduct”) that applies to the Company’s directors, officers and employees. The Code of Conduct prohibits directors and executive officers from engaging in activities that create conflicts of interest, taking corporate opportunities for personal use or competing with the Company, among other things. Our Board has also adopted a Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Executives (the “Financial Code of Conduct”) that applies to the Company’s officers and employees who hold the position of principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller as well as to the Company’s officers and employees who perform similar functions (“Financial Executives”). The Financial Code of Conduct requires the Financial Executives to, among other things, report any actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal or professional relationships involving the Company’s management or any other Company employee with a role in financial reporting disclosures or internal controls. Additionally, our Corporate Governance Principles require each director who is faced with an issue that presents, or may give the appearance of presenting, a conflict of interest to disclose that fact to the Chairman of the Board and the Secretary, and to refrain from participating in discussions or votes on such issue unless a majority of the Board determines, after consultation with counsel, that no conflict of interest exists as to such matter.

16

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2022 Proxy Statement


We have concluded there are no material Related Party Transactions or agreements that were entered into during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019,27, 2022, and through the date of this proxy statement requiring disclosure under these policies.policies, except as follows: The daughter of Grant McGee, Senior Vice President, Commercial, has been employed by the Company since 2015 and currently serves as Manager, DIY Promotions and Cost Admin in our Merchandising department. She received aggregate compensation and benefits in fiscal 2022 in excess of $120,000 and at a level consistent with that provided to employees in comparable positions and tenure.

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee of the Board of AutoZone, Inc. has reviewed and discussed AutoZone’s audited financial statements for the year ended August 27, 2022, with AutoZone’s management. In addition, we have discussed with Ernst & Young LLP, AutoZone’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No.1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as amended and as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the charter of the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and we have discussed with Ernst & Young LLP their independence from the Company and its management. The Audit Committee has discussed with AutoZone’s management and the auditing firm such other matters and received such assurances from them as we deemed appropriate.

As a result of our review and discussions, we have recommended to the Board the inclusion of AutoZone’s audited financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2022 for filing with the SEC.

While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in its charter, the Audit Committee does not have the duty to plan or conduct audits or to determine that AutoZone’s financial statements are complete, accurate, or in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; AutoZone’s management and the independent auditor have this responsibility. Nor does the Audit Committee have the duty to assure compliance with laws and regulations and the policies of the Board.

Equity Compensation PlansAudit Committee of the Board of Directors

D. Bryan Jordan (Chair)

Michael George

Linda A. Goodspeed

George R. Mrkonic, Jr.

2022 Proxy Statement

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17


THE PROPOSALS

PROPOSAL 1:  Election of 10 Directors

DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL. Elect 10 director nominees. Each director shall serve for a 1-year term, until the next annual meeting of shareholders, or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until the director’s earlier death, resignation, or removal.

VOTES REQUIRED.The election of directors at this 2022 Annual Meeting is an uncontested election. As such, a director nominee is elected to the Board if the number of votes cast FOR such nominee exceeds the number of votes cast AGAINST such nominee. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast or shares entitled to vote with respect to such matter and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1. If the number of nominees were to exceed the number of directors to be elected, for example in a contested election, directors would be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting.

IMPACT OF VOTE.Each of these nominees have consented to serve if elected. Should any nominee be unavailable to serve, your proxy will be voted for a substitute nominee recommended by the Board, or the Board may reduce the number of directors on the Board.

Pursuant to AutoZone’s Corporate Governance Principles, incumbent directors must agree to tender their resignation if they fail to receive the required number of votes for re-election, and in such event the Board will act within 90 days following certification of the shareholder vote to determine whether to accept the director’s resignation. These procedures are described in more detail in our Corporate Governance Principles, which are available on our corporate website at investors.autozone.com. The Board may consider any factors it deems relevant in deciding whether to accept a director’s resignation. If a director’s resignation offer is not accepted by the Board, that director will continue to serve until AutoZone’s next annual meeting of shareholders or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until the director’s earlier death, resignation, or removal.

Any director nominee who is not an incumbent director and who does not receive a majority vote in an uncontested election will not be elected as a director, and a vacancy will be left on the Board. The Board, in its sole discretion, may either fill a vacancy resulting from a director nominee not receiving a majority vote pursuant to the By-Laws or decrease the size of the Board to eliminate the vacancy.

BOARD RECOMMENDATION.Each of the nominees named below, other than Messrs. George and Hannasch, was elected a director at the 2021 annual meeting, and all currently serve as directors. As part of the Board’s determination to nominate these existing directors for reelection (other than Mr. Brooks, who is not standing for re-election), the Board has determined that each of the directors have valuable experiences, skills and qualifications as further described below and also the integrity, energy, and willingness to spend time on and interest in AutoZone.

Graphic

The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR each of the director nominees.

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2022 Proxy Statement


Nominees

MICHAEL A. GEORGE

Graphic

Age: 61

Director Since: 2022

Independent: Yes

Committees:

Audit

BIOGRAPHY:

Mr. George served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Qurate Retail, Inc. from March 2018 to September 2021, the parent company of QVC, and as Chief Executive Officer of QVC from 2004 through July 2021. He previously held various positions with Dell, Inc. from 2001 to 2005, most notably as the Chief Marketing Officer and General Manager of its U.S. consumer business. Prior to that, Mr. George was a senior partner at McKinsey & Company and led the firm’s North American Retail Industry Group.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Board believes Mr. George is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his extensive background in retail, strategy, finance and marketing, knowledge and skills gained from serving as a chief executive officer of a public company and board experience.

PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS (last five years):

Ralph Lauren Corp. (2018 – present)
Qurate Retail, Inc. (2011 – 2021)
Brinker International, Inc. (2013 – 2019)

SKILLS:

CEO
Public Directorship
Retail
Information Technology
Accounting / Finance
International
Strategy / Bus Development

LINDA A. GOODSPEED

P1607C3T32#yIS1

Age: 60

Director Since: 2013

Independent: Yes

Committees:

Audit
Compensation

BIOGRAPHY:

Ms. Goodspeed served as the Chief Operating Officer and a Managing Partner at WealthStrategies Financial Advisors from 2007 until her retirement in 2017. She had served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of ServiceMaster from 2011 to 2014. From 2008 to September 2011, Ms. Goodspeed served as Vice President, Information Systems and Chief Information Officer for Nissan North America, Inc., a subsidiary of Nissan Motor Company, a global manufacturer of vehicles. From 2001 to 2008, Ms. Goodspeed served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Lennox International, Inc., a global manufacturer of air conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Board believes Ms. Goodspeed is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on her experience in key strategic and operational roles with several large global companies, expertise in information technology (IT), both as an executive leading complex IT organizations and as a director overseeing and advising on IT strategy and operations, previous position as the chief information officer, board experience and experience in the automotive industry.

PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS (last five years):

American Electric Power Co., Inc. (2006 – present)
Darling Ingredients Inc. (2017 – present)
Williams Industrial Services Group Inc. (2021 – present)
Global Power Equipment Group (2016 – 2018)

SKILLS:

C-Suite
Public Directorship
Information Technology
Accounting / Finance
International

2022 Proxy Statement

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19


EARL G. GRAVES, JR.

P1659C3T33#yIS1

Age: 59

Director Since: 2002

Independent: Yes

Committees:

Nominating &
Corp Gov (Chair)

BIOGRAPHY:

Mr. Graves has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Black Enterprise, the premier business, investing and wealth-building resource for African Americans providing valuable business information across different content channels. He has served in this role since January 2006 and served as its President and Chief Operating Officer from 1998 to 2006. Mr. Graves has been employed by the same company in various capacities since 1988.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Board believes Mr. Graves is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his business, management and strategic planning experience, knowledge of advertising and marketing and owner orientation. Mr. Graves also has extensive experience overseeing and advising on matters of governance, strategy and human capital management.

SKILLS:

CEO
Accounting / Finance
Strategy / Bus Development

ENDERSON GUIMARAES

P1708C3T34#yIS1

Age: 63

Director Since: 2012

Independent: Yes

Committees:

Nominating & Corp Gov

BIOGRAPHY:

Mr. Guimaraes served as the President and Chief Operating Officer for Laureate Education, Inc., positions he held from 2015 through his retirement in 2017. From 2011 to 2015, he was President of Global Operations, CEO of Europe and Sub-Sahara Africa and Head of Global Categories and Operations at PepsiCo. Mr. Guimaraes previously had served as Executive Vice President of Electrolux and Chief Executive Officer of its major appliances business in Europe, Africa and the Middle East from 2008 to 2011. Prior to this, Mr. Guimaraes held various leadership positions during his 10 years at Philips Electronics and also worked in various marketing positions at Johnson & Johnson.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Board believes Mr. Guimaraes is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his extensive experience leading the marketing and operations of well-known consumer brands, experience leading and developing strategy for international operations and board experience.

PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS (last five years):

Darling Ingredients Inc. (2021 – present)
Refresco Group B.V. (2018 – 2022)

SKILLS:

CEO
Public Directorship
Information Technology
Accounting / Finance
International
Strategy / Bus Development

20

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2022 Proxy Statement


BRIAN HANNASCH

Graphic

Age: 56

Director Since: 2022

Independent: Yes

Committees:

Compensation

BIOGRAPHY:

Mr. Hannasch serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Alimentation Couche-Tard, which operates Circle K, a global fuel and convenience retailer. Mr. Hannasch joined Couche-Tard in 2001 and was named President and CEO in September 2014. Prior to his current role, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Circle K.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Board believes Mr. Hannasch is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his deep knowledge of retail, strategy, operations and international markets as well as knowledge and skills gained from serving as both chief executive officer and chief operating officer of a global retailer.

SKILLS:

CEO
Retail
Information Technology
Accounting / Finance
International
Strategy / Bus Development

D. BRYAN JORDAN

P1758C3T35#yIS1

Age: 60

Director Since: 2013

Independent: Yes

Committees:

Audit (Chair)
Nominating & Corp Gov

BIOGRAPHY:

Mr. Jordan has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of First Horizon Corporation since 2008 and Chairman of the Board since July 1, 2022 as well as from 2012 through 2020. From May 2007 until September 2008, Mr. Jordan was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of First Horizon and First Tennessee Bank National Association, and prior to that he served in various positions at Regions Financial Corporation and its subsidiary Regions Bank, including (beginning in 2002) as Chief Financial Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Board believes Mr. Jordan is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his extensive experience in the banking and financial services industry, experience serving as the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of public companies, knowledge of corporate finance and management and owner orientation.

PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS (last five years):

First Horizon Corporation (2008 – present)

SKILLS:

CEO
Public Directorship
Information Technology
Accounting / Finance
Strategy / Bus Development

2022 Proxy Statement

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21


GALE V. KING

P1808C3T36#yIS1

Age: 66

Director Since: 2018

Independent: Yes

Committees:

Compensation

BIOGRAPHY:

Ms. King served as the Executive Vice President—Chief Administrative Officer of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, a leading financial services company, from 2012 through her retirement in July 2021. She previously served as their Executive Vice President—Chief Human Resources Officer from 2009 to 2012.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Board believes Ms. King is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on her extensive experience in human resources and human capital management, owner orientation, executive management skills and board experience.

PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS (last five years):

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (2020 – present)
Unum Group (2022 – present)

SKILLS:

C-Suite
Public Directorship
Accounting / Finance

GEORGE R. MRKONIC, JR.

P1859C3T37#yIS1

Age: 70

Director Since: 2006

Independent: Yes

Committees:

Audit
Compensation (Chair)

BIOGRAPHY:

Mr. Mrkonic is the retired non-Executive Chairman of Maru Group, a London, UK based research, insight and advisory services firm. Previously, he was the Non-Executive Chairman of Paperchase Products Limited, London, UK, a retailer of cards, stationery, wraps and gifts in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, since 2005, and had been a director since 1999. Prior to that, he was President of Borders Group, Inc. from 1994 to 1997 and Vice Chairman of Borders Group, Inc. from 1994 to 2002.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Board believes Mr. Mrkonic is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his vast experience as a senior executive and leader at several retail companies, knowledge and understanding of corporate strategy, finance, and governance, owner orientation, and board experience.

PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS (last five years):

Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (2015 – present)
Brinker International, Inc. (2003 – 2021)

SKILLS:

CEO
Public Directorship
Retail
Accounting / Finance
International
Strategy / Bus Development

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2022 Proxy Statement


WILLIAM C. RHODES, III

Graphic

Age: 57

Director Since: 2005

Independent: No

Committees: None

BIOGRAPHY:

Mr. Rhodes has served as AutoZone’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and a director since 2005 and was named Chairman in 2007. Prior to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, he served in various capacities of increasing responsibility within the Company since 1994. Prior to 1994, Mr. Rhodes was a manager with Ernst & Young LLP.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Board believes Mr. Rhodes, AutoZone’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on his 25 plus years’ experience with the Company, which have included responsibility for corporate strategy, executive management, operations, finance, supply chain and information technology, his knowledge and understanding of the automotive aftermarket and retail industries and his financial background.

PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS (last five years):

Dollar General Corp. (2009 – present)

SKILLS:

CEO
Public Directorship
Retail
Information Technology
Accounting / Finance
International
Strategy / Bus Development

JILL A. SOLTAU

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Age: 55

Director Since: 2018

Independent: Yes

Committees:

Nominating & Corp Gov

BIOGRAPHY:

Ms. Soltau served as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of the J.C. Penney Company, Inc., from October 2018 to December 2020. She previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of JoAnn Stores Inc. from February 2015 to October 2018. Prior to joining JoAnn, Ms. Soltau served as President of Shopko Stores Operating Co. LLC and has held senior level positions in national and regional retailers, including Kohl’s and former Saks Inc. subsidiaries.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Board believes Ms. Soltau is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on her experience as a chief executive officer in the retail industry, deep knowledge of merchandising, operations and strategic planning, owner orientation and executive management skills.

PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS (last five years):

Kirkland’s Inc. (2022 – present)
J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (2018 – 2020)
Yesway, Inc. (nominee)

SKILLS:

CEO
Public Directorship
Retail
Information Technology
Accounting / Finance
Strategy / Bus Development

2022 Proxy Statement

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23


PROPOSAL 2: Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL.Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as AutoZone’s independent registered public accounting firm.

VOTES REQUIRED.Ernst & Young LLP will be ratified as AutoZone’s independent registered public accounting firm if the number of votes cast FOR the proposal exceeds the number of votes cast AGAINST the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast or shares entitled to vote with respect to this matter and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 2.

IMPACT OF VOTE.The Audit Committee is not bound by a vote either for or against the firm. The Audit Committee will consider a vote against the firm by the shareholders in selecting our independent registered public accounting firm in the future.

BOARD RECOMMENDATION.Ernst & Young LLP has served as our independent auditor for the past thirty-five fiscal years and has been selected by the Audit Committee to be AutoZone’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2022 fiscal year. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting to make a statement if they so desire and to answer any appropriate questions.

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The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as AutoZone’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

The aggregate fees for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP during the past two fiscal years for the annual audit of our consolidated financial statements, the review of our quarterly interim consolidated financial statements, and audit-related, tax, and all other services performed, are set forth in the table below. Amounts reported for FY22 include estimates to be billed for services rendered.

    

2022

    

2021

Audit Fees

$

2,269,947

$

2,044,676

Audit-Related Fees

$

$

Tax Fees(1)

$

478,612

$

192,289

All Other Fees

$

$

(1)Relates to state, local and international tax services, including tax compliance and tax planning.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval

The Audit Committee pre-approves all services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm under the terms contained in the Audit Committee charter, a copy of which can be obtained at our website at investors.autozone.com. The Audit Committee pre-approved 100% of the services provided by Ernst & Young LLP during the 2022 and 2021 fiscal years. The Audit Committee considers the services listed above to be compatible with maintaining Ernst & Young LLP’s independence.

24

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2022 Proxy Statement


PROPOSAL 3: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation 

DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL. In accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act, we are asking shareholders to approve the following advisory resolution on the compensation of our Principal Executive Officer, our Principal Financial Officer and our other three most highly paid executive officers (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”) at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to AutoZone’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”

VOTES REQUIRED.This matter will be approved if the number of votes cast FOR the proposal exceeds the number of votes cast AGAINST the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast or shares entitled to vote with respect to this proposal and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 3.

IMPACT OF VOTE. This advisory vote, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our shareholders the opportunity to endorse or express disapproval of our executive pay program. Because the vote on this proposal is advisory in nature, it is not binding on AutoZone, the Board or the Compensation Committee. The vote on this proposal will, therefore, not affect any compensation already paid or awarded to any Named Executive Officer nor will it overrule any decisions made by the Board or the Compensation Committee. Because we highly value the opinions of our shareholders, however, the Board and the Compensation Committee will consider the results of this advisory vote when making future executive compensation decisions.

BOARD RECOMMENDATION. The Board believes that AutoZone’s executive compensation program, as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, is effective in achieving the Company’s goals of driving superior performance, retention and shareholder value. Our Board and Compensation Committee believe that there should be a strong relationship between pay and performance, and our executive compensation program reflects this belief. We urge you to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, as well as the compensation tables and narrative, beginning on the following page, which provide detailed information on our compensation philosophy, policies and practices and the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.

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The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the advisory vote on executive compensation.

Other Matters

We do not know of any matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those discussed in this Proxy Statement. If, however, other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, your proxies will be able to vote those matters in their discretion.

2022 Proxy Statement

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25


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION
AND ANALYSIS

This Compensation Discussion & Analysis (“CD&A”) explains our compensation program for our named executive officers (“NEOs”) for fiscal year 2022 (“FY22”). This CD&A also describes the Compensation Committee’s process for making pay decisions, as well as its rationale for specific compensation-related decisions.

Table of Contents

Compensation Committee Report

Executive Summary

27

The Compensation Committee of the Board has reviewed and discussed with management the following CD&A. Based on such review and discussions, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the CD&A be included in this proxy statement.

Compensation Committee,

George R. Mrkonic, Jr. (Chair)

Douglas H. Brooks

Brian P. Hannasch

Linda A. Goodspeed

Gale V. King

FY22 Year in Review

27

Shareholder Support and Engagement

28

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

28

Compensation Framework

29

Guiding Principles

29

Compensation Elements and Mix

30

Target Compensation Mix

32

Compensation Governance

33

Compensation Committee Oversight

33

Roles and Responsibilities

33

Establishing Compensation Levels

26

Benchmarking

35

Named Executive Officers

Compensation Program Details

36

Base Salary

36

WILLIAM C. RHODES, III

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

JAMERE JACKSON

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Finance & Store Development

THOMAS B. NEWBERN

Executive Vice President, International, IT & ALLDATA

PHILIP B. DANIELE

Executive Vice President, Merchandising, Supply Chain and Marketing

PRESTON B. FRAZER

Executive Vice President, Store Operations, Commercial and Loss Prevention

Annual Incentive Plan

36

Long-Term Incentive Plan

40

One-Time Special Awards

41

Other Practices, Policies & Guidelines

42

Summary Compensation Table

47

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

48

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

49

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

50

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

50

26

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2022 Proxy Statement


Executive Summary

FY22 Year-in-Review

Our operating theme for fiscal year 2022 was “Go The Extra Mile.” It was both a call-to-action and constant reminder of what we must do, as a company and as AutoZoners, to meet the growing needs of our customers, to take care of our fellow AutoZoners and to continuously challenge ourselves to achieve even greater success in the future. One year later, we are proud to state, we did in fact Go The Extra Mile.

We Sustained Strong Growth and Continued to Deliver Exceptional Results. In FY22, we built upon our very strong performance during the prior two years by delivering $16.3 billion in sales and domestic same store sales growth of 8.4%. We sustained the extraordinary sales and share gains we achieved since the start of the pandemic with our superior execution and customer service. And we proudly established new all-time highs in average sales per store, average Commercial sales per program, earnings per share and cash flow from operations.

We Successfully Navigated a Challenging Macroeconomic Environment. FY22 has been marked by unparalleled macroeconomic challenges—rising costs of raw materials, labor and transportation; global supply chain and logistics constraints; widespread staffing shortages and more. In fact, we candidly stated that forecasting our sales performance was challenging in this environment due to the significant volatility and lack of visibility of many key drivers. Yet, despite these demanding conditions, our strong results are a clear indication that we successfully managed our business and outperformed yet again.

We Returned Record-Levels of Cash to our Shareholders. We returned approximately $4.4 billion of cash to our shareholders in the form of share repurchases during FY22. Furthermore, since the inception of our share repurchase program in 1998 and through the end of the fiscal year, we have returned an aggregate $30.1 billion to shareholders. Our long-standing and unwavering commitment to our disciplined capital allocation strategy is clear.

We made Adjustments to make our Annual Incentive Plan More Challenging. The volatility and uncertainty that existed at the onset of the fiscal year made it particularly challenging to create meaningful performance targets. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee determined to revisit financial targets at mid-year. Based on this review, the Committee increased the performance targets under the FY22 annual incentive plan—increasing EBIT by $382.9 million and ROIC by 556 basis points—to ensure the plan was appropriately rigorous and management was incented to deliver the best results possible for our shareholders.

Background image

8.4%

SSS Growth
in FY22

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$4.4 B

Shares Repurchased
in FY22

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18.5%
Avg TSR over past 20 years

Diluted EPS

Chart, bar chart

Description automatically generated

Earnings Before Interest and Taxes
and Return on Invested Capital

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Total Shareholder Return

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2022 Proxy Statement

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27


Shareholder Support and Engagement

We have historically received high levels of support for our compensation program as evidenced by the results of our annual non-binding “Say-on-Pay” advisory vote regarding the compensation of our named executive officers. We have never received less than 86% vote cast in favor of our pay practices since “Say-on-Pay” was introduced in 2011. We consider this voting record to be a strong validation that our pay practices are firmly aligned with our shareholders’ desires.

In addition to reviewing the results of our Say-on-Pay vote, we periodically engage directly with our shareholders on executive compensation, among other topics, to ensure there is appropriate communication and dialog between AutoZone and its shareholders. In the fall of 2022, we invited shareholders to ask questions and provide feedback on our executive compensation practices and made the Chair of our Compensation Committee available to any of those shareholders who so requested.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

AutoZone is committed to continuing to build a diverse organization that represents our customers and the communities in which we serve. This commitment to diversity begins at the top with our Board of Directors and our Executive Committee. We are proud of the quality, strength, experience, racial and ethnic diversity, gender diversity and tenure represented on our 14-person Executive Committee. Additionally, eight members of our Executive Committee are Executive Sponsors of AutoZone Business Resource Groups and five are on the DEI Council. This leadership and advocacy serves to ensure we remain dedicated in continuing to invest in and develop a talented and diverse pipeline of AutoZoners.

An AutoZoner always EMBRACES DIVERSITY

Welcome each individuals’ heritage, differences and unique qualities. Build teams with diverse thoughts, skills, knowledge and backgrounds. Value the ideas and opinions of others.

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2022 Proxy Statement


Compensation Plans ApprovedFramework

Guiding Principles

As the leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas, we believe an effective compensation program should be carefully designed to address the unique needs of our company, taking into consideration the industry, our history and the employee population for which such compensation program is designed. In particular, AutoZone’s executive compensation program is designed around three, primary Guiding Principles.

COMPENSATION GUIDING PRINCIPLES

P2566C15T50#yIS1

Drive PERFORMANCE

Does the compensation program represent a pay-for-performance philosophy by driving short-term and long-term performance? Are there appropriate risk mitigation measures designed to prevent excessive risk taking?

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Drive RETENTION

Are we attracting and retaining effective leaders who can develop and execute long-term strategic objectives? Are they appropriately incented to ensure the long-term success of the organization, including after their retirement? Are they encouraged to attract, retain and develop organizational talent for the future?

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Drive SHAREHOLDER VALUE

Are we investing in the profitable growth of the business by incenting sustainable value creation? Is performance and retention achieved in a manner that does not come at an excessive cost to shareholders?

These Guiding Principles have shaped our executive compensation framework for more than 20 years. By referring to these Guiding Principles, the Compensation Committee has consistently evaluated our executive compensation over the years to determine whether the program remains effective or whether changes in compensation design are appropriate.

P2594C1T51#yIS1

Drive Performance

Evaluating long-term performance is a necessary first step in evaluating executive compensation. At AutoZone, we pay particular attention to Total Shareholder Return (TSR), Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS), Earnings before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC). We believe these metrics, when viewed over a ten-year horizon, provide a strong indication of whether our compensation program embodies not only a pay-for-performance incentive structure, but also a pay-for-long-term-performance incentive structure. Furthermore, we are particularly proud that our TSR, over the past 20-years, has averaged approximately 18.5%, exceeding both the S&P 500 and S&P Retail Index!

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Drive Retention

Retention of key executive officers, combined with the ability to attract and recruit highly qualified, external leaders, is an important goal of our compensation program as it allows for superior and consistent execution of our operational and financial goals as well as more thoughtful succession planning and organizational development. This ultimately serves the long-term benefit of our organization, our investors and our customers.

2022 Proxy Statement

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29


Accordingly, the Compensation Committee regularly reviews the turnover of the Company’s executive officers as well as the entire pool of equity-eligible employees to evaluate retention.

During the past ten years, AutoZone has not lost a single executive officer to another business due to their voluntary termination. To the contrary, our executive officers typically remain with AutoZone until their permanent retirement which allows for a successful transition of responsibilities to his or her successor.
During fiscal year 2022, less than 3% of equity-eligible AutoZoners left the Company due to voluntary departures as the vast majority of turnover was due to retirements or performance-based terminations. We believe this exceptionally low rate of turnover, particularly during the current macroeconomic environment in which employee turnover is at an all-time high, is a strong validation of the retentive value of our compensation structure.
We have also shown that our compensation structure allows us to effectively recruit externally as we have added three highly qualified executive officers in the last two years.

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Drive Shareholder Value

Investing in the profitable growth of the business is a basic tenet of AutoZone. We passionately pursue opportunities that provide a strong return on investment and exercise restraint when presented with opportunities that do not provide the returns that shareholders have come to expect from us. While some refer to this approach as our disciplined capital allocation strategy, at AutoZone, we simply call it Living our Pledge and Values. An AutoZoner always Strives for Exceptional Performance. Our compensation programs are designed to incent behaviors that stand true to this basic principle of driving long-term shareholder value, by profitably growing our business and returning excess cash to our shareholders.

An AutoZoner always STRIVES FOR EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE

Be accountable and honor your commitments. Act in a manner of the highest legal and ethical standards. Use resources wisely and promote a culture of thrift. Take strong initiative, act quickly and do the job right the first time.

Compensation ELEMENTS AND MIX

The Compensation Committee aims to align the executive compensation program with the interests of our shareholders and in a manner consistent with our Guiding Principles. The key elements of our executive

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2022 Proxy Statement


compensation program, as well as the primary Guiding Principles promoted by Stockholderseach such element, are summarized below.

Additionally, the program is designed to include an appropriate mix of different types of compensation as follows:

a mix of short-term andlong-termincentive compensation to align pay outcomes to both the achievement of our annual operating plan as well as our long-term strategy;
a mix of cashand equitycompensation to align interests of our executives with those of our shareholders; and
a mix of fixedand variablecompensation, to promote the achievement of rigorous goals without excessive risk taking.

Compensation Components

Guiding Principles

BASE SALARY

Fixed cash compensation
Allows AutoZone to attract and retain highly qualified executives through the delivery of stable, cash compensation
Salaries reflect individual’s level of responsibility and experience, scope and complexity of position, market data and internal pay equity

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ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN

Variable cash compensation
Drives short-term Company performance
Payout is based upon performance against pre-established, realistic financial goals of EBIT and ROIC, as drivers of economic profit
Incents exceptional individual performance due to individual modifiers

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LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

Variable equity compensation, subject to holding requirements
Drives long-term performance
Directly aligns executives’ interests with shareholders by rewarding long-term value creation as measured by stock price appreciation using stock options
Due to the share buyback program, each year, we are effectively reducing the number of stock options we grant as the grant pool is based on shares outstanding

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BENEFITS

Health, welfare and retirement benefit plans and programs, including participation in stock purchase plans
Helps attract and retain experienced executives

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PERQUISITES

Limited perquisites and personal benefits, such as airline club memberships and home security systems, which allow executives to devote more time to business while also promoting health, wellness and safety

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2022 Proxy Statement

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31


For FY22, the vast majority of target compensation value was delivered in the form of variable or “at-risk” performance-based compensation as shown below.

Target Compensation Mix

Chairman, President and CEO

Average of Other NEOs

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2022 Proxy Statement


Compensation Governance

Compensation Committee Oversight

The Company’s executive compensation program is administered and overseen by the Compensation Committee. As set forth in its committee charter (which is available on the Investor Relations section of our website), the Compensation Committee is made up entirely of independent directors appointed by the full Board of Directors and is responsible for reviewing and approving AutoZone’s compensation philosophy, strategy and objectives as well as its compensation programs, plans and awards for executive officers. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee elicits feedback and support from members of management and outside advisors as needed.

ROLE OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Reviews and approves executive compensation philosophy, strategy and objectives
Reviews and approves compensation programs, plans and awards (including salary, bonus and equity grants) for all executive officers
Determines the terms and conditions of equity incentive awards for all award recipients
Evaluates performance against pre-established performance goals
Reviews regulatory and legal developments on compensation matters
Reviews investor and key stakeholder perspectives on executive compensation practices
Reviews and oversees risk management practices relating to the design and operation of compensation plans and programs

ROLE OF COMPENSATION CONSULTANT

ROLE OF MANAGEMENT

Reports directly to the Compensation Committee, with regular communication with the Compensation Committee Chair
Provides recommendations regarding compensation amount, mix, program design and governance practices 
Feedback and recommendations are primarily focused on CEO compensation
Provides direct feedback regarding compensation-related practices and trends
Conducts compensation-related research and data analysis based on peer group and broader market surveys
Provides recommendations regarding compensation amount, mix, program design, and governance practices
Evaluates market data for each executive officer relative to the Company’s strategy and business and inherent responsibilities of the role
Advises on relationship of other factors, such as the Company’s annual operating plan, long-term strategy, human capital management strategy and internal pay equity, to compensation design and outcomes.

Independent Compensation Consultant

In designing FY22 executive compensation programs, the Compensation Committee selected and retained Pearl Meyer to serve as its independent compensation consultant as they have since 2017. Prior to its engagement, the Committee re-assessed Pearl Meyer’s independence in light of applicable SEC rules and NYSE listing standards and determined that no conflict of interest or independence concerns exist. Pearl Meyer reports directly to the Compensation Committee and provides independent advice regarding executive and non-employee director compensation programs and practices. Representatives from Pearl Meyer also regularly attend meetings of the Compensation Committee and also executive sessions as may be requested by the Committee from time to time.

2022 Proxy Statement

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33


Management

Mr. Rhodes, in his capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer, attends most meetings of the Compensation Committee and provides valuable input and perspectives to the Committee. He makes specific recommendations to the Compensation Committee concerning the compensation of his direct reports and other senior executives, including the executive officers. These recommendations generally relate to base salary increases, internal promotions and compensation recommendations for newly hired executives. He also assists the Compensation Committee by providing input regarding individual goals, performance and results as well as scope and complexity of their positions. Our Senior Vice President, Human Resources, along with key members of our human resources department also attend the majority of Compensation Committee meetings and provide the Committee with data, analyses and perspectives on relevant market and industry trends.

Compensation Planning Cycle

SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER

DECEMBER – FEBRUARY

Review company performance and individual performance for prior year and approve annual incentive plan payouts
Review and approve compensation disclosures to appear in Proxy Statement
Approve compensation levels, including base salary, annual incentive plan target and equity awards
Review feedback from Compensation Committee self-evaluation
Review executive compliance
with stock ownership policy
Review year-to-date results against annual incentive plan targets
Review Say-on-Pay results and proxy advisory firm analyses
Review compliance with Compensation Committee Charter
Review director compensation (biennially)
Review director compliance with stock ownership policy

MARCH – MAY

JUNE - AUGUST

Review year-to-date results
against annual incentive plan
targets
Review composition of Peer Group and approve any changes
Review trends and best practices, due to legislative and regulatory changes or otherwise
Discuss potential changes to compensation plans or policies
Review consultant independence and fees
Review year-to-date results against annual incentive plan targets

Review share-based expense trend
Discuss feedback from shareholder engagement
Review compensation plans and potential changes for following year
Review findings from compensation program risk assessment.
Discuss compensation levels for executive officers for following year

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Description automatically generated with low confidence

ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION LEVELS

Chief Executive Officer

The Compensation Committee annually reviews and establishes the compensation level for the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, in conjunction with a review of his individual performance by the non-management directors. As part of this review, the Committee considers all forms of compensation, including base salary, annual cash incentive, long-term equity incentives and other benefits provided. Mr. Rhodes is not a party to the deliberations regarding his own compensation. Instead, the Compensation Committee receives

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2022 Proxy Statement


input from Pearl Meyer, as its independent compensation consultant, and discusses its recommendations directly with the Senior Vice President, Human Resources.

Other Executive Officers

The Compensation Committee annually reviews and approves base salaries for AutoZone’s remaining executive officers based on recommendations of the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and considerations of the various factors described above.

Benchmarking

AutoZone reviews publicly available data from a peer group of companies to help us ensure that our executive compensation programs remain effective in carrying out our Guiding Principles.

Peer Group Composition

Our stockholderspeer group is composed of direct competitors; companies with which we compete for talent, customers and capital; and companies with a comparable range of key financial measures (e.g., revenues between 50% and 200% of AutoZone revenues, etc.) and business model (e.g. specialty retailer with retail and commercial customers). Such companies are likely to have approvedexecutive positions comparable in breadth, complexity and scope of responsibility to ours. The peer group data we use is from proxy filings and other published sources – it is not prepared or compiled especially for AutoZone. We annually review the appropriateness of this peer group. It typically has changed when a peer company experiences events such as acquisitions and spin-offs, or in the event a member company experiences significant performance challenges.

FY22 Peer Group

Advance Auto Parts
Darden Restaurants
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Dollar General
Dollar Tree
Foot Locker
Gap Stores
Genuine Parts
L Brands
LKQ Corporation
O’Reilly Automotive
Ross Stores
Sherwin Williams
Tractor Supply Company
Ulta Beauty
W.W. Grainger
Yum! Brands

Use of Peer Group Data

Peer group data is an important tool in determining executive compensation levels. However, due to a number of factors, executive compensation data is not perfectly comparable across companies. For example, companies, like AutoZone, consider the scope, complexity and strategic contributions of each role in setting executive compensation. These factors vary significantly across companies, even in the same industry. For this reason, AutoZone does not engage in strict benchmarking of compensation levels, i.e., we do not use specific data to support precise targeting of compensation, such as setting an executive’s base pay at the 50th percentile of an identified group of companies. Instead, we utilize peer group data to help determine competitive base salaries and short-term incentive target amounts that support our ability to attract and retain executive talent within our overall compensation philosophy.

Survey Data

In addition to use of peer group data, AutoZone uses a broader compensation survey data submitted by hundreds of companies, which may contain summary statistical information (e.g., mean, median, 25th percentile, etc.) related to base salaries, variable compensation, total annual cash compensation, long-term incentive compensation and total direct compensation. In making decisions related to executive compensation, the Compensation Committee uses the survey data as context in reviewing compensation levels, particularly for salary ranges, and approving pay actions.

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35


Compensation Program Details

Base Salary

We provide base salaries to our executive officers as a means to deliver a stable amount of cash compensation throughout the fiscal year. Base salaries are established by the Compensation Committee at a level that takes into consideration the individual’s position, including scope and complexity of the role, as well as broad-based market data, internal pay equity and total target cash compensation.

In general, base salaries for our executive officers are competitive but often below market median. For new executive officers that are promoted from within the organization, the Company aims to set base salaries in the bottom quartile of the market with the expectation of moving base salaries to the 30th percentile after the third year in such position. For executive officers that are externally hired, the Company may be more competitive in setting base salaries closer to median in order to successfully recruit and retain highly qualified leaders that complement the strategic needs of the organization.

Over time, as the median pay levels in the competitive market change, as evidenced by the salary survey data, AutoZone will make appropriate adjustments to its salary range midpoints so that on average, these midpoints are positioned at market median for base salaries. We believe this positioning relative to the market allows for competitive base salary levels while also delivering competitive total rewards at or above the market median through our performance-based variable compensation. For additional information on the sources of market data and how AutoZone uses such data, see “Benchmarking” within this CD&A.

The below table lists each of our named executive officer’s base salary for fiscal years 2021 and 2022, the percent of increase from the prior year and the rationale for the change.

Name

    

FY21

    

FY22

    

Increase

    

Rationale

William C. Rhodes, III

$

1,050,000

$

1,050,000

 

0.0

%  

As CEO, Mr. Rhodes does not typically receive salary increases. He has received one salary increase in the past ten years.

Jamere Jackson

$

700,000

$

710,000

 

1.4

%  

Mr. Jackson received a smaller salary increase as his salary was near market median.

Thomas B. Newbern

$

596,000

$

616,000

 

3.4

%  

Mr. Newbern received a salary increase greater than his peers due to his “Exceeds Expectations” individual performance rating for the prior year.

Philip B. Daniele

$

500,000

$

500,000

 

0.0

%  

No change in salary due to Mr. Daniele’s promotion in the fourth quarter of the prior year.

Preston B. Frazer

$

500,000

$

500,000

 

0.0

%  

No change in salary due to Mr. Frazer’s promotion in the fourth quarter of the prior year.

Annual Incentive Plan

All executive officers were eligible to receive an annual cash incentive award under the FY22 Management Incentive Plan (“MIP”), which is designed to motivate and reward executives for short-term performance measured against pre-established financial goals. The following graphic illustrates the general design and structure of the MIP, or the annual incentive plan.

Base
Salary
($)

x

Target MIP Opportunity
(%)

x

Actual MIP Attainment
(%)

x

Individual Modifier
(%)

=

Actual MIP
Payout
($)

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2022 Proxy Statement


The Compensation Committee annually reviews the design and elements of our executive compensation program to ensure it continues to reflect our Guiding Principles. In addition, the Committee periodically engages in a deeper review as may be appropriate due to evolving best practices, macroeconomic circumstances or otherwise. For example, during FY22, the Compensation Committee reviewed historical annual plan attainment levels over the prior 20-year period to ensure plan design reflected the Guiding Principles of Drive Performance and Drive Shareholder Value. In particular, the Compensation Committee reviewed incentive plan payout levels and performance against planned targets. In the instances where the Company performed significantly greater than plan and executive officers earned significant incentive plan payouts, the Committee reviewed underlying factors driving the exceptional performance, the incremental cost to shareholders, the growth in AutoZone’s market capitalization, industry performance and industry-wide compensation practices. Based on this review, the Compensation Committee determined the MIP, or the annual incentive plan, is designed effectively and furthers all three Guiding Principles. As a result, the Compensation Committee has not made any significant changes to the plan design.

Target Opportunity

As set forth in the table below, each executive officer’s annual incentive plan target opportunity is expressed as a percentage of base salary, which percentage is based on the individual’s level of seniority within the organization. As an individual’s level of seniority and management responsibility increases, his or her target opportunity as a percentage of base salary increases and therefore the portion of his or her total performance-based compensation similarly increases.

Target

Role

(% of Base Salary)

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

130.0

%

Executive Vice President

75.0

%

Senior Vice President

60.0

%

Performance Goals and Payout Matrix

Actual payouts under our annual incentive plan are based upon performance against the matrix set forth on the following page. In developing the matrix, the Compensation Committee began with Economic Profit because it ensures that the Company is using capital to generate profitable earnings efficiently and in a manner that is sustainable for the future. In other words, Economic Profit ensures that growth, as well as the cost of growth, are balanced and achieved in a manner that maximizes the long-term interests of our shareholders. Furthermore, Economic Profit allows us to align short-term compensation goals to long-term value creation.

Accordingly, target Economic Profit, calculated by reference to the FY22 operating plan EBIT and ROIC, would result in target (or 100%) payout. Different levels of attainment of EBIT and ROIC result in varying levels of Economic Profit and payout is based upon actual Economic Profit against target Economic Profit. Accordingly, annual incentive payouts are driven by EBIT and ROIC and their corresponding impact to Economic Profit against target. For these reasons, we do not apply straight-line interpolation of our EBIT and ROIC as we focus on impact to Economic Profit instead.

The key metrics in developing the FY22 annual incentive plan are defined below. The Compensation Committee may (but is not required to) adjust for the effect of one-time charges and extraordinary events such as asset write-downs, litigation judgments or settlements, changes in tax laws, accounting principles or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, accruals for reorganization or restructuring, and any other extraordinary non-recurring items, acquisitions or divestitures and any foreign exchange gains or losses on the calculation of performance.

Earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”) is defined as net income plus interest and taxes.
Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”) is defined as after-tax operating profit (excluding rent) divided by average invested capital (which includes a factor to consider operating leases as financing leases).
Economic Profit is calculated as net operating profit (including rent) after taxes, less the cost of capital using a capital charge rate of 10.5%.

2022 Proxy Statement

Graphic

37


Additionally, the Payout Matrix is further adjusted to ensure the annual incentive plan embodies our Guiding Principles—Drive Performance, Drive Retention and Drive Shareholder Value. These adjustments to the matrix serve as “guardrails” and are described below.

Performance Hurdle. The annual incentive plan is subject to a pre-established threshold or hurdle such that no annual incentive awards are paid out unless the Company achieves 90% of target Economic Profit. If the Company achieves 90% of target Economic Profit, payout is 50% of target MIP opportunity. And achievement above 50% is paid by reference to the matrix. This ensures goals are appropriately rigorous to drive performance.
Emphasize EBIT Growth. The matrix is also modified such that payout shall not exceed target (or 100%) unless the EBIT target is exceeded. In other words, exceeding the ROIC target alone will not be sufficient to result in an above-target payout. The rationale for this is that there must be “incremental EBIT” (or EBIT in excess of target EBIT) to fund the additional incentive payout. This ensures that any excess payout earned by, and paid to, management does not come at the expense of shareholders but rather is paid out of the additional profit dollars generated by management’s efforts.

FY22 Compensation Adjustments

The continuing volatility and uncertainty in the economy that existed at the onset of the fiscal year made it especially challenging for the Company to accurately forecast financial performance and create meaningful performance targets, particularly for the latter half of the fiscal year. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee determined to keep the core design elements of the annual incentive plan in place but revisit financial targets after completion of the second fiscal quarter. Consequently, at its March 2022 meeting, the Compensation Committee increased the performance targets under the FY22 annual incentive plan—EBIT was increased by $382.9 million and ROIC was increased by 556 basis points. The payout matrix below reflects the blended targets for all of FY22, after giving effect to the Company’s actual effective tax rate.

AutoZone FY22 Annual Incentive Plan Payout Matrix

 

ROIC

    

EBIT

    

$

2,308.6

    

$

2,452.9

    

$

2,597.2

    

$

2,741.5

    

$

2,885.8

    

$

2,914.7

    

$

3,030.1

    

$

3,174.4

    

$

3,292.2

 

(MMs)

 

80

%  

 

85

%  

 

90

%  

 

95

%  

 

100

%  

 

101

%  

 

105

%  

 

110

%  

 

115

%

 

43.65

%  

 

 

 

50

%  

 

72

%  

 

94

%  

 

98

%  

 

116

%  

 

138

%  

 

155

%

 

44.15

%  

 

 

 

52

%  

 

74

%  

 

96

%  

 

100

%  

 

118

%  

 

139

%  

 

157

%

 

44.65

%  

 

 

 

53

%  

 

75

%  

 

97

%  

 

102

%  

 

119

%  

 

141

%  

 

159

%

 

45.15

%  

 

 

 

55

%  

 

77

%  

 

99

%  

 

103

%  

 

121

%  

 

143

%  

 

161

%

 

45.65

%  

 

 

 

56

%  

 

78

%  

 

100

%  

 

105

%  

 

123

%  

 

145

%  

 

163

%

 

46.15

%  

 

 

 

58

%  

 

80

%  

 

100

%  

 

107

%  

 

125

%  

 

147

%  

 

165

%

 

46.65

%  

 

 

 

59

%  

 

82

%  

 

100

%  

 

108

%  

 

126

%  

 

148

%  

 

167

%

 

47.15

%  

 

 

 

61

%  

 

83

%  

 

100

%  

 

110

%  

 

128

%  

 

150

%  

 

168

%

 

47.65

%  

 

 

 

62

%  

 

84

%  

 

100

%  

 

111

%  

 

129

%  

 

152

%  

 

170

%

 

48.15

%  

 

 

 

63

%  

 

86

%  

 

100

%  

 

113

%  

 

131

%  

 

153

%  

 

172

%

 

48.65

%  

 

 

 

65

%  

 

87

%  

 

100

%  

 

114

%  

 

132

%  

 

155

%  

 

173

%

 

49.15

%  

 

 

 

66

%  

 

89

%  

 

100

%  

 

116

%  

 

134

%  

 

157

%  

 

175

%

 

49.65

%  

 

 

 

67

%  

 

90

%  

 

100

%  

 

117

%  

 

135

%  

 

158

%  

 

177

%

 

50.15

%  

 

 

 

69

%  

 

91

%  

 

100

%  

 

119

%  

 

137

%  

 

160

%  

 

178

%  

 

50.65

%  

 

70

%  

93

%  

100

%  

120

%  

138

%  

161

%  

180

%  

51.15

%  

 

 

 

71

%  

 

94

%  

 

100

%  

 

121

%  

 

140

%  

 

162

%  

 

181

%  

 

51.65

%  

 

72

%  

95

%  

100

%  

123

%  

141

%  

164

%  

183

%  

52.15

%  

 

73

%  

96

%  

100

%  

124

%  

142

%  

165

%  

184

%  

52.65

%  

 

74

%  

97

%  

100

%  

125

%  

144

%  

167

%  

185

%  

53.15

%  

 

76

%  

99

%  

100

%  

126

%  

145

%  

168

%  

187

%  

53.65

%  

 

77

%  

100

%  

100

%  

128

%  

146

%  

169

%  

188

%  

54.15

%  

 

78

%  

100

%  

100

%  

129

%  

147

%  

171

%  

189

%  

54.65

%  

 

79

%  

100

%  

100

%  

130

%  

149

%  

172

%  

191

%  

54.93

%  

 

 

 

79

%  

 

100

%  

 

100

%  

 

131

%  

 

149

%  

 

172

%  

 

192

%  

Note: Shaded areas on the matrix indicate levels of attainment in which EBIT and ROIC would result in Economic Profit that is less than 90% of target Economic Profit and therefore does not meet the specified hurdle and results in no payout.

38

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2022 Proxy Statement


Attainment per Matrix

The Company’s results for fiscal year 2022 consisted of $2,278.5 million in Economic Profit, $3,292.2 million in adjusted EBIT and 54.93% of adjusted ROIC, in each case, after removing the effects of non-cash charges related to Last-In, First-Out (“LIFO”) inventory reserve adjustments and non-routine legal settlements. Also, ROIC was calculated on a 14-point trailing fiscal period average to mitigate potential risk related to short-term actions which could inflate calculations. Based on these results, the Company achieved a payout of 191.5% of target under the FY22 Management Incentive Plan. As discussed above, the Compensation Committee used its discretion to adjust annual targets upwards after the first half of the fiscal year. As such, the revised targets reduced management payout from 297.5% to 191.5%.

($in mill)

    

Target (blended)

    

Actual

 

Economic Profit

$

1,926.0

$

2,278.5

EBIT

$

2,885.8

$

3,292.2

ROIC

 

47.15

%  

 

54.93

%

MIP Attainment per Matrix (% of Target): 191.5%

Individual Modifier

Our annual incentive plan includes an individual modifier, which can adjust payouts positively or negatively as set forth below. The modifier serves to incent exceptional individual performance against pre-established individual goals. The individual performance component is structured as a modifier rather than a separate metric to ensure all executives are working collaboratively as one team in the best interests of the Company as a whole, rather than have individual goals compete with the shared interests of the organization. The pre-established individual goals for each of our executive officers support the attainment of our enterprise-wide financial goals and strategic growth priorities. For fiscal year 2022, these goals were focused on improving the customer experience across all channels, executing sales initiatives, implementing strategic pricing initiatives, expanding inventory assortment, realizing operating efficiencies and managing and developing a diverse and talented workforce.

Rating

    

Modification

Description

1

0%

Consistently did not meet expectations. No incentive plan payout regardless of company performance.

2

-20%

Did not meet expectations. Incentive plan payout is reduced by 20%.

3

None

Met expectations. No modification to payout.

4

+ 20%

Exceeded expectations. Incentive plan payout is increased by 20%.

5

+ 30%

Exceptional performance. Incentive plan payout is increased by 30%.

Actual Payouts

After giving effect to actual FY22 performance against pre-established financial goals and individual goals, each named executive officer earned the following annual incentive plan payout.

    

    

    

    

    

    

Target 

 Payout  

Base 

(% of Base

Target 

(191.5% of 

Individual

Actual Payout 

Name

Salary

 Salary)

($)

Target)

 Modifier

($)

William C. Rhodes, III

$

1,050,000

 

130.0

%  

$

1,365,000

$

2,613,975

 

$

2,613,975

Jamere Jackson

$

708,462

 

75.0

%  

$

531,347

$

1,017,528

 

$

1,017,528

Thomas B. Newbern

$

612,923

 

75.0

%  

$

459,692

$

880,311

 

$

880,311

Philip B. Daniele

$

500,000

 

75.0

%  

$

375,000

$

718,126

 

$

718,126

Preston B. Frazer

$

500,000

 

75.0

%  

$

375,000

$

718,126

 

$

718,126

2022 Proxy Statement

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39


Long-Term Incentive Plan

For FY22, all executive officers were awarded long-term incentives under the 2020 AutoZone, Inc. Omnibus Incentive Award Plan in the form of stock options. These long-term equity awards are granted to drive long-term performance by rewarding long-term value creation in the form of stock price appreciation.

As with other elements of executive compensation, the Compensation Committee annually reviews the design of the long-term incentive plan to ensure it remains effective and in furtherance of the Guiding Principles. While the Compensation Committee has traditionally granted long-term compensation in the form of stock options, the Committee continues to evaluate the efficacy of stock options against other potential equity vehicles. The Committee remains of the view that stock options are the most appropriate performance-based equity vehicle for AutoZone’s executive officers because:

Stock options directly align management’s interest with the long-term interests of shareholders by awarding value upon stock price appreciation and long-term value creation.
The 10-year term of stock options necessarily incents management to focus on a 7- to 10-year performance period as options reach their greatest value, in contrast to performance share units which typically carry a 3- or 4-year performance period.
Retirement-eligible employees (as defined in the applicable plan) may retain vested options for the remainder of the option term; accordingly, executives are incented to develop organizational talent, facilitate succession planning and transfer institutional knowledge. This ensures the long-term stability and growth of the organization even after the individual’s retirement.

Also, when considering the efficacy of stock options, the Committee observed the following:

Turnover of option-eligible employees, after excluding departures due to retirement, remain well below market.
The Company’s burn rate remains at the median of the Peer Group.
The Company’s long-term performance, as measured by TSR over the last five years is in the top quartile compared to its Peer Group.
The average number of years stock options have been held before exercise is 6 years from the date of grant, for current executive officers as a group (based upon the last ten years of activity).

Stock Options

The non-qualified stock options are typically granted in late September or early October at the first regularly scheduled Compensation Committee meeting of the fiscal year. Awards of stock options may be granted outside of this general time frame in the event of internal promotions, external hires or other unique circumstances. Options have a term of ten years and become vested and exercisable over a minimum four-year period at the rate of one-fourth per year, subject to satisfaction of applicable holding requirements. Beginning with the fiscal year 2021 grant, options vest on October 15 of each of the four years following the grant date, which ensures the first vesting date occurs more than one full year after the date of grant. The exercise price for such options is equal to the closing price of our common stock on the grant date, as quoted on the NYSE. Under the terms of the AutoZone, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Award Plan, we may not grant stock options with a strike price at a discount to fair market value. Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, “fair market value” as of a given date is the closing price of our common stock as quoted on the NYSE on such date or, if the shares were not traded on that date, the most recent preceding date when such shares were traded.

40

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2022 Proxy Statement


FY22 Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards

Name

    

Options Granted (1)

(#)

($)

William C. Rhodes, III

 

21,000

$

10,280,369

Jamere Jackson

 

5,590

$

2,736,536

Thomas B. Newbern

 

6,710

$

3,284,823

Philip B. Daniele

 

5,590

$

2,736,536

Preston B. Frazer

 

5,590

$

2,736,536

(1)All Executive Vice Presidents received a similar grant in FY22, except for Mr. Newbern who received a larger grant due to his “Exceeds Expectations” individual performance rating for the prior year.

One-Time Special Awards

As a general rule, the Company does not grant one-time special awards to executive officers. However, in limited instances, the Company may grant a one-time special sign-on award for the sole purpose of recruiting and attracting high-caliber candidates to the AutoZone Executive Committee. Over the past five years, the Company has only issued one-time special awards to executive officers in three instances, all of which were sign-on awards subject to our typical four-year vesting conditions. These awards, consistent with market practice, serves to incentivize external candidates to accept our offer of employment while also providing compensation for any unvested awards he or she may have left from their prior place of employment. Furthermore, providing equity subject to multi-year vesting conditions immediately aligns external hires’ interests with those of our shareholders. During fiscal year 2022, the Company did not grant any one-time special awards to executive officers.

2022 Proxy Statement

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41


Other Practices, Policies & Guidelines

Stock Ownership Guidelines

In furtherance of our Guiding Principles—Drive Performance and Drive Retention, AutoZone maintains robust stock ownership requirements for all executive officers. Without giving effect to recently elected directors or recently hired or promoted executives who are each provided with a transition period to comply, all directors and executive officers are in compliance with these stock ownership guidelines.

REQUIREMENT

DESCRIPTION

Ownership Requirement

Independent Directors: 7x Cash portion of Annual Retainer
Chief Executive Officer: 6x base salary
Executive Vice President: 3x base salary
Senior Vice President: 2x base salary

Eligible Equity

All eligible equity is valued at the closing price of AutoZone common stock as of the end of the fiscal year. Eligible equity includes shares that are reportable as beneficially owned, whether direct or indirect.
No portion of unvested awards or unexercised options are included for purposes of determining compliance with these guidelines.

Transition Period

Independent Directors: Within 5 years of joining the Board
Newly hired Executives: Within 5 years of hire.
Newly promoted Executives: Within 3 years of promotion.

Holding Requirements

Individuals not in compliance will be required to hold 50% of the shares acquired upon exercise of stock options (after permitting the sale of shares to cover taxes due) and may not otherwise sell any shares of AZO.
Guidelines will no longer apply after an executive officer reaches age 62 in order to facilitate appropriate financial planning as potential retirement approaches. The Compensation Committee may waive the guidelines for any other executive at its discretion.

Unlawful Insider Trading and Anti-Hedging Policy

AutoZone has adopted policies and procedures designed to prohibit unlawful insider trading, hedging transactions and related practices. Specifically, AutoZone’s employees, officers and directors are prohibited from trading in AutoZone securities while in the possession of material, nonpublic information, from pledging AutoZone securities as collateral, holding AutoZone securities in a margin account and entering into transactions that are designed to hedge or offset decreases in the market value of AutoZone securities. Prohibited transactions include equity swaps, prepaid variable forward contracts, put or call options (other than employee stock option grants), short sales or other derivative instruments. Additionally, certain employees and officers are subject to routine and non-routine blackout periods during which times trading in our securities is not permitted, as well as pre-clearance procedures to ensure compliance with applicable internal policies.

Clawback Policy

In fiscal year 2017, AutoZone adopted an incentive compensation recovery, or “clawback”, policy that applies to current and former members of the AutoZone Executive Committee. The policy, summarized below, remains in place today, and the Board intends to revisit this policy in the event final rules under the Dodd-Frank Act are issued and effective.

42

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2022 Proxy Statement


Clawback in the event of a Financial Restatement. The Board, in its sole discretion, may seek to recover previously awarded compensation in the event that AutoZone is required to prepare an accounting restatement to correct an error that is material to the previously issued financial statements. Materiality would be decided based on a review of the specific facts involved, and generally means that prior financial statement(s) can no longer be relied upon. This is a“no fault” policy—it may be triggered in the event of fraud or willful misconduct, but such misconduct is not required for the Board to take action. “Excess” compensation is generally the amount of performance-based compensation paid above what would have been received had the statements in question been accurate.

Clawback in the event of Willful Misconduct. Additionally, the Board, in its sole discretion, may seek to recover compensation from one or more members of the Executive Committee in the case of willful engagement in conduct which is demonstrably or materially injurious to AutoZone, monetarily or otherwise, even in the absence of a restatement.

Notable features of AutoZone’s Clawback Policy include:

Three-Year Lookback Period,
Covered Compensation gives Board broad discretion to recover discretionary bonuses, stock option grants and exercise gains, and other cash- or equity-based compensation during Lookback Period,
Financial Clawback does not require fault,
Board has sole discretion to consider facts and circumstances of triggering event, executive’s actions, costs of recovery and any other matters deemed relevant by the Board.

Benefits

Our executive officers participate in certain benefits on the same terms that are offered to all of our full-time U.S. salaried employees. We also provide them with limited additional benefits and perquisites for retention and recruiting purposes, to replace benefit opportunities lost due to regulatory limits, and to enhance their ability to focus on our business. We do not provide tax gross-up payments for named executive officers on any benefits and perquisites other than relocation-related items. The primary additional benefits and perquisites include the following:

2022 Proxy Statement

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43


Benefit

Availability(1)(2)

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

All U.S. AutoZoners

Executive Stock Purchase Plan (XSPP)

Vice Presidents and above

401(k) Retirement Plan, with Match

All U.S. AutoZoners

Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (EDCP), with Match

Vice Presidents and above

Salary Continuation Death Benefit

All U.S. AutoZoners

Matching Charitable Gift Program

All U.S. AutoZoners; Executives eligible to receive a larger match

Medical, Dental and Vision Plans

All U.S. AutoZoners

Executive Physical Program

Executive Officers

Company-Paid Life Insurance Plans

All U.S. AutoZoners

Company-Paid Disability Insurance Plans

Vice Presidents and above

(1)Benefits listed as available to all AutoZoners are excluded from “All Other Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table as permitted by applicable disclosure rules.
(2)This table is a summary only and does not describe specific benefit eligibility rules, such as minimum service, among others. All U.S. AutoZoners refers to full-time, salaried employees.

Stock Purchase Plans

ESPP

XSPP

Overview

Shares purchased at a discount

Shares purchased at FMV with a Company-provided “match” of shares (the “Matched Shares”)

Eligibility

All U.S. AutoZoners with 6-months of service

Vice Presidents and above

Contributions

After tax, limited to lower of 10% of eligible compensation or $15,000

After tax, limited to 25% of eligible compensation

Discount / Match

15% discount to FMV

Matched Shares provided, such that total shares acquired are purchased at a 15% discount to FMV

Fair Market Value (FMV)

FMV is the lower of the closing price of a share of AZO common stock on the first and last trading day of the calendar quarter

FMV is the closing price of a share of AZO common stock on the last trading day of the calendar quarter

Vesting

Fully vested, but subject to one-year holding period

Purchased shares are fully vested and subject to one-year holding period. Matched Shares vest after one year.

44

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2022 Proxy Statement


Employee Stock Purchase Plan.AutoZone maintains the Eighth Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“Employee Stock Purchase Plan” or “ESPP”) which enables all US. AutoZoners, with six months of service, to purchase AutoZone common stock at a 15% discount to FMV, subject to IRS-determined limitations. Based on IRS rules, annual purchases in the ESPP are limited to the lower of $15,000 or 10% of eligible compensation.

Executive Stock Purchase Plan.To support and encourage greater stock ownership by our leadership, AutoZone has also established a non-qualified stock purchase plan. The AutoZone, Inc. Sixth Amended and Restated Executive Stock Purchase Plan (“Executive Stock Purchase Plan” or “XSPP”) operates in a similar manner to the ESPP in that it allows executives to acquire shares of AutoZone common stock at 15% discount to FMV. Because the XSPP is not required to comply with the requirements of Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), it provides for a higher limit on the percentage of a participant’s compensation that may be used to purchase shares and is limited to 25% of the eligible compensation with respect to the plan year. Under the XSPP, shares of AutoZone common stock are purchased at 100% of FMV (i.e., not at a discount), and a specified number of shares (the “Matched Shares”) are issued by the Company at no cost to the participant such that the total number of shares received is equivalent to acquiring the shares at 15% discount to FMV. The Matched Shares are unvested for one year from the date of purchase and subject to forfeiture during that time.

Retirement Plans

401(k) Retirement Plan. AutoZoners based in the United States are eligible to participate in the AutoZone, Inc. 401(k) Plan after one year of employment. The 401(k) Plan is a qualified plan that meets the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a). The 401(k) Plan allows participants to make a pretax contribution of a specified percentage of their annual pay, up to IRS-imposed maximums, into an investment account. The Company provides a matching contribution that is calculated based on 100% of the first 3% of contributions and 50% of the next 2% of contributions into the 401(k) Plan.

Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. AutoZone officers based in the United States holding a role of Vice President or higher are eligible to participate in the AutoZone, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“Executive Deferred Compensation Plan” or “EDCP”) after their first year of employment. The EDCP is a nonqualified plan that allows participants to make a pretax deferral of up to 25% base salary and/or up to 75% of annual cash incentive compensation, with a Company-provided matching contribution that is calculated based on 100% of the first 3% of deferrals and 50% of the next 2% deferred, less the maximum value of the Company match available generally to participants in AutoZone’s 401(k) Plan.

AN AUTOZONER
ALWAYS CARES
ABOUT PEOPLE

Treat people with dignity and
respect. Recognize great work and
provide frequent feedback.
Demonstrate concern for others and
your community. Create a safe
environment. Own your development
and help develop others.

Taking Care of People

Salary Continuation Death Benefit. In the unfortunate event an eligible full-time AutoZoner passes away, AutoZone will provide up to 12 weeks of the deceased AutoZoner’s pay to their named beneficiary. This new benefit was implemented in fiscal year 2022 and reflects our steadfast commitment to take care of our people, because their family is our family.

Matching Charitable Gift Program. At AutoZone, we encourage our AutoZoners to be active members of the communities in which they live, work and serve. Through our Matching Gift Program, we commit to match AutoZoner donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $500 per AutoZoner per fiscal year, to qualified charities of their choice. Our Matching Gift program is available to all full-time and part-time AutoZoners in the United States. For Vice Presidents, AutoZone will match dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000, and for Executive Officers, AutoZone will match dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000, in each case per individual per fiscal year to qualified charities of their choice.

Limited Perquisites.The Company provides limited perquisites and personal benefits to its executives in order to allow them to devote more time to their business responsibilities while also promoting health, wellness and safety.

2022 Proxy Statement

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45


Company Aircraft. Senior executives may periodically use AutoZone’s private aircraft for personal travel pursuant to an agreement with the Company. Under the agreement, the Company must be reimbursed for the direct, incremental cost to the Company arising from the personal use of the aircraft. These expenses include the cost of fuel, aircraft maintenance plan costs related to the trip, ramp fees, pilot expenses (if contract pilots are used on the trip), any special insurance for the trip, and other direct costs to the Company. All of the fixed costs related to the use of the private aircraft, such as regular insurance premiums, hangar fees, depreciation and subscription costs, are paid by the Company, and reimbursement is not required for such costs.
Other. The Company also provides its executive officers with home security system and/or monitoring services, airline club memberships and status upgrades, Company-paid spouse business-related travel, and Company-paid long-term disability insurance premiums.

Risk Assessment of Compensation Programs

Management has assessed our compensation programs and concluded that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on AutoZone. This risk assessment included reviewing the design and operation of our compensation programs, identifying and evaluating situations or compensation elements that could raise more significant risks, and evaluating other controls and processes designed to identify and manage risk. The Compensation Committee reviewed the risk assessment and concurred with management’s conclusion.

Tax Considerations

Section 409A of the Code was created with the passage of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. These tax regulations create strict rules related to non-qualified deferred compensation earned and vested on or after January 1, 2005. The Internal Revenue Service periodically releases Notices and other guidance related to Section 409A, and AutoZone continues to take actions designed to comply with the Section’s applicable requirements.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The Compensation Committee is composed solely of independent, non-employee directors. None of the members of the Compensation Committee (i) was an officer or employee of the Company at any time during or prior to fiscal 2022 or (ii) is or was a participant in a “related person” transaction with the Company since the beginning of fiscal 2022. No executive officer of the Company serves, or in the past fiscal year has served, on the compensation committee or board of any company that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of the Company’s Compensation Committee or Board.

46

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2022 Proxy Statement


Summary Compensation Table

This table shows the compensation paid to the NEOs during the 2021, 2020 and 2019 fiscal years.

    

    

    

    

    

    

Non-Equity

    

    

Stock

Option

Incentive Plan 

All Other

Salary

Bonus

Awards

Awards

Compensation

Compensation

Total

Name and Principal Position

Year

($)

($)(1)

($) (2)(3)

($) (3)

($) (4)

($) (5)

($)

William C. Rhodes III

 

2022

 

1,050,000

 

 

89,909

 

10,280,340

 

2,613,975

 

295,786

 

14,330,010

Chairman, President &

 

2021

 

1,050,000

 

 

90,672

 

9,495,777

 

3,957,135

 

245,412

 

14,838,996

Chief Executive Officer

 

2020

 

1,050,000

 

 

89,399

 

7,269,523

 

2,941,849

 

180,590

 

11,531,361

Jamere Jackson

 

2022

 

708,462

 

 

 

2,736,529

 

1,017,528

 

114,348

 

4,576,867

CFO/Executive Vice President,

 

2021

 

673,077

 

1,200,000

 

 

3,037,480

 

1,463,438

 

69,389

 

6,443,384

Finance & Store Development

 

 

Thomas B. Newbern

 

2022

 

612,923

 

 

 

3,284,813

 

880,311

 

112,417

 

4,890,464

Executive Vice President,

 

2021

 

593,538

 

 

 

2,141,205

 

1,548,600

 

77,499

 

4,360,842

International, IT & ALLDATA

 

2020

 

576,154

 

 

 

2,246,944

 

776,080

 

68,750

 

3,667,928

Philip B. Daniele

 

2022

 

500,000

7,988

2,736,529

718,126

76,184

 

4,038,827

Executive Vice President,

 

2021

 

Merchandising, Supply Chain & Marketing

 

2020

 

383,615

 

 

4,250

 

1,749,973

 

413,385

 

47,107

 

2,598,330

Preston B. Frazer

2022

500,000

45,325

2,736,529

718,126

106,786

4,106,766

Executive Vice President,

Store Operations, Commercial & Loss Prevention

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

(1)Annual incentive awards were paid pursuant to the EICP and therefore appear in the “non-equity incentive plan compensation” column of the table. In FY21, we provided Mr. Jackson with an initial $1.2 million cash sign-on bonus as a make-whole award for the awards that were forfeited when he left his previous company.
(2)Represents shares acquired pursuant to the Executive Stock Purchase Plan. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” on page 26 for more information about the Executive Stock Purchase Plan. See Note B, Share-Based Payments, to our consolidated financial statements in our 2021 Annual Report for a description of the Executive Stock Purchase Plan and the accounting and assumptions used in calculating expenses in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(3)The value of stock awards and option awards was determined as required by FASB ASC Topic 718. There is no assurance that these values will be realized. See Note B, Share-Based Payments, to our consolidated financial statements in our 2022 Annual Report for details on assumptions used in the valuation. To address compensation forfeited at the former employer, in FY21 we provided Mr. Jackson with an initial long-term incentive grant of approximately $1.0 million in stock options.
(4)Incentive amounts were earned for the 2022 fiscal year pursuant to the EICP and were paid in October 2022. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” on page 26 for more information about this plan.
(5)All Other Compensation includes the following:

    

  

    

    

    

Company

    

Contributions

Perquisites and

to Defined

Life

Personal

Tax Gross-

Contribution

Insurance

Benefits

ups

Plans

Premiums

Name

($)(A)  

($)(C)

($)(D)

($)

William C. Rhodes III

 

2022

 

62,151

(B)  

29,390

 

199,493

 

4,752

Jamere Jackson

 

2022

 

16,269

7,574

 

87,245

 

3,260

Thomas B. Newbern

 

2022

 

8,750

 

13,767

 

86,278

 

3,622

Philip B. Daniele

2022

28,338

(B)  

2,622

44,310

914

Preston B. Frazer

 

2022

 

54,530

(B)  

5,558

 

45,748

 

950

(A)Perquisites and personal benefits for all NEOs include matching charitable contributions under the AutoZone Matching Gift Program, Company-provided home security system and/or monitoring services, airline club memberships and status upgrades, Company-paid spouse business-related travel, and Company-paid long-term disability insurance premiums.
(B)The perquisites or personal benefits which exceeded the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of perquisites and personal benefits for an executive officer, consisted of matching charitable contributions made under the AutoZone Matching Gift program, under which executives may contribute to qualified charitable organizations and AutoZone provides a matching contribution to the charities in an equal amount, up to $50,000 in the aggregate for each executive officer annually, are as follows:

2022 Proxy Statement

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47


Name

2022($)

William C. Rhodes III

50,000

Preston B. Frazer

45,850

(C)Represents amounts related to imputed earnings on company-paid, taxable life insurance.
(D)Represents employer contributions to the AutoZone, Inc. 401(k) Plan and the AutoZone, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information regarding plan-based awards granted to the Company’s NEOs during the 2022 fiscal year.

All Other

All Other

Stock

Option

Grant

Awards:

Awards:

Exercise

Date Fair

Estimated Future Payments

 Number of

Number of

or Base

Value of 

Under Non-equity Incentive

Shares of

Securities

Price of

Stock and

Plans (1)

Stock or

Underlying

Option

Option

Equity Plans

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Units

Options

Awards

Awards

Name

    

Grant Date

    

($)

    

($)

    

($)

    

(#) (2)

    

(#) (3)

    

($)

    

($)

William C. Rhodes III

 

  

 

682,500

 

1,365,000

 

-

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

10/5/2021

 

21,000

 

1,651.22

 

10,280,340

 

9/30/2021

 

6

 

10,188

 

12/31/2021

 

27

 

56,603

 

3/31/2022

 

5

 

10,223

 

6/30/2022

 

6

 

12,895

 

10,370,249

Jamere Jackson

 

  

 

265,673

 

531,347

 

-

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

10/5/2021

 

5,590

1,651.22

 

2,736,529

 

2,736,529

Thomas B. Newbern

 

  

 

229,846

 

459,692

 

-

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

10/5/2021

 

6,710

 

1,651.22

 

3,284,813

 

3,284,813

Philip B. Daniele

 

  

 

187,500

 

375,000

 

-

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

10/5/2021

 

5,590

 

1,651.22

 

2,736,529

 

9/30/2021

 

1

 

1,698

 

12/31/2021

 

1

 

2,096

 

3/31/2022

 

1

 

2,045

 

6/30/2022

 

1

 

2,149

2,744,517

Preston B. Frazer

187,500

375,000

-

10/5/2021

5,590

1,651.22

2,736,529

 

9/30/2021

 

2

 

3,396

 

12/31/2021

 

18

 

37,735

 

3/31/2022

 

1

 

2,045

 

6/30/2022

 

1

 

2,149

 

2,781,854

(1)Represents potential threshold, target and maximum incentive compensation for the 2022 fiscal year under the EICP based on each officer’s salary on the date the 2021 fiscal year targets were approved. The amounts actually paid for the 2022 fiscal year are described in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column in the Summary Compensation Table. The “threshold” is the minimum payment level under the EICP which is 50% of the target amount. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” at page 26.
(2)Represents shares awarded pursuant to the Executive Stock Purchase Plan. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” at page 26 and the discussion following this table for more information on the Executive Stock Purchase Plan.
(3)Represents options awarded pursuant to the Amended 2011 Equity Plan or 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” at page 26.

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2022 Proxy Statement


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding stock option awards under the Amended 2011 Equity Plan, the AutoZone, Inc. 2011 Equity Plan, 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, other outstanding equity awards under the 2006 Stock OptionAmended 2011 Equity Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase2011 Equity Plan, and unvested shares under the Executive Stock Purchase Plan for the 2003 Director Compensation PlanCompany’s NEOs as of August 27, 2022:

Option Awards

Shares

Number of

Market

Number of Securities

Shares of

Value of

    

    

Underlying Unexercised Options

Option

    

    

Stock that

    

Shares of Stock

(1)

Exercise

Option

have not

that have

Name

Grant Date

Exercisable

Unexercisable

Price

Expiration Date

Vested (2)

not Vested (3)

William C. Rhodes III

 

10/6/2015

 

4,892

 

  

$

744.62

 

10/7/2025

 

  

 

  

 

10/7/2015

 

50,000

 

(4)  

$

736.00

 

10/8/2025

 

  

 

  

 

9/23/2016

 

6,750

 

  

$

744.85

 

9/24/2026

 

  

 

  

 

9/26/2017

 

12,000

 

$

587.13

 

9/27/2027

 

  

 

  

 

9/25/2018

 

19,875

 

6,625

  

$

772.80

 

9/26/2028

 

  

 

  

 

10/7/2019

 

13,750

 

13,750

  

$

1,060.81

 

10/8/2029

 

  

 

  

 

10/7/2020

 

7,650

 

22,950

  

$

1,139.99

 

10/8/2030

 

  

 

  

10/5/2021

21,000

$

1,651.22

10/5/2031

 

9/30/2021

 

 

6

$

12,978

 

12/31/2021

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

27

$

58,402

 

3/31/2022

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

5

$

10,815

 

6/30/2022

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

6

$

12,978

Totals

 

  

 

114,917

 

64,325

  

 

  

 

  

 

44

$

95,173

Jamere Jackson

9/23/2020

740

2,222

$

1,128.95

9/24/2030

10/7/2020

1,725

5,175

$

1,139.99

10/8/2030

10/5/2021

5,590

$

1,651.22

10/5/2031

Totals

2,465

12,987

$

Thomas B. Newbern

 

9/25/2018

 

5,850

 

1,950

  

$

772.80

 

9/26/2028

 

  

 

  

 

10/7/2019

 

4,250

 

4,250

  

$

1,060.81

 

10/8/2029

 

  

 

  

 

10/7/2020

 

1,725

 

5,175

  

$

1,139.99

 

10/8/2030

 

  

 

  

 

10/5/2021

 

 

6,710

  

$

1,651.22

 

10/5/2031

 

  

 

  

Totals

 

  

 

11,825

18,085

  

 

  

 

  

 

$

Philip B. Daniele

 

10/6/2015

 

2,100

 

  

$

744.62

 

10/7/2025

 

  

 

  

 

11/1/2015

 

4,320

 

  

$

784.41

 

11/2/2025

 

  

 

  

 

9/23/2016

 

6,190

 

  

$

744.85

 

9/24/2026

 

  

 

  

 

9/26/2017

 

5,710

 

  

$

587.13

 

9/27/2027

 

  

 

  

 

9/25/2018

 

4,087

 

1,363

  

$

772.80

 

9/26/2028

 

  

 

  

 

10/7/2019

 

3,310

 

3,310

  

$

1,060.81

 

10/8/2029

 

  

 

  

10/7/2020

1,200

3,600

$

1,139.99

10/8/2030

6/16/2021

125

375

$

1,390.47

6/16/2031

10/5/2021

5,590

$

1,651.22

10/5/2031

9/30/2021

1

2,163

12/31/2021

1

2,163

3/31/2022

1

2,163

6/30/2022

1

2,163

Totals

 

 

27,042

 

14,238

  

 

  

 

  

 

4

$

8,652

Preston B. Frazer

 

9/23/2014

 

1,730

 

  

$

507.79

 

9/24/2024

 

  

 

  

 

10/6/2015

 

1,580

 

  

$

744.62

 

10/7/2025

 

  

 

  

 

9/23/2016

 

1,245

 

  

$

744.85

 

9/24/2026

 

  

 

  

 

9/26/2017

 

1,175

 

  

$

587.13

 

9/27/2027

 

  

 

  

 

9/25/2018

 

1,106

 

369

  

$

772.80

 

9/26/2028

 

  

 

  

 

10/7/2019

 

2,542

 

2,543

  

$

1,060.81

 

10/8/2029

 

  

 

  

 

10/7/2020

 

1,200

 

3,600

  

$

1,139.99

 

10/8/2030

 

 

6/16/2021

 

125

 

375

  

$

1,390.47

 

6/16/2031

 

 

10/5/2021

 

 

5,590

  

$

1,651.22

 

10/5/2031

 

 

9/30/2021

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

2

$

4,326

 

12/31/2021

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

18

$

38,934

 

3/31/2022

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

1

$

2,163

 

6/30/2022

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

1

$

2,163

Totals

 

  

 

10,703

 

12,477

  

 

  

 

  

 

22

$

47,586

(1)Unless indicated otherwise, stock options vest annually in one-fourth increments over a four-year period.

2022 Proxy Statement

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49


(2)Represents shares acquired pursuant to unvested shares granted under the Executive Stock Purchase Plan. Such shares vest on the first anniversary of the date the option was exercised under the plan and will vest immediately upon a participant’s termination of employment without cause or the participant’s death or disability.
(3)Based on the closing price of AutoZone common stock on August 27, 2022 ($2,163.02 per share).
(4)Represents a one-time grant of non-qualified stock options pursuant to the 2011 Equity Plan. Fifty percent (50%) of the shares vested on the fourth anniversary of the grant, and the other fifty percent (50%) vested on the fifth anniversary of the grant.

Option Exercises and the 2003 Director Stock Option Plan.

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders

The AutoZone, Inc. Second Amended and Restated Director Compensation Plan (the “2002 Director Compensation Plan”) was approved by the Board but was not submitted for approval by the stockholders as then permitted under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. This plan was terminated in December 2002 and was replaced by the 2003 Director Compensation Plan, after the stockholders approved it. No further grants can be made under the 2002 Director Compensation Plan. However, any grants made under this plan will continue under the terms of the grant made. Only treasury shares are issued under the terminated plan.

Under the Second Amended and Restated Director Compensation Plan, anon-employee director could receive no more thanone-half of the annual retainer and meeting fees immediately in cash, and the remainder of the fees were taken in common stock or deferred in stock appreciation rights.

Summary Table Note:Vested

The following table sets forth information regarding stock option exercises and vested stock awards for the Company’s NEOs during the fiscal year ended August 27, 2022:

 Option Awards 

 Stock Awards 

 Number 

 Number 

    

of Shares

    

Value

    

of Shares

    

Value

Acquired

Realized

Acquired

Realized

on Exercise

on Exercise

on Vesting

on Vesting

Name

(#)

($) (1)

(#) (2)

($) (3)

William C. Rhodes III

 

20,358

30,801,618

65

132,265

Jamere Jackson

Thomas B. Newbern

 

12,838

15,990,517

Philip B. Daniele

 

2,560

3,623,029

4

7,988

Preston B. Frazer

 

1,500

2,692,335

14

28,449

(1)If the shares were sold immediately upon exercise, the value realized on exercise of the option is the difference between the actual sales price and the exercise price of the option. Otherwise, the value realized is the difference between the closing price of AutoZone common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the option.
(2)Represents shares acquired pursuant to the Executive Stock Purchase Plan. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” on page 26 for more information about this plan.
(3)Based on the closing price of AutoZone common stock on the vesting date.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The following table sets forth information regarding nonqualified deferred compensation for the Company’s NEOs as of and for the year ended August 27, 2022.

    

Executive

    

 Company

    

 Aggregate

    

 Aggregate

    

 Aggregate

Contributions

Contributions

Earnings/ Losses

Withdrawals /

Balance at

in Last FY

in Last FY 

in Last FY 

Distributions 

Last FYE

Name

($) (1)

($) (2)

($) (3)

($)

($)

William C. Rhodes III

 

1,344,640

188,685

(4,002,847)

23,254,376

Jamere Jackson

 

108,576

74,999

(24,483)

183,066

Thomas B. Newbern

 

432,171

74,307

(363,868)

2,772,101

Philip B. Daniele

220,088

35,849

(98,689)

701,633

Preston B. Frazer

 

268,432

32,879

(104,527)

(14,447)

519,389

(1)Represents contributions by the NEOs under the AutoZone, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “EDCP”). Such contributions are included under the appropriate “Salary” and “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” columns for the NEOs in the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)Represents matching contributions by the Company under the EDCP. Such contributions are included under the “All Other Compensation” column for the NEOs in the Summary Compensation Table.
(3)Represents the difference between the aggregate balance at end of fiscal 2022 and the end of fiscal 2021, excluding (i) contributions made by the executive officer and the Company during fiscal 2022 and (ii) any withdrawals or distributions during fiscal 2022. None of the losses in this column were included in the Summary Compensation Table because they were not preferential or above market.

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2022 Proxy Statement


Officers of the Company with the title of vice president or higher based in the United States are eligible to participate in the EDCP after their first year of employment with the Company. As of August 27, 2022, there were 56 such officers of the Company. The EDCP is a nonqualified plan that allows officers to make a pretax deferral of base salary and bonus compensation. Officers may defer up to 25% of base salary and up to 75% of bonus compensation. The Company match is calculated based on 100% of the first 3% of deferred compensation and 50% of the next 2% deferred, less the maximum value of the Company match available generally to participants in AutoZone’s 401(k) Plan. Participants may select among various mutual funds in which to invest their deferral accounts. Participants may elect to receive distribution of their deferral accounts at retirement or starting in a specific future year of choice before or after anticipated retirement (but not later than the year in which the participant reaches age 75). If a participant’s employment with AutoZone terminates other than by retirement or death, the account balance will be paid in a lump sum payment six months after termination of employment. There are provisions in the EDCP for withdrawal of all or part of the deferral account balance in the event of an extreme and unforeseen financial hardship.

Potential Payments Upon Termination Or Change In Control

Our NEOs may receive certain benefits if their employment terminates under specified circumstances. These benefits derive from Company policies, plans, agreements and arrangements described below.

Agreement with Mr. Rhodes

In 2008, Mr. Rhodes and AutoZone entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) providing that if Mr. Rhodes’ employment is terminated by the Company without cause, he will receive severance benefits consisting of an amount equal to 2.99 times his then-current base salary, a lump sum prorated share of any unpaid annual bonus incentive for periods during which he was employed, and AutoZone will pay the cost of COBRA premiums to continue his medical, dental and vision insurance benefits for up to 18 months to the extent such premiums exceed the amount Mr. Rhodes had been paying for such coverage during his employment. The Agreement further provides that Mr. Rhodes will not compete with AutoZone or solicit its employees for a three-year period after his employment with AutoZone terminates.

Executive Officer Agreements (Messrs. Jackson, Newbern, Daniele and Frazer)

AutoZone’s executive officers who do not have written employment agreements, including Messrs. Jackson, Newbern, Daniele and Frazer, have entered into agreements (“Severance and Non-Compete Agreements”) with the Company providing that if their employment is involuntarily terminated without cause, and if they sign an agreement waiving certain legal rights, they will receive severance benefits in the form of salary continuation for a period of time ranging from 12 to 24 months, depending on their length of service at the time of termination. Other than Mr. Jackson, the aforementioned executives all have greater than 5 years of service.

Years of Service

Severance
Period

Less than 1

12 months

1 – less than 5

18 months

5 or more

24 months

The executives will also receive a lump sum prorated share of their annual bonus incentive when such incentives are paid to similarly-situated executives. Medical, dental and vision insurance benefits generally continue through the severance period up to a maximum of 18 months, with the Company paying the cost of COBRA premiums to the extent such premiums exceed the amount the executive had been paying for such coverage. An appropriate level of outplacement services may be provided based on individual circumstances.

The Severance and Non-Compete Agreement further provides that the executive will not compete with AutoZone or solicit its employees for a two-year period after his or her employment with AutoZone terminates.

2022 Proxy Statement

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51


Equity Plans

All outstanding, unvested stock options, including those held by the NEOs, will vest immediately upon the option holder’s death pursuant to the terms of the stock option agreements.

Unvested shares under our Executive Stock Purchase Plan, which normally are subject to forfeiture if a participant’s employment terminates prior to the first anniversary of their acquisition, will vest immediately if the termination is by reason of the participant’s death, disability, termination by the Company without cause, or retirement on or after the participant’s normal retirement date. The plan defines “disability,” “cause,” and “normal retirement date.”

Life Insurance

AutoZone provides all salaried employees in active full-time employment in the United States a company-paid life insurance benefit in the amount of two times annual earnings. “Annual earnings” exclude stock compensation and gains realized from stock option exercises but include salary and incentive compensation received. Additionally, salaried employees are eligible to purchase additional life insurance subject to insurability above certain amounts. The maximum benefit of the company-paid and the additional coverage combined is $7,500,000. All the NEOs are eligible for this benefit.

Disability Insurance

All full-time officers at the level of vice president and above are eligible to participate in two executive long-term disability plans, until age 65. Accordingly, AutoZone purchases individual disability policies for its executive officers that pay 70% of the first $7,143 of insurable monthly earnings in the event of disability. Additionally, the executive officers are eligible to receive an executive long-term disability plan benefit in the amount of 70% of the next $35,714 of insurable monthly earnings to a maximum benefit of $25,000 per month. AutoZone purchases insurance to cover this plan benefit. These two benefits combined provide a maximum benefit of $30,000 per month. The benefit payment for these plans may be reduced by deductible sources of income and disability earnings.

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The following table shows the amounts that the NEOs would have received if their employment had been terminated under specified circumstances on August 27, 2022. This table does not include amounts related to the NEOs’ vested benefits under our deferred compensation and pension plans or pursuant to stock option awards, all of which are described in the tables above.

    

Voluntary

    

Involuntary

    

    

    

    

or For Cause

Termination

Change in

Normal

Termination

Not For Cause

Control

Disability

Death

Retirement

Name

($)

($)

($)

($)

($)

($)

William C. Rhodes, III (1)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Severance Pay

 

 

3,139,500

 

 

 

242,308

 

Annual Incentive

 

 

2,613,975

 

 

2,613,975

 

2,613,975

 

2,613,975

Benefits Continuation

 

 

33,892

 

 

 

4,274

 

Unvested Stock Options

 

 

 

 

 

58,591,934

 

Unvested Stock Awards

 

 

95,173

 

 

95,173

 

95,173

 

Disability Benefits

 

 

 

 

3,022,500

 

 

Life Insurance Benefits

 

 

 

 

 

5,000,000

 

Total

 

 

5,882,540

 

 

5,731,648

 

66,547,664

 

2,613,975

Jamere Jackson (2)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Severance Pay

 

 

710,000

 

 

 

163,846

 

Annual Incentive

 

 

1,017,528

 

 

1,017,528

 

1,017,528

 

1,017,528

Benefits Continuation

 

 

27,035

 

 

 

3,202

 

Unvested Stock Options

 

 

 

 

 

10,452,846

 

Unvested Stock Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disability Benefits

 

 

 

 

4,317,500

 

 

Life Insurance Benefits

 

 

 

 

 

4,332,000

 

Total

 

 

1,754,563

 

 

5,335,028

 

15,969,422

 

1,017,528

Thomas B. Newbern (2)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Severance Pay

 

 

1,232,000

 

 

 

142,154

 

Annual Incentive

 

 

880,311

 

 

880,311

 

880,311

 

880,311

Benefits Continuation

 

 

32,097

 

 

 

3,955

 

Unvested Stock Options

 

 

 

 

 

16,123,680

 

Disability Benefits

 

 

 

 

1,924,000

 

 

Life Insurance Benefits

 

 

 

 

 

4,296,000

 

Total

 

 

2,144,408

 

 

2,804,311

 

21,446,100

 

880,311

Philip B. Daniele (2)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Severance Pay

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

115,385

 

Annual Incentive

 

 

718,126

 

 

718,126

 

718,126

 

718,126

Benefits Continuation

 

 

16,755

 

 

 

3,202

 

Unvested Stock Options

 

 

 

 

 

12,376,761

 

Unvested Stock Awards

8,652

8,652

8,652

Disability Benefits

 

 

 

 

4,265,000

 

 

Life Insurance Benefits

 

 

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

Total

 

 

1,743,533

 

 

4,991,778

 

14,222,126

 

718,126

Preston B. Frazer (2)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Severance Pay

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

115,385

 

Annual Incentive

 

 

718,126

 

 

718,126

 

718,126

 

718,126

Benefits Continuation

 

 

30,763

 

 

 

3,114

 

Unvested Stock Options

 

 

 

 

 

10,149,487

 

Unvested Stock Awards

 

 

47,586

 

 

47,586

 

47,586

 

Disability Benefits

 

 

 

 

6,965,000

 

 

Life Insurance Benefits

 

 

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

Total

 

 

1,796,475

 

 

7,730,712

 

12,033,698

 

718,126

(1)Severance Pay, Annual Incentive and Benefits Continuation amounts shown under the “Involuntary Termination Not for Cause” column reflect the terms of Mr. Rhodes’ Agreement described above. Unvested stock options are those outstanding, unvested stock options which will vest immediately upon the option holder’s death. In FY22, the company added 12 weeks of salary continuation for all full-time U.S. AutoZoners with one-year of service in the event of death. Unvested stock awards are shares under the Executive Stock Purchase Plan, which vest upon involuntary termination not for cause, disability, or death. Annual Incentive is shown at actual annual incentive amount for the 2022 fiscal year; it would be prorated if the triggering event occurred other than on the last day of the fiscal year. Disability Benefits are benefits under a Company-paid individual long-term disability insurance policy. Life Insurance Benefits are benefits under a Company-paid life insurance policy.

2022 Proxy Statement

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53


(2)Severance Pay, Annual Incentive and Benefits Continuation amounts shown under the “Involuntary Termination Not for Cause” column reflect payments to Mr. Jackson, Mr. Newbern, Mr. Daniele and Mr. Frazer under the Severance and Non-Compete Agreements described above. Annual Incentive is shown at actual annual incentive amount for the 2022 fiscal year; it would be prorated if the triggering event occurred other than on the last day of the fiscal year. Benefits Continuation refers to medical, dental and vision benefits. In FY22, the company added 12 weeks of salary continuation for all full-time U.S. AutoZoners with one-year of service in the event of death. Unvested stock options are those outstanding, unvested stock options which will vest immediately upon the option holder’s death. Unvested stock awards are share options under the Executive Stock Purchase Plan, which vest upon involuntary termination not for cause, disability, or death. Disability Benefits are benefits under a Company-paid individual long-term disability insurance policy. Life Insurance Benefits are benefits under a Company-paid life insurance policy.

PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE

Pursuant to Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we have conducted an analysis of our global employee population in order to estimate and disclose the total compensation paid to our median paid employee, not including our CEO, as well as the ratio of the total compensation paid to said median employee as compared to the total compensation paid to our CEO. The analysis, which is described below, yielded the following results:

Total compensation for the median employee

    

  

for fiscal 2022 (not including the CEO):

$

31,751

Total compensation for the CEO:

$

14,330,010

Resulting CEO-to-median employee pay ratio:

 

451:1

Measurement date. We identified the median employee from our population as of June 30, 2022.

Compensation measure. The regulations require us to use a “consistently applied compensation measure”, or CACM, to identify the median employee. Based on an analysis of the AutoZone workforce, we determined that fixed or guaranteed compensation, including overtime and earnings for paid time off, plus variable compensation (e.g., bonus or commission pay) closely approximate the annual total direct compensation of our employees. We converted the earnings paid in local (non-U.S.) currency to U.S. dollars using published exchange rates as of June 30, 2022. We did not apply pay adjustments allowed by the rules in order to ensure a conservative estimate (i.e., it is unlikely that the estimate could have been higher than that calculated).

Excluded population. We excluded from the analysis AutoZone employees in Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Taiwan and the United Kingdom, pursuant to the de minimis exemption under the rules. The 949 employees in these locations represent less than 5% of the total employee population of 110,850 as of June 30, 2022.

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Share Ownership Information

Beneficial Ownership Tables

The tables below set forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock, as determined in accordance with SEC rules, as of August 31, 2019, with respectOctober 17, 2022. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to compensation plans under which such individual or group has sole or shared voting power or investment power and includes any shares of AutoZone common stock maywhich such individual or group has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days of the specified date. As of October 17, 2022, we had 18,981,426 shares of common stock outstanding. For purposes of computing the percentage and amount of outstanding shares of common stock held by each individual or group, any shares which that individual or group had the right to acquire on or before December 16, 2022 are deemed to be issued.outstanding for the individual or entity but such shares are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other individual or group.

SHARE Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers

Plan Category

  Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding

options, warrants
and rights
   Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
   Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected

in the
first column)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   1,362,508   $603.20    936,849 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   2,697    45.72   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   1,365,205   $602.10    936,849 

This table shows the beneficial ownership of common stock by each director, each named executive officer and all current directors and executive officers as a group. Unless stated otherwise in the notes to the table, each person named below has sole authority to vote and invest the shares shown.

    

    

Deferred

    

    

Restricted

    

    

Stock

Option

Stock

Total

Ownership

Name of Beneficial Owner

Shares

Units (1)

Awards (2)

Units (3)

(#)

Percentage

Douglas H. Brooks

 

930

 

 

 

1,419

 

2,349

 

*

Michael George

 

 

 

 

113

 

113

 

*

Linda A. Goodspeed

 

 

 

 

2,582

 

2,582

 

*

Earl G. Graves, Jr.

 

 

3,417

 

 

4,706

 

8,123

 

*

Enderson Guimaraes

 

 

 

 

2,948

 

2,948

 

*

Brian Hannasch

399

 

 

113

512

*

D. Bryan Jordan

 

240

 

 

 

2,627

 

2,867

 

*

Gale King

 

 

 

 

962

 

962

 

*

George R. Mrkonic, Jr.

 

 

1,405

 

 

3,783

 

5,188

 

*

Jill A. Soltau

 

 

 

 

880

 

880

 

*

William C. Rhodes III (4)

 

31,979

 

 

141,317

 

 

173,296

 

*

Jamere Jackson

 

25

 

 

6,327

 

 

6,352

 

*

Thomas B. Newbern

 

3,229

 

 

19,302

 

 

22,531

 

*

Philip B. Daniele

 

552

 

 

32,657

 

 

33,209

 

*

Preston B. Frazer (5)

 

1,702

 

 

14,940

 

 

16,642

 

*

All current directors and executive officers as a group (24) persons

 

65,401

 

4,822

 

402,026

 

20,133

 

492,382

 

2.6%

*

Less than 1%.

(1)Includes shares that may be acquired immediately upon termination as a director by conversion of Stock Units.
(2)Includes shares that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options either immediately or within sixty (60) days of October 17, 2022.
(3)Includes fully-vested Restricted Stock Units that may be settled within sixty (60) days, one or five years after grant date or, termination of service as a director.
(4)Includes 2,426 shares held as trustee of a trust for Mr. Rhodes’ son, 2,427 shares held as trustee of a trust for Mr. Rhodes’ daughter, 1,043 shares held as trustee of trusts for Mr. Rhodes’ nieces and nephews, 100 shares held as co-trustee of a trust for one of Mr. Rhodes’ siblings, 5,000 shares owned by a grantor retained annuity trust and 1,936 shares owned by a trust for Mr. Rhodes’ family in which his wife is trustee. Also includes 3,071 shares held by a charitable foundation for which Mr. Rhodes is president and a director and for which he shares investment and voting power.

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55


(5)Includes 875 shares held as trustee of a family trust and 20 shares owned by his spouse.

SHARE OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The following entities are known by us to own more than five percent of our outstanding common stock:

Name and Address

    

    

Ownership

of Beneficial Owner

Shares

Percentage (1)

Vanguard Group, Inc. (2)

 

1,948,523

 

10.27%

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, PA 19355

BlackRock, Inc. (3)

 

1,513,879

 

7.98%

55 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10055

JPMorgan Chase & Co (4)

1,042,048

5.49%

383 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10017

(1)The ownership percentages are calculated based on the number of shares of AutoZone common stock outstanding as of October 17, 2022.
(2)Amounts reported in the table are based on information contained in a Form 13F filed by Vanguard Group Inc. on August 12, 2022 for the quarter ending June 30, 2022. Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 9, 2022 by The Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”), as of December 31, 2021, Vanguard beneficially owned 1,948,523 shares of common stock, including (a) 0 shares over which it had sole voting power, (b) 34,040 shares over which it had shared voting power, (c) 1,862,905 shares over which it had sole dispositive power and (d) 85,618 shares over which it had shared dispositive power.
(3)Amounts reported in the table are based on information contained in a Form 13F filed by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) on August 12, 2022 for the quarter ending June 30, 2022. Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 1, 2022 by BlackRock, as of December 31, 2021, BlackRock beneficially owned 1,513,879 shares of common stock, including (a) 1,326,190 shares over which it had sole voting power and (b) 1,513,879 shares over which it had sole dispositive power.
(4)Amounts reported in the table are based on information contained in a Form 13F filed by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (“JPMorgan”) on August 11, 2022 for the quarter ending June 30, 2022. Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed on January 19, 2022 by JPMorgan, as of December 31, 2021, JPMorgan beneficially owned 1,042,048 shares of common stock, including (a) 999,070 shares over which it had sole voting power, (b) 2,433 shares over which it had shared voting power, (c) 1,041,281 shares over which it had sole dispositive power and (d) 314 shares over which it had shared dispositive power.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting ComplianceReports

Securities laws require our executive officers, directors, and beneficial owners of more than ten percent of our common stock to file insider trading reports (Forms 3, 4, and 5) with the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC and the New York Stock ExchangeNYSE relating to the number of shares of common stock that they own, and any changes in their ownership. To our knowledge, based solely on our records and certain written representations received from our executive officers and directors, during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019,27, 2022, all persons related to AutoZone that are required to file these insider trading reports have filed them in a timely manner, except for thea Form 33/A filed on September 26, 20183, 2021 for Domingo Hurtado, an executive officerSeong Ohm to include a holding of 42 shares of common stock of the Company which inadvertently misstated the number of stock options held by Mr. Hurtado. An amended report was filed promptly after the error was discovered.not previously reported. Copies of the insider trading reports can be found on the AutoZone corporate website at Investors.AutoZone.com.investors.autozone.com.

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Equity Compensation PlansSTOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2020 ANNUAL MEETING

Stockholder proposals for inclusion in the Proxy StatementThe following table sets forth certain information as of August 27, 2022, with respect to compensation plans under which shares of AutoZone common stock may be issued.

    

    

    

Number of securities

remaining available for

Number of securities to

future issuance under

be issued upon exercise

Weighted-average

equity compensation

of outstanding

exercise price of

plans (excluding

options, warrants

outstanding options,

securities reflected

Plan Category

and rights

warrants and rights

in the first column)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)

 

1,145,508

$

936.19

 

1,552,759

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (2)

 

438

 

74.21

 

Total

 

1,145,946

$

935.86

 

1,552,759

(1)Consists of the Amended 2011 Equity Plan, 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Executive Stock Purchase Plan and the 2003 Director Compensation Plan. Column (a) consists of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and upon vesting and payment of outstanding restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and deferred shares under each of the foregoing plans. Restricted stock units and deferred shares are settled for shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis and have no exercise price. Accordingly, they have been excluded for purposes of computing the weighted-average exercise price in column (b). Column (c) consists of shares available for issuance pursuant to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the Executive Stock Purchase Plan.
(2)Consists of the AutoZone, Inc. Second Amended and Restated Director Compensation Plan, which was approved by the Board but was not submitted for approval by the shareholders as then permitted under the rules of the NYSE. This plan was terminated in December 2002. Any outstanding awards consist of stock appreciation rights that may be converted into shares immediately upon termination as a director.

2022 Proxy Statement

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57


GENERAL INFORMATION

Attending and Voting Information

During the Annual Meeting, the Company intends to answer questions that are pertinent to the Company and the official business of the Annual Meeting, subject to time constraints.

ELIGIBLE ATTENDEES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on October 17, 2022 (the “Record Date”), or holders of a validly issued proxy, are entitled to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting. The only class of stock that can be voted at the Annual Meeting is our common stock, which is the only class of stock of AutoZone that is issued and outstanding. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters that come before the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on the Record Date, we had 18,981,426 shares of common stock outstanding.

ANNUAL MEETING LOCATION. The Annual Meeting will be held at the J. R. Hyde III Store Support Center located at 123 S. Front St, Memphis, Tennessee 38103. You are encouraged to arrive early to allow sufficient time to secure parking and complete admission verification procedures.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS. To be admitted, you must present a government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, state-issued ID card or passport, and proof of share ownership as of the Record Date. To prove ownership, shareholders of record will be verified against our list of registered shareholders, and beneficial shareholders, those who own their shares through an intermediary such as a bank or broker or other nominee, must show: an account statement showing their share ownership as of the Record Date; a copy of the voting instruction form or a valid legal proxy from the broker, trustee, bank or nominee holding the shares; a letter from a broker, trustee, bank or nominee holding the shares confirming the beneficial owner’s ownership as of the Record Date; or other similar evidence of ownership. Wereserve the right to deny admittance to anyone who does not comply with these requirements as determined in 2020our sole discretion. If you hold shares in a joint account, both owners can be admitted to the meeting if proof of joint ownership is provided and you both provide identification.

LIVE WEBCAST.A live, audio-only webcast and audio recording of the Annual Meeting will be available at investors.autozone.com for shareholders and interested guests.

HOW TO VOTE.

Prior to the Meeting: If you are a shareholder of record as of the record date, you can vote by telephone, on the Internet or by mail. We encourage you to vote by telephone or Internet, both of which are convenient, cost-effective, and reliable alternatives to returning your proxy card by mail.

On the Internet:

By Telephone:

By Mail:

P731C4T17#yIS1

You may vote on the Internet by following the instructions on the Notice or proxy card. If you vote on the Internet, you do not have to mail in your proxy card.

P733C6T17#yIS1

You may vote by telephone by following the instructions on the Notice or proxy card. If you submit your vote by telephone, you do not have to mail in your proxy card.

P735C8T17#yIS1

If you received printed proxy materials, you may vote by properly completing and signing the enclosed proxy card and returning it in the enclosed envelope.

If your shares are held in a brokerage account, bank, trust or another nominee as custodian, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares and will receive materials and voting instructions directly from your broker, bank, trustee or other nominee.

During the Meeting: You may vote your shares in-person at the annual meeting. See above for important information regarding who is eligible to attend the meeting and meeting admission requirements. Even if you

58

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plan to attend the meeting, we recommend that you vote in advance so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the meeting or fail to comply with the stated admission requirements.

Multiple Notices and Voting Forms: If you hold shares in different formats (e.g. both as a “record holder” and a “beneficial owner”) or in multiple brokerage accounts, you will receive multiple notices or voting instruction forms. Please vote the shares represented by each notice, proxy card and/or voting instruction form you receive to ensure that all your shares are voted.

HOW VOTES ARE COUNTED. Your shares will be voted as you indicate on your proxy card. If you sign your card without indicating how you wish to vote, your shares will be voted FOR our nominees for director, FOR Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm, FOR the advisory vote on executive compensation, and in the proxies’ discretion on any other matter that may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment of the Annual Meeting. The votes will be tabulated and certified by our transfer agent, Computershare Inc. A representative of Computershare will serve as the inspector of election.

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR VOTE. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by giving written notice to our Secretary that you have revoked the proxy, providing a valid later-dated proxy, providing a later-dated vote by telephone or Internet or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. Any written notice should be sent to the Secretary at 123 South Front Street, Dept. 8074, Memphis, Tennessee 38103 and received no later than 5:00 p.m. Central Time on December 13, 2022. If you are a beneficial owner of shares, you may submit new voting instructions by contacting your bank, broker or other holder of record and following the instructions they’ve provided.

QUORUM REQUIREMENTS. Holders of a majority of the shares of the voting power of the Company’s common stock must be present in person or by proxy in order for a quorum to be present. Shares abstaining from voting and shares as to which a broker non-vote occurs are considered present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. If a quorum is not present at the scheduled time of the Annual Meeting, we may adjourn the Meeting, without notice other than announcement at the Annual Meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. Any business which could have been transacted at the Annual Meeting as originally scheduled can be conducted at the adjourned meeting.

BROKER NON-VOTES. Broker non-votes occur when shares held by a brokerage firm are not voted with respect to a proposal because the firm has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares and the firm does not have the authority to vote the shares in its discretion.

MATTERS TO BE VOTED UPON.At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will be asked to vote on the following proposals:

Proposals

Board Recommendation

Voting Approval Standard

Abstentions

Broker Non-Votes

1.

Election of 10 directors

FOR

More votes For than Against

No effect

No effect

2.

Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2023 fiscal year

FOR

More votes For than Against

No effect

No effect

3.

Approval of an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers.

FOR

More votes For than Against

No effect

No effect

Shareholders also will transact any other business that may be properly brought before the Annual Meeting.

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59


ANNUAL REPORT. A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2022 (the “FY22 Form 10-K”) has been posted online, along with this Proxy Statement, each of which is accessible by following the instructions in the Notice. The FY22 Form 10-K is not incorporated into this Proxy Statement and is not considered proxy-soliciting materials. We filed our FY22 Form 10-K with the SEC on October 24, 2022 and will mail, without charge, a copy of such report, without exhibits to those who make a written request to our Secretary at 123 South Front Street, Dept. 8074, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.

REVIEWING PROXY MATERIALS ONLINE.The rules of the SEC allow us to furnish proxy materials to our shareholders on the Internet. We are pleased to take advantage of these rules and believe that they enable us to provide our shareholders with the information that they need, while lowering the cost of delivery and reducing the environmental impact of our Annual Meeting. Accordingly, this Proxy Statement and our annual report to security holders are available on our website at investors.autozone.com. Additionally, you may access our proxy materials at www.envisionreports.com/AZO.

REQUESTING A PRINTED COPY OF PROXY MATERIALS. If you received a Notice by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you request one. The Notice will instruct you as to how you may obtain a printed copy of our proxy materials at no charge. All requests for printed copies of proxy materials must be received by December 1, 2022.

COSTS OF SOLICITATION. AutoZone will pay all expenses incurred in this proxy solicitation. We also may make additional solicitations in person, by telephone, facsimile, e-mail, or other forms of communication. Brokers, banks, and others who hold our stock for beneficial owners will be reimbursed by us for their expenses related to forwarding our proxy materials to the beneficial owners.

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The 2023 Annual Meeting

Shareholders proposals and director nominations for consideration at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2023 Annual Meeting”) must be submitted in writing and mailed to AutoZone, Inc., Attention: Secretary, Post Office Box 2198, Dept. 8074, Memphis, Tennessee 38101-2198. The information provided below is a summary. Additional detail as to requirements and other related matters can be found in our By-Laws and/or certain rules adopted by the SEC, as applicable.

Shareholder Proposals for Inclusion in Proxy Statement. In order to propose an item of business to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials relating to the 2023 Annual Meeting, eligible shareholders must submit proposals that comply with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Such proposal must be received by our Secretary by June 30, 2020.26, 2023.

Director Nominations for Inclusion in the Proxy Statement. In order to nominate a director candidate for inclusion in our proxy statement relating to the 2023 Annual Meeting, a shareholder or group of shareholders must comply with the “proxy access” provision set forth in Article II, Section 10 of AutoZone’s By-Laws. This section provides that an individual eligible shareholder, or group of up to 20 eligible shareholders, must own 3% or more of AutoZone’s outstanding common stock continuously for at least the previous three years, and may nominate up to the greater of two individuals or 20% of the Board for inclusion in our proxy statement. Requests to include shareholder-nominated director candidates in our 2023 Proxy Statement must be received by our Corporate Secretary not earlier than August 16, 2023, and not later than September 15, 2023. The nominating shareholder(s) must provide certain information and meet the other specific requirements of our By-laws, and each nominee must meet the qualifications required by our By-laws.

Business Not for Inclusion in the Proxy Statement. In accordance with ourArticle II, Section 2 of AutoZone’s By-Laws, stockholder shareholder proposals received after August 21, 2020,16, 2023, but before September 20, 2020,15, 2023, may be presented at the Annual Meeting, but will not be included in the Proxy Statement. Any stockholdershareholder proposal received on or after September 20, 2020,15, 2023, will not be eligible to be presented for a vote to the stockholdersshareholders in accordance with ourBy-Laws. Any proposals

Universal Proxy Rules for Director Nominations

In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements under AutoZone’s By-laws, to comply with the universal proxy rules, shareholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than AutoZone’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act. Such notice must be mailedpostmarked or transmitted electronically no later than October 15, 2023 or not later than the date that is 60 days prior to AutoZone, Inc., Attention: Secretary, Post Office Box 2198, Dept. 8074, Memphis, Tennessee 38101-2198.the one-year anniversary of the Annual Meeting if such meeting takes place on any day other than December 14, 2022.

ANNUAL REPORT

A copy of our Annual Report is being mailed with this Proxy Statement to all stockholders of record.

2022 Proxy Statement

By order of the Board of Directors,

Kristen C. WrightGraphic

Secretary61

Memphis, Tennessee


October 28, 2019

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Your vote matters – here’s how to vote!

You may vote online or by phone instead of mailing this card.

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Votes submitted electronically must be received by 1:00 a.m.,11:59pm, Central Time, on December 18, 2019.

13, 2022. Online

Go towww.investorvote.com/ www.envisionreports.com/AZO or scan the QR code login details are located in the shaded bar below.

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Phone

Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada

Save paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at www.envisionreports.com/AZO Using ablack ink pen, mark your votes with anX as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.

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q  IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.  q

A

Proposals – q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q + The Board of Directors recommendrecommends a voteFOR all the nominees listed andFOR Proposals 2 and 3.

director nominees. 1. Election of Directors:

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ForAgainstAbstainForAgainstAbstainForAgainst Abstain

For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 01 - Douglas H. Brooks

Michael A. George 02 - Linda A. Goodspeed03 - Earl G. Graves, Jr.

04 - Enderson Guimaraes

05 - Michael M. CalbertBrian P. Hannasch 06 - D. Bryan Jordan

07 - Gale V. King

08 - George R. Mrkonic, Jr.09 - William C. Rhodes, III

10 - Jill A. Soltau

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 2 and 3. ForAgainstAbstainForAgainstAbstain

2. Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the 20202023 fiscal year.

3. Approval of an advisory vote on the compensation of named executive compensation




4. In the discretion of the proxies named herein, upon such other matters as may properly

    come before the meeting.

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Authorized Signatures – This section must be completed for yourofficers. NOTE: In accordance with their best judgment, the proxies named herein are authorized to vote to count. Please date and sign below.

upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below.

Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box.Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box. + 1 U P X 03PB7C B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below. A Proposals Annual Meeting Proxy Card


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The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of AutoZone, Inc. will be held on December 14, 2022, 8:00 a.m. Central Time J.R. Hyde III Store Support Center 123 S. Front Street Memphis, TN 38103 Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The material is available at: www.envisionreports.com/AZO q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q + Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors of AutoZone, Inc. for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders — December 14, 2022 I hereby appoint Kristen C. Wright and Priya A. Galante, and each of them, as proxies, with full power of substitution to vote all shares of common stock of AutoZone, Inc., which I would be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of AutoZone, Inc. to be held on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. CST on proposals 1, P2 and 3 as I have specified, and in their discretion on other matters as may come before the meeting. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed on the reverse side. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the nominees and FOR proposals 2 and 3. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side) Change of Address — Please print new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below. + C FLOGO

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Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

The material is available at: investors.autozone.com

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Non-Voting Items AutoZone, Inc. Small steps make an impact.

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q  IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.  q

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Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors of AutoZone, Inc. for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders – December 18, 2019

I hereby appoint Kristen C. Wright and Maria Leggett, and each of them, as proxies, with full power of substitution to vote all shares of common stock of AutoZone, Inc., which I would be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of AutoZone, Inc. to be held at the J.R. Hyde III Store Support Center, 123 South Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. CST and at any adjournments, on proposals 1, 2 and 3 as I have specified, and in their discretion on other matters as may come before the meeting.

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed on the reverse side. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of the directors nominated by the Board of Directors and FOR proposals 2 and 3.

(Items to be voted appear on reverse side)

CNon-Voting Items

Change of Address – Please print new address below.Comments– Please print your comments below.

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