FORM 10-Q

                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C. 20549

[X]   Quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
    For the quarterly period ended May 10, 1997, or

[   ]   Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
    For the transition period from _______ to ________.

Commission file number 1-10714

                             AUTOZONE, INC.
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

       Nevada                                       62-1482048
(State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                   Identification No.)

                          123 South Front Street
                         Memphis, Tennessee 38103
            (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                              (901) 495-6500
            Registrant's telephone number, including area code

                             (not applicable)
 Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
                                  report.

    Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that
the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject
to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  [X]   No  [   ]

               APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

  Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practical date.

  Common Stock, $.01 Par Value -151,000,793 shares as of June 20, 1997.





                              AUTOZONE, INC.
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                              (IN THOUSANDS)

MAY 10, 1997 AUG. 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $4,838 $3,904 Accounts receivable 22,435 15,466 Merchandise inventories 750,569 555,894 Prepaid expenses 28,195 19,225 Deferred income taxes 18,147 18,608 ------- ------- Total current assets 824,184 613,097 Property and equipment: Property and equipment 1,224,666 1,061,166 Less accumulated depreciation and (244,522) (198,292) amortization --------- -------- 980,144 862,874 Other assets: Cost in excess of net assets acquired 16,760 17,187 Deferred income taxes 4,424 2,938 Other assets 1,522 2,301 ------ ------ 22,706 22,426 ---------- ---------- $1,827,034 $1,498,397 ========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities: Accounts payable $467,799 $401,309 Accrued expenses 127,524 104,909 Income taxes payable 13,731 12,260 Revolving credit agreements - 94,400 -------- -------- Total current liabilities 609,054 612,878 Long-term debt 209,700 - Other liabilities 17,752 19,937 Stockholders' equity 990,528 865,582 ---------- ---------- $1,827,034 $1,498,397 ========== ==========
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. AUTOZONE, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
TWELVE WEEKS ENDED THIRTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED MAY 10, 1997 MAY 4, 1996 MAY 10, 1997 MAY 4, 1996 Net sales $637,895 $524,175 $1,745,052 $1,413,042 Cost of sales, including warehouse and delivery expenses 368,920 308,644 1,008,823 828,322 Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses 192,200 155,099 548,339 425,467 ------- ------- ------- ------- Operating profit 76,775 60,432 187,890 159,253 Interest expense-net 2,672 727 5,955 727 ------- ------ ------- ------- Income before income taxes 74,103 59,705 181,935 158,526 Income taxes 28,000 22,100 68,450 58,800 ------- ------- -------- ------- Net income $46,103 $37,605 $113,485 $99,726 ======= ======= ======== ======= Net income per share $.30 $.25 $.74 $.66 ==== ==== ==== ==== Average shares outstanding, including common stock equivalents 152,602 151,541 152,389 150,508 ======= ======= ======= =======
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. AUTOZONE, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (IN THOUSANDS)
THIRTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED MAY 10, 1997 MAY 4, 1996 Cash flows from operating activities: Net Income $113,485 $99,726 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 53,598 41,540 Net increase in merchandise inventories (194,675) (134,034) Net increase in current liabilities 90,576 74,917 Other - net (18,424) (3,544) ------- ------ Net cash provided by operating activities 44,560 78,605 Cash flows from investing activities: Cash outflows for property and equipment, net (170,387) (183,181) Cash flows from financing activities: Net proceeds from debt 115,300 84,272 Proceeds from sale of Common Stock, including 11,461 14,431 related tax benefit ------- ------ Net cash provided by financing activities 126,761 98,703 ------- ------ Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 934 (5,873) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 3,904 6,411 Beginning cash balance of pooled entity - 4,244 ------ ------ Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $4,838 $4,782 ====== ======
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) Note A--Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the thirty-six weeks ended May 10, 1997, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 30, 1997. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1996. NOTE B--INVENTORIES Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the last- in, first-out (LIFO) method. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations must necessarily be based on management's estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs. NOTE C--DEBT During December 1996, the Company executed an agreement with a group of banks for a $275 million five-year unsecured revolving credit facility to replace the existing revolving credit agreements. The rate of interest payable under the agreement is a function of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or the lending bank's base rate (as defined in the agreement), or a competitive bid rate, at the option of the Company. At May 10, 1997, the Company's borrowings under this agreement were $209.7 million and the weighted average interest rate was 5.8%. The unsecured revolving credit agreement contains a covenant limiting the amount of debt the Company may incur relative to its total capitalization. Based on the terms of the Company's new five-year credit facility, amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility have been classified as long-term. On March 27, 1997, the Company acquired a negotiated rate unsecured revolving credit agreement totaling $25 million which extends until March 26, 1998. There were no amounts outstanding under this agreement as of May 10, 1997. NOTE D--CONTINGENCIES The Company is a defendant in a purported class action entitled "Jack Elliot and Greg Dobson, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, vs. AutoZone, Inc., and AutoZone Stores, Inc.," Civil Action No. 11416, Circuit Court for Roane County, Tennessee, filed on or about May 9, 1997. AutoZone Stores, Inc., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In an ex parte proceeding held prior to service of the complaint upon the Company, and without notice to the Company, on May 14, 1997, the judge entered an order conditionally certifying a class of all persons and entities in 25 states in which the Company does business who purchased automotive batteries from any AutoZone or AutoZone retail store location at any time during the period May 5, 1990, to the present. At an appropriate time, the Company intends to move the court to either decertify the class or vacate or amend the conditional class certification order. In their complaint, which is similar to class action complaints filed against several other retailers of aftermarket automotive batteries, the plaintiffs allege that the Company sold "old", "used", or "out of warranty" automotive batteries to customers as if the batteries were new, and purports to state causes of action for unfair or deceptive acts or practices, breaches of contract, breaches of duty of good faith and fair dealing, intentional misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, civil conspiracy, and unjust enrichment. The plaintiffs are seeking an accounting of all moneys wrongfully received by the Company, compensatory and punitive damages, along with plaintiffs' costs. The Company believes the claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend this action. ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS TWELVE WEEKS ENDED MAY 10, 1997, COMPARED TO TWELVE WEEKS ENDED MAY 4, 1996 Net sales for the twelve weeks ended May 10, 1997 increased by $113.7 million, or 21.7%, over net sales for the comparable period of fiscal 1996. This increase was due to a comparable store sales increase of 7%, (which was primarily due to sales growth in the Company's newer stores and the added sales of the Company's commercial program), and increases in net sales for stores opened since the beginning of fiscal 1996. At May 10, 1997 the Company had 1,578 stores in operation compared with 1,298 stores at May 4, 1996. Gross profit for the twelve weeks ended May 10, 1997, was $269.0 million, or 42.2% of net sales, compared with $215.5 million, or 41.1% of net sales, during the comparable period for fiscal 1996. The increase in the gross profit percentage was due primarily to higher gross margins for commodity products such as oil, Freon and antifreeze, lower distribution costs, and to a lower commercial gross margin in the prior year. Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses for the twelve weeks ended May 10, 1997 increased by $37.1 million over such expenses for the comparable period for fiscal 1996, and increased as a percentage of net sales from 29.6% to 30.1%. The increase in the expense ratio was due primarily to an increase in net advertising costs. The Company's effective income tax rate was 37.8% of pre-tax income for the twelve weeks ended May 10, 1997 and 37.0% for the twelve weeks ended May 4, 1996. THIRTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED MAY 10, 1997, COMPARED TO THIRTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED MAY 4, 1996 Net sales for the thirty-six weeks ended May 10, 1997 increased by $332.0 million, or 23.5%, over net sales for the comparable period of fiscal 1996. This increase was due to a comparable store sales increase of 8%, (which was primarily due to sales growth in the Company's newer stores and the added sales of the company's commercial program), and increases in net sales for stores opened since the beginning of fiscal 1996. Gross profit for the thirty-six weeks ended May 10, 1997, was $736.2 million, or 42.2% of net sales, compared with $584.7 million, or 41.4% of net sales, during the comparable period for fiscal 1996. The increase in the gross profit percentage was due primarily to improved gross margin in commodities, such as oil, Freon and antifreeze, lower distribution costs, and the added sales of higher margin ALLDATA products. Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses for the thirty-six weeks ended May 10,1997 increased by $122.9 million over such expenses for the comparable period for fiscal 1996, and increased as a percentage of net sales from 30.1% to 31.4%. The increase in the expense ratio was due primarily to costs of the Company's commercial program and to operating costs of ALLDATA. The Company's effective income tax rate was 37.6% of pre-tax income for the thirty-six weeks ended May 10, 1997 and 37.1% for the thirty-six weeks ended May 4, 1996. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES For the thirty-six weeks ended May 10, 1997, net cash of $44.6 million was provided by the Company's operations versus $78.6 million for the comparable period of fiscal year 1996. The comparative decrease in cash provided by operations is due primarily to increased inventory requirements. Capital expenditures for the thirty-six weeks ended May 10, 1997 were $170.4 million. The Company anticipates that capital expenditures for fiscal 1997 will be approximately $300 to $325 million. Year-to-date, the Company opened 155 net new stores and 15 stores that replaced existing stores. The Company expects to open more than 300 new stores and approximately 18 replacement stores during fiscal 1997. The Company anticipates that it will rely on internally generated funds to support a majority of its capital expenditures and working capital requirements; the balance of such requirements will be funded through borrowings. The Company has an unsecured revolving credit agreement with a group of banks providing for borrowings in an aggregate maximum amount of $275 million. At May 10, 1997, the Company had borrowings outstanding under the credit agreement of $209.7 million. On March 27, 1997, the Company acquired a short-term unsecured revolving credit agreement totaling $25 million. There were no amounts outstanding under this agreement as of May 10, 1997. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings The Company is a defendant in a purported class action entitled "Jack Elliot and Greg Dobson, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, vs. AutoZone, Inc., and AutoZone Stores, Inc.," Civil Action No. 11416, Circuit Court for Roane County, Tennessee, filed on or about May 9, 1997. AutoZone Stores, Inc., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In an ex parte proceeding held prior to service of the complaint upon the Company, and without notice to the Company, on May 14, 1997, the judge entered an order conditionally certifying a class of all persons and entities in 25 states in which the Company does business who purchased automotive batteries from any AutoZone or AutoZone retail store location at any time during the period May 5, 1990, to the present. At an appropriate time, the Company intends to move the court to either decertify the class or vacate or amend the conditional class certification order. In their complaint, which is similar to class action complaints filed against several other retailers of aftermarket automotive batteries, the plaintiffs allege that the Company sold "old", "used", or "out of warranty" automotive batteries to customers as if the batteries were new, and purports to state causes of action for unfair or deceptive acts or practices, breaches of contract, breaches of duty of good faith and fair dealing, intentional misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, civil conspiracy, and unjust enrichment. The plaintiffs are seeking an accounting of all moneys wrongfully received by the Company, compensatory and punitive damages, along with plaintiffs' costs. The Company believes the claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend this action. The Company is also a party to various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, which it does not believe that such claims and lawsuits, singularly or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its business, properties, results of operations, financial condition or prospects. Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Exhibits The following exhibits are filed as part of this report: 3.1 Articles of Incorporation of AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 1994. 3.2 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of AutoZone, Inc., dated December 16, 1993, to increase its authorized shares of common stock to 200,000,000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 1994. 3.3 By-laws of AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the February 1992 Form S-1. 4.1 Form of Common Stock Certificate. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the February 1992 Form S-1. 4.2 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 18, 1987, by and among Auto Shack, Inc. and certain stockholders. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act (No. 33-39197), (the "April 1991 Form S-1"). 4.3 Amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of August 1, 1993. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form S-3 Registration Statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act (No. 33-67550). 10.1 MANAGEMENT CONTRACT OR COMPENSATORY PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT. ------------------------------------------------------- Agreement between J. R. Hyde, III, and AutoZone, Inc. and its subsidiaries, dated March 18, 1997. 11.1 Statement re: Computation of earnings per share. 27.1 Financial Data Schedule. (SEC Use Only) (b) Reports on Form 8-K During the twelve weeks ended May 10, 1997, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K dated March 18, 1997, stating: On March 18, 1997, J. R. Hyde, III, chairman of AutoZone announced his retirement as chairman. Mr. Hyde remains an active director and major shareholder. Johnston C. Adams, Jr., previously Chief Executive Officer and President, was elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Timothy D. Vargo, previously Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, was elected President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Adams and Mr. Vargo are also members of the board of directors. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. AUTOZONE, INC. By: /S/ ROBERT J. HUNT --------------------------- Robert J. Hunt Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer-Customer Satisfaction (Principal Financial Officer) By: /S/ MICHAEL E. BUTTERICK --------------------------- Michael E. Butterick Vice President, Controller-Customer Satisfaction (Principal Accounting Officer) Dated: June 23, 1997




                                                               EXHIBIT 10.1

03/17/97 1:44 PM

                                 AGREEMENT

     KNOW  ALL  MEN  BY  THESE  PRESENTS,  that J.R. Hyde, III ("Hyde") and

AutoZone,  Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its  subsidiaries  (collectively

"AZO") for and  in consideration of the promises, undertakings and benefits

set out in this Agreement as of March 18, 1997 agree as follows:

     1.   EFFECTIVE  DATE.  Hyde resigns as an employee and Chairman of AZO

as of March 18, 1997 (the  "Effective  Date").  Notwithstanding, Hyde shall

remain  a member of the Board of Directors  of  AZO  subject  to  election,

resignation,  and  replacement  in  the same manner as other members of the

Board of Directors.

     2.   RELEASE.  Except for the obligations  of  AZO and Hyde undertaken

pursuant  to  the terms of this Agreement, Hyde and AZO  each  release  and

forever discharge  the  other  and   their  respective  employees,  agents,

subsidiaries, predecessors, successors, affiliates, heirs, and assigns from

all claims of whatsoever nature and the right to receive compensation  from

such  claims, growing out of or in any way directly or indirectly connected

with the  employment  relationship  between  Hyde and AZO, included but not

limited to:

     A.   Breach of any express or implied term or condition of employment;

     B.   Any other causes of action under any federal, state or local law,

          rule or regulation, including but not limited to claims under any

          worker's compensation law, the Age Discrimination  in  Employment

          Act (as amended), the Older Workers' Benefit Protection  Act, the

          Civil  Rights  Act  of  1991,  the  Civil  Rights Act of 1964 (as

          amended),  the  Civil  Rights  Act  of 1866, the  Americans  with

          Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family  and  Medical  Leave  Act of

          1993, and/or the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (as amended); and/or

     C.   Any  right  to receive any monetary damages or liability payments

          from any actions  at  law  or  in equity filed on his behalf with

          regard to his employment with or  arising  out  of or relating to

          his employment with AZO.

     3.   RECISION.  AZO's offer as described in this Agreement will remain

open and effective for twenty-one (21) days from the Effective  Date.  Hyde

may elect to accept or reject this offer within that time period.   If Hyde

does  nothing  within  the  twenty-one  (21) day period, the offer shall be

deemed  withdrawn  by  AZO.  If Hyde does sign  the  Agreement  within  the

twenty-one (21) day period,  Hyde  will  have  seven (7) days following the

date he signed this Agreement to change his mind  and  revoke the Agreement

in  writing.  Therefore, this Agreement will not be in effect  until  seven

(7) days have passed following the date Hyde signs this Agreement.

     4.   BENEFITS.   In  consideration  of the release granted by Hyde and

the other obligations undertaken by Hyde pursuant  to  this  Agreement, AZO

agrees  to  provide,  subject  only  to  the limitations contained in  this

Agreement, the following benefits in his favor (the "Benefits"):

     A.   Any vacation pay accrued as of the Effective Date;

     B.   A prorated bonus for AZO's 1997  fiscal  year based on the period

          from September 1, 1996, to the Effective Date.   Such bonus shall

          be in accordance with the bonus plan previously approved  by  the

          Compensation  Committee  of  AZO's Board of Directors and will be

          paid after the end of AZO's 1997  fiscal year when the bonuses of

          all other executive officers of AZO are paid;

     C.   For the period beginning on the Effective  Date  and  ending five

          years later, AZO shall pay Hyde an annual amount equal  to  three

          hundred  sixty  thousand dollars ($360,000) in bi-weekly payments

          of thirteen thousand  eight  hundred forty-six dollars and 15/100

          ($13,846.15),  to  be  paid as and  when  AZO  pays  its  regular

          employees.  As used in this Agreement, the term "bi-weekly" shall

          mean once every two weeks.

     D.   Health and dental insurance  during  the period of time beginning

          on the Effective Date and ending on the  date that Hyde ceases to

          receive payments pursuant to Section 3. C.  of  this Agreement as

          if Hyde were still employed by AZO, and thereafter  the  coverage

          as required by law.

     HYDE  UNDERSTANDS  AND  AGREES THAT THE ONLY SALARY OR BENEFITS (OTHER

THAN SUCH COMPENSATION HE MAY RECEIVE AS A NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR OF AZO) HE

WILL RECEIVE FROM AZO ARE SET  FORTH  HEREIN,  AND THAT ALL OTHER SALARY OR

BENEFITS HE IS PRESENTLY RECEIVING FROM AZO, INCLUDING  BUT  NOT LIMITED TO

LIFE  INSURANCE,  LONG  TERM  DISABILITY  COVERAGE,  SHORT  TERM DISABILITY

COVERAGE  AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN, SHALL BE AND ARE TERMINATED  AS  OF  THE

EFFECTIVE DATE.  TIME  IN  SERVICE  UNDER  THE  AUTOZONE,  INC., ASSOCIATES

PENSION PLAN SHALL CEASE TO ACCRUE AS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE.

     The parties understand that applicable local, state, and  federal  tax

and  appropriate insurance premium deductions and withholdings will be made

from all of the appropriate payments.

     The parties further understand and agree that this Agreement shall not

diminish  or  adversely  affect in any way Hyde's retirement benefits under

the  AutoZone,  Inc. Associates'  Pension  Plan,  except  that  payment  of

Benefits in no way increases the vesting period for retirement benefits nor

does it have any  effect  on  the  computation of retirement benefits which

shall be as provided for pursuant to the AutoZone, Inc. Associates' Pension

Plan.

     5.   NON-COMPETE.  Hyde further  agrees  that  he  will  not,  for the

period  commencing  on the Effective Date and ending on the date five years

later,  be engaged in  or  concerned  with,  directly  or  indirectly,  any

business  related  to or involved in the retail sale of auto parts to "DIY"

customers, or the wholesale  or  retail  sale  of  auto parts to commercial

installers in any state or area in which AZO operates  now or shall operate

during the term of the non-compete agreement (herein called  "Competitor"),

as  an  employee,  consultant,  beneficial or record owner, partner,  joint

venturer,  officer  or  agent  of  the   Competitor.   Notwithstanding,  an

investment by Hyde in an investment partnership or mutual fund whereby Hyde

does not own more than five (5%) percent of  such  partnership  or fund and

does  not  or have the right to exercise investment control, shall  not  be

considered a breach of this Section 5.

     The parties  acknowledge  and  agree  that the time, scope, geographic

area  and  other  provisions  of  this  Non-Compete   section   have   been

specifically   negotiated   by   sophisticated   commercial   parties   and

specifically  hereby agree that such time, scope, geographic area and other

provisions are  reasonable  under  the  circumstances.  The parties further

agree that if, at any time, despite the express  agreement  of  the parties

hereto, Hyde violates the provisions of this Non-Compete section  and fails

to  cure  such violation within thirty days after him receipt of notice  of

such violation  from AZO, and if AZO attempts to enforce this Agreement and

a court of competent  jurisdiction  holds  that  any  portion  of this Non-

Compete  section is unenforceable for any reason, AZO may cease paying  any

further Benefits.   In the event of breach by Hyde of any provision of this

Non-Compete  section  Hyde   acknowledges   that  such  breach  will  cause

irreparable damage to AZO, the exact amount of  which  will be difficult or

impossible to ascertain, and that remedies at law for any  such breach will

be  inadequate.   Accordingly,  AZO shall be entitled, in addition  to  any

other rights or remedies existing  in  its  favor,  to  obtain, without the

necessity  for  any  bond  or  other security, specific performance  and/or

injunctive  relief in order to enforce,  or  prevent  breach  of  any  such

provision and  AZO  shall  be  entitled  to  the  remedies set forth in the

section entitled "Remedies".  Further, Hyde agrees not to hire, for himself

or any other entity, encourage anyone or entity to  hire,  or  entice  away

from  AZO any full time employee of AZO during the term of this non-compete

agreement  other  than  current  administrative personnel in the Chairman's

office.

     6.   CONFIDENTIALITY AND AZO  PROPERTY.   Unless otherwise required by

law,  Hyde  shall  hold  in  confidence  any  proprietary  or  confidential

information obtained by him during his employment  with  AZO,  which  shall

include,  but  not  be  limited to, information regarding AZO's present and

future  business plans, systems,  operations  and  personnel.  Confidential

information  shall  not  include  information:  (a)  publicly  disclosed by

AutoZone;  (b)  rightfully  received  by  Hyde  from  a third party without

restrictions on disclosure or use; (c) approved for release  or  disclosure

by  AutoZone;  or  (d)  produced  or disclosed pursuant to applicable laws,

regulation or court order.  Hyde acknowledges that all such confidential or

proprietary information is and shall  remain  the  sole property of AZO and

all embodiments of such information shall remain with  or  be  returned  to

AZO.

     7.   AZO  PROPERTY.  Hyde agrees to return to AZO any and all property

of AZO within a reasonable time after the Effective Date.  AZO acknowledges

that it is in possession  of  certain  art  belonging to Hyde and agrees to

return such art upon request by Hyde.  During  such  time as such art is in

possession of AZO, AZO agrees to continue to take the  same  care  as it is

currently  taking  to  safeguard  such  art.  AZO agrees to insure such art

while  it  is in the possession for such amounts  as  Hyde  and  AZO  shall

mutually  agree  upon  it  being  agreed  that  the  current  insurance  is

sufficient until otherwise notified in writing by Hyde.  AZO and Hyde agree

that should  any  damage  occur  to such art while it is in the possession,

AZO's  liability  to  Hyde  shall  be limited  to  the  insurance  proceeds

recovered by AZO.

     8.   COMPLETE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement

between the parties concerning the matters  covered  herein  and integrates

and  merges  all  prior  understandings, discussions and negotiations.   No

other agreements, oral or written, relating to the subject matter contained

herein shall be binding upon  or  enforceable  against  any of the parties.

This  Agreement and the documents executed pursuant to it  may  be  amended

only in  a writing signed by authorized representatives of the parties.  No

provision  of this Agreement or any document executed pursuant to it may be

waived except  in  a  writing  signed  by authorized representatives of the

parties.

     This Agreement shall be governed and  construed  by  the  laws  of the

State of Tennessee, without regard to its choice of law rules.  The parties

agree that the only proper venue for any dispute under this Agreement shall

be in the state or federal courts located in Shelby County, Tennessee.

     9.   SEVERABILITY.  The sections of this Agreement are intended to  be

severable.   If any section or provision of this Agreement shall be held to

be unenforceable  by  any  court  of competent jurisdiction, this Agreement

shall be modified to the minimum extent  necessary to be enforceable, or if

such modification is not possible, then this  Agreement  shall be construed

as though such section or provision had not been included.   If any section

or  provision of this Agreement shall be subject to two constructions,  one

of which  would render such section or provision invalid, then such section

or provision shall be given that construction that would render it valid.

     10.  REMEDIES. In the event of breach by Hyde of any provision of this

Agreement, Hyde acknowledges that such breach will cause irreparable damage

to AZO, the  exact  amount  of  which  will  be  difficult or impossible to

ascertain, and that remedies at law for any such breach will be inadequate.

Accordingly,  AZO shall be entitled, in addition to  any  other  rights  or

remedies existing  in  its  favor, to obtain, without the necessity for any

bond or other security, specific  performance  and/or  injunctive relief to

enforce,  or  prevent  breach  of  any such provision.  In the  event  Hyde

breaches this Agreement in any way and  fails  to  cure  such breach within

thirty (30) days of receipt by Hyde of notice of such breach  from AZO, any

unpaid Benefits shall immediately terminate. AZO shall have the  right, but

not the obligation, to exercise any of its remedies under this Agreement or

any  that may be allowed by law in the event of a breach of this Agreement.

Any such  remedies  available to AZO shall be cumulative, not exclusive. of

this Agreement.  Any  such  remedies available to Hyde shall be cumulative,

not exclusive.

     11.  FURTHER ASSURANCES.   Hyde warrants and represents to AZO that he

has returned to AZO all keys, documents, and other property of AZO.  Should

Hyde fail or refuse to return any  AZO  property,  AZO shall be entitled to

exercise its rights under "REMEDIES," in addition to  any  rights  that AZO

may have by law.

     The parties agree to execute on or after the date of the execution  of

this  Agreement any and all reasonable additional documents as requested by

the other or its counsel to effectuate the purposes hereof.

     12.   NOTICES.   All notices shall be deemed received three days after

it is sent by certified  mail,  return  receipt requested, or when actually

received by hand-delivery or overnight courier.   All notices shall be sent

to:

To AutoZone:        General Counsel
                    Legal Department
                    AutoZone, Inc.
                    123 South Front Street
                    Memphis, TN  38103-3607

To Hyde:            P. O. Box 1152
                    Memphis, TN 38101-1152



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the respective parties execute this Agreement.


AUTOZONE, INC.


By: /S/ J.C. ADAMS, JR.            /S/ J.R. HYDE, III 
   ---------------------           -------------------    
                                   J. R. Hyde, III
Title: CHAIRMAN & CEO
                                   3/18/97
                                   Date
By: /S/ HARRRY L. GOLDSMITH
    -----------------------
Title: SVP


                                                             EXHIBIT 11.1

            STATEMENT RE:  COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
                               (UNAUDITED)
                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

TWELVE WEEKS ENDED THIRTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED MAY 10, 1997 MAY 4, 1996 MAY 10, 1997 MAY 4, 1996 PRIMARY: Average shares outstanding 150,879 148,670 150,548 147,831 Net effect of dilutive stock options, based on the treasury stock method, using average fair market value 1,723 2,871 1,841 2,677 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total shares used in computation 152,602 151,541 152,389 150,508 ------- ------- -------- ------- Net income $46,103 $37,605 $113,485 $99,726 ------- ------- -------- ------- Per share amount $0.30 $0.25 $0.74 $0.66 ====== ====== ====== ===== Fully diluted: Average shares outstanding 150,879 148,670 150,548 147,831 Net effect of dilutive stock options, based on the treasury stock method, using higher of average or ending fair market value 1,723 3,750 1,841 4,151 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total shares used in computation 152,602 152,420 152,389 151,982 ------- ------- ------- ------- Net income $46,103 $37,605 $113,485 $99,726 ------- ------- -------- ------- Per share amount $0.30 $0.25 $0.74 $0.66 ====== ===== ===== =====
 

5 THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MAY 10, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1000 9-MOS AUG-30-1997 MAY-10-1997 4838 0 22435 0 750569 824184 1224666 244522 1827034 609054 0 0 0 1510 989018 1827034 1745052 1745052 1008823 1008823 548339 0 5955 181935 68450 113485 0 0 0 113485 .74 .74