---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001171843-23-004120"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AZO"
cik: "0000866787"
company_name: "AUTOZONE INC"
filed_at: "2023-06-26T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-13T17:26:15.159661+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# AutoZone CEO Bill Rhodes to step down Jan 2024; Philip Daniele named CEO-Elect

## Summary
- William Rhodes to relinquish roles as President & CEO effective Jan 2024, become Executive Chairman.
- Philip Daniele, EVP Merchandising, appointed CEO-Elect immediately, to become CEO in Jan 2024 and join Board.
- Daniele's base salary will increase to $1M, bonus target 130%, and long-term equity grant of $7.2M stock options.
- Rhodes served as CEO for 18+ years; under his leadership revenues tripled to $17B, store count doubled.
- Succession plan described as disciplined, with Daniele as 29-year company veteran across multiple functions.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001171843-23-004120
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AZO
- cik: 0000866787
- company_name: AUTOZONE INC
- filed_at: 2023-06-26T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/866787/000117184323004120/0001171843-23-004120-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/866787/000117184323004120/f8k_062623.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001171843-23-004120
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001171843-23-004120.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001171843-23-004120.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  William C. Rhodes, III was appointed as Executive Chairman at AUTOZONE INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Executive Chairman
  source text: The Board intends to appoint Mr. Rhodes to the role of Executive Chairman at such time.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/866787/000117184323004120/0001171843-23-004120-index.htm
- Executive change
  Philip B. Daniele, III was appointed as CEO-Elect at AUTOZONE INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: CEO-Elect
  source text: Also on June 24, 2023, the Board appointed Philip B. Daniele, III to the additional role of CEO-Elect, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/866787/000117184323004120/0001171843-23-004120-index.htm
- Executive change
  Philip B. Daniele, III was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at AUTOZONE INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: The Board intends to appoint Mr. Daniele to the role of Chief Executive Officer
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/866787/000117184323004120/0001171843-23-004120-index.htm
- Executive change
  Philip B. Daniele, III was appointed as Director at AUTOZONE INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: The Board intends to appoint Mr. Daniele to the role of Chief Executive Officer and also appoint Mr. Daniele to serve on the Board of Directors, concurrent with Mr. Rhodes’ transition to the role of Executive Chairman in January 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/866787/000117184323004120/0001171843-23-004120-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.