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<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
<FONT style="font-size: 12pt">Washington, D.C. 20549
</FONT></B>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM 8-K</B>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 11, 2009</B>

<P align="center">

<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>HEARTLAND PAYMENT SYSTEMS, INC.<BR></B>
<FONT style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
</FONT>

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    <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="33%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Delaware</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>001-32594</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>22-3755714</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD>(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>(Commission File Number)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>(IRS Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

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<TR>
    <TD width="49%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="49%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>90 Nassau Street, Princeton, New Jersey<BR></B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>08542</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: <B>(609) 683-3831</B>


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</TR>
<TR>
    <TD nowrap>(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant
under any of the following provisions:

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">
<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)<BR><BR>
<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)<BR><BR>
<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))<BR><BR>
<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))<BR>


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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B><I>Item&nbsp;5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;
Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</I></B>
<BR>
&nbsp;
<BR>
On May&nbsp;11, 2009, the Compensation Committee (the &#147;Committee&#148;) of the Board of Directors of Heartland Payment Systems,
Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) approved new cash and equity incentive/retention awards to certain of the Company&#146;s named
executive officers. The Committee retained Frederic W. Cook &#038; Co., Inc. to review and recommend changes to the
Company&#146;s compensation structure and philosophy in light of the challenges facing the Company from the previously
disclosed processing system intrusion and macro economic conditions and the significant reduction of equity ownership
suffered by the Company&#146;s Chief Executive Officer as a result of previously announced forced sales of all of his shares
of the Company&#146;s common stock.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">The Committee considered a number of factors in determining the amount and the form of incentive/retention awards to
grant certain of the Company&#146;s named executive officers. Pursuant to the Committee&#146;s determinations, the named
executive officers below will receive the following new base salaries (effective January&nbsp;1, 2009):

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    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Name</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">2008 Base Salary</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">New Base Salary</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px">Robert H.B. Baldwin, Jr.</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">President and Chief Financial Officer</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">350,000</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">430,000</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px">Charles H.N. Kallenbach</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">250,000</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">325,000</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">In addition, the Committee granted each of the following named executive officers the equity awards described below:


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Robert O. Carr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, received: (i)&nbsp;an option to purchase up to 465,000 shares of the
Company&#146;s common stock at an exercise price of $8.88 per share, which vests in four equal annual installments beginning
on May&nbsp;11, 2010 and expires on May&nbsp;11, 2014; (ii)&nbsp;an option to purchase up to 465,000 shares of the Company&#146;s common
stock at an exercise price of $8.88 per share, which vests in four equal annual installments beginning on May&nbsp;11, 2010
if the closing price of the Company&#146;s common stock is $17.76 or more for 30 consecutive trading days any time on or
before May&nbsp;11, 2013 (the final vesting date) and such option expires on May&nbsp;11, 2014; (iii)&nbsp;an option to purchase up to
465,000 shares of the Company&#146;s common stock at an exercise price of $8.88 per share, which vests in four equal annual
installments beginning on May&nbsp;11, 2010 if the closing price of the Company&#146;s common stock is $26.64 or more for 30
consecutive trading days any time on or before May&nbsp;11, 2013 (the final vesting date) and such option expires on May&nbsp;11,
2014; and (iv)&nbsp;265,000 restricted stock units with each restricted stock unit representing a contingent right to
receive one share of the Company&#146;s common stock and which vests in four equal annual installments beginning on May&nbsp;11,
2010. Mr.&nbsp;Carr, in consideration for the equity awards granted to him, agreed to extend his covenant not to compete
with the Company and his covenant not to solicit any of the Company&#146;s customers or suppliers following termination of
his employment for any reason set forth in his Amended and Restated Employee Confidential Information and
Noncompetition Agreement dated May&nbsp;4, 2007 with the Company from 12&nbsp;months to 24&nbsp;months, except upon a change of
control of the Company.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Robert H.B. Baldwin, Jr., President and Chief Financial Officer, received: (i)&nbsp;an option to purchase up to 95,300
shares of the Company&#146;s common stock at an exercise price of $8.88 per share, which vests in four equal annual
installments beginning on May&nbsp;11, 2010 and expires on May&nbsp;11, 2014; and (ii)&nbsp;26,000 restricted stock units with each
restricted stock unit representing a contingent right to receive one share of the Company&#146;s common stock and which
vests in four equal annual installments beginning on May&nbsp;11, 2010.

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; display: none">2
</DIV>

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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Sanford C. Brown, Chief Sales Officer, received: (i)&nbsp;an option to purchase up to 65,000 shares of the Company&#146;s common
stock at an exercise price of $8.88 per share, which vests in four equal annual installments beginning on May&nbsp;11, 2010
and expires on May&nbsp;11, 2014; and (ii)&nbsp;15,000 restricted stock units with each restricted stock unit representing a
contingent right to receive one share of the Company&#146;s common stock and which vests in four equal annual installments
beginning on May&nbsp;11, 2010.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Charles H.N. Kallenbach, General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, received: (i)&nbsp;an option to purchase up to
40,000 shares of the Company&#146;s common stock at an exercise price of $8.88 per share, which vests in four equal annual
installments beginning on May&nbsp;11, 2010 and expires on May&nbsp;11, 2014; and (ii)&nbsp;15,000 restricted stock units with each
restricted stock unit representing a contingent right to receive one share of the Company&#146;s common stock and which
vests in four equal annual installments beginning on May&nbsp;11, 2010.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">In each case, if the named executive officer is not employed by the Company at the relevant vesting date of the options
and the restricted stock units granted, the unvested portion of such options and restricted stock units will terminate.
All of such options and restricted stock units were granted under the Company&#146;s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The
closing price of the Company&#146;s common stock on the date such options and restricted stock units were granted was $8.88.

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; display: none">3
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><U>SIGNATURES</U>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
<BR>
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 hereunto duly authorized.
<BR>
&nbsp;
<BR>
&nbsp;
<BR>
Dated: May&nbsp;15, 2009 &nbsp;

<DIV align="center">
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    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Heartland Payment Systems,&nbsp;Inc.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">(Registrant)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By: <u>/s/ Charles H.N. Kallenbach</u></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Charles H.N. Kallenbach</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; display: none">4




</DIV>
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Form 8-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 11, 2009
HEARTLAND PAYMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
001-32594
22-3755714
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
90 Nassau Street, Princeton, New Jersey
08542
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(609) 683-3831
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant
under any of the following provisions:
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;
Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On May 11, 2009, the Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors of Heartland Payment Systems,
Inc. (the "Company") approved new cash and equity incentive/retention awards to certain of the Company's named
executive officers. The Committee retained Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. to review and recommend changes to the
Company's compensation structure and philosophy in light of the challenges facing the Company from the previously
disclosed processing system intrusion and macro economic conditions and the significant reduction of equity ownership
suffered by the Company's Chief Executive Officer as a result of previously announced forced sales of all of his shares
of the Company's common stock.
The Committee considered a number of factors in determining the amount and the form of incentive/retention awards to
grant certain of the Company's named executive officers. Pursuant to the Committee's determinations, the named
executive officers below will receive the following new base salaries (effective January 1, 2009):
Name
Title
2008 Base Salary
New Base Salary
Robert H.B. Baldwin, Jr.
President and Chief Financial Officer
$
350,000
$
430,000
Charles H.N. Kallenbach
General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
$
250,000
$
325,000
In addition, the Committee granted each of the following named executive officers the equity awards described below:
Robert O. Carr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, received: (i) an option to purchase up to 465,000 shares of the
Company's common stock at an exercise price of $8.88 per share, which vests in four equal annual installments beginning
on May 11, 2010 and expires on May 11, 2014; (ii) an option to purchase up to 465,000 shares of the Company's common
stock at an exercise price of $8.88 per share, which vests in four equal annual installments beginning on May 11, 2010
if the closing price of the Company's common stock is $17.76 or more for 30 consecutive trading days any time on or
before May 11, 2013 (the final vesting date) and such option expires on May 11, 2014; (iii) an option to purchase up to
465,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $8.88 per share, which vests in four equal annual
installments beginning on May 11, 2010 if the closing price of the Company's common stock is $26.64 or more for 30
consecutive trading days any time on or before May 11, 2013 (the final vesting date) and such option expires on May 11,
2014; and (iv) 265,000 restricted stock units with each restricted stock unit representing a contingent right to
receive one share of the Company's common stock and which vests in four equal annual installments beginning on May 11,
2010. Mr. Carr, in consideration for the equity awards granted to him, agreed to extend his covenant not to compete
with the Company and his covenant not to solicit any of the Company's customers or suppliers following termination of
his employment for any reason set forth in his Amended and Restated Employee Confidential Information and
Noncompetition Agreement dated May 4, 2007 with the Company from 12 months to 24 months, except upon a change of
control of the Company.
Robert H.B. Baldwin, Jr., President and Chief Financial Officer, received: (i) an option to purchase up to 95,300
shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $8.88 per share, which vests in four equal annual
installments beginning on May 11, 2010 and expires on May 11, 2014; and (ii) 26,000 restricted stock units with each
restricted stock unit representing a contingent right to receive one share of the Company's common stock and which
vests in four equal annual installments beginning on May 11, 2010.
Sanford C. Brown, Chief Sales Officer, received: (i) an option to purchase up to 65,000 shares of the Company's common
stock at an exercise price of $8.88 per share, which vests in four equal annual installments beginning on May 11, 2010
and expires on May 11, 2014; and (ii) 15,000 restricted stock units with each restricted stock unit representing a
contingent right to receive one share of the Company's common stock and which vests in four equal annual installments
beginning on May 11, 2010.
Charles H.N. Kallenbach, General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, received: (i) an option to purchase up to
40,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $8.88 per share, which vests in four equal annual
installments beginning on May 11, 2010 and expires on May 11, 2014; and (ii) 15,000 restricted stock units with each
restricted stock unit representing a contingent right to receive one share of the Company's common stock and which
vests in four equal annual installments beginning on May 11, 2010.
In each case, if the named executive officer is not employed by the Company at the relevant vesting date of the options
and the restricted stock units granted, the unvested portion of such options and restricted stock units will terminate.
All of such options and restricted stock units were granted under the Company's 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The
closing price of the Company's common stock on the date such options and restricted stock units were granted was $8.88.
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 hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: May 15, 2009
Heartland Payment Systems, Inc.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Charles H.N. Kallenbach
Charles H.N. Kallenbach
General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary