As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 2, 1998.
                                                      Registration No. 333-44537
    
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    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington,ON NOVEMBER 6, 2001.

                                                 REGISTRATION NO. 333-70776

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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            -------------------

   
                                 AMENDMENT NO.------------------------

                                Amendment No. 1
                                       to
    
                                    FormTo


                                    FORM S-3
                          REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            -------------------

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

                               -------------------------------------------

                                 THE KROGER CO.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

Delaware 91-1826443 (State or other jurisdiction ofOHIO 31-0345740 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.EMPLOYER INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.) incorporation or organization) 3800 SE 22nd Avenue Roger A. Cooke Portland, Oregon 97202 Senior Vice President, (503) 232-8844 General Counsel and Secretary (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, Fred Meyer, Inc. including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices) 3800 SE 22nd Avenue Portland, Oregon 97202 (503) 232-8844 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
----------------- It is respectfully requested that the Commission send copies of all notices, orders and communications to:
Gary R. Barnum Michael A. Becker George G. Golleher Marc W. Evanger Stoel Rives LLP Cahill Gordon & Reindel Food 4 Less Holdings, Inc. Quality Food Centers, Inc. 900 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 2300 Eighty Pine Street 1100 West Artesia Blvd. 10112 NE 10th St., Ste 201 Portland, OR 97204 New York, NY 10005-1702 Compton, CA 90220 Bellevue, WA 98004 (503) 294-9114 (phone) (212) 701-3000 (phone) (310) 884-9000 (phone) (425) 462-2179 (phone) (503) 220-2480 (fax) (212) 269-5420 (fax) (310) 884-2505 (fax) (425) 462-2217 (fax)
----------------- Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As promptly as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective. If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: [ ] If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of1014 VINE STREET CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202 (513) 762-4000 (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OR REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) ------------------------ PAUL W. HELDMAN, ESQ. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY AND GENERAL COUNSEL THE KROGER CO. 1014 VINE STREET CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202 (513) 762-4000 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) ------------------------ PURSUANT TO RULE 429 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X] If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] __________ If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] __________ If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. [ ] --------------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE ==================================================================================================== Proposed maximum Title of each class of aggregate Amount of securities to be registered offering price(2) registration fee - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Debt Securities(1) $2,500,000,000 $737,500(3) ==================================================================================================== (1) Includes guarantees (if any) of Debt Securities by Co-Registrants, who are, or will be, direct and indirect subsidiaries of Registrant. (2) Determined solely for the purpose of calculating the Registration Fee pursuant to Rule 457 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act of 1933 or if any Debt Securities are issued (i) with a principal amount denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units, such principal amount as shall result in an aggregate initial public offering price equivalent to $2,500,000,000 at the time of the initial offering or (ii) at an original issue discount, such greater principal amount as shall result in proceeds to the Registrant of $2,500,000,000. (3) Includes $590,000 paid with initial filing of Registration Statement.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with SectionAS AMENDED, THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT CONTAINS A PROSPECTUS THAT RELATES TO $1,250,000,000 OF SECURITIES REMAINING AS REGISTERED UNDER REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-61658 TO THE EXTENT REMAINING ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT. THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) of the Securities Act ofOF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such a date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said SectionOR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), may determine.MAY DETERMINE. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following entities are or may become upon the completion of the merger of Q-Acquisition Corp. with Quality Food Centers, Inc., or the merger of FFL Acquisition Corp. with Food 4 Less Holdings, Inc., as the case may be, direct or indirect subsidiaries of Registrant, and may guarantee an issueone or more issues of the Debt Securities, and are Co-Registrants under this Registration Statement.Statement:
Jurisdiction of Incorporation I.R.S. Employer Name of Co-Registrant or Organization Identification No. - --------------------- ---------------STATE OF INCORPORATION/ IRS EMPLOYER NAME ORGANIZATION IDENTIFICATION NO. ---- ----------------------- ------------------ Dillon Companies, Inc. Kansas 48-0196590 Drugs Distributors, Inc. Indiana 31-1112998 Henpil, Inc. Texas 74-6044519 Inter-American Foods, Inc. Ohio 74-1491846 J. V. Distributing, Inc. Michigan 31-1107025 KRGP Inc. Ohio 31-1569084 KRLP Inc. Ohio 31-1579339 The Kroger Co. of Michigan Michigan 38-0900860 Kroger Dedicated Logistics Co. Ohio 31-1399126 Kroger Limited Partnership I Ohio 31-1569568 Kroger Limited Partnership II Ohio 31-1569087 Peyton's-Southeastern, Inc. Tennessee 61-0942129 Rocket Newco, Inc. Texas 76-0542912 Topvalco, Inc. Ohio 31-0574717 Vine Court Assurance Incorporated Vermont 31-1192645 Dillon Real Estate Co., Inc. Kansas 48-0680105 Junior Food Stores of West Florida, Inc. Florida 59-0980071 Kwik Shop, Inc. Kansas 48-6112339 Mini Mart, Inc. Wyoming 83-0208334 Quik Stop Markets, Inc. California 94-1610162 THGP Co., Inc. Pennsylvania 23-2922125 THLP Co., Inc. Pennsylvania 23-2922123 Turkey Hill, L.P. Pennsylvania 23-2922126 Wells Aircraft, Inc. Kansas 48-0690719 Fred Meyer, Inc. Delaware 91-1826443 Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. Delaware 93-0798201 B&B Stores, Inc. Montana 93-0798200 B&B Pharmacy, Inc. Montana 93-0798200 CB&S Advertising Agency, Inc. Oregon 93-0587794 Distribution Trucking Company Oregon 93-0786441 FM, Inc. Utah 93-1197669 FM Holding Corporation Delaware 93-0864302 Grand Central, Inc. Utah 87-0277527 FM Retail Services, Inc. Washington 91-1628326 Fred Meyer of Alaska, Inc. Alaska 93-0802793 Fred Meyer of California, Inc. California 93-0979434 Fred Meyer Jewelers, Inc. Delaware 93-1197671 Merksamer Jewelers, Inc. California 68-0202947 Roundup Co. Washington 93-0798202 JH Properties, Inc. Washington 91-1816127 Smith's Food & Drug Centers, Inc. Delaware 87-0258768 Compare, Inc. Delaware 86-0609950 Richie's, Inc. Texas 74-2047032 Saint Lawrence Holding Company Delaware 86-0504830 Smith's Beverage of Wyoming, Inc. Wyoming 80-0126833 Smitty's Supermarkets, Inc. Delaware 86-0765032 Smitty's Equipment Leasing, Inc. Delaware 86-0758585 Smitty's Super Valu, Inc. Delaware 13-3054103 Treasure Valley Land Company, L.C. Idaho 82-0474377 Western Property Investment Group, Inc. California 87-0485081 Quality Food Centers, Inc.** Washington 91-1330075 Hughes Markets, Inc.** California 95-1947206 Hughes Realty, Inc.** California 95-2253719 KU Acquisition Corporation**Corporation Washington 91-1765648 Second Story, Inc.** Washington 91-1753356 Quality Food, Inc.** Delaware 91-1829342 Quality Food Holdings, Inc.** Delaware 91-1829339
STATE OF INCORPORATION/ IRS EMPLOYER NAME ORGANIZATION IDENTIFICATION NO. ---- ----------------------- ------------------ QFC Sub, Inc.** Washington [pending]91-1931177 Food 4 Less Holdings, Inc.** Delaware 33-0642810 Ralphs Grocery Company**Company Delaware 95-4356030 Alpha Beta Company**Company California 95-1456805 Bay Area Warehouse Stores, Inc.** California 93-1087199 Bell Markets, Inc.** California 94-1569281 Cala Co.** Delaware 95-4200005 Cala Foods, Inc.** California 94-1342664 Crawford Stores, Inc.** California 95-0657410 Falley's, Inc.** Kansas 48-0605992 Food 4 Less of California, Inc.** California 33-0293011 Food 4 Less of Southern California, Inc.** Delaware 33-0483203 Food 4 Less Merchandising, Inc.** California 33-0483193 Food 4 Less GM, Inc.** California 95-4390406 **Each such Co-Registrant to guarantee the Debt Securities if (a) such entity becomes a direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company and (b) such entity otherwise approves the guarantee of such issue of Debt Securities.Kroger Texas L.P. Ohio 31-1678530 RJD Assurance, Inc. Vermont 03-0364178 Queen City Assurance, Inc. Vermont 03-0371799 F4L L.P. Ohio Applied for Kroger Group Cooperative, Inc. Ohio Applied for
I-1 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information contained herein--------- This pre-effective amendment is subjectfiled solely to completionadd two additional subsidiaries of Registrant as Co-Registrants who may guarantee one or amendment. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there by any sale of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 2, 1998. Prospectus $2,500,000,000 FRED MEYER, INC. Debt Securities Fred Meyer, Inc. (the "Company") may offer from time to time up to $2,500,000,000 of its debt securities consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness (the "Debt Securities"). The Debt Securities will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company and will rank equally and ratably, on a pari passu basis, with other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company. The Debt Securities may be offered as separate series in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined in light of market conditions at the time of sale and set forth in a Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus Supplements. The terms of each seriesmore issues of Debt Securities including, where applicable, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, authorized denominations, maturity, rate or rates, and time or times of payment of any interest, any terms for optional or mandatory redemption, required repurchases or payment of additional amounts or any sinking fund provisions, additional or different covenants or events of default, the initial public offering price, guarantees thereof, the proceeds to the Company and any other specific terms in connection with the offering and sale of such series (the "Offered Debt Securities") will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus Supplements. Any guarantees of the Debt Securities by Quality Food Centers, Inc. ("QFC") and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and by Food 4 Less Holdings, Inc. ("Food 4 Less") and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are conditioned upon QFC, Food 4 Less, and their respective subsidiaries, as the case may be, becoming direct or indirect subsidiaries of the Company. The Debt Securities may be sold directly by the Company, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. See "Plan of Distribution." If any agents of the Company or any underwriters are involved in the sale of any Debt Securities in respect of whichunder this Prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement. The net proceeds to the Company from such sale also will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution" for possible indemnification arrangements for underwriters, dealers and agents. ------------------- THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. ------------------- This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Debt Securities unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement. The date of this Prospectus is ____________, 1998. No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in the Prospectus, and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities offered hereby, nor does it constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder or thereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since the date hereof or that the information contained herein or therein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date. ----------------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Prospectus Available Information..........................................................2 Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference ...............................3 The Company....................................................................4 Use of Proceeds................................................................4 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges ............................................4 Description of Debt Securities.................................................4 Plan of Distribution..........................................................12 Legal Matters ................................................................12 Experts.......................................................................13 AVAILABLE INFORMATION The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy and information statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy and information statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following regional offices of the Commission: New York Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048; and Chicago Regional Office, 1400 Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. In addition, the aforementioned material can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Such material may also be accessed through an Internet Web site maintained by the Commission at http://www.sec.gov. The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information, reference is made to the Registration Statement, copies of which are available from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at prescribed rates as described above. Statements contained herein concerning the provisions of documents filed with, or incorporated by reference in, the Registration Statement as exhibits are necessarily summaries of such provisions and documents, and each such statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the applicable document filed with the Commission. 2 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents filed by the Company and certain Guarantors (as defined below) with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated into this Prospectus by reference: (i) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 1997, as amended; (ii) the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended May 24, 1997, August 16, 1997 and November 8, 1997, as amended; (iii) the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated September 9, 1997 and November 6, 1997; (iv) the Annual Report on Form 10-K for Quality Food Center, Inc. ("QFC") for the fiscal year ended December 28, 1996, as amended; (v) QFC's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 22, 1997, June 14, 1997 and September 6, 1997, as amended; (vi) QFC's Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated November 12, 1996, March 19, 1997 and November 6, 1997, as amended; (vii) the Annual Report on Form 10-K for Food 4 Less Holdings, Inc. ("Food 4 Less") for the fiscal year ended February 2, 1997, as amended; (viii) Food 4 Less's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended April 27, 1997, July 20, 1997 and October 12, 1997, as amended; (ix) Food 4 Less's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 6, 1997; and (x) the definitive Joint Proxy and Consent Solicitation Statement/Prospectus of the Company, QFC and Food 4 Less dated January 27, 1998; All documents filed by the Company, QFC and Food 4 Less pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering made hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. The Company, QFC and Food 4 Less undertake to provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, on written or oral request, a copy of any and all of the documents incorporated in this Prospectus by reference, other than exhibits to such documents not specifically incorporated by reference therein. Requests for such copies from the Company should be directed to Fred Meyer, Inc., at its principal executive offices located at 3800 SE 22nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97202, Attention: Roger A. Cooke, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (Telephone: (503) 232-8844). Requests for such copies from QFC should be directed to Quality Food Center, Inc., at its principal executive offices located at 10112 NE 10th Street, Suite 201 Bellevue, Washington 98004, Attention: Susan Obuchowski, Secretary (Telephone: (425) 462-2177). Requests for such copies from Food 4 Less should be directed to Food 4 Less Holdings, Inc., at its principal executive offices located at 1100 West Artesia Boulevard, Compton, California 90220, Attention: Terrence J. Wallock, Secretary (Telephone: (310) 884-9900). 3 THE COMPANY The Company is a holding company which, through its subsidiaries, operates as a regional retailer of a wide range of food and drug products and general merchandise including: apparel, photo and electronics, products for the home and fine jewelry. The Company was incorporated in Delaware in July 1997. The Company's principal executive offices are located at 3800 SE 22nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97202 and its telephone number is (503) 232-8844. USE OF PROCEEDS Unless otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds to the Company from the issuance and sale of the Debt Securities will be used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of indebtedness that may be incurred from time to time, working capital, future acquisitions and further investments in subsidiaries. RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES The ratios of earnings to fixed charges of the Company for each of the five fiscal years ending the Saturday closest to January 31 and for the forty week period ending November 9, 1996 and November 8, 1997 were as follows:
40 Weeks Ending Fiscal Years Ending ----------------------------- ---------------------------------------- November 9, November 8, 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1996 1997 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----------- ----------- Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 1.91 2.27 1.09 1.42 1.88 1.53 1.67
For the purpose of computing such ratios, "earnings" represents the aggregate of (a) income before income taxes and (b) fixed charges. "Fixed charges" represents (a) consolidated interest charges, (b) the amortization of debt discount and expense and premium on indebtedness and (c) the portion of rental expense which the Company considers representative of an interest factor. DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES The Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Indenture") among the Company, the Guarantors and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The statements herein relating to the Debt Securities and the following summaries of certain provisions of the Indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms, and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). Wherever particular sections or defined terms of the Indenture are referred to in this Prospectus or in a Prospectus Supplement, such sections or defined terms are incorporated herein or therein by reference. The definitions of certain terms used in the following summary are set forth below under "--Certain Definitions." The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities offered hereby. The particular terms of the Offered Debt Securities and the extent, if any, to which such general terms and provisions 4 may not apply to the Offered Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Offered Debt Securities (the "Applicable Prospectus Supplement"). General The Indenture does not limit the amount of Debt Securities that may be issued thereunder and Debt Securities may be issued thereunder from time to time in one or more series. The Debt Securities will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company and will rank equally and ratably, on a pari passu basis, with other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company. The Debt Securities will be effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of the Company to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness. Unless otherwise indicated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities will be payable, and the transfer of Debt Securities will be registrable, at the office or agency to be maintained by the Company in the borough of Manhattan in The City of New York and at any other office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose. (Sections 301, 305 and 1002) Unless otherwise indicated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples thereof. (Section 302) No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith. (Section 305) The Applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of the Offered Debt Securities, including: (1) the title of the Offered Debt Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Offered Debt Securities; (3) the person or entity to whom any interest on the Offered Debt Securities shall be payable, if other than the person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest; (4) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Offered Debt Securities is payable or the method of determination thereof; (5) the rate or rates at which the Offered Debt Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method of calculating such rate or rates of interest, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for interest payable on any Interest Payment Date; (6) the place or places where the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Offered Debt Securities shall be payable; (7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency units) in which and the other terms and conditions upon which the Offered Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company; (8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Offered Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which the Offered Debt Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; (9) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Offered Debt Securities shall be issuable; (10) the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on any Offered Debt Securities shall be payable if other than the currency of the United States of America and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America; (11) if the amount of payments of principal of or any premium or interest on any Offered Debt Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method, the index, formula or other method by which such amounts shall be determined; (12) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any Offered Debt Securities is to be payable, at the election of the Company or a holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the Debt Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the Offered Debt Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the other terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made; (13) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Offered Debt Securities which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or the method by which such portion may be determined; (14) the applicability of the provisions described under "--Defeasance of Offered Debt Securities or Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances"; (15) if the Offered Debt Securities will be issuable only in the form of a Book Entry Security as described under "--Book Entry Debt Securities", the Depositary or its nominee with respect to the Offered Debt 5 Securities and the circumstances under which the Book Entry Security may be registered for transfer or exchange or authenticated and delivered in the name of a person or entity other than the Depositary or its nominee; (16) any additional, modified or different covenants applicable to one or more particular series of Debt Securities; (17) any addition to or change in the Events of Default of the Offered Debt Securities and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders to declare the principal amount due and payable; (18) any additional terms with respect to the Guarantees including, without limitation, terms relating to release of the Guarantees and the addition of additional Guarantors; and (19) other terms of the Offered Debt Securities. (Section 301) Each Applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe, as to the Debt Securities to which it relates, any guarantees (the "Guarantees") by the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company (the "Guarantors"), and any terms regarding the release of such Guarantees. Guarantees of the Debt Securities by QFC, Food 4 Less and their respective subsidiaries, are conditioned upon such entities, as the case may be, becoming direct or indirect subsidiaries of the Company. (Sections 1401 and 1403) Debt Securities may be issued under the Indenture as Original Issue Discount Debt Securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Special Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable thereto will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. "Original Issue Discount Debt Security" means any Debt Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default. (Section 101) If the purchase price of any of the Debt Securities is payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units, if any Debt Securities are denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units or if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Debt Securities is payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units, the restrictions, elections, material U.S. federal income tax considerations and other information with respect to such issue of Debt Securities and such foreign currency or currency units will be set forth in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement. If any index is used to determine the amount of payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any series of Debt Securities, material U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable thereto will be described in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement. Book Entry Debt Securities The following description of Book Entry Securities will apply to any series of Debt Securities except as otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in the form of one or more Book Entry Securities that will be deposited with or on behalf of a Depositary, which will be a clearing agent registered under the Exchange Act. Book Entry Securities will be registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, will be deposited with such Depositary or nominee or a custodian therefor and will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the Indenture. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities in definitive certificated form, a Book Entry Security may not be transferred or exchanged except as a whole to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. (Section 305) Upon the issuance of any Book Entry Security, and the deposit of such Book Entry Security with or on behalf of the Depositary for such Book Entry Security, the Depositary will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal amounts of the Debt Securities represented by such Book Entry Security to the accounts of institutions ("participants") that have accounts with the Depositary. The accounts to be credited will be designated by the underwriters or agents engaging in the distribution of such Debt Securities or by the Company, if such Debt Securities are offered and sold directly by the Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Book Entry Security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Book Entry Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary for such Book Entry Security or by its 6 nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Book Entry Security by persons who hold through participants will be shown on, and the transfer of such beneficial interests within such participants will be effected only through, records maintained by such participants. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in such a Book Entry Security. So long as the Depositary for a Book Entry Security, or its nominee, is the owner of such Book Entry Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt Security represented by such Book Entry Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in such Book Entry Security must rely on the procedures of the Depositary and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under such Indenture. The Company understands that under existing industry practices, if it requests any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a Book Entry Security desires to give or take any instruction or action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture, the Depositary would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take such instruction or action, and such participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to give or take such instruction or action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them. The Holder of any Book Entry Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under the Indenture or the Securities. Unless otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, payments with respect to principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities represented by a Book Entry Security registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be made to such Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of such Book Entry Security. The Company expects that the Depositary for any Debt Securities represented by a Book Entry Security, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest in respect of such Book Entry Security, will credit immediately participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the Book Entry Security as shown on the records of the Depositary. The Company also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Book Entry Security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities in bearer form held for the accounts of customers or registered in "street name", and will be the responsibility of such participants. None of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial interests in any Book Entry Security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests. Unless otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, transfers of any Book Entry Security will be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in the Book Entry Security may be transferred or exchanged for definitive Securities in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary. In addition, definitive Securities will be exchangeable for a Book Entry Security if the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Book Entry Security and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue definitive Securities. Certain Covenants of the Company Unless otherwise indicated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Indenture does not limit the amount of Debt that may be incurred by the Company or its Subsidiaries or contain covenants specifically designed to protect holders of Debt Securities in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, restructuring, change in control, merger or similar transaction involving the Company that may adversely affect holders of Debt Securities. Events of Default Any one of the following events will constitute an "Event of Default" under the Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay any interest on any Debt Security of that series when due, 7 continued for 30 days; (b) failure to pay principal of or any premium on any Debt Security of that series when due; (c) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any Debt Security of that series; (d) failure to perform, or breach of, any covenant or other agreement of the Company or any Guarantor in the Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of that series continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in the Indenture; (e) a default under any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Subsidiary if (A) such default either (1) results from the failure to pay the principal or interest of any such indebtedness at its stated maturity or (2) relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay the principal or interest of such indebtedness at its stated maturity and results in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise become due and payable, (B) the principal amount of such indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal or interest at stated maturity or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $30.0 million or more at any one time outstanding and (C) such indebtedness is not discharged, or such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled, within 10 business days after written notice as provided in the Indenture; (f) one or more judgments, orders, or decrees of any court or regulatory or administrative agency for the payment of money in excess of $30.0 million either individually or in the aggregate shall have been rendered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (whether or not a Guarantor) or any of their respective properties and shall not have been discharged and either (A) any creditor shall have commenced an enforcement proceeding upon such judgment, order, or decree or (B) there shall have been a period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, order or decree, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; (g) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (whether or not a Guarantor); (h) any Guarantee of a Guarantor which is a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Guarantee and the Indenture) or is declared null and void and unenforceable or found to be invalid or any Guarantor denies its liability under its Guarantee (other than by reason of release of a Guarantor from its Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Guarantee); or (i) any other Event of Default provided in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement with respect to Debt Securities of that series. (Section 501) If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause (g) of the preceding paragraph with respect to the Company) with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall occur and be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may accelerate the maturity of all Debt Securities of that series; provided, however, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture. If an Event of Default described in clause (g) of the immediately preceding paragraph occurs with respect to the Company, the Outstanding Debt Securities will ipso facto become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. (Section 502) Reference is made to the Applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to any series of Offered Debt Securities that are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of the Stated Maturity of a portion of the principal amount of such series of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and the continuation thereof. The Indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the Trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of Debt Securities, unless such holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 603) Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee and to certain other conditions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of that series. (Section 512) No holder of Debt Securities of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless such holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written 8 notice of a continuing Event of Default and unless the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, and the Trustee shall not have received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days. (Section 507) However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of Debt Securities for enforcement of payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on such Debt Securities on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Securities. (Section 508) The Company is required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement as to the performance by the Company of certain of its obligations under the Indenture and as to any default in such performance. (Section 1004) Modification and Waiver Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Debt Securities in order (i) to evidence the succession of another entity to the Company and the assumption of the covenants and obligations of the Company under the Debt Securities and the Indenture by such successor to the Company; (ii) to add to the covenants of the Company or any Guarantor for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of Debt Securities or to surrender any right or power conferred on the Company by the Indenture; (iii) to add additional Events of Default with respect to any series of Debt Securities; (iv) to add to or change any provisions to such extent as may be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities in bearer form or to facilitate the issuance of Book Entry Securities; (v) to add to, change or eliminate any provision affecting only Debt Securities not yet issued; (vi) to secure the Debt Securities; (vii) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series; (viii) to evidence and provide for successor Trustees or to add or change any provisions to such extent as may be necessary to provide for or facilitate the appointment of a separate Trustee or Trustees for specific series of Debt Securities; (ix) to permit payment in respect of Debt Securities in bearer form in the United States to the extent allowed by law; (x) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any mistaken or inconsistent provisions or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Indenture, the Debt Securities of any series or any Guarantee provided that any such action described in this clause (x) (other than in respect of a mistaken provision) does not adversely affect in any material respect the rights of any holder of Debt Securities of any series then outstanding; (xi) to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; and (xii) to add or remove a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. (Section 901) Modifications and amendments of, and waivers with respect to, the Indenture also may be made by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series issued under the Indenture and affected by the modification or amendments; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holders of all Debt Securities affected thereby, (i) change the Maturity or Stated Maturity of the principal amount of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Debt Security; (ii) reduce the principal amount of, or the premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Security (including in the case of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security the amount payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof ); (iii) change the place or currency of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Security; (iv) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any Debt Security on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or in the case of redemption or repurchase, on or after the Redemption Date or repurchase date, as applicable); or (v) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the Indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; (vi) modify any of the provisions of the Indenture relating to the time at which any Security may be redeemed or requiring the repurchase of such Security by the Company; (vii) modify any of the provisions of the Indenture relating to the modification and amendment provisions of the Indenture or the waiver of past defaults, except to increase any percentage set forth in such provisions or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby; (viii) modify the ranking or priority of the Debt Securities or any 9 Guarantee thereof; and (ix) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Guarantee or the Indenture otherwise than in accordance with the Indenture. (Section 902) The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series may, on behalf of all holders of Debt Securities of that series, waive compliance by the Company with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. (Section 902) The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series may, on behalf of all holders of Debt Securities of that series, waive any past default under the Indenture, except a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest or in respect of a covenant or provision of the Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debt Security of such series affected thereby. (Section 513) Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets The Company may not consolidate with or merge with or into any other entity or transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any entity, unless (i) either the Company is the continuing corporation, or any successor or purchaser is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and any such successor or purchaser expressly assumes the Company's obligations under the Debt Securities and the Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (iii) if a supplemental indenture is to be executed in connection with such consolidation, merger, transfer or lease, the Company and the Guarantors have delivered to the Trustee an officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel stating compliance with these provisions; and (iv) such other conditions, if any, are satisfied as provided in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement with respect to Offered Debt Securities. (Section 801) Defeasance of Offered Debt Securities or Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances Defeasance and Discharge The Indenture provides that the terms of any series of Debt Securities may provide that the Company and the Guarantors, at the Company's option, will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Debt Securities of such series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of Debt Securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities of such series, to maintain paying agencies and to hold monies for payment in trust) upon the deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined in the Indenture)which, through the payment of interest and principal thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the Debt Securities of such series on the Stated Maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such discharge may only occur if, among other things, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in tax law, in either case to the effect that such discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to holders of the Debt Securities of such series. (Sections 1302 and 1304) Defeasance of Certain Covenants The Indenture provides that the terms of any series of Debt Securities may provide the Company with the option for it and the Guarantors to be released from certain restrictive covenants described in this Prospectus under "--Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets" and any other covenants made applicable to any series of Debt Securities as described in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement and the Event of Default described in (d) under "--Events of Default" as it relates to such covenant and any other Events of Default made applicable to any series of Debt Securities that are determined to be applicable to this provision as described in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company, in order to exercise such option, will be required to deposit with the Trustee money and/or U.S. Government Obligations which, through the payment of interest and principal thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay principal (and premium, if any) and interest 10 on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the Debt Securities of such series on the Stated Maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and such Debt Securities. The Company will also be required to deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the deposit and related covenant defeasance will not cause the holders of the Debt Securities of such series to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. (Sections 1303 and 1304) In the event the Company exercises this option and the Debt Securities of such series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the Debt Securities of such series at the time of their Stated Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the Debt Securities of such series at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. However, the Company shall remain liable for such payments. The Applicable Prospectus Supplement will state if any defeasance provisions will apply to the Offered Debt Securities. Concerning the Trustee The First National Bank of Chicago is the Trustee under the Indenture. The Trustee may resign at any time or may be removed by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities. If the Trustee resigns, is removed or becomes incapable of acting as Trustee or if a vacancy occurs in the office of the Trustee for any cause, a successor Trustee shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. Certain Definitions For all purposes of this Prospectus, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires, the terms are defined as follows: "Book Entry Security" means a Debt Security in the form prescribed by the Indenture or any supplement to the Indenture, evidencing all or part of the securities of any series, issued to the Depositary for such series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depositary or such nominee. "Depositary" means, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Book Entry Securities, the Person designated as Depositary for such series by the Company, pursuant to the Indenture, which Person shall be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and if at any time there is more than one such Person 'Depositary' as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Debt Securities of such series. "Interest Payment Date", when used with respect to any Debt Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such security. "Predecessor Security" of any particular Debt Security means every previous Debt Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Debt Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Debt Security authenticated and delivered pursuant to the Indenture in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security. "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Debt Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by the Indenture. "Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Debt Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Debt Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Debt Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable. 11 "Subsidiary" means, in respect of any person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock or other interests (including partnership interests ) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, manager or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such person, (ii) such person and one or more Subsidiaries of such person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such person. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The Company may sell the Debt Securities to one or more underwriters for public offering and sale by them or may sell the Offered Debt Securities to investors directly or through agents, which agents may be affiliated with the Company. Any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the Offered Debt Securities will be named in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement. Sales of Offered Debt Securities offered pursuant to any Applicable Prospectus Supplement may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices which may be changed, at prices related to the prevailing market prices at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. The Company also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as the Company's agents to offer and sell the Offered Debt Securities upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement. In connection with the sale of Offered Debt Securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from the Company in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of Offered Debt Securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell Offered Debt Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from purchasers of Offered Debt Securities for whom they may act as agent. Any underwriting compensation paid by the Company to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of Offered Debt Securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the Offered Debt Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts, concessions or commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the Offered Debt Securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with the Company, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Any such indemnification arrangements will be described in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, each series of Offered Debt Securities will be a new issue with no established trading market. The Company may elect to list any series of Offered Debt Securities on any exchange, but is not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of Offered Debt Securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the Offered Debt Securities. Certain of the underwriters, agents and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with and perform services for the Company in the ordinary course of business. LEGAL MATTERS Certain legal matters in connection with the Offered Debt Securities will be passed upon for the Company by Stoel Rives LLP, Portland, Oregon, and for any underwriters, dealers or agents by Cahill Gordon & Reindel (a partnership including a professional corporation), New York, New York. Cahill Gordon & Reindel may rely on the opinion of Stoel Rives LLP as to matters of Oregon law. 12 EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Fred Meyer, Inc. for the year ended February 1, 1997 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP (Portland office), independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report of said firm given upon its authority as experts in accounting and auditing. The financial statements of Quality Food Centers, Inc. ("QFC"), as of December 30, 1995 and December 28, 1996 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 28, 1996 included in the QFC Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 28, 1996, dated July 23, 1997, and incorporated in this prospectus by reference, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP (Seattle office), independent auditors, as stated in their report included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. The consolidated balance sheets of Food 4 Less Holdings, Inc., as of February 2, 1997, January 28, 1996 and January 29, 1995 and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and stockholders' equity for the 53 weeks ended February 2, 1997, the 52 weeks ended January 28, 1996, the 31 weeks ended January 29, 1995 and the 52 weeks ended June 25, 1994 and the related financial statement schedules incorporated by reference herein, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports. The financial statements of Keith Uddenberg, Inc. as of December 31, 1994 and December 30, 1995 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 30, 1995 included in the QFC Form 8-K/A dated November 12, 1996, and filed February 20, 1997, and incorporated in this prospectus by reference, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. The consolidated financial statements of Hughes Markets, Inc. incorporated by reference herein from Quality Food Centers, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated February 20, 1997 have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said report. 13 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by registrant in connection with the sale of the Debt Securities being registered. All amounts are estimates except the registration fee. Registration fee (a)........................................$ 737,500 Legal fees and expenses (b)................................. 200,000 Rating Agencies - Shelf Registration and Takedown........... 100,000 Accounting fees and expenses................................ 50,000 Trustee..................................................... 8,000 Printing and engraving ..................................... 250,000 Miscellaneous............................................... 100,000 ----------- Total................................................$ 1,445,500 =========== - -------------- (a) SEC registration fee is calculated by multiplying the aggregate offering amount by .000295. (b) Issuer's Counsel only. Item 16. Exhibits *1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement 2.1 FM/QFC Merger Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K, filed November 6, 1997) 2.2 FM/Food 4 Less Merger Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K, filed November 6, 1997) **4 Form of Indenture 5 Opinion by Stoel Rives LLP Regarding Legality of Debt Securities 12 Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios 23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (Portland) 23.2 Consents of Arthur Andersen LLP 23.3 Consents of Deloitte & Touche LLP (Seattle) 23.4 Consent of Stoel Rives LLP (See Exhibit 5) **24 Power of Attorney (See also signature pages of the January 20, 1998 Registration Statement) **25 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee * To be filed in Company's Form 8-K Report. ** Filed on January 20, 1998. II-1 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant, Fred Meyer, Inc., and the Co-Registrants named below, certifyregistrant certifies that they haveit has reasonable grounds to believe that they meetit meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and havehas duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on theirits behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Portland,Cincinnati, State of Oregon,Ohio, on February 2, 1998. FRED MEYER, INC. By: DAVID R. JESSICK ------------------------------------- David R. Jessick Senior Vice President andNovember 6, 2001. THE KROGER CO. BY /s/ BRUCE M. GACK ------------------------------------ Bruce M. Gack Assistant Secretary CO-REGISTRANTS Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. Smith's Food & Drug Centers, Inc. By: KENNETH THRASHER ------------------------------------- Kenneth Thrasher Executive Vice President B&B Stores, Inc. B&B Pharmacy, Inc. CB&S Advertising Agency, Inc. Distribution Trucking Company FM, Inc. FM Holding Corporation Grand Central, Inc. FM Retail Services, Inc. Fred Meyer of Alaska, Inc. Fred Meyer of California, Inc. Fred Meyer Jewelers, Inc. Merksamer Jewelers, Inc. Roundup Co. JH Properties, Inc. Compare, Inc. Saint Lawrence Holding Company Smith's Beverage of Wyoming, Inc. Smitty's Supermarkets, Inc. Smitty's Equipment Leasing, Inc. Smitty's Super Valu, Inc. Western Property Investment Group, Inc. By: KENNETH THRASHER ------------------------------------- Kenneth Thrasher Vice President II-2 Treasure Valley Land Company, L.C. By: Smith's Food and Drug Centers, Inc. its member By: KENNETH THRASHER ------------------------------------- Kenneth Thrasher Executive Vice President Richie's, Inc. By: ROGER A. COOKE ------------------------------------- Roger A. Cooke Vice President Quality Food Centers, Inc. Hughes Markets, Inc. Hughes Realty, Inc. KU Acquisition Corporation Second Story, Inc. Quality Food, Inc. Quality Food Holdings, Inc. QFC Sub, Inc. By: MARC W. EVANGER ------------------------------------- Marc W. Evanger Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration Food 4 Less Holdings, Inc. Ralphs Grocery Company Alpha Beta Company Bay Area Warehouse Stores, Inc. Bell Markets, Inc. Cala Co. Cala Foods, Inc. Crawford Stores, Inc. Falley's, Inc. Food 4 Less of California, Inc. Food 4 Less of Southern California, Inc. Food 4 Less Merchandising, Inc. Food 4 Less GM, Inc. By: JOHN STANDLEY ------------------------------------- John Standley Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer II-3 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Amendment No. 1 to the registration statementthis Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the following capacities effectiveand on January 30, 1998.the date indicated. REGISTRANT OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Signature Title --------- ----- *ROBERT G. MILLER Director, President and - ---------------------------------- Chief Executive Officer Robert G. Miller (Principal Executive Officer) KENNETH THRASHER Executive Vice President - ---------------------------------- (Principal Administrative Officer) Kenneth Thrasher DAVID R. JESSICK Senior Vice President and - ---------------------------------- Assistant Secretary David R. Jessick (Principal Financial Officer) *RONALD W. BURKLE Chairman - ---------------------------------- Ronald W. Burkle *VIVIAN A. BULL Director - ---------------------------------- Vivian A. Bull *JAMES J. CURRAN Director - ---------------------------------- James J. Curran *A.M. GLEASON Director - ---------------------------------- A.M. Gleason *BRUCE KARATZ Director - ---------------------------------- Bruce Karatz *JOHN G. KING Director - ---------------------------------- John G. King *ROGER S. MEIER Director - ---------------------------------- Roger S. Meier *STEVEN R. ROGEL Director - ---------------------------------- Steven R. Rogel
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- * /s/ REUBEN V. ANDERSON Director --------------------------------------------- Reuben V. Anderson * /s/ ROBERT D. BEYER Director --------------------------------------------- Robert D. Beyer * /s/ JOHN L. CLENDENIN Director --------------------------------------------- John L. Clendenin * /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director, President and --------------------------------------------- Chief Operating Officer David B. Dillon * /s/ CARLTON J. JENKINS Director --------------------------------------------- Carlton J. Jenkins * /s/ BRUCE KARATZ Director --------------------------------------------- Bruce Karatz * /s/ JOHN T. LAMACCHIA Director --------------------------------------------- John T. LaMacchia
II-4 *FRED L. SMITH Director - ---------------------------------- Fred L. Smith *JEFF P. SMITH Director - ---------------------------------- Jeff P. Smith *By ROGER A. COOKE ---------------------------------- Roger A. Cooke Attorney-in-Fact
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE --------- ----- ---- * /s/ EDWARD M. LIDDY Director --------------------------------------------- Edward M. Liddy * /s/ CLYDE R. MOORE Director --------------------------------------------- Clyde R. Moore * /s/ T. BALLARD MORTON, JR. Director --------------------------------------------- T. Ballard Morton, Jr. Director --------------------------------------------- Thomas H. O'Leary * /s/ KATHERINE D. ORTEGA Director --------------------------------------------- Katherine D. Ortega * /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Chairman of the Board of --------------------------------------------- Directors, Chief Joseph A. Pichler Executive Officer, and Director * /s/ STEVEN R. ROGEL Director --------------------------------------------- Steven R. Rogel * /s/ J. MICHAEL SCHLOTMAN Group Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Chief Financial J. Michael Schlotman Officer -- Principal Financial Officer * /s/ MARTHA ROMAYNE SEGER Director --------------------------------------------- Martha Romayne Seger * /s/ BOBBY S. SHACKOULS Director --------------------------------------------- Bobby S. Shackouls * /s/ MARY ELIZABETH VAN OFLEN Vice President and Corporate --------------------------------------------- Controller -- Principal Mary Elizabeth Van Oflen Accounting Officer *By /s/ BRUCE M. GACK --------------------------------------------- Bruce M. Gack As Attorney-in-fact November 6, 2001
II-5 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the following capacities effective on January 30, 1998. CO-REGISTRANT OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Signature Title --------- ----- Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. *ROBERT G. MILLER
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE All as of November 6, 2001 Dillon Companies, Inc. /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director, Chairman of --------------------------------------------- the Board, President and David B. Dillon Chief Executive - ---------------------------------- Officer (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ FRANK J. REMAR Vice President Secretary and --------------------------------------------- Treasurer (Principal Frank J. Remar Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- and Assistant Secretary Paul W. Heldman Drugs Distributors, Inc. /s/ J. ROBERT RICE Director and President --------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive J. Robert Rice Officer) /s/ ROBERT WELTY Treasurer (Principal --------------------------------------------- Financial and Accounting Robert Welty Officer) /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director and Vice President --------------------------------------------- Paul W. Heldman /s/ Thomas P. O'Brien, Jr. Director and Secretary --------------------------------------------- Thomas P. O'Brien, Jr.
II-6
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- Henpil, Inc. /s/ LEE BREWER President and Director --------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Lee Brewer Officer) /s/ STEVEN MCMILLAN Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- Treasurer, and Secretary Steven McMillan (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ THOMAS P. O'BRIEN, JR. Director and Vice President --------------------------------------------- Thomas P. O'Brien, Jr. Inter-American Foods, Inc. /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director and President --------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) Paul W. Heldman /s/ W. RODNEY MCMULLEN Vice President and Chief --------------------------------------------- Financial Officer W. Rodney McMullen (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Vice President and Treasurer --------------------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) Lawrence M. Turner /s/ Thomas P. O'Brien, Jr. Director --------------------------------------------- Thomas P. O'Brien, Jr. /s/ BRUCE M. GACK Director, Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Secretary Bruce M. Gack J. V. Distributing, Inc. /s/ W. RODNEY MCMULLEN President (Principal --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer) W. Rodney McMullen /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Treasurer (Principal --------------------------------------------- Financial and Accounting Lawrence M. Turner Officer) Robert G. Miller DAVID R. JESSICK Senior Vice President and - ---------------------------------- Assistant Secretary (Principal Financial David R. Jessick Officer) *JAMES C. AALBERG Vice President and Treasurer - ----------------------------------
II-7
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director and Vice --------------------------------------------- President Paul W. Heldman /s/ THOMAS P. O'BRIEN, JR. Director --------------------------------------------- Thomas P. O'Brien, Jr. /s/ BRUCE M. GACK Director and Secretary --------------------------------------------- Bruce M. Gack KRGP Inc. KRLP Inc. Kroger Limited Partnership I By KRGP Inc., the General Partner Kroger Limited Partnership II By KRGP Inc., the General Partner Kroger Texas L.P. By KRGP Inc., the General Partner Kroger Group Cooperative, Inc. /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director, Chairman of the --------------------------------------------- Board, and Chief Executive Joseph A. Pichler Officer (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Treasurer (Principal Lawrence M. Turner Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- and Secretary Paul W. Heldman /s/ THOMAS. P. O'BRIEN, JR. Director, Vice President --------------------------------------------- and Assistant Secretary Thomas P. O'Brien, Jr. /s/ BRUCE M. GACK Director, Vice President --------------------------------------------- and Assistant Secretary Bruce M. Gack
II-8
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- The Kroger Co. of Michigan /s/ JON C. FLORA Director, Chairman of the --------------------------------------------- Board, and Chief Executive Jon C. Flora Officer (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ KEVIN TROMBLEY Treasurer and Secretary --------------------------------------------- (Principal Financial and Kevin Trombley Accounting Officer) /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, President and --------------------------------------------- Assistant Secretary Paul W. Heldman /s/ GARY RAYMOND Director and Vice --------------------------------------------- President-Operations Gary Raymond Kroger Dedicated Logistics Co. /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director and President --------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Paul W. Heldman Officer) /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- and Treasurer (Principal Lawrence M. Turner Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ W. RODNEY MCMULLEN Director --------------------------------------------- W. Rodney McMullen Peyton's-Southeastern, Inc. /s/ J. ROBERT RICE Director, President and --------------------------------------------- Chief Executive Officer J. Robert Rice (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ ROBERT WELTY Treasurer and Secretary --------------------------------------------- (Principal Financial and Robert Welty Accounting Officer) James C. Aalberg KENNETH THRASHER Director and Executive Vice President - ---------------------------------- Kenneth Thrasher ROGER A. COOKE Director, Senior Vice President and - ---------------------------------- Secretary Roger A. Cooke B&B Stores, Inc. B&B Pharmacy, Inc. CB&S Advertising Agency, Inc. Distribution Trucking Company FM, Inc. FM Holding Corporation Grand Central, Inc. FM Retail Services, Inc. Fred Meyer of Alaska, Inc. Roundup Co. *ROBERT G. MILLER Director and President - ----------------------------------
II-9
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- /s/ TERRY L. COX Director and Vice President --------------------------------------------- Terry L. Cox /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President and Assistant --------------------------------------------- Secretary Paul W. Heldman Queen City Assurance, Inc. /s/ MARY ELIZABETH VAN OFLEN Director and President --------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) Mary Elizabeth Van Oflen /s/ THOMAS A. SMITH Director, Controller and Chief --------------------------------------------- Accounting Officer (Principal Thomas A. Smith Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ BRUCE M. GACK Director, Senior Vice President --------------------------------------------- and Secretary Bruce M. Gack /s/ L. THOMAS AYDT Director and Senior Vice --------------------------------------------- President L. Thomas Aydt Director and Assistant Secretary --------------------------------------------- Alan D. Port Rocket Newco, Inc. /s/ THOMAS P. O'BRIEN, JR. Director and President --------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Thomas P. O'Brien, Jr. Officer) /s/ STEVEN MCMILLAN Vice President, Treasurer, --------------------------------------------- and Secretary (Principal Steven McMillan Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ LEE BREWER Director and Vice --------------------------------------------- President Lee Brewer /s/ JACK CANNON Director and Vice --------------------------------------------- President Jack Cannon Topvalco, Inc. /s/ JAMES E. HODGE President (Principal --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer) James E. Hodge /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- Treasurer, and Assistant Lawrence M. Turner Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President --------------------------------------------- and Assistant Secretary Paul W. Heldman /s/ THOMAS P. O'BRIEN, JR. Director and Assistant --------------------------------------------- Secretary Thomas P. O'Brien, Jr. Vine Court Assurance Incorporated RJD Assurance, Inc. /s/ MARY ELIZABETH VAN OFLEN Director and President --------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Mary Elizabeth Van Oflen Officer) Robert G. Miller *JAMES C. AALBERG Vice President and Treasurer - ---------------------------------- (Principal Financial and Accounting James C. Aalberg Officer) KENNETH THRASHER Director, Vice President and Assistant - ---------------------------------- Secretary Kenneth Thrasher ROGER A. COOKE Director, Vice President and Secretary - ---------------------------------- Roger A. Cooke II-6
II-10 Fred Meyer of California, Inc. *ROBERT G. MILLER Director and President - ---------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) Robert G. Miller DAVID R. JESSICK Vice President - ---------------------------------- (Principal Financial Officer) David R. Jessick *JAMES C. AALBERG Vice President and
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Treasurer - ---------------------------------- (Principal --------------------------------------------- Financial Officer) Lawrence M. Turner /s/ THOMAS A. SMITH Director, Controller, and --------------------------------------------- Chief Accounting Officer Thomas A. Smith (Principal Accounting Officer) /s/ BRUCE M. GACK Director, Vice President --------------------------------------------- and Secretary Bruce M. Gack /s/ L. THOMAS AYDT II Director and Vice President --------------------------------------------- L. Thomas Aydt II Director --------------------------------------------- Alan D. Port
II-11
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- Dillon Real Estate Co., Inc. /s/ FRANK J. REMAR President (Principal --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer) Frank J. Remar /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Treasurer (Principal Lawrence M. Turner Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director and Vice President --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President --------------------------------------------- and Secretary Paul W. Heldman /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler
II-12
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- Junior Food Stores of West Florida, Inc. /s/ MARK SALISBURY President (Principal --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer) Mark Salisbury /s/ FRANK J. REMAR Vice President, Treasurer --------------------------------------------- and Assistant Secretary Frank J. Remar (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Secretary Paul W. Heldman Kwik Shop, Inc. /s/ MICHAEL HOFFMANN President (Principal --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer) Michael Hoffman /s/ FRANK J. REMAR Vice President, Assistant --------------------------------------------- Secretary and Treasurer Frank J. Remar (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Secretary Paul W. Heldman /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler Mini Mart, Inc. /s/ ARTHUR STAWSKI President (Principal --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer) Arthur Stawski /s/ FRANK J. REMAR Treasurer and Assistant Secretary --------------------------------------------- (Principal Financial and Frank J. Remar Accounting Officer) James C. Aalberg KENNETH THRASHER Director, Vice President and - ---------------------------------- Assistant Secretary Kenneth Thrasher ROGER A. COOKE Director, Vice President and - ---------------------------------- Secretary Roger A. Cooke Fred Meyer Jewelers, Inc. Merksamer Jewelers, Inc. *MICHAEL H. DON Director and Chief Executive Officer - ---------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) Michael H. Don DAVID R. JESSICK Vice President and Chief Financial - ---------------------------------- Officer David R. Jessick (Principal Financial Officer) *JAMES C. AALBERG Vice President and Treasurer - ---------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) James C. Aalberg *EDWARD A. DAYOOB Director and President - ---------------------------------- Edward A. Dayoob KENNETH THRASHER Director, Vice President and - ---------------------------------- Assistant Secretary Kenneth Thrasher JH Properties, Inc. *ROBERT G. MILLER Director and President - ---------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) Robert G. Miller KENNETH THRASHER Director and Vice President - ---------------------------------- Kenneth Thrasher ROGER A. COOKE Director, Vice President and - ---------------------------------- Secretary Roger A. Cooke II-7 Smith's Food & Drug Centers, Inc. *ROBERT G. MILLER Director, Chief Executive Officer - ---------------------------------- and President (Principal Executive Robert G. Miller Officer) DAVID R. JESSICK Senior Vice President - ---------------------------------- (Principal Financial Officer) David R. Jessick *ROBERT B. DIMOND Vice President and Treasurer - ---------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) Robert B. Dimond KENNETH THRASHER Director and Executive Vice President - ---------------------------------- Kenneth Thrasher ROGER A. COOKE Director, Senior Vice President and - ---------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) Roger A. Cooke Compare, Inc. Saint Lawrence Holding Company Smith's Beverage of Wyoming, Inc. Smitty's Supermarkets, Inc. Smitty's Equipment Leasing, Inc. Smitty's Super Valu, Inc. Western Property Investment Group, Inc. *ROBERT G. MILLER Director and President - ---------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) Robert G. Miller *ROBERT B. DIMOND Vice President and Treasurer - ---------------------------------- (Principal Financial and Accounting Robert B. Dimond Officer) KENNETH THRASHER Director and Vice President - ---------------------------------- Kenneth Thrasher ROGER A. COOKE Director, Vice President and - ---------------------------------- Secretary Roger A. Cooke Richie's, Inc. ROGER A. COOKE Director, Vice President and Secretary - ---------------------------------- Roger A. Cooke *DALE SCHIER Director and President - ---------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) Dale Schier *KEITH C. LARSON Director and Vice President - ---------------------------------- (Principal Financial and Accounting Keith C. Larson Officer) II-8 Treasure Valley Land Company, L.C. *ROBERT G. MILLER Director, Smith's Food & Drug - ---------------------------------- Centers, Inc. Robert G. Miller KENNETH THRASHER Director, Smith's Food & Drug - ---------------------------------- Centers, Inc. Kenneth Thrasher ROGER A. COOKE Director, Smith's Food & Drug - ---------------------------------- Centers, Inc. Roger A. Cooke *By ROGER A. COOKE ---------------------------------- Roger A. Cooke Attorney-in-Fact II-9 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the following capacities on January 30, 1998. Food 4 Less Holdings, Inc. *GEORGE G. GOLLEHER Director and Chief Executive Officer - ---------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) George G. Golleher *JOHN STANDLEY Senior Vice President and Chief Financial - ---------------------------------- Officer (Principal Financial Officer) John Standley *CHRISTOPHER S. HALL Group Vice President and Chief - ---------------------------------- Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Christopher S. Hall Officer) *RONALD W. BURKLE Chairman of the Board of Directors - ---------------------------------- Ronald W. Burkle *JOE S. BURKLE Director and Executive Vice President - ---------------------------------- Joe S. Burkle *PATRICK L. GRAHAM Director - ---------------------------------- Patrick L. Graham *ROBERT I. BERNSTEIN Director - ---------------------------------- Robert I. Bernstein *LAWRENCE KALANTARI Director - ---------------------------------- Lawrence Kalantari *JOHN H. KISSICK Director - ---------------------------------- John H. Kissick *PETER P. COPSES Director - ---------------------------------- Peter P. Copses *ROBERT D. BEYER Director - ---------------------------------- Robert D. Beyer Ralphs Grocery Company *GEORGE G. GOLLEHER Director and Chief Executive Officer - ---------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) George G. Golleher *JOHN STANDLEY Senior Vice President and Chief Financial - ---------------------------------- Officer (Principal Financial Officer) John Standley *CHRISTOPHER S. HALL Group Vice President and Chief - ---------------------------------- Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Christopher S. Hall Officer) *RONALD W. BURKLE Chairman of the Board of Directors - ---------------------------------- Ronald W. Burkle II-10 *JOE S. BURKLE Director and Executive Vice President - ---------------------------------- Joe S. Burkle *PATRICK L. GRAHAM Director - ---------------------------------- Patrick L. Graham *ROBERT I. BERNSTEIN Director - ---------------------------------- Robert I. Bernstein *LAWRENCE KALANTARI Director - ---------------------------------- Lawrence Kalantari *JOHN H. KISSICK Director - ---------------------------------- John H. Kissick *PETER P. COPSES Director - ---------------------------------- Peter P. Copses *ROBERT D. BEYER Director - ---------------------------------- Robert D. Beyer Alpha Beta Company *RONALD W. BURKLE Chairman and Chief Executive - ---------------------------------- Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Ronald W. Burkle *JOHN STANDLEY Senior Vice President and Chief Financial - ---------------------------------- Officer (Principal Financial Officer) John Standley *CHRISTOPHER S. HALL Vice President and Controller - ---------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) Christopher S. Hall *GEORGE G. GOLLEHER Director and President - ---------------------------------- George G. Golleher Bay Area Warehouse Stores, Inc. Cala Co. Food 4 Less of California, Inc. Food 4 Less of Southern California, Inc. Food 4 Less Merchandising, Inc. Food 4 Less GM, Inc. *GEORGE G. GOLLEHER Director, Chief Executive Officer and - ---------------------------------- President (Principal Executive Officer) George G. Golleher *JOHN STANDLEY Senior Vice President and Chief Financial - ---------------------------------- Officer (Principal Financial Officer) John Standley *CHRISTOPHER S. HALL Vice President and Controller - ---------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) Christopher S. Hall *RONALD W. BURKLE Chairman of the Board of Directors - ---------------------------------- Ronald W. Burkle II-11 Bell Markets, Inc. Cala Foods, Inc. Crawford Stores, Inc. *GEORGE G. GOLLEHER Director and Chief Executive Officer - ---------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) George G. Golleher *JOHN STANDLEY Senior Vice President and Chief Financial - ---------------------------------- Officer (Principal Financial Officer) John Standley *CHRISTOPHER S. HALL Vice President and Controller - ---------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) Christopher S. Hall *RONALD W. BURKLE Chairman of the Board of Directors - ---------------------------------- Ronald W. Burkle Falley's, Inc. *JOE S. BURKLE Chief Executive Officer - ---------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) Joe S. Burkle *JOHN STANDLEY Senior Vice President and Chief Financial - ---------------------------------- Officer (Principal Financial Officer) John Standley *CHRISTOPHER S. HALL Vice President and Controller - ---------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) Christopher S. Hall *RONALD W. BURKLE Chairman of the Board of Directors - ---------------------------------- Ronald W. Burkle *GEORGE G. GOLLEHER Director and Executive Vice President - ---------------------------------- George G. Golleher *By JOHN STANDLEY ---------------------------------- John Standley Attorney-in-Fact II-12 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the following capacities on January 30, 1998. Quality Food Centers, Inc. *CHRISTOPHER A. SINCLAIR Director, President and Chief Executive - ---------------------------------- Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Christopher A. Sinclair MARC W. EVANGER Senior Vice President, Finance and - ---------------------------------- Administration Marc W. Evanger (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) *STUART M. SLOAN Chairman of the Board of Directors - ---------------------------------- Stuart M. Sloan *JOHN W. CREIGHTON, JR. Director - ---------------------------------- John W. Creighton, Jr. *ROGER K. HUGHES Director - ---------------------------------- Roger K. Hughes *DAN KOURKOUMELIS Director - ---------------------------------- Dan Kourkoumelis *MAURICE F. OLSON Director - ---------------------------------- Maurice F. Olson *MARC H. RAPAPORT Director - ---------------------------------- Marc H. Rapaport *SHELI Z. ROSENBERG Director - ---------------------------------- Sheli Z. Rosenberg *RONALD A. WEINSTEIN Director - ---------------------------------- Ronald A. Weinstein *SAMUEL ZELL Director - ---------------------------------- Samuel Zell Quality Food, Inc. Quality Food Holdings, Inc. *CHRISTOPHER A. SINCLAIR President and Chief Executive - ---------------------------------- Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Christopher A. Sinclair MARC W. EVANGER Vice President and Chief Financial - ---------------------------------- Officer Marc W. Evanger (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) *SAMUEL ZELL Director - ---------------------------------- Samuel Zell *SHELI Z. ROSENBERG Director - ---------------------------------- Sheli Z. Rosenberg
II-13 QFC Sub, Inc. MARC W. EVANGER President and Secretary - ---------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) Marc W. Evanger *SAMUEL ZELL Director - ---------------------------------- Samuel Zell *SHELI Z. ROSENBERG Director - ---------------------------------- Sheli Z. Rosenberg Hughes Markets, Inc. *DAN KOURKOUMELIS President and Chief Executive - ---------------------------------- Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Dan Kourkoumelis *DAVID OLIVER Director, Chief Financial Officer - ---------------------------------- (Principal Financial Officer) David Oliver *STEVE STRICKLER Corporate Treasurer - ---------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) Steve Strickler *CHRISTOPHER A. SINCLAIR Director - ---------------------------------- Christopher A. Sinclair MARC W. EVANGER Director - ---------------------------------- Marc W. Evanger *STUART M. SLOAN Director - ---------------------------------- Stuart M. Sloan *ROGER K. HUGHES Chairman of the Board of Directors - ---------------------------------- Roger K. Hughes Hughes Realty, Inc. *ROGER K. HUGHES Director and Chief Executive Officer - ---------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) Roger K. Hughes *ALLAN P. BRENNAN Director and Chief Financial Officer - ---------------------------------- (Principal Financial and Accounting Allan P. Brennan Officer) *PAUL A. HUGHES Director and Secretary - ---------------------------------- Paul A. Hughes KU Acquisition Corporation *DAN KOURKOUMELIS Director and President - ---------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) Dan Kourkoumelis MARC W. EVANGER Director, Vice President, Secretary and - ---------------------------------- Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) Marc W. Evanger
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Secretary Paul W. Heldman /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler Quik Stop Markets, Inc. /s/ VAN S. TARVER President (Principal --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer) Van S. Tarver /s/ FRANK J. REMAR Vice President, Assistant --------------------------------------------- Secretary and Treasurer Frank J. Remar (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Secretary Paul W. Heldman /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler THGP Co., Inc. THLP Co., Inc. Turkey Hill, L.P. By THGP Co., Inc., its General Partner /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director, President and --------------------------------------------- Chief Executive Officer David B. Dillon (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ FRANK J. REMAR Vice President, Assistant --------------------------------------------- Secretary, and Treasurer Frank J. Remar (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- and Secretary Paul W. Heldman /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler
II-14 Second Story, Inc. MARC W. EVANGER Director, President and Secretary - ---------------------------------- (Principal Executive and Financial Marc W. Evanger Officer) *By MARC W. EVANGER ---------------------------------- Marc W. Evanger Attorney-in-Fact
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- Wells Aircraft, Inc. /s/ GARY W. CROW President (Principal --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer) Gary W. Crow /s/ FRANK J. REMAR Vice President, Assistant Secretary --------------------------------------------- and Treasurer (Principal Frank J. Remar Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director, and Vice President --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Secretary Paul W. Heldman /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. /s/ SAMMY K. DUNCAN President and Chief --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer Sammy K. Duncan (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ DAVID DEATHERAGE Vice President and Chief --------------------------------------------- Financial Officer David Deatherage (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Treasurer (Principal Lawrence M. Turner Accounting Officer) /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Secretary Paul W. Heldman
II-15
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- Fred Meyer, Inc. CB&S Advertising Agency, Inc. Distribution Trucking Company FM, Inc. FM Holding Corporation Grand Central, Inc. Fred Meyer of Alaska, Inc. Fred Meyer of California, Inc. Roundup Co. /s/ WARREN F. BRYANT President and Chief --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer Warren F. Bryant (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ DAVID DEATHERAGE Vice President and Chief --------------------------------------------- Financial Officer David Deatherage (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Treasurer (Principal Lawrence M. Turner Accounting Officer) /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- and Secretary Paul W. Heldman Smith's Beverage of Wyoming, Inc. Hughes Markets, Inc. Hughes Realty, Inc. KU Acquisition Corporation /s/ WARREN F. BRYANT President and Chief --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer Warren F. Bryant (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Vice President and Treasurer --------------------------------------------- (Principal Financial and Lawrence M. Turner Accounting Officer) /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- and Secretary Paul W. Heldman
II-16
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- Fred Meyer Jewelers, Inc. /s/ EDWARD A. DAYOOB President and Chief Executive --------------------------------------------- Officer (Principal Executive Edward A. Dayoob Officer) /s/ MICHAEL J. MILLER Vice President and Chief --------------------------------------------- Financial Officer MICHAEL J. MILLER (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Treasurer (Principal Lawrence M. Turner Accounting Officer) /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- and Secretary Paul W. Heldman Smith's Food & Drug Centers, Inc. /s/ WARREN F. BRYANT Chief Executive Officer --------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Warren F. Bryant Officer) /s/ JAMES A. KLOPP Chief Financial Officer --------------------------------------------- (Principal Financial JAMES A. KLOPP Officer) /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Treasurer (Principal Lawrence M. Turner Accounting Officer) /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler
II-17
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- and Secretary Paul W. Heldman Richie's, Inc. /s/ LEE BREWER Director and President --------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Lee Brewer Officer) /s/ THOMAS P. O'BRIEN, JR. Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- Secretary and Treasurer Thomas P. O'Brien, Jr. (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ JACK CANNON Director and Vice President --------------------------------------------- Jack Cannon Quality Food Centers, Inc. Quality Food, Inc. Quality Food Holdings, Inc. QFC Sub, Inc. Second Story, Inc. /s/ DARRELL D. WEBB President --------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Darrell D. Webb Officer) /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Vice President and Treasurer --------------------------------------------- (Principal Financial and Lawrence M. Turner Accounting Officer) /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler
II-18
SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- and Secretary Paul W. Heldman Food 4 Less Holdings, Inc. Cala Co. Bay Area Warehouse Stores, Inc. Bell Markets, Inc. Cala Foods, Inc. Crawford Stores, Inc. Food 4 Less of Southern California, Inc. Alpha Beta Company Food 4 Less GM, Inc. Food 4 Less of California, Inc. Food 4 Less Merchandising, Inc. F4L L.P. By Bay Area Warehouse Stores, Inc., the General Partner /s/ E. JOHN BURGON President (Principal --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer) E. JOHN BURGON /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Vice President and Treasurer --------------------------------------------- (Principal Financial and Lawrence M. Turner Accounting Officer) /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- and Secretary Paul W. Heldman Ralphs Grocery Company /s/ E. JOHN BURGON President (Principal --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer) E. JOHN BURGON /s/ STEVEN MCMILLAN Senior Vice President and --------------------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer Steven McMillan (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ LAWRENCE M. TURNER Vice President and Treasurer --------------------------------------------- (Principal Financial and Lawrence M. Turner Accounting Officer) /s/ JOSEPH A. PICHLER Director --------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Pichler /s/ DAVID B. DILLON Director --------------------------------------------- David B. Dillon /s/ PAUL W. HELDMAN Director, Vice President, --------------------------------------------- and Secretary Paul W. Heldman
II-19 EXHIBIT INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit No. Exhibit - ----------- ------- *1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement 2.1 FM/QFC Merger Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K, filed November 6, 1997) 2.2 FM/Food 4 Less Merger Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K, filed November 6, 1997)
EXHIBIT NUMBER DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION ------- -------------------- *1.1 -- Form of Underwriting Agreement. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of The Kroger Co.'s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-85727). ............... *4.1 -- Amended Articles of Incorporation of The Kroger Co. are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of The Kroger Co.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 3, 1998. The Kroger Co.'s Regulations are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of The Kroger Co.'s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-57552) filed with the SEC on January 28, 1993. ... *4.2 -- Rights Agreement, including form of Rights Certificate, incorporated by reference to The Kroger Co.'s Registration Statements on Form 8-A/A dated April 4, 1997 and October 18, 1998..................................... *4.3 -- Form of Senior Indenture (including form of securities). Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-74389). ........................... **4.4 -- Certificate of Designation of series of preferred shares. ................................................. **4.5 -- Form of Deposit Agreement for depositary shares. ........ **4.6 -- Form of Warrant Agreement, including form of warrant certificate. ............................................ *5.1 -- Opinion of Paul Heldman, Esq., including his consent. ... *12.1 -- Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. ...... *23.1 -- Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. .................. *23.2 -- Consent of Paul Heldman, Esq., included in Exhibit 5.1. .................................................... *24.1 -- Powers of Attorney. ..................................... *25.1 -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 30, 1999. ................
------------------------- * Previously filed. **4 Form of Indenture 5 Opinion by Stoel Rives LLP Regarding Legality of Debt Securities 12 Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios 23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (Portland) 23.2 Consents of Arthur Andersen LLP 23.3 Consents of Deloitte & Touche LLP (Seattle) 23.4 Consent of Stoel Rives LLP (See Exhibit 5) **24 Power of Attorney (See also signature pages of the January 20, 1998 Registration Statement) **25 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee * To be filed in Company's Form 8-K Report. ** Filed on January 20, 1998. II-16as an Exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference for the specific offering of securities, if any, to which it relates.