EXHIBIT 2.1







                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                      among

                           PRESTO FOOD PRODUCTS, INC.;

                              PRESTO SHAREHOLDERS;

                                       and


                           THE MORNINGSTAR GROUP INC.

                                October 20, 1996



     

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                   Page No.

     SECTION I  PURCHASE AND SALE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1
          1.1  Purchase and Sale of Presto Shares  . . . . . . . . . .    1
          1.2  Cash Payment at Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1
          1.3  Allocation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2
          1.4  Adjustment of Closing Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2

     SECTION II  DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    4

     SECTION III  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PRESTO
                  AND THE SHAREHOLDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9
          3.1  Corporate Existence, Qualification and Power of Presto     9
          3.2  Authorization of Agreement by Presto  . . . . . . . . .   10
          3.3  Ownership of Presto Securities, Power to
               Convey and Absence of Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . .   11
          3.4  Capitalization  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   11
          3.5  Ability to Conduct the Business . . . . . . . . . . . .   12
          3.6  Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12
          3.7  Subsequent Events to June 30, 1996  . . . . . . . . . .   13
          3.8  Presto Inventories  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15
          3.9  Undisclosed Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   16
          3.10  Tax Returns and Audit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   16
          3.11  Title to, Use and Condition of, the
                Presto Fixed Assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   17
          3.12  Presto Realty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   17
          3.13  Presto Leases  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   18
          3.14  Presto Intellectual Property . . . . . . . . . . . . .   18
          3.15  Necessary Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   19
          3.16  Customer Contracts, Other Contracts and Commitments  .   20
          3.17  No Breach of Statute, Decree, or Order . . . . . . . .   22
          3.18  Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   22
          3.19  Presto Accounts Receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   22
          3.20  Certain Relationships  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   22
          3.21  Benefit Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23
          3.22  Environmental Matters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
          3.23  Labor Relations; Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   27
          3.24  (INTENTIONALLY OMITTED)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
          3.25  Insurance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
          3.26  Dividends  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
          3.27  No Pending Transactions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
          3.28  Minute Books and Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
          3.29  Broker's Fees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
          3.30  Financial Institution Relationships  . . . . . . . . .   29
          3.31  Spousal Consents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
          3.32  Customers and Suppliers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
          3.33  Product Actions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
          3.34  Compliance With Law; Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
























                                        i



     

          3.35  Material Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
          3.36  Presto Transportation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   31

     SECTION IV  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER . . . . . . .   32
          4.1  Corporate Status  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
          4.2  Authorization of Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
          4.3  Broker's Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
          4.4  Financing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
          4.5  Investment Representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33

     SECTION V  COVENANTS OF PRESTO AND SHAREHOLDERS . . . . . . . . .   33
          5.1  Operation of Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
          5.2  Preservation of Business  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35
          5.3  Full Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35
          5.4  (INTENTIONALLY OMITTED) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   36
          5.5  Books, Records, and Financial Statements  . . . . . . .   36
          5.6  Presto Transportation Shares  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          5.7  Waiver of Any Prior Agreements  . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          5.8  Environmental Audit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          5.9  Notification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          5.10  No Inconsistent Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          5.11  Acquisition Proposals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
          5.12  Cooperation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
          5.13  Satisfaction of Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
          5.14  Notice of Material Adverse Changes . . . . . . . . . .   38

     SECTION VI  ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES . . . . . . . . .   39
          6.1  Section 338 Election. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   39
          6.2  Cooperation and News Releases . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
          6.3  Confidential Treatment and Return of Documents  . . . .   41
          6.4  Further Assurances  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
          6.5  Shareholder Access to Records . . . . . . . . . . . . .   42
          6.6  Consents  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   42
          6.7  No WARN Notice  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   42
          6.8  401(k) Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43
          6.9  Covenant Not to Compete; Confidentiality  . . . . . . .   43
          6.10  Non-Solicitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   44
          6.11  No Breach by Presto  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   44

     SECTION VII  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS  . . . .   44
          7.1  Correctness of Representations and Warranties . . . . .   45
          7.2  No Material Adverse Change in Business or Properties  .   45
          7.3  Compliance with Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
          7.4  Opinions of Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
          7.5  Waiting Period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   48
          7.6  Consent to Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   48
          7.7  Absence of Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
          7.8  Consents  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
          7.9  Changes in Syndication Markets  . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
          7.10  Material Adverse Change  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
























                                       ii



     

          7.11  Escrow Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
          7.12  Performance Share Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
          7.13  Permits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49

     SECTION VIII  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF
                   PRESTO AND SHAREHOLDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50
          8.1  Correctness of Representations and Warranties . . . . .   50
          8.2  Compliance with Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50
          8.3  Waiting Period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50
          8.4  Consent to Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50
          8.5  Absence of Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50

     SECTION IX  CLOSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   51
          9.1  The Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   51
          9.2  Procedures at Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   51

     SECTION X TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   53
          10.1  Methods of Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   53
          10.2  Procedure Upon Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   53
          10.3  Survival of Action for Breach  . . . . . . . . . . . .   54
          10.4  Additional Termination Rights  . . . . . . . . . . . .   54

     SECTION XI  INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY  . . . .   55
          11.1  Shareholders' Agreement to Indemnify . . . . . . . . .   55
          11.2  Buyer's Agreement to Indemnify . . . . . . . . . . . .   57
          11.3  Limitations on Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   58
          11.4  Additional Limitations on Liability
                of Shareholders.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   58
          11.5  Indemnification of Third-Party Claims  . . . . . . . .   59
          11.6  Payment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   60
          11.7  No Indemnification Claims Against Presto . . . . . . .   60
          11.8  Survival of Representations, Warranties
                and Covenants.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   61
          11.9  Minority Shareholders  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   62
          11.10  Exclusive Remedy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   62

     SECTION XII  MISCELLANEOUS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   62
          12.1  Survival of Representations and Warranties . . . . . .   62
          12.2  Payment of Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
          12.3  Entire Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
          12.4  Modification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
          12.5  Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
          12.6  Notices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
          12.7  Binding Effect and Assignment  . . . . . . . . . . . .   64
          12.8  Rights of the Parties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   65
          12.9  Execution in Counterparts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   65
          12.10  Specific Performance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   65
          12.11  Transfer Taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   65
          12.12  Certain Tax Returns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   66
          12.13  Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   66
























                                       iii



     

          12.14  Paragraph Headings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   66
          12.15  Construction and Representation by Counsel  . . . . .   66
          12.16  Third-Party Benefits  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   66







































































                                       iv



     

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

          This STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made as of October
     20, 1996, by and among (i) The Morningstar Group Inc., a Delaware
     corporation ("Buyer"); (ii) Presto Food Products, Inc., a California
     corporation ("Presto") and (iii) those holders of Presto capital stock
     whose names appear on the signature pages of this Agreement
     ("Shareholders").  Certain capitalized terms used herein have the
     meanings set forth in Section II hereof.

          In consideration of the mutual agreements, covenants,
     representations and warranties contained herein, the parties hereby
     agree as follows:

                                    SECTION I
                                PURCHASE AND SALE
                                -----------------
          1.1  Purchase and Sale of Presto Shares.  On the terms and
               ----------------------------------
     subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Shareholders agree to
     sell, convey, transfer, assign and deliver to Buyer at the Closing,
     and Buyer agrees to purchase and acquire from the Shareholders, all of
     the right, title and interest of the Shareholders in and to the issued
     and outstanding shares of Presto capital stock (the "Presto Shares")
     free and clear of all Liens (as hereinafter defined).

          1.2  Cash Payment at Closing.  At the Closing subject to the
               -----------------------
     terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, (i)
     Buyer will pay to the Shareholders  the aggregate Unadjusted Closing
     Payment which amount shall be subject to adjustment as provided in
     Paragraph 1.4 (as adjusted, the "Closing Payment") minus Ten Million
     Dollars ($10,000,000) (the "Escrow Amount"); and (ii) Buyer will
     deposit with the escrow agent under the Escrow Agreement the Escrow
     Amount. 

          As used herein, the term "Unadjusted Closing Payment" shall mean
     One Hundred Twenty Million Six Hundred Thousand ($120,600,000)
     Dollars, minus the aggregate of all obligations of Presto as of the
     Closing for borrowed money evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes,
     letters of credit (to the extent drawn upon) or other similar
     instruments other than amounts outstanding under Presto's revolving
     line of credit, all interest, charges, fees, expenses and penalties
     including prepayment penalties on or due as a result of any voluntary
     prepayments on the foregoing items calculated as of the Closing. The
     sum of One Hundred Twenty Million Six Hundred Thousand ($120,600,000)
     Dollars has been arrived at by the parties by reducing the amount of
     One Hundred Thirty Three Million Five Hundred Thousand ($133,500,000)
     Dollars, by the sum of (i) the amount accrued at June 30, 1996 on the
     Supplemental Balance Sheet (hereinafter defined) of Presto 
























                                        1



     

     for deferred compensation and (ii) Ten Million ($10,000,000) Dollars,
     the last amount being dealt with in paragraph 1.4, below.

          1.3  Allocation.  The  Unadjusted Closing Payments for the
               ----------
     individual Shareholders (subject to the terms and conditions set forth
     in this Agreement)  shall be allocated among the Shareholders based on
     their relative ownership of Presto Shares (irrespective of the series
     of such Presto shares) and made  by wire transfer of immediately
     available funds to such accounts as the Shareholders shall have
     designated in writing at least two days prior to the Closing Date.

          1.4    Adjustment of Closing Payment. 
                 -----------------------------
               (a)  The Unadjusted Closing Payment shall be adjusted
     following the Closing as follows:

                    (i)  If the amount of the Net Equity of Presto
               (determined in accordance with Paragraph 1.4(b)) as of the
               Closing Date is less than $25,027,000, the Unadjusted
               Closing Payment shall be decreased by an amount equal to
               such difference;  or

                    (ii)  If the amount of the Net Equity of Presto as of
               the Closing Date is greater than $25,027,000, the Unadjusted
               Closing Payment shall be increased by an amount equal to
               such difference.

                    (iii) The sum of Ten Million ($10,000,000) Dollars
               shall be added to the amount  calculated in accordance with 
               sub-part (i) or (ii), as  applicable.  Any amounts due
               pursuant to the adjustment described in this Paragraph 1.4
               shall be paid by the appropriate party by wire transfer of
               immediately available funds within three business days of
               receiving demand therefor following calculation.

               (b)  As used herein, the term "Net Equity" shall mean the
          total assets minus the  total liabilities of Presto calculated in
          a manner consistent with the Supplemental Balance Sheet described
          in Paragraph 3.6 herein.  The term "Net Equity Statement" shall
          mean the statement of Net Equity of Presto to be prepared by
          Buyer as of the Closing Date in accordance with this Paragraph
          1.4 and to be delivered to  the Principal Shareholders  as
          promptly as practical and in any event within  30 days after the
          Closing.  The Net Equity Statement (i) shall be prepared by  
          Buyer in accordance with  United States generally accepted
          accounting principles ("GAAP") applied in a manner



























                                        2



     

          consistent with the application of those principles in the
          Supplemental Balance Sheet and (ii) shall present fairly the net
          equity of Presto as of the date thereof; provided, however, that 
          an appropriate accrual shall be included for any investment
          banking, brokers, finders, legal,  accounting or other fees
          arising from the transaction contemplated by this Agreement
          ("Transaction Fees") to the extent any such fees are unpaid at
          Closing and are the obligation of Presto. All such Transaction
          Fees paid or unpaid before Closing and all sums paid under the
          Performance Shares Plan in excess of the amount accrued for
          deferred compensation in the Supplemental Balance Sheet shall be
          appropriately expensed in the income statement and properly
          recorded as a reduction in the Net Equity calculated under
          paragraph 1.4.  The Presto Inventory shall be determined based on
          a physical inventory of all raw materials, work-in-progress and
          finished goods inventories owned by Presto  taken as of a date
          mutually agreeable  to  Principal Shareholders and Buyer, and
          observed by Buyer and Principal Shareholders or their
          representatives (the "Physical Inventory") and priced
          consistently with Presto's historical practices.   Principal
          Shareholders shall have the opportunity to examine the work
          papers, schedules and other documents prepared by   Buyer in
          connection with  the preparation of the Net Equity Statement. 
          The Net Equity Statement shall be final and binding on the
          parties unless, within 30 days after delivery to  the Principal
          Shareholders notice is given by  Principal Shareholders of the
          Principal Shareholders' objection setting forth in reasonable
          detail the Principal Shareholders' basis for objection.  If
          notice of objection is given, the parties shall consult with each
          other with respect to the objection. If the parties are unable to
          reach agreement within 15 days after the notice of objection has
          been given, the dispute shall be referred to for resolution to
          Coopers & Lybrand, LLP (the "Accountants") as promptly as
          practicable.   Each party hereto represents that it has no
          material relationship with Coopers & Lybrand, LLP. The
          Accountants will make a determination as to each of the items in
          dispute, which determination will be (i) in writing, (ii)
          furnished to each of the parties hereto as promptly as
          practicable after the items in dispute have been referred to the
          Accountants, (iii) made in accordance with this Agreement, and
          (iv) conclusive and binding  upon each of the parties hereto. The
          fees and expenses of the Accountants will be shared equally by
          Buyer and the Shareholders.  Each of Buyer and the Shareholders
          will use reasonable efforts to cause the Accountants to render
          their decision as soon as reasonably practicable, including
          without limitation by promptly complying with all reasonable




























                                        3



     

          requests by the Accountants for information, books, records and
          similar items. 

                                   SECTION II
                                   DEFINITIONS
                                   -----------
          As used herein, the following terms shall have the following
     meanings: 

          2.1  "Attributed" is defined in paragraph 3.3.

          2.2  "Closing" and "Closing Date" are defined in paragraph 9.1.

          2.3  "Closing Payment" is defined in paragraph 1.2.

          2.4  "Environmental Costs and Liabilities" means any and all
     losses, liabilities, obligations, damages, fines, penalties,
     judgments, actions, claims, costs and expenses (including, without
     limitation, fees, disbursements and expenses of legal counsel,
     experts, engineers and consultants and the costs of investigation and
     feasibility studies, remediation, removal or similar cleanup activity)
     arising from or under any Environmental Law. 

          2.5  "Environmental Law" means any applicable federal, state,
     local, or foreign law (including common law), statute, code,
     ordinance, rule regulation or other legally binding requirement
     relating to the environment, natural resources, public or employee
     health and safety, the transportation or disposal of Hazardous
     Materials, now  in effect  and includes, but is not limited to the
     Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
     ("CERCLA"), 42 U.S.C. Section  9601 et seq.; Comprehensive
                                         -- ---
     Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Information System
     ("CERCLIS") ; the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C.
     Section 1801 et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42
                  -- ---
     U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq., the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section
                         -- ---
     1251 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 33 U.S.C Section 2601 et seq., the
          -- ---                                            -- ---
     Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq., the
                                                          -- ---
     Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. Section
     136 et seq., the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 U.S.C. Section 2701 et
         -- ---                                                         --
      seq. and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. Section
      ---
     651 et seq., as such laws have been amended or supplemented, and the
         -- ---
     regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, currently in effect and all
     analogous state or local statutes.

          2.6  "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security
     Act of 1974, as amended.




















                                        4



     

          2.7  "Governmental Entity" means any domestic or foreign court,
     government, governmental agency, authority, entity or instrumentality.

          2.8  "Hazardous Material" shall mean (i) any substance defined as
     "hazardous" in CERCLA; (ii) any substance or matter which results in
     liability to any person or entity from discharge of or exposure to
     such substance or matter under any statutory provision in effect on
     the date of this Agreement; (iii) any substance or matter which is
     subject to a federal, state or local agency order or requirement for
     removal, treatment or remediation on the date hereof; (iv) petroleum,
     petroleum by-products, crude oil or any fraction thereof,
     (v) "hazardous materials" as defined in Section 25501(j) of the
     California Health and Safety Code, as amended, (vi) any substance,
     material or waste that is regulated by any Governmental Entity having
     jurisdiction over Presto or its operations as "hazardous," "extremely
     hazardous," "contaminant," "toxic," or words of similar import, and
     (vii) asbestos, urea formaldehyde and polychlorinated biphenyls. 

          2.9  "Intellectual Property" means domestic and foreign letters
     patent, patents, patent applications, patent licenses, software
     licenses and know-how licenses, trade names, trademarks, registered
     copyrights, service marks, trademark registrations and applications,
     service mark registrations and applications and copyright
     registrations and applications, all trade secrets, technical
     knowledge, know-how and other confidential proprietary information and
     related goodwill.

          2.10  The word "knowledge"  means , with respect to an individual
     Shareholder , the conscious awareness of such individual or,  if the
     Shareholder is a trust, of the trustees thereof; with respect to
     Presto, the conscious awareness of those individuals who are listed on
     Schedule 2.10.

          2.11  "Law" means any domestic or foreign statute, law,
     ordinance, rule or regulation.

          2.12  "Liabilities" means any direct or indirect indebtedness,
     guaranty, endorsement, claim, loss, damage, deficiency, cost, expense,
     obligation or responsibility, whether fixed or contingent, known or
     unknown, asserted or unasserted, liquidated or unliquidated, secured
     or unsecured.

          2.13  "Liens" means any title defects or obligations, mortgages,
     liens, claims, charges, pledges, or other incumbrances of any nature
     whatsoever, including without limitation licenses, leases, chattel or
     other mortgages, collateral security arrangements, pledges, title
     imperfections, defect or objection liens, security interests,
     conditional and installment sales


























                                        5



     

     agreements, charges, easements, encroachments or restrictions, of any
     kind and other title or interest retention arrangements, reservations
     or limitations of any nature.

          2.14  "Minority Shareholders" means any and all Shareholders
     other than the Principal Shareholders.

          2.15  "Net Equity" is defined in Paragraph 1.4.

          2.16  "Person" means an individual or a legal entity, including,
     without limitation, a corporation, trust, partnership, limited
     liability company, other association or  governmental agency.

          2.17  "Presto Accounts Receivable" means the accounts receivable
     of Presto arising from the Presto Business as set forth on the
     Supplemental Balance Sheet or arising since the date thereof.

          2.18  "Presto Assets" means the Presto Fixed Assets, Presto
     Inventories, Presto Intellectual Property, Presto Realty, Presto
     Leases, and Presto Cash and Presto Accounts Receivable.

          2.19  "Presto Business"  means the full range of business
     activities conducted by Presto as of the date hereof and during the
     period from the date hereof through the Closing Date.

          2.20  "Presto Cash" means all of the cash and cash equivalents
     which have accrued to the account of Presto, including, but not
     limited to cash on hand, cash on deposit, treasury bills, money market
     certificates, bonds or similar instruments, and useable prepaids and
     advances.

          2.21  "Presto Customer Contracts" means all contracts, written or
     oral, between  Presto and any Person for the provision by Presto of
     products and/or  services related to the Presto Business received at
     or prior to the Closing Date as to which Presto has not completed
     performance as  of the Closing Date. 

          2.22  "Presto Fixed Assets" means all of the machinery and
     equipment, hardware, computers, office equipment, furnishings,
     fixtures, supplies, leasehold improvements, and other fixed assets
     (other than Presto Realty) of any kind situated on Presto's premises
     and owned by Presto and utilized in any manner by Presto in connection
     with the Presto Business.

          2.23  "Presto Intellectual Property" means all of the rights of
     Presto to any Intellectual Property.




























                                        6



     

          2.24  "Presto Inventories" means the  all raw materials,
     components, work-in-progress, finished products,  and packaging
     materials  owned by Presto and sold by Presto in connection with the
     Presto Business, wherever located.

          2.25  "Presto Leases"  means all of the leases of  equipment used
     by Presto (Presto as lessee) in the Presto Business.

          2.26  "Presto Realty" means all land, and the facilities and
     improvements situated thereon, owned or leased by Presto (in whole or
     in part, singly or jointly).

          2.27  "Presto Shares" means all of the issued and outstanding
     capital stock of  Presto.

          2.28  "Principal Shareholders" means Bruce Coffey and Martha M.
     Coffey, individually and as trustees of the Bruce and Martha Coffey
     Family Trust; and  Alan G. Stanford and Janet M. Stanford, 
     individually and as trustees of the  Alan and Janet Stanford Family
     Trust.

          2.29  "Taxes"  shall mean all taxes, charges, fees, levies, or
     other similar assessments or liabilities, including without limitation
     (a) income, gross receipts, ad valorem, premium, excise, real
     property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, withholding,
     employment, payroll, and franchise taxes imposed by the United States
     of America, or by any state, local, or foreign government, or any
     subdivision, agency, or other similar person of the United States or
     any such government; and (b) any interest, fines, penalties,
     assessments, or additions to taxes resulting from, attributable to, or
     incurred in connection with any Tax or any contest, dispute, or refund
     thereof.

          2.30  "Tax Returns" shall mean any report, return, or statement
     required to be supplied to a taxing authority in connection with
     Taxes.

                                   SECTION III
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                         ------------------------------
                         OF PRESTO AND THE SHAREHOLDERS
                         ------------------------------
          The Principal Shareholders, jointly and severally, and Presto
     hereby make the following representations and warranties to Buyer,
     each of which shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and,
     except as is otherwise contemplated in this Agreement, will be true as
     of the Closing Date and shall be unaffected by any investigation
     heretofore or hereafter made by Buyer.  Each Minority Shareholder,
     severally, makes the representations and warranties in Paragraphs 3.3
     which shall be true as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date.
























                                        7



     

          3.1  Corporate Existence, Qualification and Power of Presto. 
               ------------------------------------------------------
     Presto is a corporation organized, existing and in good standing under
     the laws of the State of California.  Presto has the requisite
     corporate power and authority to own, lease and use its properties and
     to transact the Presto Business, and is licensed or qualified as a
     foreign corporation in all jurisdictions in which such licensing or
     qualification is required and where the failure to be so licensed or
     qualified would have a material adverse effect on the Presto Business. 
     Schedule 3.1 contains a list of all jurisdictions in which Presto is
     licensed or qualified as a foreign corporation. Presto has the
     requisite corporate power to enter into and consummate the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement. On or before the Closing
     Date,  Presto will have furnished to Buyer true and correct copies of
     all resolutions, and/or other  documents and certificates authorizing
     the  execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Presto ,
     which resolutions, documents and certificates will constitute all
     action required by law or by the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
     of Presto to authorize and approve the execution, delivery and
     performance of this Agreement. Except as described in Schedule 3.1, 
     Presto has no subsidiaries other than Presto Transportation Company,
     Inc. and no shares of any corporation or any ownership or other
     interest or investment either of record, beneficially or equitably, in
     any association partnership, joint venture or other legal entity.

          3.2  Authorization of Agreement by Presto.  The execution,
               ------------------------------------
     delivery and performance by Presto of this Agreement will not (i)
     conflict with, modify, breach or constitute grounds for the occurrence
     or declaration of a default (with or without notice or lapse of time,
     or both) under or allow another party a right to terminate any permit, 
     order, agreement, indenture, undertaking or other instrument to which
     Presto is a party or by which it or any of its assets may be bound or
     affected, except as described on Schedule 3.2, (ii) violate any
     provision of law or any regulation or any order, judgment, or decree
     of any court or other agency of government to which Presto is subject,
     (iii) violate any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or By-
     Laws of Presto, (iv) result in the creation or imposition of (or the
     obligation to create or impose) any Lien on any of the Presto's
     properties, or  (v), except as described on Schedule 3.2, result in
     the acceleration of any obligation material to the Presto Assets or
     the Presto Business.  No approval, authorization, consent or order or
     action of or filing with any  Governmental Entity is required to be
     obtained by either Presto or the Shareholders for the execution and
     delivery by Presto or the Shareholders of this Agreement or the
     consummation by them of the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement except (i) for the consent or waiver to transfer the shares
     to Buyer from the Commissioner of Corporations of the State of
     California, (ii)

























                                        8



     

     approval or  expiration of any waiting period in accordance with the
     provisions of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, of
     1976, as amended (the "HSR Act") and (iii) any other consents or
     approvals set forth on Schedule 3.2.

          3.3  Ownership of Presto Securities, Power to Convey and Absence
               -----------------------------------------------------------
     of Conflicts.  Set forth on Schedule 3.3 hereof is a complete list of
     ------------
     all the Shareholders of Presto Shares together with the amount of and
     series of common stock each such Shareholder owns and, if such
     Shareholder is not an individual, the form of entity of such
     Shareholder. Each Shareholder holds of record and beneficially the
     Presto Shares Attributed to such Stockholder on Schedule 3.3 hereto. 
     Each Shareholder represents and warrants to Buyer that such
     Shareholder has the right, power and authority to enter into this
     Agreement and to sell, convey, assign, transfer, and deliver at the
     Closing the Presto Shares shown on Schedule 3.3 hereto registered in
     the name of the respective Shareholder (herein "Attributed to" that
     Shareholder).  This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
     obligation of each Shareholder, enforceable against each Shareholder
     in accordance with its terms. On the Closing Date, each Shareholder
     shall deliver to Buyer good title to the Presto Shares Attributed to
     such Shareholder free and clear of  all Liens, (other than the
     restrictions on transfer generally imposed by applicable state and
     federal securities laws and except for a standard legend condition
     imposed by the Commissioner of Corporations of the State of
     California). 

          3.4  Capitalization.  The entire authorized capital stock of
               --------------
     Presto consists of 1,600,000 shares of Presto common stock, consisting
     of 100,000 shares of Series A Voting Common Stock and 1,500,000 shares
     of Series B Non-voting Common Stock, all of which are without par
     value.  As of the Closing Date there will be issued and outstanding
     1,306,561 shares of Presto Common Stock, consisting of 16,623 shares
     of the Series A Voting Common Stock and 1,289,938 shares of the Series
     B Non-voting Common Stock, all of which shares are duly authorized,
     validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and were not issued in
     violation of any preemptive or quasi-preemptive rights.  There are no
     shares of preferred stock or shares of any other series or class of
     common stock or shares of any other type of security either authorized
     or outstanding.  Presto does not have any right or obligation to
     purchase or redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Presto capital
     stock.  There (i) are no options, warrants, calls, subscriptions,
     conversion or other rights, agreements or commitments obligating
     Presto to issue any additional shares of capital stock or any other
     securities convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right
     to subscribe for any shares of capital stock of Presto, (ii) except as
     described on Schedule 3.4, are no restrictions on the transfer of any
     shares























                                        9



     

     of capital stock of Presto and (iii) at the Closing, will be  no
     requirements of Presto or any Shareholder to vote any shares of
     capital stock of Presto. 

          3.5  Ability to Conduct the Business.  Except a described in
               -------------------------------
     Schedule 3.5, Presto is not subject to or bound by any judgment,
     order, writ, injunction or decree of any court, of any governmental
     body or of any arbitrator, which will prevent the use by Presto after
     the Closing Date of those assets of Presto which are material to the
     conduct of the Presto Business, or to the conduct of operations
     material to the Presto Business, in each case in accordance with
     present practices.  Except as described on Schedule 3.5,  Presto is
     not a party to, bound by or a beneficiary of any agreement which will
     prevent the use after the Closing Date by Presto of any of those
     assets of Presto which are material to the conduct of the Presto
     Business or to the conduct of operations material to the Presto
     Business, in each case in accordance with past practices.  

          3.6  Financial Statements.  Attached hereto as Schedule 3.6 are
               --------------------
     true and correct copies of (i) the combined balance sheet for Presto
     and Presto Transportation, Inc. at December 31, 1995 (the "Balance
     Sheet"), (ii) the related statements of earnings, cash flow and
     changes in shareholders equity for the fiscal year then ended (the
     "Statement of Income"), (iii) a combined balance sheet of Presto and
     Presto Transportation, Inc. as of June 30, 1996 and related statements
     of earnings and cash flow of Presto for the six months ended  June 30,
     1996 ("Supplemental Balance Sheet and Statement of Income"); and (iv)
     combined balance sheets for Presto and Presto Transportation, Inc. as
     of December 31, 1994 and 1993 and related statements of earnings, cash
     flow and changes in shareholders equity  of  Presto and Presto
     Transportation, Inc. for  the fiscal years then ended  ("Additional
     Financial Statements").  The Balance Sheet, the Statement of Income,
     and the Additional Financial Statements have been certified by Price
     Waterhouse, LLP, certified public accountants, and (i) present fairly
     the financial position of Presto at such dates and the results of
     operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders equity of Presto
     for the periods covered therein; (ii) have been prepared in accordance
     with GAAP applied consistently during such periods except as disclosed
     therein; and (iii) are derived from and reconcilable to Presto's books
     and records.   The Supplemental Balance Sheet and Statement of Income
     have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently  applied,
     except that they do not include notes and supplemental statements, and
     they contain all adjustments which are solely of a normal recurring
     nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position of Presto
     at June 30, 1996 and the results of its operations for the six months
     ending June 30, 1996 and are derived from and reconcilable to Presto's
     books and records.

























                                       10



     

          3.7  Subsequent Events to June 30, 1996.  Except as set forth on
               ----------------------------------
     Schedule 3.7, since June 30, 1996,  neither Presto nor any subsidiary
     of Presto has:

               (i)  incurred any liabilities, other than liabilities
          incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
          practice or discharged or satisfied any lien or encumbrance, or
          paid any liabilities, other than in the ordinary course of
          business consistent with past practice, or failed to pay or
          discharge when due any liabilities of which the failure to pay or
          discharge has caused or  is reasonably likely to cause any
          material damage or risk of material loss to it or any of  Presto
          assets or properties;

               (ii)  sold, encumbered, assigned or transferred any assets
          or properties which are reflected on the Supplemental Balance
          Sheet except for the sale of Presto Inventories in the ordinary
          course of business consistent with past practice;

               (iii)  created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed any
          indebtedness for money borrowed, or mortgaged, pledged or
          subjected any of the Presto Assets to any mortgage, lien, pledge,
          security interest, conditional sales contract or other
          encumbrance of any nature whatsoever (excluding sellers liens
          arising under the California Commercial Code  in the normal
          course of business);

               (iv)  made or suffered any amendment or termination of any
          material agreement, contract, commitment,  or lease to which it
          is a party or by which it is bound, or canceled, modified or
          waived any substantial debts or claims held by it or waived any
          rights of substantial value, whether or not in the ordinary
          course of business;

               (v)  suffered any damage, destruction or loss, whether or
          not covered by insurance, (i) materially and adversely affecting
          its business, operations, assets, properties or prospects or (ii)
          of any item or items carried on its books of account individually
          or in the aggregate at more than $50,000, or suffered any
          repeated, recurring or prolonged shortage, cessation or
          interruption of supplies or utility or other services required to
          conduct its business and operations; 

               (vi)  received notice or had knowledge of any actual or
          threatened labor trouble, strike or other occurrence, event or
          condition of any similar character which has had or might have an
          adverse effect on its business, operations, assets, properties,
          or prospects; 

























                                       11



     

               (vii)  made any commitment or agreement for capital
          expenditures or capital additions or betterments exceeding in the
          aggregate $50,000 except such as may be involved in ordinary
          repair, maintenance or replacement of its assets;

               (viii)  increased the salaries or other compensation of, or
          made any advance (excluding advances for ordinary and necessary
          business expenses) or loan to, any of its employees or made any
          increase in, or any addition to, other benefits to which any of
          its employees may be entitled;

               (ix)  changed any of the accounting principles followed by
          it or the methods of applying such principles;

               (x)  entered into any transaction other than in the ordinary
          course of business consistent with past practice;

               (xi)  acquired, directly or indirectly, any shares of its
          capital stock or declared or paid any dividends thereon; or

               (xii)  suffered any event or occurrence or any series of
          events or occurrences that could have a material adverse effect
          on the business, operations, assets, properties, prospects or
          conditions (financial or otherwise) of Presto.

          3.8  Presto Inventories.  The Presto Inventories, as described in
               ------------------
     detail on Schedule 3.8 hereof, are carried at the lower of cost 
     (first in, first out) or market in accordance with GAAP consistently
     maintained and applied and, except for obsolete items, which have been
     fully written off,  were acquired (or converted into work in process
     or finished goods) and have been maintained in the ordinary course of
     business, are of good and merchantable quality, consist of items of a
     quality, condition and quantity currently useable and salable in the
     ordinary course of business and are fit for their intended purposes
     and are not subject to any write-down or write-off.  The Presto
     Inventories are free and clear of any liens, mortgages, pledges,
     encumbrances, claims or charges of any kind except for (i) liens for
     current taxes not yet due or (ii) any matters identified on Schedule
     3.8. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.8, Presto is not (i) under any
     liability or obligation with respect to the return of inventory in the
     possession of wholesalers, retailers or other customers  (other than
     Sellers liens under the California Corporations Code arising and
     discharged in the ordinary course of business); (ii) subject to any
     discount programs, credit terms or "off invoice" programs relating to
     inventory.  All packaging inventory complies with all applicable
     federal and state labeling requirements. 



























                                       12



     

          3.9  Undisclosed Liabilities.  Except as disclosed or in Schedule
               -----------------------
     3.9, Presto has no Liabilities other than obligations and liabilities
     (i) disclosed or adequately reserved for on the Supplemental Balance
     Sheet, (ii) disclosed or referred to in the notes to the Balance
     Sheet, and (iii) Liabilities incurred since December 31, 1995 in or as
     a result of the normal and ordinary course of business consistent with
     past practices. 

          3.10  Tax Returns and Audit.    Effective for Presto's tax year
                ---------------------
     beginning January 1, 1987 and at all times thereafter through the
     Closing, Presto has qualified as an S Corporation within the meaning
     of Section 1361(a)(1) of the Code for federal income tax purposes and
     thereafter for California tax purposes, for the year the same was
     first available.  For purposes of Section 633(b) of the Tax Reform Act
     of  1986, Presto's election to be taxed as an S Corporation within the
     meaning of Section 1361(a)(1) of the Code was made on or before
     December 31, 1986.   Presto has timely filed all federal, state, local
     and foreign Tax Returns required to be filed by it and Presto has
     timely paid all Taxes which are due with respect to Presto or its
     assets.   With respect to any period for which Taxes are not yet due,
     Presto has made due and sufficient current accruals for such Taxes in
     its Supplemental Balance Sheet.  Presto has withheld and paid over to
     the appropriate taxing authorities all Taxes required to be withheld
     and paid over in connection with amounts paid or owing to any
     employee, creditor, independent contractor or other third party and
     has or will have filed all federal, foreign, state, and local Tax
     Returns with respect to employee income tax withholding and social
     security and payroll and unemployment taxes for all periods (or
     portions thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date which are
     required to be filed on or before the Closing Date. There exist no
     liens, and Presto has no knowledge of any facts and circumstances
     which could reasonably be anticipated to result in any liens, for
     unpaid or delinquent taxes, except for liens for current taxes not yet
     due and for which due and sufficient reserves have been established on
     the Supplemental Balance Sheet. 

          3.11  Title to, Use and Condition of, the Presto Fixed Assets.  
                -------------------------------------------------------
     A  list of the Presto Fixed Assets, grouped by category and by year of
     acquisition with the net book value of each such group as reflected on
     the books of account of Presto as of September 30, 1996 has been
     delivered to Buyer.  Except as described on Schedule 3.11, the list is
     complete.  The Presto Fixed Assets are free and clear of any Liens,
     except (i) liens for current taxes not yet due (ii) other matters
     identified on Schedule 3.11 hereof.  The Presto Fixed Assets taken as
     a whole, are (as appropriate) (i) usable in the regular and ordinary
     course of business and conform to all applicable laws, ordinances,
     codes, rules and regulations and permits relating to
























                                       13



     

     their operation; (ii) in good operating condition and repair, and
     (iii) free from any known defects except reasonable and normal wear
     and tear. 

          3.12  Presto Realty.   Schedule 3.12 lists all Presto Realty.  As
                -------------
     to all Presto Realty identified as being owned by Presto, Presto has
     good and marketable title to such property free and clear of all
     Liens, adverse claims and other matters affecting Presto's title to or
     possession of such Presto Realty, including, but not limited to, all
     encroachments, boundary disputes, covenants, restrictions, easements,
     rights of way, mortgages, security interests, leases, encumbrances,
     title objections, and rights of first refusal other than (i) liens for
     taxes not yet due, (ii) such secured indebtedness as is disclosed in
     the Supplemental Balance Sheet , and (iii) matters disclosed on
     Schedule 3.12.  At Closing, title to the Presto Realty owned by Presto
     shall be insurable by any title insurance company selected by Buyer,
     at such company's regular rates pursuant to an ALTA 1987 owner's form
     of policy, free of all exceptions except the aforesaid easements,
     restrictions and covenants which are not objectionable to Buyer. 
     Presto is not in default with respect to any covenant of any security
     agreement, mortgage agreement, or other financing agreement involving
     the Presto Realty.  Further, each lease or agreement under which
     Presto is a lessee of any Presto Realty owned by any third party is,
     and at Closing shall be, in full force and effect and has not been
     assigned, modified, supplemented or amended since June 30, 1996 and
     neither Presto nor, to Presto's knowledge, the landlord or sublandlord
     under any such lease is in default under any of the Presto Realty
     leases, and no circumstances or state of facts presently exists which,
     with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would permit
     the landlord or sublandlord under any Presto Realty lease to terminate
     any Presto Realty lease.  Presto's possession of the Presto Realty has
     not been disturbed nor has any claim been asserted against Presto
     adverse to its rights in such Presto Realty.  Presto has all necessary
     rights to use  Presto Realty and the use of the Presto Realty by
     Presto conforms, to the extent required, with all Laws in effect on
     the date hereof regulating the use or improvement of real property and
     the operations thereon. Neither Presto nor any Principal Shareholder
     has received notice of or knows of any proceeding or governmental
     inquiry, or any threatened proceeding or governmental inquiry, which
     might reasonably be expected potentially to affect the zoning of the
     Presto Realty.

          3.13  Presto Leases.  Each Presto Lease of personal property
                -------------
     which involves payments by Presto aggregating in excess of $25,000 
     annually is listed on Schedule 3.13.  The property covered by the
     terms of the Presto Leases is presently used by Presto as lessee under
     the terms of the Presto Leases for the

























                                       14



     

     Presto Business.  All rentals due from Presto under the Presto Leases
     have been paid and there exists no default under any of the Presto
     Leases and, to the knowledge of Presto, no event has occurred which,
     upon passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would result in
     any event of default or prevent Presto, currently or, after
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder, from
     exercising or obtaining the benefits under the Presto Leases or the
     benefits of any options contained therein.  Except as noted on
     Schedule 3.13 hereof, all Presto Leases are valid and in full force
     and effect.

          3.14  Presto Intellectual Property.  Set forth on Schedule 3.14
                ----------------------------
     is a list and brief description of  the Presto Intellectual Property,
     including (as appropriate) where such items are filed, issued and/or
     registered. As to those matters shown on Schedule 3.14 as trademarks
     registered in the United States and countries foreign thereto, Presto
     represents that it is the owner of all right, title and interest in
     such United States and foreign registrations.  With respect to
     trademark applications indicated as pending, Presto has made and will
     continue to make available to Buyer and its counsel all material
     information of Presto and its counsel regarding such applications. 
     The trademarks shown on Schedule 3.14 as being registered have been
     properly registered, all pending registrations and applications for
     trademark have been properly made and filed and all annuity,
     maintenance, renewal and other fees relating to registrations and
     applications are current.  To the knowledge of Presto, there are no
     equitable defenses to enforcement of the trademarks shown on Schedule
     3.14 based on any act or omission of Presto.

          Presto owns no patents and has no applications for letters patent
     pending.

          Presto owns the trade secrets utilized in the Presto Business as
     the same has been and is conducted and does not require any trade
     secrets that it does not now already own or have the right to use, in
     order to conduct the Presto Business in the manner the same is
     conducted at the date hereof.  Presto is not infringing the
     Intellectual Property of others in the conduct of the Presto Business
     as currently conducted.  Except as described on Schedule 3.14, there
     is no litigation pending, or, to Presto's knowledge, threatened to
     challenge Presto's right, title or interest in or to, or continued use
     of any Presto Intellectual Property and, to Presto's knowledge any
     reasonable basis for such litigation.  To the knowledge of Presto, no
     one is infringing the Presto Intellectual Property in any material
     manner.  Presto has not granted any licenses or sublicenses or other
     rights with respect to any Presto Intellectual Property except as
     described in Schedule 3.14.  Presto has not transferred, assigned or
     otherwise conveyed, voluntarily or

























                                       15



     

     involuntarily, any right to sue for any infringement of Presto
     Intellectual Property.  Presto has the right to use the Presto
     Intellectual Property in the conduct of the Presto Business as the
     same is now conducted.

          3.15  Necessary Property.  The Presto Assets constitute all of
                ------------------
     the assets and property now used in and necessary for the conduct of
     the Presto Business in the manner and to the extent presently
     conducted by Presto.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15, none of
     the Shareholders, officers, directors and employees of Presto have any
     rights of ownership or use with respect to any of the Presto Assets.

          3.16  Customer Contracts, Other Contracts and Commitments. 
                ---------------------------------------------------
     Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16 or on another Schedule hereof
     referenced on Schedule 3.16, Presto  is not a party to any written or
     oral:

               (i)  Presto Customer Contract which individually or in the
          aggregate is material (amounts to 1% or more of Presto Gross
          Sales) to the Presto Business  which cannot be terminated on 30
          days notice or less;

               (ii)  single contract providing for an expenditure  in
          excess of $25,000 for the purchase, leasing or licensing of any
          real property, machinery, equipment, software or other items
          which are in the nature of capital investment; or any single
          contract providing for an expenditure  in excess of $25,000, or
          contracts with a single supplier in the aggregate providing for
          expenditures  in excess of $25,000, for the purchase or lease of
          raw materials, supplies, component parts or other items which are
          in the nature of inventory;

               (iii)   lease of any personal property under which Presto is
          a lessor and is entitled to receive payments of more than $25,000 
          in any one calendar year;

               (iv)  loan agreement, indenture, promissory note, mortgage,
          conditional sales agreement, guaranty, surety agreement,
          installment debt agreement or other similar type of agreement
          that involves an obligation enforceable against Presto of more
          than $25,000; 

               (v)  other contract or commitment which is material to the
          Presto Business except such that is cancelable on ninety (90)
          days notice or less without penalty;

               (vi)  contract arising outside the normal course of
          business;
























                                       16



     

               (vii)  collective bargaining agreement with any labor union;

               (viii)  bonus, incentive compensation, termination benefit
          plan, post-retirement medical benefit plan, or other similar plan
          not disclosed on Schedule 3.21;

               (ix)  employment agreement with officers, directors, senior
          executives, or other employees;

               (x)  contract or commitment which involves future payments
          by Presto based upon Presto's sales or profits; 

               (xi)  agreement between Presto and any of its Shareholders
          or directors;

               (xii)  agreement, contract or commitment, limiting or
          restraining Presto or any successor thereto from engaging or
          competing in any manner or in any business related to or
          competitive with the Presto Business , nor, to Presto's
          knowledge, is any employee of Presto subject to any such
          agreement, contract or commitment (the foregoing being exclusive
          of customer non-solicitation agreements to which Presto employees
          may be a party and third party trade secret agreements);

               (xiii)  agreement, contract or commitment with any
          consultant or other person or entity for consulting or other
          services involving in any one case of $25,000 or more.

     Except as described on Schedule 3.16 each of the agreements,
     contracts, commitments, leases, and other instruments, documents and
     undertakings listed or required to be listed on Schedule 3.16, or not
     required to be listed therein because of the amount thereof, is valid
     and enforceable as to Presto in accordance with its terms; Presto is,
     and to Presto's knowledge all other parties thereto are, in compliance
     with the provisions thereof; Presto is not, and to Presto's knowledge
     no other party thereto is, in default in the performance, observance
     or fulfillment of any obligation, covenant or condition contained
     therein; and to Presto's knowledge, no event has occurred which with
     or without  the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would
     constitute a default thereunder.   Except as listed on Schedule 3.16,
     no written or oral agreement, contract or commitment described or
     required to be described on Schedule 3.16 requires the consent of any
     party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

          3.17  No Breach of Statute, Decree, or Order.  Except as
                --------------------------------------
     disclosed on Schedule 3.17 hereto, Presto is not in default



























                                       17



     

     under, or in violation of, any applicable statute, law, ordinance,
     decree, order, rule or regulation of any governmental body, or the
     provisions of any franchise or license,  or any provision of its
     Articles of Incorporation, or Bylaws.

          3.18  Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.18 hereto,
                ----------
     there is no (i) action, suit, claim, or proceeding now pending or, to
     the knowledge of Presto, threatened against Presto or, to the further
     knowledge of Presto, any reasonable basis for same, before any court,
     administrative or regulatory body, or any governmental agency relating
     to the conduct of the Presto Business or the  Presto Assets or the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (ii)
     judgments, orders or decrees of any Governmental Entity binding on
     Presto or the Presto Assets.

          3.19  Presto Accounts Receivable.  The Presto Accounts Receivable
                --------------------------
     are  valid and genuine, and have arisen solely out of bona fide sales
     of goods and services in the ordinary conduct of the  Presto Business. 
     Except as described in Schedule 3.19, the Presto Accounts Receivable
     are not subject to defenses, counterclaims, or offsets.  The allowance
     for collection losses on the Supplemental Balance Sheet has been
     determined in accordance with GAAP consistent with past practice.
     Since December 31, 1995, Presto has not written off any accounts
     receivable except in accordance with past practice, nor has it changed
     the basis for calculation of the bad debt reserve.

          3.20  Certain Relationships.  Schedule 3.20 sets forth the names
                ---------------------
     of all current officers and directors of Presto.  Neither Presto nor
     any directors, officers, agents or employees of Presto has (i) used
     any corporate funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment
     or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (ii) made
     any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or
     employees or to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns
     from corporate funds or violated any provision of  the Foreign Corrupt
     Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or (iii) made any other unlawful
     payment.  None of the stockholders, officers or directors of Presto or
     any entity controlled by any of the foregoing (i) owns, directly or
     indirectly, any significant interest in, or is a director, officer,
     employee, consultant or agent of, any person which is a competitor,
     lessor, lessee or customer of, or supplier of goods or services to,
     the Presto Business, (ii) owns, directly or indirectly, in whole or in
     part, any real property, leasehold interests or other property with a
     fair market value of at least $25,000 in the aggregate the use of
     which is necessary for the Presto Business, (iii) has any cause of
     action or other suit, action or claim whatsoever against, or owes any
     amount to Presto other than  claims in the ordinary course of
     business, (iv) has
























                                       18



     

     sold to, or purchased from, Presto any assets or property for
     aggregate consideration in excess of $25,000 since January 1, 1996, or
     (v) is a party to any contract or participates in any arrangement,
     written or oral, pursuant to which the Presto Business provides
     services of any nature to any such individual or entity, except to
     such individual in his capacity as an employee of the Presto Business.

          3.21  Benefit Plans.  Schedule 3.21 sets forth any employee
                -------------
     benefit plan, fund, program or arrangement (including but not limited
     to employee benefit plans as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) and all
     other employee benefit arrangements or payroll practices including,
     without limitation, severance pay, sick leave, vacation pay, salary
     continuation for disability, consulting or other compensation
     agreements, deferred compensation, bonus, stock purchase, and
     scholarship programs which Presto, the Shareholders or any trade or
     business (whether or not incorporated) which is under control or which
     has ever been treated as a single employer with Presto or the
     shareholders under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal
     Revenue Code of 1985, as amended (the "Code") ("ERISA Affiliate")
     maintains, sponsors, contributes to or is obligated to contribute
     thereunder ("Plan").  True, correct and complete copies of the
     following documents with respect to each of the Plans have been made
     available or delivered to Buyer by Presto; (i) any plans and related
     trust documents and amendments thereto; (ii) the three most recent
     Forms 5500; (iii) the last IRS determination letter; (iv) summary plan
     descriptions; (v) material written communications to employees
     relating to the Plans; and (vi) written descriptions of all non-
     written agreements relating to the Plans.  Except as otherwise
     described on Schedule 3.21, (i) each Plan has been operated in
     conformity with its terms and applicable laws (including but not
     limited to the Code and ERISA); (ii) all notice and  continuation
     coverage requirements under any group health plan provided by  Presto
     or ERISA Affiliate at Presto has been provided in conformity with the
     Code and ERISA; (iii) Presto has or will have made on or before the
     Closing Date all contributions required under any Plan for all plan
     years beginning before the Closing Date and has no indebtedness, or
     obligation to incur indebtedness, to any Plan outstanding; and all
     contributions for any period ending on or before the Closing Date
     which are not yet due will have been paid or accrued on or prior to
     the Closing Date; (iv) a letter has been received from the Internal
     Revenue Service determining that each Plan intended to qualify under
     Section 401(a) of the Code, as amended by the Retirement Equity Act
     and the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 and by the Tax Reform Act of
     1986, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, the Unemployment
     Compensation Amendments Act of 1992 and the Omnibus Budget
     Reconciliation Act of 1993 are so qualified and the trusts maintained
     pursuant


























                                       19



     

     thereto are exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501 of
     the Code  and nothing has occurred which has resulted in the
     revocation of such qualification or exemption; (v) neither Presto nor
     any ERISA Affiliate of Presto sponsors or maintains and are not
     required to contribute to any defined benefit pension plan (as defined
     in Section 3(35) of ERISA), is a party to and has not contributed to
     any multiemployer plan (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA)
     ("Multiemployer Plan"); (vi) no prohibited transaction (as defined in
     either Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) has occurred
     with respect to any Plan; (vii) Presto has complied with all reporting
     and disclosure requirements under ERISA and the Code to the extent
     applicable to any Plan; and (viii) no director, officer or employee of 
     Presto, to the extent he or she is a fiduciary with respect to any
     Plan, has breached any responsibility or obligation imposed upon
     fiduciaries under Title I of ERISA or which would result in any claim
     being made under, by or on behalf of any Plan, participant,
     beneficiary, alternate payee, co-fiduciary or former fiduciary, and
     there has been no actual, or to the knowledge of Presto and the
     Principal Shareholders threatened litigation or governmental
     administrative action concerning or involving any such Plan.  Except
     with respect to the individuals listed on Schedule 3.21(a), no current
     or former employees of Presto (or their beneficiaries) are entitled to
     any post-retirement health or life insurance continuation coverage
     under any Plan except as may be required under COBRA and at the
     expense of the participant or the participant's beneficiary.  The
     execution of this Agreement will not (i) result in any payment
     becoming due to any current, former or retired employee of Presto or
     any ERISA Affiliate of Presto, (ii) increase any benefits under any
     Plan, or (iii) accelerate the payment or vesting of any such benefits. 
     No liability under any Plan has been funded nor had any such
     obligation been satisfied with the purchase of a contract from an
     insurance company that is not rated AA by Standard & Poor's
     Corporation and the equivalent by each other nationally recognized
     rating agency.  No stock or other security issued by Presto forms or
     has formed a material part of the assets of any Plan.  Neither Presto
     nor any ERISA Affiliate of Presto has withdrawn in a complete or
     partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan prior to the Closing
     Date, nor has any of them incurred any liability due to the
     termination or reorganization of a Multiemployer Plan; and Buyer will
     not have (i) any obligation to make any contribution to any
     Multiemployer Plan or (ii) any withdrawal liability from any such
     Multiemployer Plan under Section 4201 of ERISA which it would not have
     had it not purchased the Presto Shares from the Shareholders at the
     Closing in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

          3.22  Environmental Matters.  Presto and its operations and
                ---------------------
     facilities have been and are in compliance in all material respects
     with Environmental Laws. Except as described in Schedule

























                                       20



     

     3.22, no judicial or administrative proceedings or investigations are
     pending or to Presto's knowledge threatened against Presto or any real
     property owned, leased or operated by Presto that allege the violation
     of or seek to impose liability pursuant to Environmental Laws which
     are likely to give rise to any material Environmental Costs and
     Liabilities and Presto has not received notice of, nor does either
     Presto or any Principal Shareholder know or have reason to know of any
     facts or circumstances which might reasonably be expected to give rise
     to liability  under Environmental Laws, indicating liability for
     employee exposure to Hazardous Materials.  Presto has not disposed or
     arranged for the disposal of any waste or Hazardous Materials  at any
     location which is listed or proposed for listing under CERCLA, or
     CERCLIS or on any similar state list, or which is the subject of
     federal, state or local enforcement actions or other investigations
     which may lead to liability on the part of either Presto or Buyer for
     site investigation or cleanup costs, remedial work, damages to natural
     resources or for personal injury except as described in Schedule 3.22. 
     No real property currently or to Presto's knowledge, formerly owned,
     operated or leased by Presto is located on a site which is listed or
     proposed for listing under CERCLA or CERCLIS or on any similar state
     list.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.22, there are no facts,
     circumstances or conditions relating to, arising from or attributable
     to the Presto Business or the  Presto Realty or, to the knowledge of
     Presto, adjacent properties that are reasonably likely to result in
     Presto or, after the Closing, the Buyer incurring material
     Environmental Costs and Liabilities.  Except as disclosed in Schedule
     3.22, there is not now, nor, to Presto's knowledge, has there been in
     the past, on, in or under any real property owned, leased or operated
     by Presto (i) any underground storage tanks, above-ground storage
     tanks, dikes or impoundments containing Hazardous Materials, (ii) any
     asbestos-containing materials, or (iii) any polychlorinated bipheyls. 
     The Shareholders and Presto have provided Buyer with copies of all
     audits, assessments, studies, reports, analyses, and results of
     investigations and any notices, claims or similar documentation
     relating to Presto, its operations, or any real property currently or
     formerly owned, operated or leased by Presto or any predecessor and
     compliance with or potential liability under any Environmental Law
     that are in the possession, custody or control of Presto or any
     Shareholder.

          3.23  Labor Relations; Employees.   Schedule 3.23 hereto contains
                --------------------------
     a true and complete list of all persons employed by Presto, including
     date of hire, a description of material compensation arrangements
     (other than employee benefit plans set forth in Schedule 3.21) and a
     list of other terms of any and all agreements affecting such persons.
     Except as set forth on Schedule 3.23, (i) Presto is not a party to any
     legally binding


























                                       21



     

     written employment or consulting agreement or contract; (ii) Presto
     has no formal or informal, express or implied, severance or
     termination notice plan, program or policy, which is effective upon
     termination of the employment of any employee or consulting
     arrangement with any Consultant; or upon the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby (iii) Presto is not delinquent in
     payments to any of its employees or consultants for any wages,
     salaries, commissions, benefits, bonuses or other direct or indirect
     compensation for any services performed by him or her to the date
     hereof or amounts required to be reimbursed to any of its employees or
     consultants; (iv) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of Presto,
     threatened litigation by any employees or consultants (v) there are no
     pending or, to the knowledge of Presto, threatened administrative
     actions or claims with respect to either Presto's relationship to any
     employee or Consultant including, without limitation, discrimination
     (whether for sex, age, race, religion, national origin or any other
     reason); (vi) Presto is and for the past three years has been in
     compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations
     respecting labor, employment and employment practices, terms and
     conditions of employment and wages and hours, except to the extent
     that any noncompliance would not have a material adverse effect on the
     Presto Business or the Presto Assets; (vii) there is no unfair labor
     practice complaint against Presto pending or to the knowledge of
     Presto threatened before the National Labor Relations Board or any
     comparable state, local or foreign agency; (viii) there is no labor
     strike, dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the knowledge of
     Presto,  threatened against Presto; and (ix) Presto is not a party to
     any collective bargaining agreement not listed on Schedule 3.23 and
     none is currently being negotiated.

          3.24  (INTENTIONALLY OMITTED)

          3.25  Insurance.   Presto has insurance policies in full force
                ---------
     and effect for such amounts as are sufficient for material compliance
     with all requirements of law and of all agreements to which Presto is
     a party or by which it is bound.  Set forth in Schedule 3.25 is a list
     of all fire, liability and other forms of insurance and all fidelity
     bonds held by or applicable to Presto, setting forth, in respect of
     each such policy, the policy name, policy number, carrier, term, type
     of coverage and annual premium.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.25,
     no event relating to Presto has occurred which can reasonably be
     expected to result in a retroactive upward adjustment in premiums
     under any such insurance policies or which is likely to result in a
     prospective upward adjustment in such premiums.  Excluding insurance
     policies that have expired and been replaced in the ordinary course of
     business, no insurance policy has been canceled within the last two
     years and, to Presto's knowledge, no threat has been made to


























                                       22



     

     cancel any insurance policy of Presto during such period.  Except as
     noted on Schedule 3.25, all such insurance will remain in full force
     and effect with respect to periods before the Closing.  No event has
     occurred, including without limitation, the failure by Presto to give
     any notice or information or Presto giving any inaccurate or erroneous
     notice or information, which limits or impairs the rights of Presto
     under any such insurance policies.  

          3.26  Dividends.  Except as described in Schedule 3.26, Presto
                ---------
     has not made any declaration, setting aside or payment to the holders
     of its Presto Shares of any dividends or other distributions in
     respect of its Presto Shares to be paid after the date of this
     Agreement or agreed or become obligated to take any such action.

          3.27  No Pending Transactions.  Except for this Agreement, Presto
                -----------------------
     is not a party to or bound by any agreement, undertaking or commitment
     (i) to merge or consolidate with, or acquire all or substantially all
     of the property and assets of any other corporation or person or (ii)
     to sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property
     and assets to any other corporation or person.

          3.28  Minute Books and Records.  The Presto minute books and any
                ------------------------
     other significant corporate records of Presto are now and will be
     substantially complete and correct as of the Closing Date and have
     been maintained in accordance with good business practices.

          3.29  Broker's Fees.  Other than Goldman, Sachs & Co., neither
                -------------
     Presto nor any person or entity acting on behalf of Presto has
     retained or engaged any investment banking firm, broker, finder or
     agent or agreed to pay any other Person any investment banking fee,
     brokerage fee, finder's fee or commission with respect to the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 

          3.30  Financial Institution Relationships.  Schedule 3.30 hereto
                -----------------------------------
     includes a complete and accurate list, as of the date of this
     Agreement and, as will be supplemented in writing by Presto to Buyer
     at least three business days prior to the Closing, of (i) each and
     every bank and account number in which Presto or Presto
     Transportation, Inc. has an account together with the names of all
     persons authorized as signatories to draw thereon, and the cash
     balance of each such account; (ii) a description of all lines of
     credit extended in favor of Presto together with the name of the
     institution issuing such line of credit, the balance of the amount
     drawn thereon, and such additional information as Buyer may hereafter
     request; and (iii) each and every safe deposit box maintained by
     Presto and Presto Transportation, Inc.,























                                       23



     

     together with the names of all persons authorized to have access
     thereto and the property contained in each such safe deposit box.

          3.31  Spousal Consents.  Each Shareholder represents and warrants
                ----------------
     that Schedule 3.31 hereto correctly identifies (i) his or her spouse
     and (ii) any person who has been his or her spouse at any time since
     January 1, 1996.

          3.32  Customers and Suppliers.  Schedule 3.32 sets forth (a) a
                -----------------------
     list of (i) the ten largest customers of Presto based on sales during
     the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and (ii) the ten largest
     customers of Presto during the  six months ended  June 30, 1996,
     showing the approximate total sales by Presto to each such customer
     during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and the six months
     ended June 30, 1996, respectively, (b) a list of (i) the ten largest
     suppliers of Presto based on purchases during the fiscal year ended
     December 31, 1995 and the nine months ended September 30, 1996,
     showing the approximate total purchases by Presto from each such
     supplier during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and the nine
     months ended September 30, 1996, respectively.  

          3.33  Product Actions.  Paragraph 3.33 sets forth all recalls and
                ---------------
     withdrawals of products and other similar federal, state or private
     actions with respect to products manufactured or sold by Presto during
     the past three years ("Product Actions").  To the knowledge of Presto,
     no facts or circumstances exist that could reasonably be expected to
     result in a Product Action.

          3.34  Compliance With Law; Permits.  Presto has complied with
                ----------------------------
     each Law, judgment, order and decree of any Governmental Entity to
     which Presto or its business, operations, assets or properties is
     subject and is not currently in violation of any of the foregoing. 
     Presto owns, holds, possesses or lawfully uses in the operation of its
     business all licenses, permits, authorizations, and approvals
     (collectively, "Permits") which are in any manner necessary for it to
     conduct the Presto Business as now or previously conducted or for the
     ownership and use of the Presto Assets, free and clear of all Liens
     and in compliance with all Laws.   Seller is not in default, nor has
     it received any notice of any claim of default, with respect to any
     such Permits.

          3.35  Material Facts.  Neither this Agreement nor any schedule
                --------------
     hereto, or any written statement or certificate required by Paragraphs
     7.1 and 7.3 furnished at the Closing as required herein by Presto or
     the Principal Shareholders, contains or will contain an untrue
     statement of fact or omits or will omit to state a fact that is
     necessary in order to make the statements contained herein and
     therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made,
     not materially misleading.  None of




















                                       24



     

     the Shareholders or Presto has failed to disclose to Buyer any fact
     which would reasonably be determined to have a material adverse effect
     on the business, financial condition, results of operations or
     prospects of the Presto Business, or which is otherwise material to
     the Presto Business.

          3.36   Presto Transportation. Presto Transportation, Inc. is a
                ----------------------
     corporation organized, existing, and in good standing under the laws
     of the State of Missouri.  Presto Transportation, Inc. has the
     requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and use its
     properties and to transact business, in the manner it is conducting
     same as of the date hereof.   Presto Transportation, Inc. has no
     subsidiaries and no shares of any corporation or any ownership or
     other interest or investment either of record, beneficially or
     equitably, in any association partnership, joint venture or other
     legal entity. Presto Transportation, Inc. has no Liabilities not
     included or reflected in the Presto Supplemental Balance Sheet. The
     entire authorized capital stock of Presto Transportation, Inc.
     consists of  100,000 shares of common stock.  As of the Closing Date
     there will be issued and outstanding 100,000 shares of Presto
     Transportation, Inc. common stock, all of which are duly authorized,
     validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and were not issued in
     violation of any preemptive  rights.  There are no shares of preferred
     stock or shares of any other series or class of common stock or shares
     of any other type of security either authorized or outstanding. Presto
     Transportation, Inc. does not have any right or obligation to purchase
     or redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Presto Transportation,
     Inc. capital stock.  There (i) are no options, warrants, calls,
     subscriptions, conversion or other rights, agreements or commitments
     obligating Presto Transportation, Inc. to issue any additional shares
     of capital stock or any other securities convertible into,
     exchangeable for or evidencing the right to subscribe for any shares
     of capital stock of Presto Transportation, Inc., (ii) are no
     restrictions on the transfer of any shares of capital stock of Presto
     Transportation, Inc. and (iii) are no requirements of Presto
     Transportation, Inc. to vote any shares of capital stock of Presto
     Transportation, Inc. 

                                   SECTION IV
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
                     ---------------------------------------
          Buyer hereby makes the following representations and warranties,
     each of which shall be true and correct on the Closing Date.

          4.1  Corporate Status.  Buyer is a corporation organized,
               ----------------
     existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of 
     Delaware, and has the corporate power and the authority to own and use
     its properties and to transact the business in which it
























                                       25



     

     is engaged and has the corporate power to enter into and consummate
     this Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and
     binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance
     with its terms.

          4.2  Authorization of Agreement.   The execution and delivery of
               --------------------------
     this Agreement do not, and the compliance with and the fulfillment of,
     and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement will not violate or conflict with any provisions of the
     Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Buyer or result in the
     acceleration of, any obligation under any agreement or instrument to
     which Buyer is a party or is bound, or violate any order, judgment,
     award or decree to which it is a party or to which it is subject which
     violation, conflict, breach, default or acceleration could have a
     material adverse effect on the consummation of the transaction
     contemplated hereby.  At or prior to the Closing Date, Buyer will have
     furnished to Presto and the Shareholders  true and correct copies of
     all resolutions and/or other certificates or documents authorizing
     Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder, which
     resolutions and documents will constitute all action required by law
     or the Certificate  of Incorporation and Bylaws of Buyer to authorize
     and approve the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.


          4.3  Broker's Fees.  Buyer  has not retained or engaged any
               -------------
     investment banking firm,  broker, finder or agent or agreed to pay any
     investment banking firm, brokerage fee, finder's fee or commission for
     which Presto or any Shareholder is or will be liable with respect to
     the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          4.4  Financing.  Attached hereto as Schedule 4.4 is a true and
               ---------
     complete copy of an executed commitment letter dated October 11, 1996
     from NationsBank of Texas, N. A. (the "Financing Commitment").

          4.5  Investment Representation.  Buyer represents to Presto and
               -------------------------
     the Shareholders of Presto that the acquisition of the Presto Shares
     contemplated herein is being done for its own account, for investment
     and not with a view to sale or distribution of thereof or any other
     Presto securities.

                                    SECTION V
                      COVENANTS OF PRESTO AND SHAREHOLDERS
                      ------------------------------------
          5.1  Operation of Business.  Presto and Shareholders covenant and
               ---------------------
     agree with Buyer that from and after the date of this Agreement and
     until the Closing Date, except as described in























                                       26



     

     Schedule 5.1 and except as Buyer may hereafter agree in writing, that:

               (i)  The Shareholders will not sell, transfer, or convey any
          interest in the Presto Shares or otherwise render themselves 
          unable to perform their obligations hereunder at the Closing;

               (ii)  Presto shall not issue or sell any shares of its
          capital stock or other securities, acquire directly or
          indirectly, by redemption or otherwise, any such capital stock,
          reclassify or split-up any such capital stock, declare or pay any
          dividends thereon in cash (except as described in Schedule 3.26),
          securities or other property or make any other distribution with
          respect thereto, or grant or enter into any options, warrants,
          calls or commitments of any kind with respect thereto;

               (iii)  Presto's business shall be conducted only in the
          ordinary and usual course consistent with past practice;

               (iv)  Presto will not sell, lease or dispose of or encumber
          any assets other than sales of products in the ordinary course of
          the Presto Business or move any Presto Fixed Asset to any
          location other than to the Presto Realty;

               (v)  Presto will not make any capital expenditure or enter
          into any lease of capital equipment or real estate outside the
          normal course of business;

               (vi)  Presto will not create, assume, incur or guarantee any
          indebtedness other than (1) in the usual and ordinary course of
          business and with a maturity date of less than one year or (2)
          that incurred pursuant to existing contracts disclosed in the
          Schedules delivered pursuant hereto;

               (vii)  Presto will not make or institute any unusual or
          novel method of transacting business or change any accounting
          procedures or practices or its financial structure;

               (viii)  Presto will not make any amendments to or changes in
          its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; 

               (ix)  Presto shall not effect any transaction with any
          related party, including without limitation directors, officers,
          and shareholders and affiliates of the same,  except as required
          under an existing agreement or arrangement the terms of which are
          described in the





























                                       27



     

          Schedules accompanying this Agreement, nor shall Presto enter
          into any new contract or arrangement with any of the related
          parties described above.

               (x)  Presto will not extend credit in the sale of products,
          collection of receivables or otherwise, other than in the
          ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

               (xi)  Presto will not grant to any employee of Presto any
          increase in compensation or in severance or termination pay,
          grant any severance or termination pay, or enter into any
          employment agreement with any employee, except as may be required
          under employment or termination agreements in effect on the date
          of this agreement or based on annual reviews in the ordinary
          course of business consistent with past practice;

               (xii)  Presto will not adopt or amend any Plan or collective
          bargaining agreements, except as required by Law;

               (xiii)  Presto will maintain in full force and effect all
          insurance described in Schedule 3.25; 

               (xiv)  neither the Shareholders nor Presto will take any
          action as a result of which any representation or warranty of the
          Principal Shareholders, the Minority Shareholders or Presto in
          Section III would be rendered untrue or incorrect if such
          representation or warranty were made immediately following the
          taking of such action; and

               (xv)  Presto will not make any principal payments on
          outstanding funded debt, other than scheduled principal payments,
          or pay any amounts for deferred compensation (including any
          amounts for  Performance Shares Plan). Buyer acknowledges that
          Presto expects to make substantial payments with respect to
          Presto's  Performance Shares Plan simultaneously  with the
          Closing.

          5.2  Preservation of Business.  Presto shall carry on its
               ------------------------
     business diligently and substantially in the same manner as heretofore
     conducted and shall use all reasonable efforts to keep its business
     organization intact, including its present employees and its present
     relationships with suppliers and customers and others having business
     relations with it.  Presto will at all times use all reasonable
     efforts to maintain in inventory quantities of goods, materials and
     supplies sufficient to allow the continuation and operation of the
     Presto Business, after the Closing Date, free from any material
     shortage of such items.


























                                       28



     

          5.3  Full Access.   Prior to the Closing, upon reasonable notice
               -----------
     from Buyer to Presto, Presto will and the Shareholders will cause
     Presto to afford to the officers, attorneys, accountants or other
     authorized representatives of Buyer reasonable access during normal
     business hours to the employees, assets, facilities and the books and
     records of Presto so as to afford Buyer full opportunity to make such
     review, examination and investigation of the Presto Business as Buyer
     may desire to make.  Buyer will be permitted to make extracts from or
     to make copies of such books and records as may be reasonably
     necessary in connection therewith.  Prior to the Closing, Presto will
     promptly furnish or cause to be furnished to Buyer such financial and
     operating data and other information as Buyer may reasonably request. 

          5.4  (INTENTIONALLY OMITTED)

          5.5  Books, Records, and Financial Statements.  Presto shall
               ----------------------------------------
     maintain its books and financial records in accordance with  GAAP
     consistently maintained and applied, and on a basis consistent with
     the past practices of Presto.  Said books and financial records shall
     fairly and accurately reflect the operations of Presto.  Presto shall
     furnish to Buyer promptly, as available, financial statements and
     operating reports applicable to the operations of Presto since June
     30, 1996.  Prior to the Closing, within thirty (30) days of the end of
     each quarter, the Shareholders shall cause Presto deliver to Buyer an
     unaudited income statement and an unaudited balance sheet of Presto
     for the  quarter then ended (collectively, the "Quarterly Financial
     Statements").  The Quarterly Financial Statements shall be certified
     by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.  Such certification
     shall state that:  (a) the  Quarterly Financial Statements were
     prepared in accordance with GAAP and practices consistent with those
     followed in the preparation of the financial statements delivered
     pursuant to Paragraph 3.6 hereof; and (b) no material adjustments to
     such  Quarterly Financial Statements are required for a fair
     presentation of the financial condition and results of operations of
     the Presto Business for the period covered by such statements. Prior
     to the Closing, within twenty (20) days of the end of each month, the
     Shareholders shall cause Presto to deliver to Buyer an unaudited
     income statement and unaudited balance sheet for the month then ended.

          5.6  Presto Transportation Shares.  The Shareholders agree to
               ----------------------------
     transfer, convey, assign and deliver to Buyer  at the Closing, without
     additional consideration, all of the capital stock of Presto
     Transportation, Inc. not owned by Presto,  free and clear of all
     Liens.



























                                       29



     

          5.7  Waiver of Any Prior Agreements.  Presto and each Shareholder
               ------------------------------
     hereby (i) consent to all of the transactions provided for herein and
     to all transactions necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent
     of this Agreement; (ii) acknowledge that Buyer shall be entitled to
     exercise its rights as set forth herein and to obtain, on the Closing
     Date (and retain thereafter) rights in and to the Presto Shares being
     acquired hereunder, free from any and all restrictions on transfer,
     pledge, hypothecation, voting, or otherwise except for the usual
     restrictions imposed on distributions of securities by state and
     federal securities laws; and (iii) waive in their entirety for all
     time any and all rights which the Shareholder(s) and/or Presto may
     have to object to, or prevent, restrict or in any other way affect the
     rights granted to Buyer herein or the right of Buyer to obtain title
     to the Presto Shares free and clear of any Lien, including, without
     limitations, any and all repurchase rights, rights of first refusal,
     and other rights or restrictions. 

          5.8  Environmental Audit.  Buyer and its consultants shall have a
               -------------------
     right to enter the Presto premises in order to conduct an assessment
     of possible environmental contamination, including taking soil samples
     and conducting other practices that are customary in connection with
     environmental audits.

          5.9  Notification.   Prior to the Closing, the Shareholders shall
               ------------
     cause Presto to notify Buyer, and Buyer shall notify Presto, of any
     litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding pending or, to
     its knowledge, threatened against Presto or the Shareholders or Buyer,
     as the case may be, which challenges the transactions contemplated
     hereby.

          5.10  No Inconsistent Action. Neither Buyer nor the Shareholders
                ----------------------
     shall take any action which is materially inconsistent with their
     respective obligations under this Agreement.

          5.11  Acquisition Proposals.  From and after the date of this
                ---------------------
     Agreement unless this Agreement is terminated under the provisions of
     Section X, neither Presto nor any Shareholder shall, nor shall they
     authorize or permit any officer, director or employee of, or any
     investment banker, attorney, accountant or other representative
     retained by, Presto or any Shareholder to  solicit, initiate or
     encourage submission of any proposal or offer (including by way of
     furnishing information) from any person which constitutes, or may
     reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal.  As used
     in this Agreement, "Acquisition Proposal" shall mean any proposal for
     a merger or other business combination involving Presto or any
     proposal or























                                       30



     

     offer to acquire in any manner a substantial equity interest in, or a
     substantial portion of the assets of, Presto.

          5.12  Cooperation.  Buyer, on the one hand, and Presto and the
                -----------
     Shareholders, on the other hand, shall cooperate fully with each other
     in taking any actions, including actions to obtain the required
     consent of any Governmental Entity or any third party, necessary or
     helpful to accomplish the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
     provided, however, that no party shall be required to take any action
     which would have a material adverse effect upon it.

          5.13  Satisfaction of Conditions.  Without limiting the
                --------------------------
     generality or effect of any provision of Sections VII or VIII, prior
     to the Closing, each of the parties will use reasonable efforts with
     due diligence and in good faith to satisfy promptly all conditions
     required hereby to be satisfied by such party in order to expedite the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

          5.14  Notice of Material Adverse Changes  Presto and the
                ----------------------------------
     Principal Shareholders shall cause Presto to notify Buyer as soon as
     practical in writing (and in any event before Closing) if prior to
     Closing (1) Presto or a Principal Shareholder has knowledge of a
     material adverse change in the business relationship of Presto with
     any customer or supplier of Presto named in Schedule 3.32 or (2) any
     person listed in Schedule 2.10 has knowledge that a customer or
     supplier named in said schedule advises Presto after the date hereof
     that it intends to discontinue its relationship with Presto or
     materially reduce the level of business it conducts with Presto,
     whether as a result of the consummation of the transaction
     contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise.

                                   SECTION VI
                       ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
                       -----------------------------------
          6.1  Section 338 Election.
               --------------------
               (a)  Each of the Shareholders, Presto and the Buyer shall
          elect to file an election under Section 338(h)(10) of the Code
          and under any comparable provisions of state, local, or foreign
          law other than under the laws of the State of California, to the
          extent such exclusion from the Election is permitted under
          California law with respect to the purchase of the Presto Shares
          (collectively the "Election").  The Shareholders, Presto and the
          Buyer shall report, in connection with the determination of
          Taxes, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in a
          manner consistent with the Election.  The Shareholders and Presto

























                                       31



     

          shall comply with all of the requirements of Section 338(h)(10)
          of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.  The
          Shareholders, Presto and the Buyer shall take no action which is
          inconsistent with the Election or its validity under the Code and
          the applicable Treasury Regulations.

               (b)  On the Closing Date, each of the Shareholders and their
          spouses shall execute and deliver to the Buyer five copies of
          Internal Revenue Service Form 8023-A provided by the Buyer and
          any similar forms under applicable state, local or foreign law
          other than the State of California (the "Election Forms").

               (c)  As soon as practicable after the Closing Date, Buyer,
          and  the Principal Shareholders, directly or through their
          representatives, shall meet and confer to seek agreement among
          them as to the allocation of the Modified Aggregate Deemed Sales
          Price (as defined below) among the assets of Presto in accordance
          with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.338(h)(10) -
          1(f)(i)(ii) (the "Sales Price Allocation").  The term "Modified
          Aggregate Deemed Sales Price" shall mean an amount resulting from
          the Election, determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section
          1.338(h)(10) - 1(f) without regard to items described in Treasury
          Regulation Section 1.338(h)(10) - 1(f)(4) (provided that the
          Shareholders and Presto may take such items into account in
          filing Tax Returns). In the event the Buyer and the Principal
          Shareholders reach agreement as to such allocation, the
          Shareholders, Presto and the Buyer shall file all Tax Returns in
          a manner consistent with the agreed to Sales Price Allocation. If
          the parties, after  meeting and conferring in good faith are
          unable to reach agreement as to such Sales Price Allocation,
          neither Buyer nor Principal Shareholders shall be under any
          obligation to file tax returns consistent with other party's
          Sales Price Allocation.

               (d)  The Buyer shall be responsible for the preparation and
          filing of all forms and documents required in connection with the
          Election.  The Buyer shall provide the Principal Shareholders
          with copies of (i) any necessary corrections, amendments, or
          supplements to Form 8023-A, (ii) all attachments required to be
          filed therewith pursuant to applicable Treasury Regulations, and
          (iii) any comparable forms and attachments with respect to any
          applicable state, foreign, or local elections being made pursuant
          to the Election.  The Shareholders (and their respective spouses)
          shall execute and deliver to the Buyer within five days of
          receipt by the Principal Shareholders such documents or





























                                       32



     

          forms as are required properly to complete the Election.  The
          Shareholders, Presto and the Buyer shall cooperate fully with
          each other and make available to each other such Tax data and
          other information as may be reasonably required by the
          Shareholders or the Buyer in order to timely file the Election
          and any other required statements or schedules.  The Shareholders
          (and their respective spouses) shall promptly execute and deliver
          to the Buyer any amendments made to Form 8023-A (and any
          comparable state, local and foreign forms) subsequent to the
          filing of the Election and any attachments which are required to
          be filed under applicable law.

          6.2  Cooperation and News Releases.  Buyer and Presto will fully
               -----------------------------
     cooperate with each other and their respective counsels and
     accountants in connection with any steps to be taken as part of their
     obligations under this Agreement.  Presto and Buyer will advise each
     other of the text of any news release to be issued concerning the
     subject acquisition and will not make any news release or otherwise
     permit information concerning the subject acquisition to become public
     without the consent of both Buyer and Presto provided, however, that
     nothing herein will prohibit either party from issuing or causing
     publication of any such press release or public announcement to the
     extent that such party determines such action to be required by Law or
     the rules of any stock exchange applicable to it, in which event the
     party making such determination will, if practicable in the
     circumstances, use reasonable efforts to allow the other party
     reasonable time to comment on such release or announcement in advance
     of its issuance.

          6.3  Confidential Treatment and Return of Documents.  Until
               ----------------------------------------------
     completion of the transactions contemplated hereby, Buyer will hold in
     confidence all documents and information concerning Presto furnished
     to Buyer and its representatives in connection with the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise made available to it, and
     will use such information only in connection with such transactions.
     All such documents and information will be deemed held by Buyer and
     Presto pursuant to the previously executed Confidentiality Agreement, 
     which shall not be deemed limited or restricted by the provisions of
     this paragraph 6.3.  Until completion of the subject transaction,
     Buyer will not release or disclose such information to any other
     person, except Buyer's outside accountants, attorneys, financing
     sources and their advisors and other consultants in connection with
     the transaction contemplated by Agreement.

          6.4  Further Assurances.  Each of the parties hereto agrees to
               ------------------
     execute and deliver such instruments and take such action as

























                                       33



     

     may be reasonably required in order to effect the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement.

          6.5  Shareholder Access to Records.  The Shareholders, personally
               -----------------------------
     or through their designated representatives, shall have reasonable
     access to the records of Presto following the Closing so as to permit
     them to prepare Tax Returns, file any reports required by law or
     perform other like tasks, to the extent that the records sought to be
     reviewed by them relate to matters and transactions occurring on or
     before the Closing Date and the inspection is carried out upon
     reasonable notice and during normal business hours.  

          6.6  Consents.  As promptly as practicable after the date of this
               --------
     Agreement, Presto and the Shareholders shall effect all filings,
     registrations and requests for consent with, and use best efforts to
     obtain all consents, authorizations,  approvals and declarations from,
     all third parties and government agencies required under laws
     applicable to Presto or the Shareholders or contracts to which Presto
     or the Shareholders are party for Presto and the Shareholders to
     consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  Without limiting the
     generality of the foregoing, Presto and the Shareholders shall provide
     Buyer with drafts of their Hart-Scott-Rodino filing and with any
     information regarding the Presto needed for Buyer's Hart-Scott-Rodino
     filing.  Presto shall use reasonable commercial efforts to obtain
     consents required, if any, in order to enable Presto to retain after
     the Closing all rights under existing real and personal property
     leases and other contracts, without modification.  Buyer shall use
     reasonable efforts to assist Presto and the Shareholders as reasonably
     requested with all matters described above in this paragraph 6.6.  In
     addition, as promptly as practicable after the date hereof, Buyer will
     make all filings with governmental bodies and other regulatory
     authorities (including under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act), and use all
     reasonable commercial efforts to obtain all permits, approvals,
     authorizations and consents of all third parties, necessary under laws
     applicable to Buyer or contracts to which Buyer is party for Buyer to
     consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          6.7  No WARN Notice.  It is expressly understood by the  parties
               --------------
     hereto that, in light of Buyer's intention to not close any Presto
     facility or to take any other action that would otherwise require the
     giving of any notice under the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Act 
     (the "WARN Act"), any  obligation to provide any notice under the WARN
     Act shall be that of Buyer and not of the Shareholders or, before the
     Closing, of Presto.

          6.8  401(k) Plan.  Buyer agrees to cause the "401(k) plan" that
               -----------
     it maintains to credit service with Presto for purposes of























                                       34



     

     determining eligibility to participate thereunder to the extent Presto
     employees participate in such plan.

          6.9  Covenant Not to Compete; Confidentiality.  Each Principal
               ----------------------------------------
     Shareholder agrees that for a period of three years after the Closing
     Date, it will not, directly or indirectly, (i) own, manage, operate,
     control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or
     control of any business, whether in corporate, proprietorship or
     partnership form or otherwise, engaged in the design, manufacturing or
     marketing of products that are competitive with the products produced
     by Presto on the Closing Date or that otherwise competes with the
     Presto Business or (ii) disclose, reveal, divulge or communicate to
     any person or entity other than authorized officers, directors and
     employees of Buyer, or use or otherwise exploit for its own benefit or
     for the benefit of anyone other than Buyer, any Confidential
     Information (as defined below).  No Principal Shareholder shall have
     any obligation to keep confidential any Confidential Information if
     and to the extent disclosure thereof is specifically required by law;
     provided, however, that in the event disclosure is required by
     applicable law, the Principal Shareholders, shall, to the extent
     reasonably possible, provide Buyer with prompt notice of such
     requirement prior to making any disclosure so that Buyer may seek an
     appropriate protective order.  For purposes of this Paragraph 6.9,
     "Confidential Information" shall mean any confidential information
     with respect to the conduct or details of the Presto Business,
     including, without limitation methods of operation, customers, and
     customer lists, products, proposed products, former products,
     proposed, pending or completed acquisitions of any company, division,
     product line or other business unit, prices, fees, costs, plans,
     designs, technology, inventions, trade secrets, know-how, software,
     marketing methods, policies, plans, personnel, suppliers, competitors,
     markets or other specialized information or proprietary matters.  The
     term "Confidential Information" does not include, and there shall be
     no obligation hereunder with respect to, information that (a) is
     generally available to the public on the date of this Agreement, or
     (b) becomes generally available to the public other than as a result
     of a disclosure by any Shareholder not otherwise permissible
     thereunder, or (c) any Shareholder learns from other sources where
     such sources have not violated their confidentiality obligation to
     Buyer.  The parties hereto specifically acknowledge and agree that the
     remedy at law for any breach of the foregoing will be inadequate and
     that the Buyer, in addition to any other relief available to it, shall
     be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief without the
     necessity of proving actual damage or posting any bond whatsoever.  In
     the event that the provisions of this Paragraph




























                                       35



     

     6.9 should ever be deemed to exceed the limitation provided by
     applicable law, then the parties hereto agree that such








































































                                       36



     

     provisions shall be reformed to set forth the maximum limitations
     permitted.

          6.10  Non-Solicitation.  Until the third anniversary of the
                ----------------
     Closing Date, none of the Principal Shareholders will directly or
     indirectly solicit or offer employment to any persons presently
     engaged in the Business on the Closing Date (i) who is then an
     employee of Buyer, or (ii) who has terminated such employment without
     the consent of Buyer within 180 days of such solicitation or offer.

          6.11  No Breach by Presto.    Buyer  will not cause or permit
                -------------------
     Presto (1) to breach any obligations under Presto's employee benefit
     plans existing at the Closing or (2) to fail to pay when due the 1996
     Bonus Profit Sharing Plan and Profit Sharing Incentive Plan and the
     discretionary 401(k) plan in accordance with such plans and past
     practices.  

                                   SECTION VII
                   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS
                   -------------------------------------------
          The obligations of Buyer to consummate the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment on or
     before the Closing Date (or such sooner date as may be agreed upon by
     the parties hereto) of each of the following conditions, subject,
     however, to the right of Buyer to waive any one or more of such
     conditions in whole or in part:

          7.1  Correctness of Representations and Warranties.  The
               ---------------------------------------------
     representations and warranties of Presto and the Shareholders
     contained in this Agreement, and in the Schedules and closing
     documents pertaining hereto, shall be true and complete in all
     material respects on the Closing Date as if made on and as of said
     date (except as to any representation or warranty which specifically
     relates to an earlier date) and Buyer shall have received a
     certificate to that effect signed by an officer of Presto and by each
     Shareholder to the extent of such Shareholder's representation.

          7.2  No Material Adverse Change in Business or Properties. 
               ----------------------------------------------------
     Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, the Presto Business and
     the  Presto Assets shall not have been affected in a material, adverse
     manner or substantially interfered with  (except as the same may be
     adequately covered by insurance the proceeds of which are payable to
     Presto) as a result of fire, explosion, earthquake, disaster,  any
     action of the United States or other governmental authority, riots,
     civil disturbances, uprisings, activity of the Armed Forces, or act of
     God or the public enemy or by any like  event or occurrence.
























                                       37



     

          7.3  Compliance with Agreement.  Presto and the Principal
               -------------------------
     Shareholders shall have performed and complied with all obligations
     and requirements of this Agreement which are contemplated hereunder to
     be performed or complied with by Presto prior to the Closing Date, and
     Buyer shall have received a certificate to that effect signed by an
     officer of Presto and each Principal Shareholder.

          7.4  Opinions of Counsel.
               -------------------
               (a)  Buyer shall have received from Messrs. Inglis,
          Ledbetter and Gower, counsel to Presto, an opinion of such
          counsel which opinion will expressly provide that Buyer's senior
          lenders may rely thereon, dated as of the Closing Date, as
          follows:

                    (i)  Presto is a corporation organized and existing and
               in good standing under the laws of the State of California,
               has full corporate power and authority to own and use its
               properties and to transact the business in which it is
               engaged in, and is duly licensed or qualified to do business
               as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each
               jurisdiction listed in Schedule 3.1. 

                     (ii)  Presto's duly authorized capital stock consists
               of 1,600,000 shares of common stock, of which there are
               100,000 shares of Series A Voting Common Stock and 1,500,000
               shares of Series B Non-voting Common Stock authorized. There
               are 1,306,561 shares of Presto Shares issued and
               outstanding,  consisting of 16,623  shares of the Series A
               Voting Common Stock and 1,289,938 shares of the Series B
               Non-voting Common Stock. All of the Presto Shares have been
               duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
               nonassessable.   There are no (i) options, warrants, calls,
               subscriptions, conversion or other rights, agreements or
               commitments obligating Presto to issue any additional shares
               of capital stock or any other securities convertible into,
               exchangeable for or evidencing the right to subscribe for
               any shares of capital stock of Presto, (ii) restrictions on
               the transfer of any shares of capital stock of Presto except
               as described in the last sentence of paragraph 3.2 or (iii)
               requirements of Presto or any Shareholder to vote any shares
               of capital stock of Presto.

                    (iii)  Presto has full corporate power and authority to
               enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
               contemplated thereby.  The



























                                       38



     

               execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by
               Presto have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate
               action on the part of Presto, and this Agreement (exclusive
               of the provisions of paragraph 6.9) and the Escrow Agreement
               constitute the valid and binding obligations of Presto and
               the Principal Shareholders (as applicable), enforceable
               against each of them  in accordance with their respective 
               terms except (i) that such enforcement may be subject to
               bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other
               similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to
               creditors' rights and (ii) that the remedy of specific
               performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable
               relief are subject to certain equitable defenses and to the
               discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor
               may be brought. The opinion as to the Escrow Agreement
               specifically need not address issues of perfection or
               priority of the security interest described therein. 

                    (iv)  To such counsel's knowledge and except as set
               forth on any of the Schedules to this Agreement, Presto is
               not a party to, subject to or bound by any judgment, order,
               writ, injunction, or decree of any court, governmental body
               or arbitrator which would conflict with or be breached by
               the execution, delivery or performance by Presto of this
               Agreement or which could prevent the carrying out of this
               Agreement, which opinion may limit or disclaim any special
               investigation on the part of such counsel.

                    (v)  To such counsel's knowledge and except as set
               forth on any of the Schedules to this Agreement, Presto is
               not subject to or bound by any judgment, order, writ,
               injunction or decree of any court or of any governmental
               body or of any arbitrator known to counsel which could
               prevent the use by Presto of the material Presto Assets
               taken as a whole, or the conduct by the Presto of business
               material to the Presto Business taken as a whole, in each
               case in accordance with present practices, after the Closing
               Date, or which would create any security interest, lien or
               other encumbrance against the Presto Assets, which opinion
               may limit or disclaim any special investigation on the part
               of such counsel.  

                    (vi)  To such counsel's knowledge and except as set
               forth on any of the Schedules to this Agreement or as
               specified in its opinion, there is no action, suit or 
               proceeding pending against  Presto which if




























                                       39



     

               determined adversely to Presto would have a material adverse
               effect on the Presto Assets or the Presto Business, which
               opinion may limit or disclaim any special investigation on
               the part of such counsel.

                    (vii) The Shareholders are the record and beneficial
               owners of the Presto Shares Attributed to them, which
               opinion may be based solely on  the stock transfer records
               of Presto and written declarations of the Shareholders. 

                    (viii)  Assuming that Buyer has no knowledge of a
               "adverse claim", that Buyer has acted in "good faith" and 
               that Buyer has not been a party to any "fraud or illegality"
               (as such terms are  used in California Commercial Code
               Section 8302) affecting the Presto Shares Buyer will own the
               Presto Shares of record and beneficially as of the Closing,
               free and clear of all "adverse claims" arising from the acts
               or omissions of the Shareholders, which opinion may be based
               solely on the stock transfer records of Presto and the
               written declarations of the Shareholders.

          7.5  Waiting Period.  Any waiting period or approval required in
               --------------
     connection with information required to be filed with the Federal
     Trade Commission and the United States Department of Justice in
     accordance with any applicable law relating to the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby shall have elapsed or been waived by
     such governmental agency.

          7.6  Consent to Transfer.  A consent to transfer or such other
               -------------------
     authorization as may be required shall have been issued by the
     California Department of Corporations with respect to the sale of the
     Presto Shares  contemplated hereby, and no other or further approval,
     consent, qualification or act of any regulatory agency or governmental
     body shall be required to consummate the subject transactions.

          7.7  Absence of Litigation.  No suit , action, claim or
               ---------------------
     governmental proceeding shall be pending against, and no order, decree
     or judgment of any court, agency or Governmental Entity shall have
     been rendered against, any party hereto which would render it
     unlawful, as of the Closing Date, to effect the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with its terms. 

          7.8  Consents.  All consents and approvals of third parties
               --------
     necessary to insure that Presto will continue to have after the
     Closing in all material respects the same full rights in respect

























                                       40



     

     of the Presto Assets as Presto had immediately prior to the Closing
     shall have been obtained and delivered to Buyer.

          7.9  Changes in Syndication Markets.  There shall not have
               ------------------------------
     occurred and be continuing a material adverse change in the market for
     syndicated bank credit facilities generally or a material disruption
     of, or a material adverse change in, financial, banking or capital
     market conditions generally.

          7.10  Material Adverse Change.  There shall not have occurred in
                -----------------------
     the reasonable opinion of NationsBank of Texas, N.A. and NationsBank
     Capital Markets, Inc. any material adverse change in the business,
     assets, liabilities (actual or contingent), operations, condition
     (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Presto and its subsidiary,
     taken as a whole.

          7.11  Escrow Agreement.  The Principal Shareholders shall have
                ----------------
     delivered to Buyer a duly executed Escrow Agreement in substantially
     the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

          7.12  Performance Share Plan.  Presto's Performance Share Plan
                ----------------------
     shall have been terminated.

          7.13   Permits.  Buyer shall have obtained all consents,
                 --------
     approvals, clearances, and authorizations of all Governmental Entities
     which are required under Permits necessary to the operation of the
     Presto Business.

                                  SECTION VIII
                       CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS
                       -----------------------------------
                           OF PRESTO AND SHAREHOLDERS
                           --------------------------
          The obligations of the Shareholders to consummate the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to fulfillment
     on or before Closing Date (or such sooner date as may be agreed upon
     by the parties hereto) of each of the following conditions, subject,
     however, to the right of the Principal Shareholders, as the authorized
     representative of all of the Shareholders, to waive any one or more of
     such conditions in whole or in part.

          8.1  Correctness of Representations and Warranties.  The
               ---------------------------------------------
     representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement,
     and in the closing documents pertaining hereto, shall be true and
     complete in all material respects on the Closing Date.

          8.2  Compliance with Agreement.  Buyer shall have performed and
               -------------------------
     complied with all material obligations and requirements of



















                                       41



     

     this Agreement which are contemplated hereunder to be performed or
     complied with by Buyer prior to the Closing Date.

          8.3  Waiting Period.  Any waiting period or approval required in
               --------------
     connection with information required to be filed with the Federal
     Trade Commission and the United States Department of Justice in
     accordance with any applicable law relating to the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby shall have elapsed or been waived by
     such governmental agency.

          8.4  Consent to Transfer.  A consent to transfer or such other
               -------------------
     authorization as may be required shall have been issued by the
     California Department of Corporations with respect to the sale of the
     Presto Shares contemplated hereby, and no other or further approval,
     consent, qualification or act of any regulatory agency or governmental
     body shall be required to consummate the subject transactions.

          8.5  Absence of Litigation.  There shall not be pending nor shall
               ---------------------
     there be any open and bona fide threat of any suit, action or other
     proceeding or investigation before any court or governmental agency to
     restrain or prohibit, or to obtain damages or other relief in
     connection with, this Agreement, or the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby.

                                    SECTION IX
                                     CLOSING
                                     -------
          9.1  The Closing.  The closing of the purchase and sale of the
               -----------
     Presto Shares (herein the "Closing") shall take place at the offices
     of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, 100 Crescent Court, Suite 1300, Dallas,
     Texas on December 2, 1996 or such other date and time (such date being
     referred to herein as the "Closing Date") and place as the parties may
     mutually agree; provided, however,  that if any of the conditions to
     Closing set forth in this Agreement have not been satisfied or waived
     by the  party entitled to the benefit of such condition prior to the
     Closing Date, the Closing will take place on the third business day
     after all the conditions have been satisfied or waived; provided,
     further that if the Closing does not occur by December 15, 1996,
     Presto and the Principal Shareholders may  require the Closing Date to
     take place on January 1, 1997.

          9.2  Procedures at Closing.  At the Closing, the parties shall
               ---------------------
     take the following steps in the order listed below; provided that upon
     their completion all such steps shall be deemed to have  occurred
     simultaneously.

               (a) Presto Shares.  At the Closing, each Shareholder shall
          tender, assign, sell and deliver to Buyer, share





















                                       42



     

          certificates representing all of his or her Presto Shares (which
          shall include all the Presto Shares shown on Schedule 3.3 as
          registered in the name of such Shareholder and shall, in the
          aggregate, constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of
          Presto) and shall tender, assign, sell and deliver certificates
          evidencing all of his or her shares of the capital stock of
          Presto Transportation Inc.(which shall constitute all of the
          issued and outstanding shares of the Presto Transportation Inc.
          not then owned by Presto), together with the instruments of
          transfer and an other associated forms as may be requested by
          Buyer or its counsel, including without limitation Federal Form
          W-9 and any required state tax forms. 

               (b)  Amendments, Waivers, Releases, Etc.  Without in any
          respect or to any extent limiting the representations and
          warranties of Presto and/or the Shareholders made elsewhere in
          this Agreement, the Shareholders and Presto, as appropriate,
          shall deliver to Buyer and Presto such amendments, waivers,
          consents, releases, and other instruments as Buyer may reasonably
          request in order to confirm and assure  that  Buyer will obtain
          title to all of the Presto Shares free and clear of any lien,
          claim, encumbrance, or restriction whatsoever and that Buyer
          shall in all other respects obtain the rights, privileges, and
          benefits contemplated by this Agreement.

               (c)  Director Resignations and Replacements; Proxies. 
          Presto and the Shareholders shall deliver to Buyer at the Closing
          (i) written resignations from the Presto Board of Directors,
          effective immediately prior to the Closing and signed by each of
          the Presto directors and (ii) if requested by Buyer, irrevocable
          proxies, conforming to the requirements of Section 705 of the
          California Corporations Code, signed by each Shareholder, and
          appointing such individuals as Buyer may designate the lawful
          proxies and attorneys-in-fact of each such Shareholder for the
          purposes of voting and granting or withholding consents as to
          such Shareholder's Presto Shares. The certificates representing
          the Presto Shares shall be delivered in form satisfactory for
          transfer with signature guaranteed, together with the payment of 
          transfer taxes (if any) and other instruments of transfer in form
          as may be reasonably requested by Buyer to confirm title to the
          Presto Shares in Buyer.

               (d)  Cash Payment.  Buyer shall cause the Unadjusted Closing
          Payment minus the Escrow Amount to be made as set forth in
          paragraph 1.2 hereof by wire transfer.  





























                                       43



     

                                    SECTION X
                           TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT
                           ---------------------------
          10.1  Methods of Termination.  This Agreement shall be terminated
                ----------------------
     and the transactions contemplated  shall be deemed abandoned at any
     time:

                    (a)  by mutual consent of Presto, the Shareholders and
               Buyer, but not later than the Closing Date; 

                    (b)  in the event the Closing does not take place on or
               before December 31, 1996, as provided in paragraph 9.1
               hereof.

                    (c)  by either Buyer or Presto if there shall have been
               entered a final, nonappealable order or injunction of any
               Governmental Entity restraining or prohibiting the
               consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or any
               material part thereof;  

                    (d)  by either Buyer or Presto if, prior to the Closing
               Date, the other party is in material breach of any
               representation, warranty, covenant or agreement herein
               contained and such breach shall not be cured within thirty
               (30) days of the date of notice of breach served by the
               party claiming such material breach, provided that such
               terminating party shall not also be in material breach of
               this Agreement at the time notice of termination is
               delivered; or

                    (e)  by Buyer, if on or before the 45th day following
               the execution hereof, Buyer's lender, NationsBank of Texas
               N.A. determines that the Phase I and Phase II environmental
               audit reports that Buyer has obtained at Buyer's sole
               expense do not meet such lender's criteria for providing
               financing to Buyer in connection with the subject
               transaction.

          10.2  Procedure Upon Termination.  In the event of termination
                --------------------------
     and abandonment pursuant to paragraph 10.1 hereof, this Agreement
     shall terminate and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
     conclusively deemed abandoned without further action by Presto or
     Buyer.  If this Agreement is terminated as provided herein, each party
     will use its best efforts to redeliver all documents, work papers and
     other material of any other party relating to the transactions
     contemplated hereby, whether so obtained before or after the execution
     hereof, to the party furnishing the same. The Confidentiality
     Agreement between the parties shall continue to govern the conduct of
     the parties after such abandonment and termination of this Agreement.























                                       44



     

          10.3  Survival of Action for Breach.  Termination of  this
                -----------------------------
     Agreement and abandonment of the subject transactions in accordance
     with the provisions of this Section X shall neither give rise to any
     cause of action for breach hereunder or otherwise, nor preclude any
     claim, suit or cause action that any party might otherwise have
     hereunder for breach by the other party of any express covenant
     contained herein.

          10.4  Additional Termination Rights.   At any time before
                -----------------------------
     Closing, Buyer may,  if Buyer chooses,  seek an opinion of counsel
     satisfactory to Buyer at Buyer's sole discretion to the effect that
     Presto then qualifies as an S corporation within the meaning of
     Section 1361(a)(1) of the Code, and pursuant to Section 633(b) of the
     Tax Reform Act of 1986 and that  Presto is not subject to Section 1374
     of the Code.  If Buyer requests such information within 15 days of the
     date hereof, Shareholders shall promptly (and in any event within five
     (5) days of Buyer's written request) provide  such information as
     Buyer may reasonably require to determine that the Shareholders are
     and at all relevant times have been qualifying S corporation
     shareholders. In the event Buyer does not receive an opinion
     satisfactory to Buyer to such effect within five business days  after
     the date all of the  information requested by Buyer has been provided,
     Buyer shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by giving
     Presto written notice thereof, which notice must be received by Presto
     within one day after the termination of said five-day period.  Failure
     to give Seller such notice shall be deemed Buyer's waiver of such
     condition and such right of Buyer to terminate. Presto and the
     Shareholders will cooperate with Buyer and counsel chosen by Buyer
     within said time period to provide information in the forms of
     certificates or declarations, as Buyer's counsel may choose,
     describing the underlying facts relative to such opinion.  The
     Shareholders which are not individuals shall provide copies of the
     appropriate documents of organization and other materials as Buyer may
     reasonably request in order to determine if such Shareholder(s) is and
     has at all relevant times been a qualifying S corporation shareholder
     or, alternatively, an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to Buyer that
     such Shareholder is and at all relevant times has been a qualifying S
     corporation shareholder.  If Shareholder provides the documents
     requested by Buyer as so described, Buyer shall return same  on
     request of such Shareholder and treat the information contained
     therein (including but not limited to, the dispositive provision of
     any trust documents) in confidence.  It shall be a condition to
     Buyer's obligation to close the subject transaction that Presto and
     the Shareholders confirm on the Closing Date the truth and accuracy of
     the declarations and certificates stating such underlying facts as
     being true and correct as of the Closing and as of all times since
     first having provided such certificates and declarations.

























                                       45



     

                                   SECTION XI
                  INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY
                  --------------------------------------------
          11.1  Shareholders' Agreement to Indemnify.  Subject to the
                ------------------------------------
     limitations set forth in Paragraph 11.3 and 11.4 hereof, the Principal
     Shareholders jointly and severally agree (and the Minority
     Shareholders severally agree, to the limited extent described below)
     to indemnify and hold harmless Buyer and Presto, and their respective
     directors, officers, shareholders, employees, and agents ("Buyer's
     Affiliates"), from and against any and all damages, losses,
     liabilities, obligations, costs and expenses, and any and all claims,
     demands or suits (by any person or entity, including without
     limitation any Governmental Entity), including without limitation the
     costs and expenses of any and all actions, suits, proceedings,
     demands, assessments, judgments, settlements and compromises relating
     thereto and including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses in
     connection therewith (herein "Claims" and "Indemnified Claim") which
     Buyer or Presto, or any of their directors, officers, shareholders, or
     employees  may suffer, or to which any of them may become subject,
     arising out of:

               (a)  any  inaccuracy  in, or breach of, any representation
          or warranty of Presto and/or of any Principal Shareholder
          contained in this Agreement, which includes each schedule hereto;
          except that each Shareholder does not hereby indemnify Buyer with
          respect to any breach by Presto of any obligation of Presto to be
          performed after the Closing; and provided further, that the
          Minority Shareholders severally agree to indemnify Buyer and its
          officers,  directors, shareholders and employees only with
          respect to their representations and warranties in paragraph 3.3;


               (b)  any failure of Presto or any Shareholder to perform any
          covenant, agreement or undertaking contained in Section V or
          Section VI of this Agreement;

               (c)  any increase in Taxes of Presto, the Buyer or any
          affiliate in taxable periods ending after the Closing Date
          resulting from the failure of Presto to qualify as an S
          corporation within the meaning of Section 1361(a)(1) of the Code
          immediately before the Closing or the failure of the Shareholders
          to satisfy their obligations pursuant to Paragraph 6.1 of this
          Agreement; and

               (d)  any and all liabilities owing to any investment banker,
          broker, finder or financial advisor engaged by Presto or any
          Shareholder, including without limitation, Goldman Sachs;.


























                                       46



     

          In the event of any alleged breach of a representation or
     warranty in Paragraph 3.22 relating to environmental matters, and
     without limiting any other provision hereof, the Principal
     Shareholders shall have no obligation to indemnify or hold harmless
     Presto,  Buyer, or Buyer's Affiliates unless Buyer:

               (1)  provides as prompt notice as is reasonably possible
          under the circumstances to the Principal Shareholders and makes a
          written claim for indemnification to the Principal Shareholders
          hereunder;

               (2)  gives the Principal Shareholders or their designee
          reasonable access to the premises with respect to which such
          claim relates to investigate the claim and adequately prepare its
          defense; and

               (3)  upon request by Principal Shareholders,  provides all
          reports, samples, tests and other data relating to the claim.

          The Principal Shareholders reserve the right to assume the
     defense of any such claim based on the breach or alleged breach of the
     representations and warranties in paragraph 3.22 (relating to
     environmental matters)  without admitting liability therefor and may
     direct the defense or settlement of any such claim (subject to the
     provisions of paragraph 11.5(c)) if and only if the Principal
     Shareholders reasonably determine that the amount of the liability
     arising out of such claim  exceeds  will exceed the then unused
     aggregate deductible described in paragraph 11.4(a).

          11.2  Buyer's Agreement to Indemnify.  Buyer agrees to indemnify
                ------------------------------
     and hold harmless the Shareholders, their  agents and affiliates, from
     and against claims which Shareholders or any of them, or any of
     Shareholders' agents and  affiliates,  may suffer, or to which any of
     them may become subject, arising out of:

               (a)  any inaccuracy in, or breach of, any representation or
          warranty of Buyer contained in this Agreement, (which includes
          each schedule hereto); 

               (b)  any failure of Buyer to perform any covenant, agreement
          or undertaking contained in this Agreement (including, without
          limitation, this agreement to indemnify) or in any agreement
          executed and delivered pursuant to this Agreement;

               (c)  any claim, action, suit, investigation or proceeding
          (collectively "Action") which is pending,



























                                       47



     

          threatened or asserted after the Closing Date against
          Shareholders, or to which the property of Shareholders or any of
          them  is subject arising from  acts or  omissions of Buyer
          occurring wholly after the Closing Date; and

               (d)  any and all liabilities owing to any investment banker,
          broker, finder or financial advisor engaged by Buyer.

          11.3  Limitations on Liability.  The extent to which any party or
                ------------------------
     parties, whether one or more, entitled to be indemnified under this
     Agreement (herein "Indemnified Party") shall be entitled to
     indemnification shall be reduced by (i)  any net actual reduction in
     liability for Taxes that is actually realized by the Indemnified Party
     with respect to the payment or accrual of the indemnified loss and
     (ii)  any insurance proceeds actually received  by the Indemnified
     Party on account of such Claim irrespective of the identity of the
     party that paid for such insurance, which insurance proceeds shall be
     conclusively deemed to have reduced the  Indemnified Party's damages
     and injury subject to indemnification hereunder.  The Shareholders and
     the Buyer agree that any indemnity payment hereunder shall be treated
     on their respective Tax Returns as an adjustment to the purchase price
     for the Presto Shares.  In the event that, notwithstanding such
     treatment, any indemnity payment is determined to be taxable to the
     Buyer, then the Shareholders shall indemnify the Buyer for any
     additional Taxes payable by the Buyer by reason of the receipt of
     accrual of such indemnity payment (including any payment hereunder).

          11.4  Additional Limitations on Liability of Shareholders.  
                ---------------------------------------------------
               (a)  The liability of the Shareholders for any and all
          claims made in respect of any breach of representation or
          warranty made under Paragraph 11.1(a) shall be subject to an
          aggregate deductible of One Million One Hundred Twenty-Five
          Thousand Dollars ($1,125,000) which sum shall be treated as a
          reduction in Buyer's damages.

               (b)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
          this Agreement, the maximum liability of all Shareholders to any
          and all claimants including Indemnified Parties seeking
          indemnification made in respect of any breach of representation
          or warranty made under Paragraph 11.1(a) shall not exceed Twenty
          Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000).

          11.5  Indemnification of Third-Party Claims.  The obligation and
                -------------------------------------
     liability of the any parties to indemnify any person  under this
     Section XI with respect to Claims asserted by  third parties shall be
     subject to the following terms and conditions:

























                                       48



     

               (a)  Notice and Defense.  The Indemnified Party will give 
                    ------------------
          the party from whom indemnification is sought (the "Indemnifying
          Party") prompt written notice of any such Claim, and the
          Indemnifying Party will undertake the defense thereof by
          representatives chosen by it upon written notice to the
          Indemnified Party.  Failure of the Indemnified Party to give such
          notice shall not affect the Indemnifying Party's duty or
          obligations under this Section XI, except to the extent the
          Indemnifying Party is prejudiced thereby.  If the Indemnifying
          Party undertakes the defense of any such Claim, then the
          Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to accept that it has an
          indemnification obligation to the Indemnified Party under this
          Section XI with respect to such Claim unless the Indemnifying
          Party advises the Indemnified Party in writing that such
          liability is disputed.  So long as the Indemnifying Party is
          defending any such Claim actively and in good faith, the
          Indemnified Party shall not settle such Claim.  The Indemnified
          Party shall make available to the Indemnifying Party or its
          representatives all records and other materials required by them
          and in the possession or under the control of the Indemnified
          Party, for the use of the Indemnifying Party and its
          representatives in defending any such Claim, and shall in other
          respects give reasonable cooperation in such defense.

               (b)  Failure to Defend.  If the Indemnifying Party, within 
                    -----------------
          10 days after such notice of any such Claim (or sooner if the
          nature of the Claim so requires), fails to defend such Claim
          actively and in good faith, the Indemnified Party will (upon
          further notice) have the right to undertake the defense,
          compromise or settlement of such Claim, or consent to the entry
          of a judgment with respect to such Claim, on behalf of and for
          the account and risk of the Indemnifying Party, and the
          Indemnifying Party shall thereafter have no right to challenge
          the Indemnified Party's defense, compromise, settlement or
          consent to judgment. 

               (c)  Indemnified Party's Rights.  Anything in this paragraph
                    --------------------------
          11.5 to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) if there is a
          reasonable probability that a Claim may materially and adversely
          affect the Indemnified Party other than as a result of money
          damages or other money payments, the Indemnified Party shall have
          the right to defend, compromise or settle such Claim, and (ii)
          the Indemnifying Party shall not, without the written consent of
          the Indemnified Party, settle or compromise any Claim or consent
          to the entry of any judgment which does not include as an
          unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or the
          plaintiff to the
























                                       49



     

          Indemnified Party of a release from all Liability in respect of
          such Claim.

          11.6  Payment.  The Indemnifying Party shall promptly pay the
                -------
     Indemnified Party any amount due under this Section  XI.  The right to
     pursue Claims under any one or more provisions of this Section XI
     shall not be exclusive of any other rights or remedies at law or
     equity which the Indemnified Party may have against the Indemnifying
     Party under this Section  XI but the limitations on liability shall
     nonetheless apply irrespective of the theory of recovery advanced. 

          11.7  No Indemnification Claims Against Presto.  Each Shareholder
                ----------------------------------------
     acknowledges (i) that the Shareholders are causing Presto to make the
     representations and warranties set forth herein solely to facilitate
     the sale of the Shareholders' Presto Shares to Buyer and, thus, for
     the benefit of the Shareholders; (ii) that the representations and
     warranties of Presto and/or the Shareholders herein are for the sole
     benefit of Buyer; and (iii) that, after the Closing, Presto will be
     wholly owned by Buyer.  Accordingly, each Shareholder agrees that he
     or she, in his capacity as a shareholder, shall have no claim, for
     indemnification, contribution or otherwise, against Presto or Buyer,
     and no defense against an indemnification or other obligation in favor
     of Buyer hereunder, in connection with or because of any breach of a
     covenant made by Presto or the inaccuracy of any representation or
     warranty made by Presto, regardless of  whether such Shareholder may
     be liable to Buyer in connection with such breach of inaccuracy and
     regardless of whether such Shareholder may have relied on an officer,
     representative, or agent of Presto in making a representation or
     warranty herein upon which his obligation to indemnify Buyer is based.

          11.8  Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. 
                -----------------------------------------------------
     Except as to (i) the representations and warranties contained in 
     Paragraph 3.3 (relating to title to the Presto Shares), and the
     covenant in Paragraph 9.2 (relating to the delivery of Presto Shares
     and other instruments and forms) which shall survive the closing and
     remain in effect indefinitely, (ii) the representations and warranties
     contained in  Paragraph 3.22 (relating to environmental matters),
     which shall survive the Closing until the expiration of three (3)
     years from the Closing Date, (iii) the covenants contained in
     Paragraphs 6.9 (relating to covenant not to compete) and 6.10
     (relating to non-solicitation) which shall survive the Closing for the
     periods specified therein and (iv) the representations and warranties
     contained in Paragraph  3.10 (relating to Taxes), which shall survive
     the Closing until the expiration of the last day on which any Tax may
     be validly assessed by the Internal Revenue Service


























                                       50



     

     or any other Governmental Entity against the Presto Assets or the
     Presto Business, the representations, warranties and covenants of the
     Shareholders and of Buyer contained in this Agreement shall survive
     the Closing until the expiration of eighteen (18) months from the
     Closing Date.  Any demand for indemnification or associated action
     hereunder must be made if at all on or before the time periods
     described in this paragraph 11.8, by the party making such demand or
     instituting such action ("Claimant") either (i) instituting litigation
                                          ------
     by that date and serving notice thereof in writing on against whom any
     such liability is asserted the party(s) ("Indemnifying Parties")
     within  three (3) months of the filing of the complaint or other
     filing initiating such action or (ii) giving written notice on or
                                   --
     before such date to the Indemnifying Parties (in the case of notice
     given by Buyer (or its director, officer, shareholder, employee or
     agent, as appropriate), such notice need be given to not fewer than
     two (2) Principal Shareholders specifying the nature of the demand or
     cause of action and the general facts upon which it is or will be
     based. The requisite degree of specificity shall be that which is
     reasonable under the circumstances then obtaining. Unless a Claimant
     hereunder institutes an action in respect of a claim hereunder or
     provides a written notice with respect to such claim as provided
     above, in either case on or before the expiration of the time periods
     described herein, such claim may not be pursued, shall thereafter be
     deemed irrevocably waived and forever barred.

          11.9  Minority Shareholders.  It is understood that the Minority
                ---------------------
     Shareholders have been intentionally omitted from the provisions of
     this Section XI, except to the limited extent described in Paragraph
     11.1 (a), and, except as so described,  shall have no obligations
     whatsoever under the provisions of this Section XI.

          11.10  Exclusive Remedy.  To the extent permitted by applicable
                 ----------------
     law, it is the intent of the parties that this Section XI shall
     provide the exclusive remedy for breach of contract or the failure of
     any representation or warranty, and no party shall be entitled to
     circumvent the intent of these provisions by basing a claim in tort or
     on some other theory of law, whether provided by statute or in the
     common law.

                                   SECTION XII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS
                                  -------------
          12.1  Survival of Representations and Warranties.  The
                ------------------------------------------
     representations and warranties contained herein or in any schedule or
     other certificate or document delivered by, or on behalf of, any of
     the parties pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions
     contemplated hereby shall be deemed representations and warranties by
     the party by whom, or on whose behalf, the same





















                                       51



     

     is delivered, and all representations and warranties made by the
     parties in this Agreement, or delivered pursuant hereto, are
     incorporated in and constitute a part of this Agreement and shall
     survive the Closing Date for  the  period  specified in paragraph
     11.8.

          12.2  Payment of Fees and Expenses.  Buyer shall pay and be
                ----------------------------
     responsible for all of its own fees and expenses for counsel,
     financial advisers, accountants and other experts and all other
     expenses incurred by them incident to the negotiation, preparation and
     execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
     contemplated herein.  Presto shall pay and be responsible for all of
     its own fees and expenses of its counsel, financial advisers,
     accountants and other experts and all other expenses incurred by it
     incident to the negotiation, preparation and execution of this
     Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
     herein.

          12.3  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement  any schedules, exhibits
                ----------------
     hereto, the Escrow Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement
     referenced in  paragraph 6.3  of this Agreement constitutes the entire
     agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
     supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations and agreements, whether
     written or oral between the parties with respect to its subject
     matter.

          12.4  Modification.  This Agreement may not be modified except by
                ------------
     a writing executed by Buyer, Presto and by the Principal Shareholders,
     as the authorized representative of all of the Shareholders.

          12.5  Waiver.  The failure by any party to exercise any of its
                ------
     rights hereunder or to enforce any of the terms or conditions of this
     Agreement on any occasion shall not constitute or be deemed a waiver
     of that party's rights thereafter to exercise any rights hereunder or
     to enforce each and every term and condition of this Agreement.

          12.6  Notices.  All notices, consents, approvals or other
                -------
     notifications required to be sent by one party to another party
     hereunder shall be in writing and shall deemed served upon the other
     party if delivered by hand or sent by United States registered or
     certified air mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested,
     addressed to such other party at the address set out below.  If a
     party hereto changes its address, written notice shall be given
     promptly to the other parties of the new address.  Notice shall be
     deemed given on the day it is mailed (in the case of delivery by mail)
     in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph. 























                                       52



     

               Presto:   Presto Food Products, Inc. 
                         18275 Arenth Avenue
                         City of Industry, California 91748

               Copy to:  Michael K. Inglis, Esq.
                         Inglis, Ledbetter & Gower
                         500 South Grand Avenue, 18th Floor
                         Los Angeles, CA  90071

               Buyer:    The Morningstar Group Inc.
                         5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1500
                         Dallas, Texas  75225
                         Attention:  C. Dean Metropoulos

               Copy to:  The Morningstar Group Inc.
                         5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1500
                         Dallas, Texas  75225
                         Attention:  Joseph B. Armes

          12.7  Binding Effect and Assignment.   This Agreement will be
                -----------------------------
     binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
     respective successors and permitted assigns, but will not be
     assignable or delegable by any party without the prior written consent
     of the other party which shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided,
     however, that (a) upon notice to Presto, Buyer may assign or delegate
     any or all of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any
     direct or indirect subsidiary thereof or to any person or entity that
     acquires all or substantially all of the assets or voting stock of
     Buyer, and (b) Buyer may make a collateral assignment of its rights
     under this Agreement to any institutional lender who provides funds to
     Buyer for the acquisition of the Presto Shares; provided, that Buyer
     shall not be released from any liability hereunder by any such
     assignment.  Presto and the Shareholders agree to execute
     acknowledgments of such assignment(s) and collateral assignments in
     such forms as Buyer or Buyer's institutional lender(s) may from time
     to time reasonably request.  In the event of such a proposed
     assignment by Buyer, the provisions of this Agreement shall insure to
     the benefit of and be binding upon Buyer's assigns.

          12.8  Rights of the Parties.  Except as provided in Section XI,
                ---------------------
     nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or will be
     construed to confer upon or give any person or entity other than the
     parties hereto and their respective affiliates any rights or remedies
     under or by reason of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated
     hereby.

          12.9  Execution in Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed
                -------------------------
     in two or more counterparts, each of which will be























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     deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and
     the same agreement.

          12.10  Specific Performance.  The parties recognize that if the
                 --------------------
     Shareholders or Presto refuse to perform under the provisions of this
     Agreement, monetary damages alone will not be adequate to compensate
     Buyer for its injury.  Buyer shall therefore be entitled, in addition
     to any other remedies that may be available, to obtain specific
     performance of the terms of this Agreement.  If any action is brought
     by Buyer to enforce this Agreement, the Shareholders and Presto shall
     waive the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.  In the
     event of a default by the Shareholders or Presto which results in the
     filing of a lawsuit for damages, specific performances, or other
     remedies, Buyer shall be entitled to reimbursement by the Shareholders
     and Presto of reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by Buyer.

          12.11  Transfer Taxes.  Buyer shall pay, or cause to be paid, any
                 --------------
     transfer Tax or fee, recordation or similar Tax or fee, deed, stamp or
     other Tax, grantor's or grantee's Tax, recording charge, fee or other
     similar cost or expense of any kind required or customary   under
     Texas law, in connection with the effectuation of the transfer of the
     Presto Shares and all transactions pursuant to this Agreement, whether
     such Tax or fee is imposed on the Shareholders, Presto or the Buyer.

          12.12  Certain Tax Returns.  The Principal Shareholders shall
                 -------------------
     properly and timely prepare (or cause to be prepared), at the sole
     cost and expense of the Principal Shareholders, all federal income Tax
     Returns of Presto (and any state, local or foreign income Tax Returns
     that treat Presto as a pass through entity) with respect to taxable
     periods that end on or before the Closing Date (the "Pass Through
     Returns"), and Presto shall timely file any Pass Through Returns which
     are prepared in a manner consistent with this paragraph 12.12. The
     Pass Through Returns shall be prepared in a manner which is consistent
     with past practices and with the Election and the Sales Price
     Allocation.  Income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of Presto shall
     be allocated between the Pass Through Returns and Presto's short tax
     year as a C corporation on the basis of a closing of the books of
     Presto at the close of the Closing Date and by allocating the Tax
     consequences of the Election to the Pass Through Returns.

          12.13  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be construed,
                 -------------
     interpreted and enforced, both as to substance and remedies, in
     accordance with the laws of the State of California.



























                                       54



     

          12.14  Paragraph Headings.  The parties agree that the paragraph
                 ------------------
     and Section headings are inserted only for ease of reference, shall
     not be construed as part of this Agreement, and shall have no effect
     upon the construction or interpretation of any part hereof.

          12.15  Construction and Representation by Counsel.  The parties
                 ------------------------------------------
     hereto represent that in the negotiation and drafting of this
     Agreement they have been represented by and relief upon the advice of
     counsel of their choice.  The parties affirm that their counsel have
     had a substantial role in the drafting and negotiation of this
     Agreement and, therefore, the provisions of Section 1654 of the
     California Civil Code and any other provisions setting forth the rule
     of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved
     against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation
     of this Agreement or Schedule attached hereto.

          12.16  Third-Party Benefits.  None of the provisions of this
                 --------------------
     Agreement will be for the benefit of, or enforceable by, any third-
     party beneficiary.




















































                                       55



     

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by and through their duly
     authorized representatives have executed this Agreement, as of the day
     and year first above written. 

                                   Presto Food Products, Inc.


                                   By:                                     
                                      -------------------------------------
                                        Bruce Coffey, Chairman


                                   The Morningstar Group Inc.


                                   By:                                     
                                      -------------------------------------
                                        Michael J. Cramer,
                                        Vice President


                                   Shareholders:

                                                                           
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