1
                                                                EXHIBIT 99.1 


                       CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
 
                                   TO TENDER
 
                                      AND
 
                   TO CONSENT TO CERTAIN INDENTURE AMENDMENTS
                              WITH RESPECT TO THE
                   10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2002
                                    AND THE
                     9% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003
 
                                       OF
 
                             RALPHS GROCERY COMPANY
 
                                PURSUANT TO THE
         PROSPECTUS AND SOLICITATION STATEMENT DATED JANUARY    , 1995
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFERS AND THE SOLICITATION WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK
CITY TIME, ON                      , 1995, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION
DATE"). TENDERS OF 10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2002 AND 9% SENIOR
SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003, MAY ONLY BE WITHDRAWN AND THE CORRESPONDING
CONSENTS MAY ONLY BE REVOKED UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE PROSPECTUS
AND SOLICITATION STATEMENT AND IN THIS CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
 
                             TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT:
 
                             BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
 

                                                  
               By Hand Delivery or
               Overnight Courier:                                        By Mail:
              Bankers Trust Company
         Corporate Trust & Agency Group                            Bankers Trust Company
            Reorganization Department                         Corporate Trust & Agency Group
            Receipt & Delivery Window                            Reorganization Department
         123 Washington St., First Floor                               P.O. Box 1458
               New York, NY 10006                                  Church Street Station
                                                                  New York, NY 10008-1458

 
                            Facsimile Transmission:
 
                                 (212) 250-6275
                                 (212) 250-3290
 
                             Confirm by Telephone:
 
                                 (212) 250-6270
 
     DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR
TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER VIA FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS
CONSENT AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THE CONSENT
AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
   2
 
     The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus and Solicitation
Statement dated January   , 1995 (as the same may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, the "Prospectus"), of Food 4 Less Supermarkets, Inc. ("Food 4
Less"), relating to (a) the offer by Food 4 Less, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and in this Consent and Letter of
Transmittal and the instructions hereto (the "Letter of Transmittal"), to (i)
holders of 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2002 of Ralphs Grocery Company
("RGC") (the "Old RGC 10 1/4% Notes") to exchange for each $1,000 principal
amount of Old RGC 10 1/4% Notes $1,000 principal amount of new Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2005 (the "New Notes") plus $10.00 in cash (the "10 1/4%
Exchange Payment"), plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the exchange
(the "10 1/4% Exchange Offer") and (ii) holders of the 9% Senior Subordinated
Notes Due 2003 of RGC (the "Old RGC 9% Notes," and together with the Old RGC
10 1/4% Notes, the "Old RGC Notes") to exchange for each $1,000 principal amount
of Old RGC 9% Notes $1,000 principal amount of New Notes plus $10.00 in cash
(the "9% Exchange Payment," and together with the 10 1/4% Exchange Payment, the
"Exchange Payment"), plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the
exchange (the "9% Exchange Offer," and together with the 10 1/4% Exchange Offer,
the "Exchange Offers" each of which is sometimes referred to herein individually
as the applicable "Exchange Offer") and (b) Food 4 Less' solicitation (the
"Solicitation") of consents (the "Consents") from holders of the Old RGC Notes
("Noteholders") to the proposed amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") to the
respective indentures under which the Old RGC Notes were issued (as described in
the Prospectus under the captions "The Proposed Amendments" and "Comparison of
Old RGC Notes and New Notes").
 
     Holders of Old RGC Notes who desire to accept the applicable Exchange Offer
will be required to consent to the Proposed Amendments with respect to such Old
RGC Notes. The tender of Old RGC Notes under this Letter of Transmittal will
constitute such consent. Noteholders who do not tender Old RGC Notes pursuant to
the Exchange Offers will not be eligible to consent to the Proposed Amendments.
Each Noteholder who desires to accept the applicable Exchange Offer with respect
to any Old RGC 9% Notes or Old RGC 10 1/4% Notes must tender all of such
Noteholders' Old RGC 9% Notes or Old RGC 10 1/4% Notes, as the case may be.
Capitalized terms used in this Letter of Transmittal but not defined herein have
the respective meanings given them in the Prospectus. Unless otherwise
indicated, references herein to the Exchange Offers shall be deemed to include
the Solicitation.
 
     THE EXCHANGE OFFERS AND THE SOLICITATION ARE NOT BEING MADE TO (NOR WILL
THE SURRENDER OF OLD RGC NOTES FOR EXCHANGE BE ACCEPTED FROM OR ON BEHALF OF)
NOTEHOLDERS IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE MAKING OR ACCEPTANCE OF SUCH
EXCHANGE OFFERS OR THE SOLICITATION WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAWS OF
SUCH JURISDICTION.
 
         PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE
                            COMPLETING ANY BOX BELOW
 
     This Letter of Transmittal is to be used (i) if Old RGC Notes are to be
physically delivered herewith or (ii) if delivery of Old RGC Notes is to be made
by book-entry transfer to the account maintained by the Exchange Agent at the
Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), the Midwest Securities Trust Company ("MSTC")
or the Philadelphia Securities Depository Trust Company ("PDTC") (collectively,
the "Book Entry Transfer Facilities") pursuant to the procedures set forth in
the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offers and
Solicitation -- Procedures for Tendering and Consenting." Delivery of documents
to a Book Entry Transfer Facility does not constitute delivery to the Exchange
Agent.
 
     If certificates for Old RGC Notes are not immediately available or cannot
be delivered along with other required documents to the Exchange Agent or the
procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on or prior to the
Expiration Date, the Noteholder may tender such Old RGC Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption
"The Exchange Offers and Solicitation -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedure." See
Instruction 2 herein.
 
     Noteholders who wish to tender their Old RGC Notes pursuant to the
applicable Exchange Offer and consent to the Proposed Amendments must complete
the table herein entitled "DESCRIPTION OF OLD RGC NOTES" and sign below.
 
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                          DESCRIPTION OF OLD RGC NOTES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 


              (1)                                                     CERTIFICATE(S) TENDERED
          NAME(S) AND                                        (ATTACH ADDITIONAL SCHEDULE IF NECESSARY)
         ADDRESS(ES) OF                                   -----------------------------------------------
      REGISTERED HOLDER(S)               (2)                       (3)                       (4)
      (PLEASE FILL IN, IF
             BLANK,                   INDICATE                                            AGGREGATE
       EXACTLY AS NAME(S)            CLASS BEING                                          PRINCIPAL
           APPEAR(S)                  TENDERED                 CERTIFICATE                 AMOUNT
       ON OLD RGC NOTES)            10 1/4 OR 9%              NUMBER(S)(*)              TENDERED(**)
     ----------------------     ---------------------     ---------------------     ---------------------
 
                                                                           
     ----------------------     ---------------------     ---------------------     ---------------------
 
     ----------------------     ---------------------     ---------------------     ---------------------
 
     ----------------------     ---------------------     ---------------------     ---------------------
                                                                                    Total:

 
    * Need not be completed by Book-Entry Holders (see below).
 
   ** If you wish to accept the applicable Exchange Offer with respect to any
      Old RGC 9% Notes or Old RGC 10 1/4% Notes you must tender all of such
      Old RGC 9% Notes or Old RGC 10 1/4% Notes beneficially owned by you, as
      the case may be.
 
      You must consent to the Proposed Amendments with respect to the Old RGC
   Notes tendered hereby under the Old Indentures under which the Old RGC
   Notes were issued. The tender of Old RGC Notes pursuant to the applicable
   Exchange Offer will constitute a Consent to the Proposed Amendments with
   respect to such Old RGC Notes. If you are not the record holder of your
   Old RGC Notes, you must either have the Old RGC Notes registered in your
   name or obtain a consent from the record holder of such Old RGC Notes to
   tender them.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               METHOD OF DELIVERY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   / /  CHECK HERE IF CERTIFICATES FOR TENDERED OLD RGC NOTES ARE ENCLOSED
        HEREWITH.
 
   / /  CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD RGC NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY
        BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE
        AGENT WITH A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY SPECIFIED BELOW AND
        COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

   Name of Tendering Institution:
                                 -----------------------------------------------

   Name of Book-Entry Transfer facility:
                                        ----------------------------------------

        / / DTC      / / MSTC      / / PDTC

   Account Number:
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
   Transaction Code Number:
                           -----------------------------------------------------
 
   / /  CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD RGC NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO
        A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT
        AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

   Name of Registered Holder(s) of Old RGC Notes:
                                                 -------------------------------
   Window Ticket Number (if any):
                                 -----------------------------------------------
   Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:
                                                      --------------------------
   Name of Eligible Institution which Guaranteed Delivery:
                                                          ----------------------
 
   If delivered by Book-Entry Transfer facility, check box of Book-Entry
   Transfer facility:
 
        / / DTC      / / MSTC      / / PDTC

   Account Number:
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
   Transaction Code Number:
                           -----------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
Consent and Tender of Old RGC Notes
 
     Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Prospectus and this
Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned hereby Consents to the Proposed
Amendments with respect to the Old RGC Notes indicated above and tenders to the
Company the Old RGC Notes indicated above. Tendering Noteholders will be deemed
to have Consented to the Proposed Amendments with respect to all Old RGC Notes
tendered.
 
     Subject to and effective upon acceptance for exchange of the Old RGC Notes
tendered herewith, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or
upon the order of Food 4 Less all right, title and interest in and to, and any
and all claims in respect of or arising or having arisen as a result of the
undersigned's status as a holder of, all Old RGC Notes tendered hereby. The
undersigned hereby appoints the Exchange Agent the true and lawful agent and
attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Old RGC Notes with full
power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable
power coupled with an interest) to (a) deliver certificates for such Old RGC
Notes, or transfer ownership of such Old RGC Notes on the account books
maintained by DTC, MSTC or PDTC, together, in any such case, with all
accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of
Food 4 Less, (b) present such Old RGC Notes for transfer on the register, (c)
deliver the Consent contained herein to RGC and the applicable Trustee under the
Old Indentures and (d) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all right of
beneficial ownership of such Old RGC Notes all in accordance with the terms of
the Exchange Offers.
 
     The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned accepts
the terms and conditions of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, owns
the Old RGC Notes tendered hereby within the meaning of Rule 10b-4 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), has full power
and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Old RGC Notes tendered
hereby and that Food 4 Less will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto,
free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not
subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and
deliver any additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or Food 4 Less to
be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the
Old RGC Notes tendered.
 
     All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the
death or incapacity of the undersigned, and any obligation of the undersigned
hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors
and assigns of the undersigned. Tenders of Old RGC Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offers may be withdrawn and Consents may be revoked, subject to the
procedures described in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offers and
Solicitation -- Withdrawal of Tenders and Revocation of Consents," at any time
until the later of (a) such time as the Requisite Consents (as defined) with
respect to the applicable issue of Old RGC Notes have been received and the
Supplemental Indenture (as defined) for such issue has been executed and (b) [20
Business Days following commencement]. Thereafter, such tenders may be withdrawn
and consents may be revoked if the applicable Exchange Offer with respect to
such Old RGC Notes is terminated without any Old RGC Notes being accepted for
exchange thereunder. Food 4 Less shall be deemed to have accepted for exchange,
and to have exchanged validly tendered and not properly withdrawn Old RGC Notes
in the Exchange Offers when, as and if Food 4 Less has given oral or written
notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
 
     Upon receipt of the Requisite Consents (as defined under Instruction 3
herein) from holders of Old RGC 9% Notes or holders of Old RGC 10 1/4% Notes,
Food 4 Less will certify in writing to the Old RGC 9% Note Trustee or the Old
RGC 10 1/4% Note Trustee (together, the "Old Trustees"), as the case may be,
that the Requisite Consents to the adoption of the Proposed Amendments have been
received with respect to such issue of Old RGC Notes. Upon receipt of such
certification, all Consents to the Proposed Amendments theretofore received with
respect to such issue of Old RGC Notes will be irrevocable. Except as set forth
under Instruction 2 herein and in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offers and
Solicitation -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedure," Consents from tendering holders
of Old RGC Notes will not be counted towards determining whether Food 4 Less has
received the Requisite Consents unless Food 4 Less is prepared to accept the
tender of Old RGC Notes to which such Consents relate. In addition, Consents
with respect to any Old RGC Notes will not be counted if the tender of such
holders' Old RGC Notes is defective, unless Food 4 Less waives such defect.
After receipt by the Old RGC 9% Note Trustee or the Old RGC 10 1/4% Note Trustee
of, among other things, certification by Food 4 Less that the Requisite Consents
with respect to the Old RGC 9% Notes or the Old RGC 10 1/4% Notes, as the case
may be, have been received, RGC and the applicable Old Trustee will execute a
supplemental indenture to evidence the adoption of the Proposed Amendments
relating to the applicable indenture under which such Old RGC Notes were issued
(each a "Supplemental Indenture"). Upon the acceptance by Food 4 Less of the
Requisite Consents from holders of Old RGC 9% Notes or Old RGC 10 1/4% Notes and
the execution of the applicable Supplemental Indenture, such Supplemental
Indenture will immediately become effective. Although the Proposed
 
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Amendments relating to an issue of Old RGC Notes will become effective upon
certification that the Requisite Consents from holders of the applicable Old RGC
Notes have been received, such Proposed Amendments will not be operative until
Food 4 Less has accepted for exchange all Old RGC Notes validly tendered and not
withdrawn. Food 4 Less will not be obligated to issue the New Notes and pay the
Exchange Payment pursuant to the Exchange Offers unless, among other things, the
Requisite Consents to the adoption of the Proposed Amendments have been received
from both the Old RGC 9% Noteholders and the Old RGC 10 1/4% Noteholders. The
withdrawal of Old RGC Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
Prospectus under "The Exchange Offers and Solicitation -- Withdrawals of Tenders
and Revocation of Consents," and under Instruction 3 herein, will effect a
revocation of the related Consents. Any valid revocation of Consents will
automatically render the prior tender of the Old RGC Notes to which such
Consents relate defective and Food 4 Less will have the right, which it may
waive, to reject such tender as invalid and ineffective.
 
     The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in
the Prospectus, Food 4 Less may not be required to accept any of the Old RGC
Notes tendered (as described in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange
Offers and Solicitation -- Conditions"). Old RGC Notes not accepted for tender
or that are withdrawn will be returned to the undersigned at the address set
forth above unless otherwise indicated under "SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS"
below.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated under "SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND PAYMENT
INSTRUCTIONS" or "SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS" below, the Exchange Agent will
deliver the New Notes and the Exchange Payment (and, if applicable, return Old
RGC Notes for any principal amount of Old RGC Notes not accepted for exchange)
to the undersigned at the address set forth above. The undersigned understands
that holders who tender Old RGC Notes by book entry transfer ("Book-Entry
Holders") may request that any Old RGC Notes not accepted for exchange be
returned by crediting the account maintained by DTC, MSTC or PDTC as such
Book-Entry Holders may designate by ranking an appropriate entry under the box
entitled "SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS" below. The undersigned
recognizes that Food 4 Less has no obligation pursuant to "SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND
PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS" to transfer any Old RGC Notes from the name of the
registered holder thereof if Food 4 Less does not accept for exchange any of
such Old RGC Notes. See Instruction 5.
 
     The undersigned understands that tenders of Old RGC Notes pursuant to any
one of the procedures described under "The Exchange Offers and
Solicitation -- Procedures for Tendering and Consenting" in the Prospectus and
in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the
undersigned and Food 4 Less in accordance with the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal.
 
                                        5
   6
 
     THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED "DESCRIPTION OF OLD RGC
NOTES" ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE
TENDERED SUCH OLD RGC NOTES, CONSENTED TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WITH RESPECT
TO SUCH OLD RGC NOTES AND MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AS DESCRIBED HEREIN AND
IN THE PROSPECTUS. ONLY REGISTERED HOLDERS OF OLD RGC NOTES ARE ENTITLED TO
CONSENT TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. IF THE UNDERSIGNED IS NOT THE REGISTERED
HOLDER OF THE OLD RGC NOTES TENDERED PURSUANT HERETO, THE UNDERSIGNED MUST
EITHER HAVE THE OLD RGC NOTES REGISTERED IN THE UNDERSIGNED'S NAME OR HAVE THE
REGISTERED HOLDER SIGN THE FORM OF CONSENT APPEARING BELOW OR A VALID PROXY.
 
                                PLEASE SIGN HERE
             (See Instructions 1 and 4 and the following paragraph)

     X ________________________________________________________________________

     X ________________________________________________________________________
               Signature(s) of Owner(s)                              Date

Area Code and Telephone Number:________________________________________________
 
     This Letter of Transmittal must be signed by the Registered Holder(s) of
Old RGC Notes as their name(s) appear(s) on certificates for Old RGC Notes or,
if tendered by a participant in one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities,
exactly as such participant's name appears on a security position listing as the
owner of Old RGC Notes, or by person(s) authorized to become Registered
Holder(s) by endorsement and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by
a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other
person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full
title. See Instruction 4.

     Name(s): _________________________________________________________________

              _________________________________________________________________
                                   Please Type or Print

     Capacity: ________________________________________________________________

     Address: _________________________________________________________________
                                   (Including Zip Code)
 
                              SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
                         (If required by Instruction 4)
 
     Signature(s) Guaranteed
     by an Eligible Institution: ______________________________________________
                                             (Authorized Signature)
                                 ______________________________________________
                                                    (Title)
                                 ______________________________________________
                                                 (Name of Firm)

     Dated: ___________________________________________________________________
 
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     IF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS SIGNED BY A HOLDER OF OLD RGC NOTES WHO IS
NOT THE REGISTERED HOLDER THEREOF, THEN THE REGISTERED HOLDER MUST SIGN THE
FOLLOWING CONSENT OR A VALID PROXY:
 
     Pursuant to the Exchange Offers and the Solicitation of Consents to the
Proposed Amendments, the undersigned hereby consents to the Proposed Amendments
with respect to the Old RGC Notes tendered hereby and with respect to the
related indentures. This consent shall not be deemed to be effective if the
above-described Old RGC Notes are not accepted for tender pursuant to the
Exchange Offers.

     X _______________________________________________________________________
                         Signature of Registered Holder

     X _______________________________________________________________________
                         Signature of Registered Holder
                               (if more than one)

     Dated: __________________________________________________________________
 
(Must be signed by the Registered Holder(s) as name(s) appear(s) on the
certificates for Old RGC Notes. If signature is by a trustee, executor,
administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other person acting in a
fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title. See
Instruction 4.)

     Name(s): ________________________________________________________________
              
              ________________________________________________________________
                                 Please Type or Print

     Capacity:________________________________________________________________

     Address: ________________________________________________________________
                                   (Including Zip Code)
 
                              SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
                         (If required by Instruction 4)
 
     Signature(s) Guaranteed
     by an Eligible Institution: _____________________________________________
                                             (Authorized Signature)
 
                                 _____________________________________________
                                                   (Title)
 
                                 _____________________________________________
                                                 (Name of Firm)

     Dated: ___________________________________________________________________
 
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                   SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
                           (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 4 AND 5)
 
To be completed ONLY if certificates for New Notes and the Exchange Payment are
to be issued in the name of, or paid to, someone other than the person who
submits this Letter of Transmittal or issued to an address different from that
shown in the box entitled "DESCRIPTION OF OLD RGC NOTES" above in this Letter of
Transmittal or if Old RGC Notes are to be returned by credit to an account
maintained by DTC, MSTC or PDTC.
 
ISSUE TO:

Name __________________________________________________________________________
                                 (Please Print)

Address _______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
                               (Include Zip Code)

_______________________________________________________________________________ 
           (Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number)
     A correct taxpayer identification number must also be provided on the
                      Substitute Form W-9 included herein.
 
CREDIT UNACCEPTED OLD RGC NOTES TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO THE:
 
/ /  DTC      / /  MSTC      or      / /  PDTC (check one)
 
                            account set forth below:

_______________________________________________________________________________ 
                       (DTC, MSTC or PDTC Account Number)
 
                         SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                           (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 4 AND 5)
 
To be completed ONLY if the Exchange Payment, certificates evidencing New Notes
and/or certificates evidencing Old RGC Notes for amounts not accepted for
exchange are to be sent to someone other than the person who submits this Letter
of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown in the box entitled
"DESCRIPTION OF OLD RGC NOTES" above in this Letter of Transmittal.


MAIL TO:

Name __________________________________________________________________________
                                  (Please Print)

Address _______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________ 
                               (Include Zip Code)
 
                                        8
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                                  INSTRUCTIONS
 
            FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE
                          OFFERS AND THE SOLICITATION
 
     1. DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES. Certificates for Old
RGC Notes, or any book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC,
MSTC or PDTC of Old RGC Notes tendered electronically, as well as a properly
completed Letter of Transmittal, including a valid and unrevoked Consent or
facsimile(s) thereof, duly executed by the registered holder thereof with any
required signature guarantee(s), and any other documents required by this Letter
of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses
set forth herein on or prior to 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on the
Expiration Date of the Exchange Offers and the Solicitation, except as otherwise
provided in Instruction 2, "Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."
 
     Tenders of Old RGC Notes into the Exchange Offers will be accepted only in
principal amounts equal to $1,000 or integral multiples thereof.
 
     The method of delivery of this Letter of Transmittal, certificates for Old
RGC Notes and any other required documents is at the election and risk of the
tendering Noteholder, and except as otherwise provided below, the delivery will
be deemed made when actually received by the Exchange Agent. Instead of
effecting delivery by mail, it is recommended that tendering Noteholders use an
overnight or hand delivery service. If Old RGC Notes are sent by mail,
registered mail, with return receipt requested, properly insured, is
recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure timely
delivery. No documents should be sent to Food 4 Less, the Information Agent, the
Dealer Managers, or the Old Trustees.
 
     If the person signing this Letter of Transmittal is not the registered
Noteholder of the securities tendered hereby, then such person must either have
the securities hereby registered in such person's name or obtain from the
registered Noteholder and submit to the Exchange Agent the form of consent of
the registered holder to the Proposed Amendments appearing above or a valid
proxy.
 
     All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance, withdrawal and revocation of tendered Old RGC Notes and
delivered Consents to the Proposed Amendments will be resolved by Food 4 Less,
whose determination will be final and binding. Food 4 Less reserves the absolute
right to reject any or all tenders and withdrawals of Old RGC Notes and
deliveries and revocations of Consents to the Proposed Amendments that are not
in proper form or the acceptance of which would, in the opinion of Food 4 Less
or counsel for Food 4 Less, be unlawful. Food 4 Less also reserves the right to
waive any irregularities or conditions of tender, consent or proxy as to
particular Old RGC Notes. Food 4 Less' interpretation of the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offers (including the instructions in this Letter of
Transmittal) will be final and binding. Unless waived, any irregularities in
connection with tenders and withdrawals of Old RGC Notes and revocations of
Consents to the Proposed Amendments must be cured within such time as Food 4
Less shall determine. Neither Food 4 Less nor the Exchange Agent shall be under
any duty to give notification of defects in such tenders, withdrawals,
deliveries or revocations or shall incur any liability for failure to give such
notification. Tenders and withdrawals of Old RGC Notes and deliveries and
revocations of Consents to the Proposed Amendments will not be deemed to have
been made until such irregularities have been cured or waived. Any old RGC Notes
received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered or delivered and
to which the irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by
the Exchange Agent to the tendering Noteholders unless otherwise provided in
this Letter of Transmittal as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.
 
     None of Food 4 Less, the Exchange Agent, the Information Agent, the Dealer
Managers or any other person shall be obligated to give notification of defects
or irregularities in any tender, or shall incur any liability for failure to
give any such notification.
 
     2. GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES. If a registered holder of Old RGC Notes
desires to tender such Old RGC Notes and consent to the Proposed Amendments, and
such holder's Old RGC Notes are not immediately available, or if time will not
permit such holder's Old RGC Notes or any other required documents to be
delivered to the Exchange Agent prior to 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on
the Expiration Date, then such Old RGC Notes may nevertheless be tendered for
exchange and Consents may be effected if all of the following guaranteed
delivery procedure conditions are met:
 
          (i) the tender for exchange and Consent is made by or through an
     Eligible Institution;
 
          (ii) prior to 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration
     Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such Eligible Institution a properly
     completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (by telegram,
     telex, facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery) substantially in the
     form provided by Food 4 Less herewith, that
 
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     contains a signature guaranteed by an Eligible Institution in the form set
     forth in such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, unless such tender is for the
     account of an Eligible Institution (in which case no signature guarantee
     shall be required), and sets forth the name and address of the holder of
     Old RGC Notes and the principal amount of Old RGC Notes tendered for
     exchange, states that the tender is being made thereby and guarantees that,
     within five New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") trading days after the date of
     execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the Letter of Transmittal
     (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, together with
     the Old RGC Notes and any required signature guarantees and any other
     documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, will be deposited by the
     Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and
 
          (iii) all tendered Old RGC Notes, or a confirmation of a book-entry
     transfer of such Old RGC Notes into the Exchange Agent's applicable account
     at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, as well as the Letter of Transmittal (or
     facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required
     signature guarantees, and all other documents required by such Letter of
     Transmittal, shall be received by the Exchange Agent within five NYSE
     trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed
     Delivery.
 
     The ORANGE Notice of Guaranteed Delivery provided herewith shall be used in
connection with tenders of all Old RGC Notes.
 
     Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the exchange for Old RGC Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offers will in all cases be made only after timely
receipt by the Exchange Agent of certificates for such Old RGC Notes and the
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) in respect thereof, properly
completed and duly executed, together with any required signature guarantees and
any other documents required by the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal.
 
     3. CONSENT TO PROPOSED AMENDMENTS; WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS; REVOCATION OF
CONSENTS. A valid Consent to the adoption of the Proposed Amendments may be
given only by the registered holder of Old RGC Notes or his or her
attorney-in-fact. Noteholders will not be able to validly tender unless they
Consent to the Proposed Amendments. Noteholders not tendering Old RGC Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offers will not be eligible to Consent to the Proposed
Amendments. Tendering holders who sign the Letter of Transmittal and tender any
Old RGC Notes shall be deemed to Consent to the Proposed Amendments with respect
to such Old RGC Notes tendered.
 
     Tenders of Old RGC Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer may be withdrawn and
Consents may be revoked at any time until the later of (a) such time as the
Requisite Consents with respect to the applicable issue of Old RGC Notes have
been received and the Supplemental Indenture for such issue has been executed
and (b) [20 Business Days following commencement]. Thereafter, such tenders may
be withdrawn and Consents may be revoked if the Exchange Offer with respect to
such Old RGC Notes is terminated without any Old RGC Notes being accepted for
exchange thereunder.
 
     The "Consent Date" for the Old RGC 9% Notes or the Old RGC 10 1/4% Notes,
as the case may be, will be the date and time on which the Requisite Consents
(Consents of holders representing at least a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Old RGC 9% Notes or Old RGC 10 1/4% Notes, as the case
may be, held by persons other than RGC and its affiliates) to the Proposed
Amendments are delivered by Food 4 Less to the applicable Old Trustee. A
different Consent Date may be established with respect to Consents that are
received and that relate to the Old RGC 9% Notes and Consents that are received
and that relate to the Old RGC 10 1/4% Notes. The withdrawal of Old RGC Notes
prior to the applicable Consent Date in accordance with the procedures set forth
hereunder will effect a revocation of the related Consent. Any valid revocation
of Consents will automatically render the prior tender of the Old RGC Notes to
which such Consents relate defective and Food 4 Less will have the right, which
it may waive, to reject such tender as invalid and ineffective.
 
     Any holder of Old RGC Notes who has tendered Old RGC Notes or who succeeds
to the record ownership of Old RGC Notes in respect of which such tenders or
Consents previously have been given may withdraw such Old RGC Notes or revoke
such Consents prior to the applicable Consent Date by delivery of a written
notice of withdrawal or revocation, subject to the limitations described herein.
To be effective, a written telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission (or
delivered by hand or by mail) notice of withdrawal of a tender or revocation of
a Consent must (i) be timely received by the Exchange Agent at one of its
addresses set forth on the front cover hereof or prior to the applicable time
provided herein with respect to the applicable issue of Old RGC Notes, (ii)
specify the name of the person having tendered the Old RGC Notes to be withdrawn
or as to which Consents are revoked, the principal amount of such Old RGC Notes
to be withdrawn and, if certificates for Old RGC Notes have been tendered, the
name of the registered holder(s) of such Old RGC Notes as set forth in such
certificates, if different from that of the person who tendered such Old RGC
Notes, (iii) identify the Old RGC Notes to be withdrawn or to which the notice
of revocation relates and (iv)(a) be signed by the holder in the same manner as
the original signature on this Letter of Transmittal or Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery (as the case may be) by which such Old RGC Notes were tendered
(including any required signature guarantees) or
 
                                       10
   11
 
(b) be accompanied by evidence satisfactory to Food 4 Less and the Exchange
Agent that the holder withdrawing such tender or revoking such Consents has
succeeded to beneficial ownership of such Old RGC Notes. If certificates
representing Old RGC Notes to be withdrawn or Consents to be revoked have been
delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then the name of the
registered holder and the serial numbers of the particular certificate
evidencing the Old RGC Notes to be withdrawn or Consents to be revoked and a
signed notice of withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution, except in the case of Old RGC Notes tendered by an Eligible
Institution (in which case no signature guarantee shall be required), must also
be so furnished to the Exchange Agent as aforesaid prior to the physical release
of the certificates for the withdrawn Old RGC Notes. If Old RGC Notes have been
tendered or if Consents have been delivered pursuant to the procedures for
book-entry transfer as set forth herein, any notice of withdrawal or revocation
of a Consent must also specify the name and number of the account at the
appropriate Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be credited with the withdrawn Old
RGC Notes. Food 4 Less reserves the right to contest the validity of any
revocation. A purported notice of revocation which is not received by the
Exchange Agent in a timely fashion will not be effective to revoke a Consent
previously given.
 
     Any permitted withdrawals of tenders of Old RGC Notes and revocation of
Consents may not be rescinded, and any Old RGC Notes properly withdrawn will
thereafter be deemed not validly tendered and any Consents revoked will be
deemed not validly delivered for purposes of the Exchange Offers or the
Solicitation; provided, however, that withdrawn Old RGC Notes may be retendered
and revoked Consents may be redelivered by again following one of the
appropriate procedures described herein at any time prior to 12:00 Midnight, New
York City time, on the Expiration Date.
 
     If Food 4 Less shall decide to decrease the amount of Old RGC Notes being
sought in either Exchange Offer or to increase or decrease the consideration
offered to the Old RGC Noteholders, and if, at the time that notice of such
increase or decrease is first published, sent or given to Old RGC Noteholders in
the manner specified in this Prospectus and Solicitation Statement, such
Exchange Offer is scheduled to expire at any time earlier than the expiration of
a period ending on the tenth Business Day from and including the date that such
notice is first so published, sent or given such Exchange Offer will be extended
for such purposes until the expiration of such period of ten Business Days. As
used in this Prospectus and Solicitation Statement, "Business Day" has the
meaning set forth in Rule 14d-1 (and applicable to Regulation 14E) under the
Exchange Act. In addition, if any of the Exchange Offers or the Solicitation is
amended in a manner determined by Food 4 Less to constitute a material adverse
change to the Old RGC Noteholders, Food 4 Less promptly will disclose such
amendment in a public announcement and will extend the relevant Exchange Offer
or the Solicitation for a period deemed by it to be adequate to permit the Old
RGC Noteholders to properly deliver or withdraw their Old RGC Notes and give or
revoke Consents.
 
     If Food 4 Less extends an Exchange Offer, is delayed in its acceptance for
exchange of Old RGC Notes or is unable to exchange Old RGC Notes pursuant to an
Exchange Offer, for any reason, then, without prejudice to Food 4 Less' rights
under such Exchange Offer, the Exchange Agent may, subject to applicable law,
retain tendered Old RGC Notes on behalf of Food 4 Less, and such Old RGC Notes
may not be withdrawn (subject to Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, which
requires that Food 4 Less deliver the consideration offered or return the Old
RGC Notes deposited by or on behalf of the Noteholders promptly after the
termination or withdrawal of an Exchange Offer), except to the extent that
tendering holders are entitled to withdrawal rights as described herein.
 
     All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including the time
of receipt) of notices of withdrawal or revocations of Consents will be
determined by Food 4 Less, whose determination will be final and binding on all
parties. None of Food 4 Less, the Exchange Agent, the Dealer Managers or any
other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or
irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or revocation of Consent or incur any
liability for failure to give any such notification.
 
     4. SIGNATURES ON THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AND ENDORSEMENTS; GUARANTEE OF
SIGNATURE. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s)
of the Old RGC Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the
name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) without alteration or any
change whatsoever.
 
     If any of the Old RGC Notes tendered hereby are registered in the names of
two or more joint owners, all owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If
any tendered Old RGC Notes are registered in different names on several
certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate
Letters of Transmittal and any other required documents as there are different
names in which the Old RGC Notes are registered.
 
     If tendered Old RGC Notes are registered in the name of a person other than
the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, the tendered Old RGC Notes must
be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed by the registered
holder or holders of the Old RGC Notes transmitted hereby or separate bond
powers are required, with signatures guaranteed in either case.
 
                                       11
   12
 
     If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificate or bond powers are signed
by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should so indicate when signing and proper evidence satisfactory to Food
4 Less of their authority so to act must be submitted.
 
     Endorsements on certificates of Old RGC Notes or signatures on bond powers
required by this Instruction 4 must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
     All signatures on this Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as
the case may be, must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined
below) unless the Old RGC Notes tendered or withdrawn, as the case may be,
pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered Noteholder(s) (which term, for
purposes of this Letter of Transmittal, shall include any participant in DTC,
MSTC or PDTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of
Old RGC Notes), of Old RGC Notes who has not completed the box entitled "SPECIAL
ISSUANCE AND PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS" or "SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS" on this
Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution. If Old
RGC Notes are registered in the name of a person other than the signer of this
Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, or if
payment is to be made or certificates for unexchanged Old RGC Notes are to be
issued or returned to a person other than the registered holder, then the Old
RGC Notes must be endorsed by the registered Noteholder(s), or be accompanied by
a written instrument or instruments of transfer or exchange in form satisfactory
to Food 4 Less duly executed by the registered Noteholder(s), with such
signatures guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. In the event that signatures
on this Letter of Transmittal (or other document) are required to be guaranteed,
such guarantee must be by a firm that is a member of a registered national
securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") or by a commercial bank or trust company having an
office in the United States (each of the foregoing being an "Eligible
Institution").
 
     5. SPECIAL ISSUANCE, PAYMENT AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. Tendering
Noteholders should indicate, in the applicable box, the name and address to
which New Notes, the Exchange Payment or Old RGC Notes for principal amounts not
accepted for exchange (each, as appropriate) are to be issued, sent or paid, if
different from the name and address of the person submitting this Letter of
Transmittal. In the case of issuance or payment in a different name, the tax
identification number of the person named must also be indicated and a
Substitute Form W-9 for such recipient must be completed. See Instruction 6. If
no such instructions are given, New Notes, the Exchange Payment or Old RGC Notes
not accepted for exchange (each, as appropriate) will be sent to the name and
address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal or, at Food 4 Less'
option, by crediting the account at DTC, MSTC or PDTC designated above in the
box entitled "SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS."
 
     6. SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. The tendering Noteholder is required to provide the
Exchange Agent (as payor) with his or her correct taxpayer identification number
("TIN") on the Substitute Form W-9 included in this Letter of Transmittal. In
the case of a tendering Noteholder who has completed the box entitled "SPECIAL
ISSUANCE AND PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS" above, however, the correct TIN on Form W-9
should be provided for the recipient of the securities delivered pursuant to
such instructions. Failure to provide the information on the form will cause the
Exchange Agent to withhold 31% of any payments made to the tendering Noteholder
or such recipient, as the case may be, until such information is received. See
"IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION" below.
 
     7. TRANSFER TAXES. Food 4 Less will pay all transfer taxes, if any,
applicable to the exchange of Old RGC Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offers. If,
however, New Notes, the Exchange Payment or Old RGC Notes not accepted for
exchange (each as appropriate), are to be delivered to, or are to be registered
or issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old
RGC Notes, or if tendered Old RGC Notes are to be registered in the name of any
person other than the person signing the Letter of Transmittal, or if a transfer
tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old RGC Notes pursuant
to an Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer tax (whether imposed
on the registered holder or any other person) will be payable by the tendering
holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such tax or exemption therefrom
is not submitted, then the amount of such transfer tax will be deducted from the
Exchange Payment otherwise payable to such tendering holder. Any remaining
amount will be billed directly to such tendering holder.
 
     EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS INSTRUCTION 7, IT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY FOR
TRANSFER TAX STAMPS TO BE AFFIXED TO THE CERTIFICATES LISTED IN THIS LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL.
 
     8. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. Food 4 Less reserves the absolute right to amend
in any respect or waive any of the specified conditions in either of the
Exchange Offers in the case of any Old RGC Notes tendered.
 
                                       12
   13
 
     9. MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED OLD RGC NOTES. If a Noteholder
desires to tender Old RGC Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer, but any such Old
RGC Note has been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, such holder should write
to or telephone the Old Trustee under the Old Indenture under which such Old RGC
Note was issued, at the address listed below, concerning the procedures for
obtaining replacement certificates for such Old RGC Note, arranging for
indemnification or any other matter that requires handling by such Old Trustee:
 
     Old Trustee:          United States Trust Company of New York
                           114 West 47th Street
                           New York, New York 10036-1532
                           Attention: Corporate Trust Department
 
     10. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions relating to the
procedure for tendering, as well as requests for additional copies of the
Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, may be directed to the Information
Agent, D.F. King & Co., Inc., (800) 669-5550.
 
                                       13
   14
 
                           IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
 
GENERAL
 
     Under federal income tax law, a holder whose tendered Old RGC Notes are
accepted for exchange is required to provide the Exchange Agent with such
holder's correct taxpayer identification number on the Substitute Form W-9
included in this Letter of Transmittal. If such holder is an individual, the
taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. If the
Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct taxpayer identification number
or an adequate basis for exemption, the holder may be subject to a $50 penalty
imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, payments that are made to
such holder in exchange for tendered Old RGC Notes or in respect of the New
Notes may be subject to backup withholding.
 
     Certain holders of Old RGC Notes (including, among others, all corporations
and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and
reporting requirements. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an
exempt recipient, that holder must submit a statement, signed under penalties of
perjury, attesting to that individual's exempt status. Such statements can be
obtained from the Depositary. See the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of
Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 for additional
instructions.
 
     If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold
31% of any payments made to the holder. Backup withholding is not an additional
tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be
reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment
of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
 
WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE TO EXCHANGE AGENT
 
     The holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the social security
number or employer identification number of the registered holder of the Old RGC
Notes. If the certificates for Old RGC Notes are registered in more than one
name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed Guidelines
for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 for
additional guidance on which number to report.
 
                                       14
   15
                        TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING
                            HOLDERS OF OLD RGC NOTES
                              (SEE INSTRUCTION 6)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      PAYOR'S NAME: BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SUBSTITUTE
 FORM W-9                                                 Social Security Number
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY                              -----------------------
 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE                                           OR
                                                   
 PAYOR'S REQUEST FOR        PART I -- PLEASE PROVIDE     Employer Identification
 TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION    YOUR TAX PAYER                       Number   
 NUMBER (TIN)               IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IN
                            THE BOX AT THE RIGHT AND     -----------------------
                            CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND
                            DATING BELOW.
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                            PART II -- For Payees exempt from backup
                            withholding, see the Important Tax Information
                            above and Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
                            Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9        
                            W-9 enclosed herewith and complete as instructed
                            therein.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CERTIFICATIONS -- Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
 
 (1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number
     (or a Taxpayer Identification Number has not been issued to me and either
     (a) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a Taxpayer
     Identification Number to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center
     or Social Security Administration office or (b) I intend to mail or
     deliver an application in the near future). (I understand that if I do not
     provide a Taxpayer Identification Number to the payer, 31% of all
     reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld until I provide
     a number to the payer and that, if I do not provide my Taxpayer
     Identification Number within sixty (60) days, such retained amounts shall
     be remitted to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") as backup withholding.
 
 (2) I am not subject to backup withholding either because I have not been
     notified by the IRS that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of
     a failure to report all interest or dividends or the IRS has notified me
     that I am no longer subject to backup withholding.
 
 CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTION -- You must cross out item (2) above if you have
 been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of
 underreporting interest or dividends on your tax return. However, if after
 being notified by the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding you
 received another notification from the IRS that you were no longer subject to
 backup withholding, do not cross out item (2). (Also see the IMPORTANT TAX
 INFORMATION above.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Name
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   (Please Print)
  Address
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Including Zip Code)
  Signature                                                   Date
           --------------------------------------------------     --------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
      OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW
      THE "GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON
      SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9" FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
 
PLEASE REVIEW ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
 
IMPORTANT: This Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile thereof (together with Old
RGC Notes and all other required documents) must be received by the Exchange
Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus) of the
Exchange Offers.
 
     Your bank or broker can assist you in completing this form. The
Instructions included in this Letter of Transmittal must be followed.
 
     Requests for assistance or additional copies of the Prospectus or the
Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Information Agent at the address
or telephone numbers set forth below.
 
     The Information Agent for the Exchange Offers and the Solicitation is:
 
                             D.F. KING & CO., INC.
 
                         Call Toll Free: (800) 669-5550
 
                                       15