Exhibit 10.1

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                                 $160,000,000

                               CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                    among

                       FRIENDLY ICE CREAM CORPORATION,
                                 as Borrower,

                             The Several Lenders
                       from Time to Time Parties Hereto

                                     and

                              SOCIETE GENERALE,
                     as Arranger and Administrative Agent

                        Dated as of November 19, 1997

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                          Page

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS....................................................  2
      1.1  Defined Terms...................................................  2
      1.2  Other Definitional Provisions................................... 24

SECTION 2.  AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS................................ 25
      2.1  Term Loan Commitments........................................... 25
      2.2  Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing............................... 25
      2.3  Repayment of Term Loans......................................... 25
      2.4  Revolving Credit Commitments.................................... 27
      2.5  Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing........................ 28
      2.6  Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt............................ 28
      2.7  Commitment Fees, etc. .......................................... 29
      2.8  Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments........ 29
      2.9  Optional Prepayments............................................ 30
      2.10  Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions................ 30
      2.11  Conversion and Continuation Options............................ 31
      2.12  Minimum Amounts and Maximum Number of Eurodollar Tranches...... 32
      2.13  Interest Rates and Payment Dates............................... 32
      2.14  Computation of Interest and Fees............................... 32
      2.15  Inability to Determine Interest Rate........................... 33
      2.16  Pro Rata Treatment and Payments................................ 33
      2.17  Requirements of Law............................................ 35
      2.18  Taxes.......................................................... 37
      2.19  Indemnity...................................................... 38
      2.20  Change of Lending Office....................................... 39
      2.21  Replacement of Lenders under Certain Circumstances............. 39

SECTION 3.  LETTERS OF CREDIT.............................................. 40
      3.1  L/C Commitment.................................................. 40
      3.2  Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit...................... 40
      3.3  Commissions, Fees and Other Charges............................. 40
      3.4  L/C Participations.............................................. 41
      3.5  Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower........................ 42
      3.6  Obligations Absolute............................................ 42
      3.7  Letter of Credit Payments....................................... 42
      3.8  Applications.................................................... 43

SECTION 4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES................................. 43
      4.1  Financial Condition............................................. 43
      4.2  No Change....................................................... 44
      4.3  Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law........................ 44
      4.4  Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations......... 44
      4.5  No Legal Bar.................................................... 44
      4.6  No Material Litigation.......................................... 45


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                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----

      4.7  No Default...................................................... 45
      4.8  Ownership of Property; Liens.................................... 45
      4.9  Intellectual Property........................................... 45
      4.10  Taxes.......................................................... 45
      4.11  Federal Regulations............................................ 46
      4.12  Labor Matters.................................................. 46
      4.13  ERISA.......................................................... 46
      4.14  Investment Company Act; Other Regulations...................... 46
      4.15  Subsidiaries................................................... 47
      4.16  Use of Proceeds................................................ 47
      4.17  Environmental Matters.......................................... 47
      4.18  Accuracy of Information, etc................................... 48
      4.19  Security Documents............................................. 49
      4.20  Solvency....................................................... 49
      4.21  Regulation H................................................... 49
      4.22  Material Contracts............................................. 49

SECTION 5.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT........................................... 49
      5.1  Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit....................... 49
      5.2  Conditions to Each Extension of Credit.......................... 53

SECTION 6.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.......................................... 53
      6.1  Financial Statements............................................ 53
      6.2  Certificates; Other Information................................. 54
      6.3  Payment of Obligations.......................................... 55
      6.4  Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence, etc. ......... 56
      6.5  Maintenance of Property; Insurance.............................. 56
      6.6  Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions.......... 56
      6.7  Notices......................................................... 57
      6.8  Environmental Laws.............................................. 57
      6.9  Interest Rate Protection........................................ 58
      6.10  Additional Collateral, etc..................................... 58
      6.11  Mortgage Recording Taxes....................................... 59
      6.12  Leased Properties.............................................. 59

SECTION 7.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS............................................. 60
      7.1  Financial Condition Covenants................................... 60
      7.2  Limitation on Indebtedness...................................... 63
      7.3  Limitation on Liens............................................. 65
      7.4  Limitation on Fundamental Changes............................... 66
      7.5  Limitation on Sale of Assets.................................... 67
      7.6  Limitation on Dividends......................................... 67
      7.7  Limitation on Capital Expenditures.............................. 68
      7.8  Limitation on Investments, Loans and Advances................... 68
      7.9  Limitation on Optional Payments and Modifications of Debt
            Instruments, etc. ............................................. 70
      7.10  Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates..................... 70
      7.11  Limitation on Sales and Leasebacks............................. 70
      7.12  Limitation on Changes in Fiscal Periods........................ 70
      7.13  Limitation on Negative Pledge Clauses.......................... 70
      7.14  Limitation on Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions......... 71



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                                                                          Page
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      7.15  Limitation on Lines of Business................................ 72

SECTION 8.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.............................................. 72

SECTION 9.  THE AGENT...................................................... 75
      9.1  Appointment..................................................... 75
      9.2  Delegation of Duties............................................ 76
      9.3  Exculpatory Provisions.......................................... 76
      9.4  Reliance by Agent............................................... 76
      9.5  Notice of Default............................................... 76
      9.6  Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders......................... 77
      9.7  Indemnification................................................. 77
      9.8  Agent in Its Individual Capacity................................ 78
      9.9  Successor Agent................................................. 78
      9.10  Authorization to Release Liens................................. 78

SECTION 10.  MISCELLANEOUS................................................. 78
      10.1  Amendments and Waivers......................................... 78
      10.2  Notices........................................................ 79
      10.3  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies................................. 80
      10.4  Survival of Representations and Warranties..................... 80
      10.5  Payment of Expenses............................................ 80
      10.6  Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments......... 81
      10.7  Adjustments; Set-off........................................... 84
      10.8  Counterparts................................................... 84
      10.9  Severability................................................... 85
      10.10  Integration................................................... 85
      10.11  GOVERNING LAW................................................. 85
      10.12  Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers........................... 85
      10.13  Acknowledgements.............................................. 86
      10.14  WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL......................................... 86
      10.15  Confidentiality............................................... 86


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ANNEXES:

A           Pricing Grid
B           ECF Percentage Grid
C           Permitted Capital Expenditure Grid

SCHEDULES:

1.1A        Commitments
1.1B        Mortgaged Properties
1.1C        Management Permitted Holders
4.4         Consents, Authorizations, Filings and Notices
4.15        Subsidiaries
4.19(a)     UCC Filing Jurisdictions
4.19(b)     Mortgage Filing Jurisdictions
4.22        Material Contracts
5.1(p)      Plant and Headquarters Properties
7.1         Financial Covenant Calculations
7.2(e)      Existing Indebtedness
7.3(f)      Existing Liens
7.8(h)      Existing Investments

EXHIBITS:

A           Form of Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
B           Form of Compliance Certificate
C           Form of Closing Certificate
D-1         Form of Mortgage (Leasehold)
D-2         Form of Mortgage (Fee)
E           Form of Assignment and Acceptance
F-1         Form of Opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt, Special Counsel for the
            Borrower
F-2         Form of Opinion of General Counsel for the Borrower
F-3         Form of Opinion of Local Massachusetts Counsel for the Borrower
G-1         Form of Term Note
G-2         Form of Revolving Credit Note
H           Form of Prepayment Option Notice
I           Form of Exemption Certificate


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            CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of November 19, 1997, among FRIENDLY ICE
CREAM CORPORATION, a Massachusetts corporation (the "Borrower"), the several
banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to
this Agreement (the "Lenders") and SOCIETE GENERALE ("Societe Generale"), as
arranger and administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              - - - - - - - - - -

            WHEREAS, the Borrower, certain subsidiaries of the Borrower, the
financial institutions party thereto (the "Existing Lenders") and BankBoston,
N.A. (formerly known as The First National Bank of Boston), as administrative
agent, collateral agent and issuing bank, are parties to the Second Amended and
Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1996
and as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (the "Existing Credit
Facility");

            WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to refinance the indebtedness
outstanding under the Existing Credit Facility;

            WHEREAS, concurrently with the initial extension of credit under
this Agreement the Borrower is offering to the public (a) $200,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of its unsecured senior notes due 2007 (the "Senior Note
Offering"), and (b) 5,000,000 shares of its common stock (the "Common Stock
Offering" and, together with the Senior Note Offering, the "Offerings");

            WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that (a) concurrently with the
initial extension of credit under this Agreement, Societe Generale and the
Existing Lenders enter into an agreement to assign claims pursuant to which
Societe Generale shall purchase the Existing Lenders' rights and obligations
under the Existing Credit Facility with respect to $90,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of outstanding term loans thereunder (the "Assigned Loans"),
such amount to be purchased from Societe Generale by the Lenders hereunder in
accordance with such Lenders' respective Tranche A Term Loan Commitments,
Tranche B Term Loan Commitments and Tranche C Term Loan Commitments (as each
such term is defined below) and (b) the Lenders make additional revolving credit
and standby letter of credit facilities available to the Borrower in an
aggregate principal amount of up to $70,000,000 which, together with the
Assigned Loans, will result in available credit facilities in an aggregate
principal amount of up to $160,000,000;

            WHEREAS, the Borrower has further requested that the credit
facilities available to it consist of (a) a $55,000,000 five-year revolving
credit facility, (b) a $15,000,000 five-year standby letter of credit facility
(to be implemented together with the ability of the Borrower to use a $5,000,000
portion of the revolving credit facility for standby letters of credit), (c) a
$34,285,714.29 five-year term loan facility, (d) a $34,285,714.29 seven-year
term loan facility and (e) a $21,428,571.42 eight-year term loan facility


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(collectively, the "Credit Facilities" and, together with the Offerings and the
application of the net proceeds hereunder and thereunder, the
"Recapitalization");

            WHEREAS, inasmuch as the Existing Credit Facility sets forth the
terms and conditions of the Assigned Loans, the Borrower, the Agent and the
Lenders desire to amend and restate the Existing Credit Facility in its entirety
to read as follows, such amendment and restatement to become effective on the
Closing Date (as defined below) upon the purchase by the Lenders of the Assigned
Loans; and

            WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to make the Credit Facilities
available upon and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements
hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

                             SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

            1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms listed in
this Section 1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section
1.1.

            "ABR": for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary,
      to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate in
      effect on such day and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on
      such day plus 1/2 of 1%. For purposes hereof: "Prime Rate" shall mean the
      rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by the
      Reference Lender as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in
      New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of
      interest charged by the Reference Lender in connection with extensions of
      credit to debtors). Any change in the ABR due to a change in the Prime
      Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective as of the
      opening of business on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate
      or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

            "ABR Loans":  Loans the rate of interest applicable to
      which is based upon the ABR.

            "Adjustment Date":  as defined in the Pricing Grid.

            "Affiliate": as to any Person, any other Person which, directly or
      indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control
      with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" of a Person
      means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 10% or more of
      the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors
      (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or
      cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether
      by contract or otherwise.


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            "Agent": Societe Generale, together with its affiliates, as the
      arranger of the Commitments and as the administrative agent for the
      Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

            "Agreement": this Credit Agreement, as amended, supplemented or
      otherwise modified from time to time.

            "Applicable Margin": for each Type of Loan, the rate per annum set
      forth under the relevant column heading below:

                                          Eurodollar              ABR
                                            Loans                Loans
                                          ----------             -----

            Revolving Credit Loans           2.25%               0.75%
            Tranche A Term Loans             2.25%               0.75%
            Tranche B Term Loans             2.50%               1.00%
            Tranche C Term Loans             2.75%               1.25%;

      provided, that on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring after the
      completion of four full fiscal quarters of the Borrower after the Closing
      Date, the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Credit Loans and
      Tranche A Term Loans will be determined pursuant to the Pricing Grid.

            "Application": an application, in such form as the Issuing Lender
      may specify from time to time, requesting the Issuing Lender to open a
      Letter of Credit, and specifying the date on which such Letter of Credit
      is to be issued, the expiration date of such Letter of Credit, the name
      and address of the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, whether such
      Letter of Credit is to be a Trade Letter of Credit or a Standby Letter of
      Credit and such other information as may be necessary or desirable to
      complete such Letter of Credit.

            "Asset Sale": any Disposition of Property or series of related
      Dispositions of Property (excluding any such Disposition permitted by
      clause (a), (b), (c), (d) or (g) of Section 7.5) which yields gross
      proceeds to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (valued at the initial
      principal amount thereof in the case of non-cash proceeds consisting of
      notes or other debt securities and valued at fair market value in the case
      of other non-cash proceeds) in excess of $100,000.

            "Assigned Loans": as defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

            "Assignee":  as defined in Section 10.6(c).

            "Assignor":  as defined in Section 10.6(c).

            "Authorized Signatory": the chief executive officer, president,
      chief administrative officer or chief financial officer of the Borrower,
      or their respective 


                                                                               4


      designees notified to the Agent in writing, but in any event, with respect
      to financial matters, the chief financial officer of the Borrower.

            "Available Revolving Credit Commitment": as to any Revolving Credit
      Lender at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such
      Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment over (b) such Lender's Revolving
      Extensions of Credit.

            "Board": the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the
      United States (or any successor).

            "Borrowing Date": any Business Day specified by the Borrower as a
      date on which the Borrower requests the relevant Lenders to make Loans
      hereunder.

            "Business": as defined in Section 4.17(b).

            "Business Day": (a) for all purposes other than as covered by clause
      (b) below, a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
      commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to
      close and (b) with respect to all notices and determinations in connection
      with, and payments of principal and interest on, Eurodollar Loans, any day
      which is a Business Day described in clause (a) and which is also a day
      for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the interbank
      eurodollar market.

            "Business-Sustaining Capital Expenditures": for any period of four
      consecutive fiscal quarters, Capital Expenditures during such period in an
      amount equal to $15,000,000, constituting the amount of Capital
      Expenditures necessary to maintain the then existing Property of the
      Borrower and its Subsidiaries in good working order and condition
      (excluding payments in respect of the principal amount of Indebtedness
      incurred in connection with such expenditures).

            "Capital Expenditures": for any period, with respect to any Person,
      the aggregate of all expenditures by such Person and its Subsidiaries for
      the acquisition or leasing (pursuant to a capital lease) of fixed or
      capital assets or additions to equipment (including replacements,
      capitalized repairs and improvements during such period) which should be
      capitalized under GAAP on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and
      its Subsidiaries.

            "Capital Lease Obligations": as to any Person, the obligations of
      such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other
      arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a
      combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and
      accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under
      GAAP, and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such
      obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such
      time determined in accordance with GAAP.


                                                                               5


            "Capital Stock": any and all shares, interests, participations or
      other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation,
      any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a
      corporation) and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any
      of the foregoing.

            "Cash Equivalents": (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or
      unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by
      any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United
      States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of
      acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time
      deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of six months or
      less from the date of acquisition issued by any Lender or by any
      commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America
      or any state thereof having combined capital and surplus of not less than
      $500,000,000; (c) commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by
      Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") or P-1 by Moody's Investors
      Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or carrying an equivalent rating by a
      nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating
      agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally,
      and maturing within nine months from the date of acquisition; (d)
      repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial bank satisfying
      the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a term of not
      more than 30 days with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or
      insured by the United States government; (e) securities with maturities of
      one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed
      by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any
      political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth
      or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state,
      commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or
      foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A by S&P or A
      by Moody's; (f) securities with maturities of six months or less from the
      date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any
      Lender or any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of
      this definition; or (g) shares of money market mutual or similar funds
      which invest exclusively in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses
      (a) through (f) of this definition or which comply with the risk limiting
      conditions of Rule 2a-7 or any successor rule of the Securities and
      Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

            "Closing Date": the date on which the conditions precedent set forth
      in Section 5.1 shall have been satisfied.

            "Code": the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
      time.

            "Collateral": all Property of the Loan Parties, now owned or
      hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any
      Security Document.

            "Commitment": as to any Lender, the sum of the Tranche A Term Loan
      Commitment, the Tranche B Term Loan Commitment, the Tranche C Term Loan
      Commitment and the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender.


                                                                               6


            "Commitment Fee Rate": 1/2 of 1% per annum; provided, that on and
      after the first Adjustment Date occurring after the completion of four
      full fiscal quarters of the Borrower after the Closing Date, the
      Commitment Fee Rate will be determined pursuant to the Pricing Grid.

            "Commonly Controlled Entity": an entity, whether or not
      incorporated, which is under common control with the Borrower within the
      meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a group which includes the
      Borrower and which is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of
      the Code.

            "Common Stock": the Borrower's common stock, par value $0.01 per
      share.

            "Common Stock Offering": as defined in the recitals to this
      Agreement.

            "Compliance Certificate": a certificate duly executed by a
      Authorized Signatory substantially in the form of Exhibit B.

            "Confidential Information Memorandum": the Confidential Information
      Memorandum dated October 10, 1997 and furnished to the Lenders.

            "Consolidated Cash Interest Expense": for any period, total cash
      interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Lease
      Obligations) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period with
      respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and its
      Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts
      and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and
      bankers' acceptance financing and net costs under Interest Rate Protection
      Agreements to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in
      accordance with GAAP); provided that for purposes of calculating
      Consolidated Cash Interest Expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
      for the fourth fiscal quarter of the Borrower's 1997 fiscal year, cash
      interest expense with respect to Indebtedness created in connection with
      the Recapitalization shall be included on a pro forma basis for such
      fiscal quarter (assuming that the consummation of the Recapitalization and
      the incurrence of such Indebtedness occurred on the first day of such
      fiscal quarter and that the rate applicable to any floating rate
      Indebtedness from the first day of such fiscal quarter to the Closing Date
      is the rate in effect on the Closing Date applicable to Eurodollar Loans
      having an interest period of one month).

            "Consolidated EBITDA": for any period, Consolidated Net Income for
      such period plus, without duplication and to the extent reflected as a
      charge in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such period,
      the sum of (a) income tax expense, (b) interest expense, amortization or
      writeoff of debt discount and debt issuance costs and commissions,
      discounts and other fees and charges associated with Indebtedness
      (including the Loans), (c) depreciation and amortization expense, (d)
      amortization of intangibles (including, but not limited to, goodwill) and
      organization costs, (e) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring
      expenses or losses (including, whether or not otherwise includable as a
      separate item in the statement of such Consolidated Net 


                                                                               7


      Income for such period, losses on sales of assets outside of the ordinary
      course of business) and (f) any other non-cash charges, and minus, to the
      extent included in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such
      period, the sum of (a) interest income, (b) any extraordinary, unusual or
      non-recurring income or gains (including, whether or not otherwise
      includable as a separate item in the statement of such Consolidated Net
      Income for such period, gains on the sales of assets outside of the
      ordinary course of business (it being understood that sales of restaurants
      in an aggregate amount up to $2,500,000 in any fiscal year are deemed to
      be in the ordinary course of business)) and (c) any other non-cash income,
      all as determined on a consolidated basis.

            "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio": for any period, the
      ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period minus (i)
      Business-Sustaining Capital Expenditures for such period and (ii) cash
      income taxes for such period to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such
      period.

            "Consolidated Fixed Charges": for any period, the sum (without
      duplication) of (a) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for such period,
      (b) scheduled payments made during such period on account of principal of
      Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (including
      scheduled principal payments in respect of the Term Loans) and (c)
      scheduled payments (excluding interest expense attributable to such
      Capital Lease Obligations) made during such period on account of Capital
      Lease Obligations.

            "Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio": for any period, the ratio of
      (a) Consolidated EBITDA minus (i) Business-Sustaining Capital Expenditures
      for such period and (ii) cash income taxes for such period to (b)
      Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for such period.

            "Consolidated Leverage Ratio": as at the last day of any period, the
      ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt on such day to (b) Consolidated
      EBITDA for such period; provided that for purposes of calculating
      Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period,
      the Consolidated EBITDA of any Person acquired by the Borrower or its
      Subsidiaries during such period shall be included on a pro forma basis for
      such period (assuming the consummation of each such acquisition and the
      incurrence or assumption of any Indebtedness in connection therewith
      occurred on the first day of such period) if the consolidated balance
      sheet of such acquired Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the
      end of the period preceding the acquisition of such Person and the related
      consolidated statements of income and stockholders' equity and of cash
      flows for the period in respect of which Consolidated EBITDA is to be
      calculated (i) have been previously provided to the Agent and the Lenders
      and (ii) either (A) have been reported on without a qualification arising
      out of the scope of the audit or a "going concern" or like qualification
      or exception by independent certified public accountants of nationally
      recognized standing or (B) have been found acceptable by the Agent.


                                                                               8


            "Consolidated Net Income": for any period, the consolidated net
      income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a
      consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be
      excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the
      date it becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or is merged into or
      consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) the income
      (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower) in
      which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest,
      except to the extent that any such income is actually received by the
      Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar
      distributions and (c) the undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary of the
      Borrower to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or
      similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by
      the terms of any Contractual Obligation (other than under any Loan
      Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary.

            "Consolidated Net Worth": at any date, all amounts which would, in
      conformity with GAAP, be included on a consolidated balance sheet of the
      Borrower and its Subsidiaries under stockholders' equity at such date.

            "Consolidated Total Debt": at any date, the aggregate principal
      amount of all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such
      date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

            "Continuing Directors": the directors of the Borrower on the Closing
      Date, after giving effect to the Recapitalization and the other
      transactions contemplated hereby, and each other director, if, in each
      case, such other director's nomination for election to the board of
      directors of the Borrower is recommended by at least a majority of the
      then Continuing Directors or such other director receives the vote of the
      Permitted Holders in his or her election by the shareholders of the
      Borrower.

            "Contractual Obligation": as to any Person, any provision of any
      security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other
      undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
      Property is bound.

            "Default": any of the events specified in Section 8, whether or not
      any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has
      been satisfied.

            "Disposition": with respect to any Property, any sale, lease, sale
      and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition
      thereof; and the terms "Dispose" and "Disposed of" shall have correlative
      meanings.

            "Disqualified Stock": means, with respect to any Person, any Capital
      Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is
      convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening or any
      event (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund
      obligation or otherwise, (b) is convertible or exchangeable for
      Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or (c) is 


                                                                               9


      redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, in
      each case prior to the Tranche C Maturity Date.

            "Dollars" and "$": dollars in lawful currency of the United States
      of America.

            "Domestic Subsidiary": any Subsidiary of the Borrower organized
      under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.

            "ECF Percentage": 80%; provided, that on and after the first ECF
      Percentage Adjustment Date occurring after the completion of four fiscal
      quarters of the Borrower after the Closing Date, the ECF Percentage will
      be determined pursuant to the ECF Percentage Grid.

            "ECF Percentage Adjustment Date": as defined in the ECF Percentage
      Grid.

            "ECF Percentage Grid": the Grid attached hereto as Annex B.

            "Environmental Laws": any and all foreign, federal, state, local or
      municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes,
      decrees, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements
      of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing
      liability or standards of conduct concerning protection of human health or
      the environment, as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.

            "ERISA": the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
      amended from time to time.

            "Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements": for any day as applied to a
      Eurodollar Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum rates
      (expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on
      such day (including, without limitation, basic, supplemental, marginal and
      emergency reserves under any regulations of the Board or other
      Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto) dealing
      with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding (currently
      referred to as "Eurocurrency Liabilities" in Regulation D of the Board)
      maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System.

            "Eurodollar Base Rate": with respect to each day during each
      Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum
      determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars for a period
      equal to such Interest Period commencing on the first day of such Interest
      Period appearing on Page 3750 of the Telerate screen as of 11:00 A.M.,
      London time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest
      Period. In the event that such rate does not appear on Page 3750 of the
      Telerate Service (or otherwise on such service), the "Eurodollar Base
      Rate" for purposes of this definition shall be determined by reference to
      such other comparable publicly available service for displaying eurodollar
      rates as may be selected by the Agent or, in the absence of such
      availability, by reference to the rate at which the Agent is offered


                                                                              10


      Dollar deposits at or about 11:00 A.M., New York City time, two Business
      Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period in the interbank
      eurodollar market where its eurodollar and foreign currency and exchange
      operations are then being conducted for delivery on the first day of such
      Interest Period for the number of days comprised therein.

            "Eurodollar Loans": Loans the rate of interest applicable to which
      is based upon the Eurodollar Rate.

            "Eurodollar Rate": with respect to each day during each Interest
      Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum determined for
      such day in accordance with the following formula (rounded upward, if
      necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%):

                              Eurodollar Base Rate
                   ----------------------------------------
                   1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements

            "Eurodollar Tranche": the collective reference to Eurodollar Loans
      the then current Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on
      the same date and end on the same later date (whether or not such Loans
      shall originally have been made on the same day).

            "Event of Default": any of the events specified in Section 8,
      provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time,
      or both, has been satisfied.

            "Excess Cash Flow": for any fiscal year of the Borrower, the excess,
      if any, of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such fiscal year, over (b) the sum,
      without duplication, of (i) the aggregate amount actually paid by the
      Borrower and its Subsidiaries in cash during such fiscal year on account
      of Capital Expenditures (excluding the principal amount of Indebtedness
      incurred in connection with such expenditures and any such expenditures
      financed with the proceeds of any Reinvestment Deferred Amount), (ii) the
      aggregate amount of all prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans during such
      fiscal year to the extent accompanying permanent optional reductions of
      the Revolving Credit Commitments and all optional prepayments of the Term
      Loans during such fiscal year, (iii) the aggregate amount of all regularly
      scheduled principal payments of Funded Debt (including, without
      limitation, the Term Loans) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries made
      during such fiscal year (other than in respect of any revolving credit
      facility to the extent there is not an equivalent permanent reduction in
      commitments thereunder) and (iv) the aggregate amount actually paid by the
      Borrower and its Subsidiaries in cash during such fiscal year on account
      of income taxes.

            "Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries": any Foreign Subsidiary the pledge
      of all of whose Capital Stock as Collateral would, in the good faith
      judgment of the Borrower, result in adverse tax consequences to the
      Borrower.

            "Existing Credit Facility": as defined in the recitals to this
      Agreement.


                                                                              11


            "Existing Lenders": as defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

            "Facility": each of (a) the Tranche A Term Loan Commitments and the
      Tranche A Term Loans made thereunder (the "Tranche A Term Loan Facility"),
      (b) the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments and the Tranche B Term Loans made
      thereunder (the "Tranche B Term Loan Facility"), (c) the Tranche C Term
      Loan Commitments and the Tranche C Term Loans made thereunder (the
      "Tranche Term Loan Facility") and (d) the Revolving Credit Commitments and
      the extensions of credit made thereunder (the "Revolving Credit
      Facility").

            "Federal Funds Effective Rate"; for any day, the weighted average of
      the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the
      Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on
      the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York,
      or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day,
      the average of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by
      the Reference Lender from three federal funds brokers of recognized
      standing selected by it.

            "Foreign Subsidiary": any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a
      Domestic Subsidiary.

            "Funded Debt": as to any Person, all Indebtedness of such Person
      that matures more than one year from the date of its creation or matures
      within one year from such date but is renewable or extendible, at the
      option of such Person, to a date more than one year from such date or
      arises under a revolving credit or similar agreement that obligates the
      lender or lenders to extend credit during a period of more than one year
      from such date, including, without limitation, all current maturities and
      current sinking fund payments in respect of such Indebtedness whether or
      not required to be paid within one year from the date of its creation and,
      in the case of the Borrower, Indebtedness in respect of the Loans.

            "Funding Office": the office of the Agent set forth in Section 10.2.

            "GAAP": generally accepted accounting principles in the United
      States of America as in effect from time to time set forth in the opinions
      and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American
      Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the statements and
      pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the rules
      and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or in such
      other statements by such other entity as may be in general use by
      significant segments of the accounting profession, which are applicable to
      the circumstances of the Borrower as of the date of determination, except
      that for purposes of Section 7.1, GAAP shall be determined on the basis of
      such principles in effect on the date hereof and consistent with those
      used in the preparation of the most recent audited financial statements
      delivered pursuant to Section 4.1(b).


                                                                              12


            "Governmental Authority": any nation or government, any state or
      other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive,
      legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or
      pertaining to government.

            "Guarantee and Collateral Agreement": the Guarantee and Collateral
      Agreement to be executed and delivered by the Borrower and each Guarantor,
      substantially in the form of Exhibit A, as the same may be amended,
      supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

            "Guarantee Obligation": as to any Person (the "guaranteeing
      person"), any obligation of (a) the guaranteeing person or (b) another
      Person (including, without limitation, any bank under any letter of
      credit) to induce the creation of which the guaranteeing person has issued
      a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, in either case
      guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness, leases, dividends
      or other obligations (the "primary obligations") of any other third Person
      (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or indirectly,
      including, without limitation, any obligation of the guaranteeing person,
      whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or
      any Property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to
      advance or supply funds (1) for the purchase or payment of any such
      primary obligation or (2) to maintain working capital or equity capital of
      the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of
      the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase Property, securities or services
      primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary
      obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such
      primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner
      of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided,
      however, that the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include endorsements
      of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of
      business. The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing
      person shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the
      stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of
      which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for
      which such guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the
      instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such primary
      obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may
      be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such
      Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person's maximum
      reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the
      Borrower in good faith.

            "Guarantors": each Subsidiary of the Borrower other than any
      Excluded Foreign Subsidiary and other than RIC.

            "Incur": as defined in Section 7.2.

            "Indebtedness": of any Person at any date, without duplication, (a)
      all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of
      such Person for the deferred purchase price of Property or services (other
      than current trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of such
      Person's business), (c) all obligations 


                                                                              13


      of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar
      instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional
      sale or other title retention agreement with respect to Property acquired
      by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or
      lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to
      repossession or sale of such Property), (e) all Capital Lease Obligations
      of such Person, (f) all obligations of such Person, contingent or
      otherwise, as an account party under acceptance facilities and all
      obligations of such Person in respect of unreimbursed drawings under any
      letter of credit facility, (g) all obligations of such Person, contingent
      or otherwise, to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value
      any Capital Stock (other than common stock) of such Person, (h) all
      Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of obligations of the kind
      referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above; (i) all obligations of the
      kind referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above secured by (or for which
      the holder of such obligation has an existing right, contingent or
      otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on Property (including, without
      limitation, accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, whether or
      not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such
      obligation, and (j) for the purposes of Sections 7.2 and 8(e) only, all
      obligations of such Person in respect of Interest Rate Protection
      Agreements.

            "Insolvency": with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition
      that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.

            "Insolvent":  pertaining to a condition of Insolvency.

            "Intellectual Property": the collective reference to all rights,
      priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether
      arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise,
      including, without limitation, copyrights, copyright licenses, patents,
      patent licenses, trademarks, trademark licenses, technology, know-how and
      processes, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement
      or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds
      and damages therefrom.

            "Interest Payment Date": (a) as to any ABR Loan, the fifteenth day
      of each January, April, July and October to occur while such Loan is
      outstanding and the final maturity date of such Loan, (b) as to any
      Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the
      last day of such Interest Period, (c) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an
      Interest Period longer than three months, each day which is three months,
      or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period
      and the last day of such Interest Period and (d) as to any Loan (other
      than any Revolving Credit Loan that is an ABR Loan), the date of any
      repayment or prepayment made in respect thereof, but only to the extent of
      the portion prepaid or repaid.

            "Interest Period": as to any Eurodollar Loan, (a) initially, the
      period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case may be,
      with respect to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three or six
      months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its notice of borrowing
      or notice of conversion, as the case may 


                                                                              14


      be, given with respect thereto; and (b) thereafter, each period commencing
      on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such
      Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as
      selected by the Borrower by irrevocable notice to the Agent not less than
      three Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest
      Period with respect thereto; provided that, all of the foregoing
      provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:

                   (i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that
            is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the
            next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension
            would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month
            in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately
            preceding Business Day;

                  (ii) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend beyond
            the Revolving Credit Termination Date or beyond the date final
            payment is due on the Tranche A Term Loans, the Tranche B Term Loans
            or the Tranche C Term Loans, as the case may be, shall end on the
            Revolving Credit Termination Date or such due date, as applicable;

                  (iii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day
            of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically
            corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest
            Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; and

                  (iv) the Borrower shall select Interest Periods so as not to
            require a payment or prepayment of any Eurodollar Loan during an
            Interest Period for such Loan.

            "Interest Rate Protection Agreement": any interest rate protection
      agreement, interest rate futures contract, interest rate option, interest
      rate cap or other interest rate hedge arrangement, to or under which the
      Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or a beneficiary on the
      date hereof or becomes a party or a beneficiary after the date hereof.

            "Issuing Lender": Societe Generale, in its capacity as issuer of any
      Letter of Credit.

            "L/C Commitment":  $25,000,000.

            "L/C Fee Payment Date": the fifteenth day of each January, April,
      July and October and the last day of the Revolving Credit Commitment
      Period.

            "L/C Obligations": at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a)
      the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding
      Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters
      of Credit which have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.5.


                                                                              15


            "L/C Participants": the collective reference to all the Revolving
      Credit Lenders other than the Issuing Lender.

            "Letters of Credit": any Standby Letter of Credit or Trade Letter of
      Credit issued pursuant to Section 3.

            "Lien": any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
      arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other
      security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement
      or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including,
      without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention
      agreement and any capital lease having substantially the same economic
      effect as any of the foregoing).

            "Loan": any loan made by any Lender pursuant to this Agreement.

            "Loan Documents": this Agreement, the Notes, the Guarantee and
      Collateral Agreement and each other Security Document.

            "Loan Parties": the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower
      which is a party to a Loan Document.

            "Majority Facility Lenders": with respect to any Facility, the
      holders of more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the
      Term Loans or the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit, as the case may
      be, outstanding under such Facility (or, in the case of the Revolving
      Credit Facility, prior to any termination of the Revolving Credit
      Commitments, the holders of more than 50% of the Total Revolving Credit
      Commitments).

            "Majority Revolving Credit Facility Lenders": the Majority Facility
      Lenders in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility.

            "Major Mortgaged Properties": as defined in Section 5.1(p).

            "Material Adverse Effect": a material adverse effect on (a) the
      Recapitalization, (b) the business, assets, property, condition (financial
      or otherwise), operations, performance or prospects of the Borrower and
      its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (c) the validity or enforceability of
      this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents against the Borrower or
      any Guarantor party thereto or the rights or remedies of the Agent or the
      Lenders hereunder or thereunder.

            "Material Environmental Amount": an amount payable by the Borrower
      and/or its Subsidiaries in excess of $5,000,000 for remedial costs,
      compliance costs, compensatory damages, punitive damages, fines, penalties
      or any combination thereof.

            "Materials of Environmental Concern": any gasoline or petroleum
      (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any
      hazardous or toxic 



                                                                              16


      substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as such in or under
      any Environmental Law, including, without limitation, asbestos,
      polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.

            "Mortgaged Properties": the real properties listed on Schedule 1.1B,
      as to which the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders shall be granted a
      Lien pursuant to the Mortgages.

            "Mortgages": each of the mortgages and deeds of trust made by any
      Loan Party in favor of, or for the benefit of, the Agent for the benefit
      of the Lenders, substantially in the forms of Exhibit D-1 and D-2 (with
      such changes thereto as shall be advisable under the law of the
      jurisdiction in which such mortgage or deed of trust is to be recorded),
      as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
      to time.

            "Multiemployer Plan": a Plan which is a multiemployer plan as
      defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

            "Net Cash Proceeds": (a) in connection with any Asset Sale or any
      Recovery Event, the proceeds thereof in the form of cash and Cash
      Equivalents (including any such proceeds received by way of deferred
      payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or
      purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when
      received) of such Asset Sale or Recovery Event, net of (i) attorneys'
      fees, accountants' fees, investment banking fees, amounts required to be
      applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien expressly
      permitted hereunder on any asset which is the subject of such Asset Sale
      or Recovery Event (other than any Lien pursuant to a Security Document)
      and other customary fees and expenses actually incurred in connection
      therewith, (ii) taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable as a
      result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or
      deductions and any tax sharing arrangements) and (iii) appropriate amounts
      to be provided by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, as a
      reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with
      such Asset Sale and retained by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, as the
      case may be, after such Asset Sale, including pension and other
      post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental
      matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated
      with such Asset Sale (provided that, if and to the extent that such
      reserves are no longer required to be maintained in accordance with GAAP,
      such amounts shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds) and (b) in connection
      with any issuance or sale of equity securities or debt securities or
      instruments or the incurrence of loans, the cash proceeds received from
      such issuance or incurrence, net of attorneys' fees, investment banking
      fees, accountants' fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other
      customary fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith.

            "Non-Excluded Taxes": as defined in Section 2.18(a).

            "Non-U.S. Lender": as defined in Section 2.18(d).


                                                                              17


            "Notes": the collective reference to any promissory note evidencing
      Loans.

            "Obligations": the unpaid principal of and interest on (including,
      without limitation, interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and
      Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing after the filing of any
      petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency,
      reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower, whether or
      not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such
      proceeding) the Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of the
      Borrower to the Agent or to any Lender (or, in the case of Interest Rate
      Protection Agreements, any affiliate of any Lender), whether direct or
      indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or
      hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with,
      this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Letters of Credit, any
      Interest Rate Protection Agreement entered into with any Lender or any
      affiliate of any Lender or any other document made, delivered or given in
      connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal,
      interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses
      (including, without limitation, all reasonable fees, charges and
      disbursements of counsel to the Agent or to any Lender that are required
      to be paid by the Borrower pursuant hereto) or otherwise.

            "Offerings": as defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

            "Other Taxes": any and all present or future stamp or documentary
      taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies
      arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or
      enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement.

            "Participant": as defined in Section 10.6(b).

            "Payment Office": the office of the Agent set forth in Section 10.2.

            "PBGC": the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established
      pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA (or any successor).

            "Permitted Capital Expenditure Adjustment Date": as defined in the
      Permitted Capital Expenditure Grid.

            "Permitted Capital Expenditure Amount": with respect to any fiscal
      year, the amount set forth opposite such fiscal year under the caption
      "Capital Expenditure Amount" on the Permitted Capital Expenditure Grid;
      provided that on and after the first Permitted Capital Expenditure
      Adjustment Date occurring after the Closing Date, the Permitted Capital
      Expenditure Amount with respect to the Borrower's 1999 fiscal year and
      each subsequent fiscal year shall be an amount equal to the product of (a)
      the Capital Expenditure Amount otherwise applicable for such fiscal year
      and (b) the relevant Permitted Capital Expenditure Percentage from the
      Permitted Capital Expenditure Grid.


                                                                              18


            "Permitted Capital Expenditure Grid": the grid attached hereto as
      Annex C.

            "Permitted Holders": the collective reference to Donald N. Smith,
      Harrah's Operating Company, Inc., The Equitable Life Assurance Society of
      the U.S., the members of the Borrower's existing senior management listed
      on Schedule 1.1C and their respective Affiliates.

            "Person": an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability
      company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
      association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of
      whatever nature.

            "Plan": at a particular time, any employee benefit plan which is
      covered by ERISA and in respect of which the Borrower or a Commonly
      Controlled Entity is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time, would
      under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" as defined in
      Section 3(5) of ERISA.

            "Pricing Grid": the pricing grid attached hereto as Annex A.

            "Pro Forma Balance Sheet": as defined in Section 4.1(a).

            "Projections": as defined in Section 6.2(c).

            "Properties": as defined in Section 4.17(a).

            "Property": any right or interest in or to property of any kind
      whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or
      intangible, including, without limitation, Capital Stock.

            "Ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated EBITDA Target": as at
      the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, the ratio
      of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period to (b) the "Consolidated EBITDA
      Target" set forth for such period on the Permitted Capital Expenditure
      Grid.

            "Real Property": all real property owned or leased by the Borrower
      or any of its Subsidiaries and all improvements thereon.

            "Recapitalization": as defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

            "Recovery Event": any settlement of or payment in respect of any
      property or casualty insurance claim or any condemnation proceeding
      relating to any asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which
      yields gross proceeds to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in excess
      of $100,000.

            "Reference Lender": Societe Generale.

            "Register": as defined in Section 10.6(d).


                                                                              19


            "Regulation G": Regulation G of the Board as in effect from time to
      time.

            "Regulation U": Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to
      time.

            "Reimbursement Obligation": the obligation of the Borrower to
      reimburse the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn
      under Letters of Credit.

            "Reinvestment Deferred Amount": with respect to any Reinvestment
      Event, the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any of
      its Subsidiaries in connection therewith which are not applied to prepay
      the Term Loans or reduce the Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to
      Section 2.10(b) as a result of the delivery of a Reinvestment Notice.

            "Reinvestment Event": any Asset Sale or Recovery Event in respect of
      which the Borrower has delivered a Reinvestment Notice.

            "Reinvestment Notice": a written notice executed by an Authorized
      Signatory stating that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
      and that the Borrower (directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary)
      intends and expects to use all or a specified portion of the Net Cash
      Proceeds of an Asset Sale or Recovery Event to acquire assets useful in
      its business.

            "Reinvestment Prepayment Amount": with respect to any Reinvestment
      Event, the Reinvestment Deferred Amount relating thereto less any amount
      expended prior to the relevant Reinvestment Prepayment Date to acquire
      assets useful in the Borrower's business.

            "Reinvestment Prepayment Date": with respect to any Reinvestment
      Event, the earlier of (a) the date occurring 180 days after such
      Reinvestment Event and (b) the date on which the Borrower shall have
      determined not to, or shall have otherwise ceased to, acquire assets
      useful in the Borrower's business with all or any portion of the relevant
      Reinvestment Deferred Amount.

            "Reorganization": with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the
      condition that such plan is in reorganization within the meaning of
      Section 4241 of ERISA.

            "Reportable Event": any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c)
      of ERISA, other than those events as to which the thirty day notice period
      is waived under subsection .22, .23, .25, .27 or .28 of PBGC Reg. ss.
      4043.

            "Required Lenders": the holders of more than 50% of (a) until the
      Closing Date, the Commitments and (b) thereafter, the sum of (i) the
      aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans and (ii) the Total
      Revolving Credit Commitments or, if the Revolving Credit Commitments have
      been terminated, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit.


                                                                              20


            "Required Prepayment Lenders": the Majority Facility Lenders in
      respect of each Facility.

            "Requirement of Law": as to any Person, the Certificate of
      Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents
      of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination
      of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case
      applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its Property or to
      which such Person or any of its Property is subject.

            "Revolving Credit Commitment": as to any Lender, the obligation of
      such Lender, if any, to make Revolving Credit Loans and participate in
      Letters of Credit, in an aggregate principal and/or face amount not to
      exceed the amount set forth under the heading "Revolving Credit
      Commitment" opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1A, as the same may
      be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof. The original
      amount of the Total Revolving Credit Commitments is $70,000,000.

            "Revolving Credit Commitment Period": the period from and including
      the Closing Date to the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

            "Revolving Credit Lender": each Lender which has a Revolving Credit
      Commitment or which is the holder of Revolving Credit Loans.

            "Revolving Credit Loans": as defined in Section 2.4.

            "Revolving Credit Percentage": as to any Revolving Credit Lender at
      any time, the percentage which such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment
      then constitutes of the Total Revolving Credit Commitments (or, at any
      time after the Revolving Credit Commitments shall have expired or
      terminated, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such
      Lender's Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding constitutes of the
      aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans then
      outstanding).

            "Revolving Credit Termination Date": November 15, 2002.

            "Revolving Extensions of Credit": as to any Revolving Credit Lender
      at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal
      amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender then outstanding
      and (b) such Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage of the L/C Obligations
      then outstanding.

            "RIC": Restaurant Insurance Corporation, a Vermont corporation, and
      its successors.

            "Sale/Leaseback Transaction": an arrangement relating to property
      now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Borrower or any of its
      Subsidiaries transfers such property to a Person and the Borrower or any
      of its Subsidiaries leases it from such Person.


                                                                              21


            "Security Documents": the collective reference to the Guarantee and
      Collateral Agreement, the Mortgages and all other security documents
      hereafter delivered to the Agent granting a Lien on any Property of any
      Person to secure the obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party under
      any Loan Document.

            "Senior Note Indenture": the Indenture entered into by the Borrower,
      Friendly's Restaurants Franchise, Inc., the Borrower's franchise
      Subsidiary, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, in connection with the
      issuance of the Senior Notes, together with all instruments and other
      agreements entered into by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection
      therewith, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
      from time to time in accordance with Section 7.9.

            "Senior Note Offering": as defined in the recitals to this
      Agreement.

            "Senior Notes": the senior notes due 2007 of the Borrower issued on
      the Closing Date pursuant to the Senior Note Indenture.

            "Single Employer Plan": any Plan which is covered by Title IV of
      ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan.

            "Solvent": when used with respect to any Person, means that, as of
      any date of determination, (a) the amount of the "present fair saleable
      value" of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the
      amount of all "liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise", as of
      such date, as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with
      applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the
      insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets
      of such Person will, as of such date, be greater than the amount that will
      be required to pay the liability of such Person on its debts as such debts
      become absolute and matured, (c) such Person will not have, as of such
      date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct its
      business, and (d) such Person will be able to pay its debts as they
      mature. For purposes of this definition, (i) "debt" means liability on a
      "claim", and (ii) "claim" means any (x) right to payment, whether or not
      such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed,
      contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable,
      secured or unsecured or (y) right to an equitable remedy for breach of
      performance if such breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether or
      not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed,
      contingent, matured or unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or
      unsecured.

            "Standby Letter of Credit": an irrevocable letter of credit (other
      than a Trade Letter of Credit) for the account of the Borrower and for the
      benefit of any holder of obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

            "Subsidiary": as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited
      liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other
      ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such
      other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the
      happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the 


                                                                              22


      board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or
      other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is
      otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more
      intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all
      references to a "Subsidiary" or to "Subsidiaries" in this Agreement shall
      refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

            "Term Loan Lenders": the collective reference to the Tranche A Term
      Loan Lenders, the Tranche B Term Loan Lenders and the Tranche C Term Loan
      Lenders.

            "Term Loans": the collective reference to the Tranche A Term Loans,
      the Tranche B Term Loans and the Tranche C Term Loans.

            "Total Revolving Credit Commitments": at any time, the aggregate
      amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

            "Total Revolving Extensions of Credit": at any time, the aggregate
      amount of the Revolving Extensions of Credit of all the Revolving Credit
      Lenders at such time.

            "Trade Letter of Credit": a documentary, trade or commercial letter
      of credit in respect of the purchase of goods or services issued for the
      account of the Borrower and for the benefit of any holder of obligations
      of the Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of
      business.

            "Tranche A Maturity Date": November 15, 2002.

            "Tranche A Term Loan": as defined in Section 2.1.

            "Tranche A Term Loan Commitment": as to any Lender, the obligation
      of such Lender, if any, to purchase, indirectly through Societe Generale,
      a Tranche A Term Loan from the Existing Lenders in a principal amount not
      to exceed the amount set forth under the heading "Tranche A Term Loan
      Commitment" opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1A. The original
      aggregate amount of the Tranche A Term Loan Commitments is $34,285,714.29.

            "Tranche A Term Loan Lender": each Lender which has a Tranche A Term
      Loan Commitment or which is the holder of a Tranche A Term Loan.

            "Tranche A Term Loan Percentage": as to any Lender at any time, the
      percentage which such Lender's Tranche A Term Loan Commitment then
      constitutes of the aggregate Tranche A Term Loan Commitments (or, at any
      time after the Closing Date, the percentage which the aggregate principal
      amount of such Lender's Tranche A Term Loans then outstanding constitutes
      of the aggregate principal amount of the Tranche A Term Loans then
      outstanding).

            "Tranche B Maturity Date": November 15, 2004.


                                                                              23


            "Tranche B Term Loan": as defined in Section 2.1.

            "Tranche B Term Loan Commitment": as to any Lender, the obligation
      of such Lender, if any, to purchase, indirectly through Societe Generale,
      a Tranche B Term Loan from the Existing Lenders in a principal amount not
      to exceed the amount set forth under the heading "Tranche B Term Loan
      Commitment" opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1A. The original
      aggregate amount of the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments is $34,285,714.29.

            "Tranche B Term Loan Lender": each Lender which has a Tranche B Term
      Loan Commitment or which is the holder of a Tranche B Term Loan.

            "Tranche B Term Loan Percentage": as to any Lender at any time, the
      percentage which such Lender's Tranche B Term Loan Commitment then
      constitutes of the aggregate Tranche B Term Loan Commitments (or, at any
      time after the Closing Date, the percentage which the aggregate principal
      amount of such Lender's Tranche B Term Loans then outstanding constitutes
      of the aggregate principal amount of the Tranche B Term Loans then
      outstanding); provided, that solely for purposes of calculating the amount
      of each installment of Tranche B Term Loans (other than the last
      installment) payable to a Term Loan Lender pursuant to Section 2.3(b),
      such Term Loan Lender's Tranche B Term Loan Percentage shall be calculated
      without giving effect to any portion of any prior mandatory or optional
      prepayment attributable to such Term Loan Lender's Tranche B Term Loans
      which shall have been declined by such Term Loan Lender (or, in the case
      of any Term Loan Lender which shall have acquired its Tranche B Term Loans
      by assignment from another Person, by such other Person).

            "Tranche C Maturity Date": November 15, 2005.

            "Tranche C Term Loan": as defined in Section 2.1.

            "Tranche C Term Loan Commitment": as to any Lender, the obligation
      of such Lender, if any, to purchase, indirectly through Societe Generale,
      a Tranche C Term Loan from the Existing Lenders in a principal amount not
      to exceed the amount set forth under the heading "Tranche C Term Loan
      Commitment" opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1A. The original
      aggregate amount of the Tranche C Term Loan Commitments is $21,428,571.42.

            "Tranche C Term Loan Lender": each Lender which has a Tranche C Term
      Loan Commitment or which is the holder of a Tranche C Term Loan.

            "Tranche C Term Loan Percentage": as to any Lender at any time, the
      percentage which such Lender's Tranche C Term Loan Commitment then
      constitutes of the aggregate Tranche C Term Loan Commitments (or, at any
      time after the Closing Date, the percentage which the aggregate principal
      amount of such Lender's Tranche C Term Loans then outstanding constitutes
      of the aggregate principal amount 


                                                                              24


      of the Tranche C Term Loans then outstanding); provided, that solely for
      purposes of calculating the amount of each installment of Tranche C Term
      Loans (other than the last installment) payable to a Term Loan Lender
      pursuant to Section 2.3(c), such Term Loan Lender's Tranche C Term Loan
      Percentage shall be calculated without giving effect to any portion of any
      prior mandatory or optional prepayment attributable to such Term Loan
      Lender's Tranche C Term Loans which shall have been declined by such Term
      Loan Lender (or, in the case of any Term Loan Lender which shall have
      acquired its Tranche C Term Loans by assignment from another Person, by
      such other Person).

            "Transferee": as defined in Section 10.15.

            "Type": as to any Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan or a Eurodollar
      Loan.

            "Uniform Customs": the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary
      Credits (1993 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No.
      500, as the same may be amended from time to time.

            "Wholly Owned Subsidiary": as to any Person, any other Person all of
      the Capital Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying shares
      required by law or shares required by law to be held by foreign nationals
      representing not more than 2% of such Capital Stock) is owned by such
      Person directly and/or through other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.

            "Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor": any Guarantor that is a Wholly
      Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

            1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. (a) Unless otherwise specified
therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings
when used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate or other document made
or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.

            (b) As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any
certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto,
accounting terms relating to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not defined in
Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.1, to the extent
not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP.

            (c) The words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section,
Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.

            (d) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.


                                                                              25


                   SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS

            2.1 Term Loan Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions
hereof, (a) each Tranche A Term Loan Lender severally agrees to extend credit to
the Borrower by purchasing at par, indirectly through Societe Generale, from the
Existing Lenders a term loan (a "Tranche A Term Loan") on the Closing Date in an
amount equal to the amount of the Tranche A Term Loan Commitment of such Lender,
(b) each Tranche B Term Loan Lender severally agrees to extend credit to the
Borrower by purchasing at par, indirectly through Societe Generale, from the
Existing Lenders a term loan (a "Tranche B Term Loan") on the Closing Date in an
amount equal to the amount of the Tranche B Term Loan Commitment of such Lender
and (c) each Tranche C Term Loan Lender severally agrees to extend credit to the
Borrower by purchasing at par, indirectly through Societe Generale, from the
Existing Lenders a term loan (a "Tranche C Term Loan") on the Closing Date in an
amount equal to the amount of the Tranche C Term Loan Commitment of such Lender.
Each purchase by a Term Loan Lender, indirectly through Societe Generale, of a
Term Loan pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall be made without recourse to Societe
Generale and shall be made on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in Sections 2(a) and 2(b) of the Assignment and Acceptance attached hereto as
Exhibit E, which terms and conditions shall be deemed incorporated herein by
reference. The Term Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or ABR
Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Agent in accordance
with Sections 2.2 and 2.11.

            2.2 Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing. The Borrower shall give the
Agent irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by the Agent prior to
10:00 A.M., New York City time, one Business Day prior to the anticipated
Closing Date) requesting that the Term Loan Lenders purchase the Term Loans on
the Closing Date. The Term Loans purchased on the Closing Date shall initially
be ABR Loans, and no Term Loan may be converted into or continued as a
Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period in excess of one month prior to the
date which is 60 days after the Closing Date. Upon receipt of such notice the
Agent shall promptly notify each Term Loan Lender thereof. Not later than 12:00
Noon, New York City time, on the Closing Date each Term Loan Lender shall make
available to Societe Generale at the Funding Office an amount in immediately
available funds equal to the Term Loan or Term Loans to be purchased by such
Lender.

            2.3 Repayment of Term Loans. (a) The Tranche A Term Loan of each
Tranche A Lender shall mature in 15 consecutive quarterly installments,
commencing on April 15, 1999, to be followed by a final installment on the
Tranche A Maturity Date, each of which shall be in an amount equal to such
Lender's Tranche A Term Loan Percentage multiplied by the amount set forth below
opposite such installment:



             Installment                  Principal Amount
             -----------                  ----------------
                                          
             April 15, 1999                  $1,142,857.14
             July 15, 1999                    1,142,857.14
             October 15, 1999                 1,142,857.15
             January 15, 2000                 2,142,857.14




                                                                              26



                                          
             April 15, 2000                   2,142,857.14
             July 15, 2000                    2,142,857.14
             October 15, 2000                 2,142,857.14
             January 15, 2001                 2,571,428.57
             April 15, 2001                   2,571,428.57
             July 15, 2001                    2,571,428.57
             October 15, 2001                 2,571,428.57
             January 15, 2002                 3,000,000.00
             April 15, 2002                   3,000,000.00
             July 15, 2002                    3,000,000.00
             Tranche A Maturity Date          3,000,000.00



            (b) The Tranche B Term Loan of each Tranche B Lender shall mature in
23 consecutive quarterly installments, commencing on April 15, 1999, to be
followed by a final installment on the Tranche B Maturity Date, each of which
shall be in an amount equal to such Lender's Tranche B Term Loan Percentage
multiplied by the amount set forth below opposite such installment:



             Installment                  Principal Amount
             -----------                  ----------------
                                          
             April 15, 1999                    $114,285.71
             July 15, 1999                      114,285.71
             October 15, 1999                   114,285.72
             January 15, 2000                    85,714.29
             April 15, 2000                      85,714.29
             July 15, 2000                       85,714.29
             October 15, 2000                    85,714.29
             January 15, 2001                    85,714.29
             April 15, 2001                      85,714.29
             July 15, 2001                       85,714.29
             October 15, 2001                    85,714.29
             January 15, 2002                    85,714.29
             April 15, 2002                      85,714.29
             July 15, 2002                       85,714.29
             October 15, 2002                    85,714.29
             January 15, 2003                 3,942,857.14
             April 15, 2003                   3,942,857.14
             July 15, 2003                    3,942,857.14
             October 15, 2003                 3,942,857.14
             January 15, 2004                 4,285,714.29
             April 15, 2004                   4,285,714.29
             July 15, 2004                    4,285,714.29
             Tranche B Maturity Date          4,285,714.29



            (c) The Tranche C Term Loan of each Tranche C Lender shall mature in
27 consecutive quarterly installments, commencing on April 15, 1999, to be
followed by a final 


                                                                              27


installment on the Tranche C Maturity Date, each of which shall be in an amount
equal to such Lender's Tranche C Term Loan Percentage multiplied by the amount
set forth below opposite such installment:

             Installment                  Principal Amount
             -----------                  ----------------

             April 15, 1999                     $71,428.57
             July 15, 1999                       71,428.57
             October 15, 1999                    71,428.58
             January 15, 2000                    53,571.43
             April 15, 2000                      53,571.43
             July 15, 2000                       53,571.43
             October 15, 2000                    53,571.43
             January 15, 2001                    53,571.43
             April 15, 2001                      53,571.43
             July 15, 2001                       53,571.43
             October 15, 2001                    53,571.43
             January 15, 2002                    53,571.43
             April 15, 2002                      53,571.43
             July 15, 2002                       53,571.43
             October 15, 2002                    53,571.43
             January 15, 2003                    53,571.43
             April 15, 2003                      53,571.43
             July 15, 2003                       53,571.43
             October 15, 2003                    53,571.43
             January 15, 2004                    53,571.43
             April 15, 2004                      53,571.43
             July 15, 2004                       53,571.43
             October 15, 2004                    53,571.43
             January 15, 2005                 5,035,714.29
             April 15, 2005                   5,035,714.29
             July 15, 2005                    5,035,714.29
             Tranche C Maturity Date          5,035,714.29

            2.4 Revolving Credit Commitments. (a) Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make
revolving credit loans ("Revolving Credit Loans") to the Borrower from time to
time during the Revolving Credit Commitment Period in an aggregate principal
amount at any one time outstanding which, when added to such Lender's Revolving
Credit Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding does not exceed the
amount of such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment; provided, however, that in
no event shall the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans (other
than Revolving Credit Loans arising pursuant to Section 3.5 from unreimbursed
drawings under Standby Letters of Credit) exceed $55,000,000 less the amount of
any reduction in the Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Sections 2.8 and
2.10. During the Revolving Credit Commitment Period the Borrower may use the
Revolving Credit Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Revolving Credit Loans
in whole or in part, and 


                                                                              28


reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. The
Revolving Credit Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans,
as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Agent in accordance with
Sections 2.5 and 2.13, provided that no Revolving Credit Loan shall be made as a
Eurodollar Loan after the day that is one month prior to the Revolving Credit
Termination Date.

            (b) The Borrower shall repay all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans
on the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

            2.5 Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing. The Borrower may
borrow under the Revolving Credit Commitments during the Revolving Credit
Commitment Period on any Business Day, provided that the Borrower shall give the
Agent irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by the Agent prior to
12:00 Noon, New York City time, (a) three Business Days prior to the requested
Borrowing Date, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, or (b) one Business Day prior
to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of ABR Loans), specifying (i) the
amount and Type of Revolving Credit Loans to be borrowed, (ii) the requested
Borrowing Date and (iii) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the respective amounts
of each such Type of Loan and the respective lengths of the initial Interest
Period therefor. Any Revolving Credit Loans made on the Closing Date shall
initially be ABR Loans, and no Revolving Credit Loan may be made as, converted
into or continued as a Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period in excess of
one month prior to the date which is 60 days after the Closing Date. Each
borrowing under the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be in an amount equal to
(x) in the case of ABR Loans, $1,000,000 or a whole multiple thereof (or, if the
then aggregate Available Revolving Credit Commitments are less than $1,000,000,
such lesser amount) and (y) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, $5,000,000 or a
whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Upon receipt of any such notice
from the Borrower, the Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender
thereof. Each Revolving Credit Lender will make the amount of its pro rata share
of each borrowing available to the Agent for the account of the Borrower at the
Funding Office prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the Borrowing Date
requested by the Borrower in funds immediately available to the Agent. Such
borrowing will then be made available to the Borrower by the Agent crediting the
account of the Borrower on the books of the Funding Office with the aggregate of
the amounts made available to the Agent by the Revolving Credit Lenders and in
like funds as received by the Agent.

            2.6 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Borrower hereby
unconditionally promises to pay to the Agent for the account of the appropriate
Revolving Credit Lender or Term Loan Lender, as the case may be, (i) the then
unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Credit Loan of such Revolving Credit
Lender on the Revolving Credit Termination Date (or such earlier date on which
the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 8) and (ii) the principal
amount of each Term Loan of such Term Loan Lender in installments according to
the amortization schedules set forth in Section 2.3 (or on such earlier date on
which the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 8). The Borrower
hereby further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of the
Loans from time to time outstanding from the date hereof until payment in full
thereof at the rates per annum, and on the dates, set forth in Section 2.13.


                                                                              29


            (b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice
an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender
resulting from each Loan of such Lender from time to time, including the amounts
of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time
under this Agreement.

            (c) The Agent, on behalf of the Borrower, shall maintain the
Register pursuant to Section 10.6(e), and a subaccount therein for each Lender,
in which shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder and any
Note evidencing such Loan, the Type thereof and each Interest Period applicable
thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to
become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) both
the amount of any sum received by the Agent hereunder from the Borrower and each
Lender's share thereof.

            (d) The entries made in the Register and the accounts of each Lender
maintained pursuant to Section 2.6(b) shall, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the
obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that the
failure of any Lender or the Agent to maintain the Register or any such account,
or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the
Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to such Borrower by
such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

            (e) The Borrower agrees that, upon the request to the Agent by any
Lender, the Borrower will execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note
of the Borrower evidencing any Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans, as the case
may be, of such Lender, substantially in the forms of Exhibit G-1 or G-2,
respectively, with appropriate insertions as to date and principal amount.

            2.7 Commitment Fees, etc. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender a commitment fee for the
period from and including the Closing Date to the last day of the Revolving
Credit Commitment Period, computed at the Commitment Fee Rate on the average
daily amount of the Available Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender during
the period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in arrears on the
fifteenth day of each January, April, July and October and on the Revolving
Credit Termination Date, commencing on the first of such dates to occur after
the date hereof.

            (b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent the fees in the amounts
and on the dates previously agreed to, and from time to time agreed to, in
writing by the Borrower and the Agent.

            2.8 Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments. The
Borrower shall have the right, upon not less than three Business Days' notice to
the Agent, to terminate the Revolving Credit Commitments or, from time to time,
to reduce the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that no such
termination or reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments shall be permitted if,
after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of the Revolving Credit Loans
made on the effective date thereof, the Total 


                                                                              30


Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the Total Revolving Credit
Commitments. Any such reduction shall be in an amount equal to $1,000,000, or a
whole multiple thereof, and shall reduce permanently the Revolving Credit
Commitments then in effect.

            2.9 Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may at any time and from time
to time prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, upon
irrevocable notice delivered to the Agent at least three Business Days prior
thereto in the case of Eurodollar Loans and at least one Business Day prior
thereto in the case of ABR Loans, which notice shall specify the date and amount
of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans;
provided, that if a Eurodollar Loan is prepaid on any day other than the last
day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall also pay any
amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.19. Upon receipt of any such notice the
Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. If any such notice is
given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date
specified therein, together with (except in the case of Revolving Credit Loans
which are ABR Loans) accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid.
Partial prepayments of Term Loans and Revolving Credit Loans shall be in an
aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple thereof.

            2.10 Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions. (a) Unless the
Required Prepayment Lenders shall otherwise agree, if any Indebtedness shall be
issued or Incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding any
Indebtedness Incurred in accordance with Section 7.2 as in effect on the date of
this Agreement), an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall
be applied on the date of such issuance or Incurrence toward the prepayment of
the Term Loans and the reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments as set
forth in Section 2.10(d); provided, however, that if any such subordinated
Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,000,000 shall
be issued or Incurred by the Borrower on terms and conditions (including,
without limitation, terms of subordination) satisfactory to the Required
Lenders, as evidenced by their prior written consent, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, an amount equal to 50% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof
shall be applied on the date of such issuance or Incurrence toward the
prepayment of the Term Loans and the reduction of the Revolving Credit
Commitments as set forth in Section 2.10(d).

            (b) Unless the Required Prepayment Lenders shall otherwise agree, if
on any date, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall receive Net Cash
Proceeds from any Asset Sale or Recovery Event then, unless a Reinvestment
Notice shall be delivered in respect thereof, such Net Cash Proceeds shall be
applied on such date toward the prepayment of the Term Loans and the reduction
of the Revolving Credit Commitments as set forth in Section 2.10(d); provided
that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Borrower may exclude from the
requirements of this paragraph the first $7,500,000 of aggregate Net Cash
Proceeds from Asset Sales and Recovery Events and (ii) on each Reinvestment
Prepayment Date, an amount equal to the Reinvestment Prepayment Amount with
respect to the relevant Reinvestment Event shall be applied toward the
prepayment of the Term Loans and the reduction of the Revolving Credit
Commitments as set forth in Section 2.10(d).


                                                                              31


            (c) Unless the Required Prepayment Lenders shall otherwise agree,
if, for any fiscal year of the Borrower commencing with the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1998, there shall be Excess Cash Flow, the Borrower shall apply the
ECF Percentage of such Excess Cash Flow toward the prepayment of the Term Loans
as set forth in Section 2.10(d) on a date no later than five days after the
earlier of (i) the date on which the financial statements of the Borrower
referred to in Section 6.1(a), for the fiscal year with respect to which such
prepayment is made, are required to be delivered to the Lenders and (ii) the
date such financial statements are actually delivered.

            (d) Amounts to be applied in connection with prepayments and
Commitment reductions made pursuant to Section 2.10 shall be applied, first, to
the prepayment of the Term Loans and, second, to reduce permanently the
Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that no Excess Cash Flow shall be applied
to reduce the Revolving Credit Commitments. Any such reduction of the Revolving
Credit Commitments shall be accompanied by prepayment of the Revolving Credit
Loans to the extent, if any, that the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit
exceed the amount of the Total Revolving Credit Commitments as so reduced,
provided that if the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans then
outstanding is less than the amount of such excess (because L/C Obligations
constitute a portion thereof), the Borrower shall, to the extent of the balance
of such excess, replace outstanding Letters of Credit and/or deposit an amount
in cash in a cash collateral account established with the Agent for the benefit
of the Lenders on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Agent. The
application of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.10 shall be made first to
ABR Loans and second to Eurodollar Loans. Each prepayment of the Loans under
Section 2.10 (except in the case of Revolving Credit Loans that are ABR Loans)
shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the
amount prepaid.

            2.11 Conversion and Continuation Options. (a) The Borrower may elect
from time to time to convert Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans by giving the Agent
at least two Business Days' prior irrevocable notice of such election, provided
that any such conversion of Eurodollar Loans may only be made on the last day of
an Interest Period with respect thereto. The Borrower may elect from time to
time to convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans by giving the Agent at least three
Business Days' prior irrevocable notice of such election (which notice shall
specify the length of the initial Interest Period therefor), provided that no
ABR Loan under a particular Facility may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan (i)
when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Agent has or
the Majority Facility Lenders in respect of such Facility have determined in its
or their sole discretion not to permit such conversions or (ii) after the date
that is one month prior to the final scheduled termination or maturity date of
such Facility. Upon receipt of any such notice the Agent shall promptly notify
each relevant Lender thereof.

            (b) Any Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such upon the expiration
of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the Borrower giving
irrevocable notice to the Agent, in accordance with the applicable provisions of
the term "Interest Period" set forth in Section 1.1, of the length of the next
Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans, provided that no Eurodollar Loan
under a particular Facility may be continued as such (i) when any Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing and the Agent has or the Majority


                                                                              32


Facility Lenders in respect of such Facility have determined in its or their
sole discretion not to permit such continuations or (ii) after the date that is
one month prior to the final scheduled termination or maturity date of such
Facility, and provided, further, that if the Borrower shall fail to give any
required notice as described above in this paragraph or if such continuation is
not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso such Loans shall be
automatically converted to ABR Loans on the last day of such then expiring
Interest Period. Upon receipt of any such notice the Agent shall promptly notify
each relevant Lender thereof.

            2.12 Minimum Amounts and Maximum Number of Eurodollar Tranches.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all borrowings,
conversions, continuations and optional prepayments of Eurodollar Loans
hereunder and all selections of Interest Periods hereunder shall be in such
amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, (a) after giving effect
thereto, the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar Loans comprising each
Eurodollar Tranche shall be equal to $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of
$1,000,000 in excess thereof and (b) no more than ten Eurodollar Tranches shall
be outstanding at any one time.

            2.13 Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) Each Eurodollar Loan
shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect
thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined for such day
plus the Applicable Margin.

            (b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to
the ABR plus the Applicable Margin.

            (c) (i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any Loan or
Reimbursement Obligation shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), all outstanding Loans and Reimbursement
Obligations (whether or not overdue) shall bear interest at a rate per annum
which is equal to (x) in the case of the Loans, the rate applicable to ABR Loans
under the relevant Facility plus 2% or (y) in the case of Reimbursement
Obligations, the rate applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Credit
Facility plus 2%, and (ii) if all or a portion of any interest payable on any
Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or any commitment fee or other amount payable
hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate
per annum equal to the rate applicable to ABR Loans under the relevant Facility
plus 2% (or, in the case of any such other amounts that do not relate to a
particular Facility, the ABR plus 2.75%), in each case, with respect to clauses
(i) and (ii) above, from the date of such non-payment until such amount is paid
in full (as well after as before judgment).

            (d) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment
Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section
2.13 shall be payable from time to time on demand.

            2.14 Computation of Interest and Fees. (a) Interest, fees and
commissions payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a
360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to ABR Loans
the rate of interest on which is calculated on 


                                                                              33


the basis of the Prime Rate, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the
basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days
elapsed. The Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the
relevant Lenders of each determination of a Eurodollar Rate. Any change in the
interest rate on a Loan resulting from a change in the ABR or the Eurocurrency
Reserve Requirements shall become effective as of the opening of business on the
day on which such change becomes effective. The Agent shall as soon as
practicable notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders of the effective date
and the amount of each such change in interest rate.

            (b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Agent pursuant to
any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower
and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error. The Agent shall, at the
request of the Borrower, deliver to the Borrower a statement showing the
quotations used by the Agent in determining any interest rate pursuant to
Section 2.13(a).

            2.15  Inability to Determine Interest Rate.  If prior
to the first day of any Interest Period:

            (a) the Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be
      conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances
      affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist
      for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, or

            (b) the Agent shall have received notice from the Majority Facility
      Lenders in respect of the relevant Facility that the Eurodollar Rate
      determined or to be determined for such Interest Period will not
      adequately and fairly reflect the actual cost to such Lenders (as
      conclusively certified by such Lenders) of making or maintaining their
      affected Loans during such Interest Period,

the Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the Borrower and
the relevant Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such notice is given
(x) any Eurodollar Loans under the relevant Facility requested to be made on the
first day of such Interest Period shall be made as ABR Loans, (y) any Loans
under the relevant Facility that were to have been converted on the first day of
such Interest Period to Eurodollar Loans shall be continued as ABR Loans and (z)
any outstanding Eurodollar Loans under the relevant Facility shall be converted,
on the first day of such Interest Period, to ABR Loans. Until such notice has
been withdrawn by the Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans under the relevant
Facility shall be made or continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the
right to convert Loans under the relevant Facility to Eurodollar Loans.

            2.16 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments. (a) Each borrowing by the
Borrower from the Lenders hereunder, each payment by the Borrower on account of
any commitment fee and any reduction of the Commitments of the Lenders shall be
made pro rata according to the respective Tranche A Term Loan Percentages,
Tranche B Term Loan Percentages, Tranche C Term Loan Percentages or Revolving
Credit Percentages, as the case may be, of the relevant Lenders.


                                                                              34


            (b) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower on
account of principal of and interest on the Term Loans shall be made pro rata
according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Term Loans then
held by the Term Loan Lenders (except as otherwise provided in Section 2.16(d)).
The amount of each principal prepayment of the Term Loans shall be applied to
reduce the then remaining installments of the Tranche A Term Loans, Tranche B
Term Loans and Tranche C Term Loans, as the case may be, in the inverse order of
maturity. Amounts prepaid on account of the Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

            (c) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower on
account of principal of and interest on the Revolving Credit Loans shall be made
pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the
Revolving Credit Loans then held by the Revolving Credit Lenders.

            (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.10 or
elsewhere in this Section 2.16, so long as any Tranche A Term Loans are
outstanding, each Tranche B Term Loan Lender and each Tranche C Term Loan Lender
may, at its option, decline the portion of any optional prepayment or mandatory
payment applicable to the Tranche B Term Loans or, as the case may be, Tranche C
Term Loans of such Lender; accordingly, with respect to the amount of any
mandatory prepayment described in Section 2.10 that is allocated to Tranche B
Term Loans or, as the case may be, Tranche C Term Loans (such amount, the
"Tranche B Prepayment Amount" or, as the case may be, the "Tranche C Prepayment
Amount"), the Borrower will, in lieu of applying such amount to the prepayment
of Tranche B Term Loans or, as the case may be, Tranche C Term Loans, as
provided in paragraph Section 2.10(d), on the date specified in Section 2.10 for
such prepayment, give the Agent telephonic notice (promptly confirmed in
writing) requesting that the Agent prepare and provide to each Tranche B Term
Loan Lender and each Tranche C Term Loan Lender a notice (each, a "Prepayment
Option Notice") as described below. As promptly as practicable after receiving
such notice from the Borrower, the Agent will send to each Tranche B Term Loan
Lender and each Tranche C Term Loan Lender a Prepayment Option Notice, which
shall be in the form of Exhibit H, and shall include an offer by the Borrower to
prepay on the date (each, a "Prepayment Date") that is 10 Business Days after
the date of the Prepayment Option Notice, the Tranche B Term Loans or, as the
case may be, Tranche C Term Loans of such Lender by an amount equal to the
Tranche B Prepayment Amount or, as the case may be, Tranche C Prepayment Amount
indicated in such Lender's Prepayment Option Notice. On the Prepayment Date, (A)
the Borrower shall pay to the Agent the aggregate amount necessary to prepay
that portion of the outstanding Tranche B Term Loans and Tranche C Term Loans in
respect of which Tranche B Term Loan Lenders and Tranche C Term Loan Lenders
have accepted prepayment as described above (such Lenders, the "Accepting
Lenders"), and such amount shall be applied to reduce the Tranche B Prepayment
Amounts and the Tranche C Prepayment Amounts, respectively, with respect to each
Accepting Lender and (B) the Borrower shall pay to the Agent an amount equal to
the portion of the Tranche B Prepayment Amount and the Tranche C Prepayment
Amount not accepted by the Accepting Lenders, and such amount shall be applied
to the prepayment of the Tranche A Term Loans.


                                                                              35


            (e) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by the Borrower
hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall
be made without setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 12:00 Noon,
New York City time, on the due date thereof to the Agent, for the account of the
Lenders, at the Payment Office, in Dollars and in immediately available funds.
The Agent shall distribute such payments to the Lenders promptly upon receipt in
like funds as received. If any payment hereunder (other than payments on the
Eurodollar Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day,
such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. If any
payment on a Eurodollar Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a
Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment
into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the
immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of any extension of any payment
of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be
payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.

            (f) Unless the Agent shall have been notified in writing by any
Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the amount that would
constitute its share of such borrowing available to the Agent, the Agent may
assume that such Lender is making such amount available to the Agent, and the
Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a
corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the Agent by the
required time on the Borrowing Date therefor, such Lender shall pay to the
Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a rate equal to the daily
average Federal Funds Effective Rate for the period until such Lender makes such
amount immediately available to the Agent. A certificate of the Agent submitted
to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 2.16(f) shall
be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. If such Lender's share of such
borrowing is not made available to the Agent by such Lender within three
Business Days of such Borrowing Date, the Agent shall also be entitled to
recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to
ABR Loans under the relevant Facility, on demand, from the Borrower.

            (g) Unless the Agent shall have been notified in writing by the
Borrower prior to the date of any payment being made hereunder that the Borrower
will not make such payment to the Agent, the Agent may assume that the Borrower
is making such payment, and the Agent may, but shall not be required to, in
reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective
pro rata shares of a corresponding amount. If such payment is not made to the
Agent by the Borrower within three Business Days of such required date, the
Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender to which any
amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence, such amount
with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the daily average Federal
Funds Effective Rate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the rights of the
Agent or any Lender against the Borrower.

            2.17 Requirements of Law. (a) If the adoption of or any change in
any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or
compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having
the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority made
subsequent to the date hereof:


                                                                              36


            (i) shall subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with
      respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any Application or any
      Eurodollar Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to
      such Lender in respect thereof (except for Non-Excluded Taxes covered by
      Section 2.18 and changes in the rate of tax on the overall net income of
      such Lender);

            (ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special
      deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by,
      deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or
      other extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any
      office of such Lender which is not otherwise included in the determination
      of the Eurodollar Rate hereunder; or

            (iii) shall impose on such Lender any other condition;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the actual cost to such
Lender, by an amount which such Lender deems to be material, of making,
converting into, continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans or issuing or
participating in Letters of Credit, or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder
in respect thereof, then, in any such case, the Borrower shall promptly pay such
Lender, within 15 days of demand, any additional amounts necessary to compensate
such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable; provided that
the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this
paragraph for any amounts incurred more than six months prior to the date that
such Lender notifies the Borrower of such Lender's intention to claim
compensation therefor; and provided further that, if the circumstances giving
rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then such six-month period shall
be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect. If any Lender
becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17,
it shall promptly notify the Borrower (with a copy to the Agent) of the event by
reason of which it has become so entitled.

            (b) If any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of or any
change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or in the
interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender or any
corporation controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding
capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental
Authority made subsequent to the date hereof shall have the effect of reducing
the rate of return on such Lender's or such corporation's capital as a
consequence of its obligations hereunder or under or in respect of any Letter of
Credit to a level below that which such Lender or such corporation could have
achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration
such Lender's or such corporation's policies with respect to capital adequacy)
by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time, after
submission by such Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the Agent) of a
written request therefor, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional
amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such reduction; provided
that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this
paragraph for any amounts incurred more than six months prior to the date that
such Lender notifies the Borrower of such Lender's intention to claim
compensation therefor; and provided further that, if the 


                                                                              37


circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then such
six-month period shall be extended to include the period of such retroactive
effect.

            (c) Any Lender claiming reimbursement or compensation under this
Section 2.17 shall deliver to the Borrower a certificate (with a copy to the
Agent) setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for such claim and a
calculation of the amount payable to such Lender in connection therewith. Such
certificate shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. The
obligations of the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.17 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts
payable hereunder.

            2.18 Taxes. (a) All payments made by the Borrower under this
Agreement shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding
for or on account of, any present or future income, stamp or other taxes,
levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or
hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental
Authority, excluding net income taxes and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of
net income taxes) imposed on the Agent or any Lender as a result of a present or
former connection between the Agent or such Lender and the jurisdiction of the
Governmental Authority imposing such tax or any political subdivision or taxing
authority thereof or therein (other than any such connection arising solely from
the Agent or such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations
or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or any other Loan
Document). If any such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges,
fees, deductions or withholdings ("Non-Excluded Taxes") or Other Taxes are
required to be withheld from any amounts payable to the Agent or any Lender
hereunder, the amounts so payable to the Agent or such Lender shall be increased
to the extent necessary to yield to the Agent or such Lender (after payment of
all Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes) interest or any such other amounts
payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Agreement,
provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to increase any such
amounts payable to any Lender with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes (i) that
are attributable to such Lender's failure to comply with the requirements of
paragraph (d) or (e) of this Section 2.18 or (ii) that are United States
withholding taxes imposed on amounts payable to such Lender at the time the
Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, except to the extent that such
Lender's assignor (if any) was entitled, at the time of assignment, to receive
additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such Non-Excluded Taxes
pursuant to this Section 2.18(a).

            (b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

            (c) Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by
the Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to the
Agent for the account of the Agent or relevant Lender, as the case may be, a
certified copy of an original official receipt received by the Borrower showing
payment thereof. If the Borrower fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other
Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority or fails to remit to the
Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence, the Borrower
shall indemnify the Agent and the Lenders for any incremental taxes, interest or


                                                                              38


penalties that may become payable by the Agent or any Lender as a result of any
such failure. The agreements in this Section 2.18 shall survive the termination
of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable
hereunder.

            (d) Each Lender (or Transferee) that is not a citizen or resident of
the United States of America, a corporation, partnership or other entity created
or organized in or under the laws of the United States of America (or any
jurisdiction thereof), or any estate or trust that is subject to federal income
taxation regardless of the source of its income (a "Non-U.S. Lender") shall
deliver to the Borrower and the Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the
Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased) two
copies of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or Form 4224, or, in
the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding
tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of
"portfolio interest" a statement substantially in the form of Exhibit I and a
Form W-8, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto properly
completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption
from, or a reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on all payments by the
Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Such forms shall be
delivered by each Non-U.S. Lender on or before the date it becomes a party to
this Agreement (or, in the case of any Participant, on or before the date such
Participant purchases the related participation). In addition, each Non-U.S.
Lender shall deliver such forms or successors thereto promptly upon the
obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Non-U.S.
Lender. Each Non-U.S. Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower at any time it
determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously
delivered certificate to the Borrower (or any other form of certification
adopted by the U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose). Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Section 2.18(d), a Non-U.S. Lender shall not be required
to deliver any form pursuant to this Section 2.18(d) that such Non-U.S. Lender
is not legally able to deliver.

            (e) A Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of
non-U.S. withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower
is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to
payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the
Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably
requested by the Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation
prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without
withholding or at a reduced rate, provided that such Lender is legally entitled
to complete, execute and deliver such documentation and in such Lender's
reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would not
materially prejudice the legal position of such Lender.

            2.19 Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender and to
hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense which such Lender may sustain
or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making a borrowing
of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has
given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement, (b) default by the Borrower in making any prepayment after the
Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement or (c) the making of a prepayment of Eurodollar Loans on a day which
is not 


                                                                              39


the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. Such indemnification
may include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest
which would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted
or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure
to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of such Interest Period (or, in
the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that
would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable
rate of interest for such Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the
Applicable Margin included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as
reasonably determined by such Lender) which would have accrued to such Lender on
such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with
leading banks in the interbank eurodollar market. A certificate as to any
amounts payable pursuant to this Section 2.19 submitted to the Borrower by the
Lender shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. This covenant shall
survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all
other amounts payable hereunder.

            2.20 Change of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that, upon the
occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.17 or 2.18(a)
with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower, use
reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to
designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event with the
object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided that such
designation is made on terms that, in the sole judgment of such Lender, cause
such Lender and its lending office(s) to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory
disadvantage, and provided, further, that nothing in this Section 2.20 shall
affect or postpone any of the obligations of any Borrower or the rights of any
Lender pursuant to Section 2.17 or 2.18(a).

            2.21 Replacement of Lenders under Certain Circumstances. The
Borrower shall be permitted to replace any Lender which requests reimbursement
for amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.17 or 2.18 with a replacement financial
institution; provided that (a) such replacement does not conflict with any
Requirement of Law, (b) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing at the time of such replacement, (c) prior to any such replacement,
such Lender shall have taken no action under Section 2.20 so as to eliminate the
continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.17 or 2.18,
(d) the replacement financial institution shall purchase, at par, all Loans and
other amounts owing to such replaced Lender on or prior to the date of
replacement, (e) the Borrower shall be liable to such replaced Lender under
Section 2.19 if any Eurodollar Loan owing to such replaced Lender shall be
purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto,
(f) the replacement financial institution, if not already a Lender, shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, (g) the replaced Lender shall be obligated
to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.6
(provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and
processing fee referred to therein), (h) until such time as such replacement
shall be consummated, the Borrower shall pay all additional amounts (if any)
required pursuant to Section 2.17 or 2.18, as the case may be, and (i) any such
replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights which the Borrower,
the Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender.


                                                                              40


                          SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT

            3.1 L/C Commitment. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
the Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the other Revolving Credit
Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), agrees to issue Letters of Credit for the
account of the Borrower on any Business Day during the Revolving Credit
Commitment Period in such form as may be approved from time to time by the
Issuing Lender; provided that the Issuing Lender shall have no obligation to
issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (i) the L/C
Obligations would exceed the L/C Commitment, (ii) the L/C Obligations in respect
of all Standby Letters of Credit would exceed $20,000,000, (iii) the L/C
Obligations in respect of all Trade Letters of Credit would exceed $5,000,000 or
(iv) the aggregate amount of the Available Revolving Credit Commitments would be
less than zero. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in Dollars and
(ii) expire no later than the earlier of (x) the first anniversary of its date
of issuance and (y) the date which is 30 days prior to the Revolving Credit
Termination Date, provided that any Standby Letter of Credit with a one-year
term may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods (which
shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (y) above).

            (b) Each Letter of Credit shall be subject to the Uniform Customs
and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of New
York.

            (c) The Issuing Lender shall not at any time be obligated to issue
any Letter of Credit hereunder if such issuance would conflict with, or cause
the Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any
applicable Requirement of Law.

            3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit. The Borrower may
from time to time request that the Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit by
delivering to the Issuing Lender at its address for notices specified herein an
Application therefor, completed to the satisfaction of the Issuing Lender, and
such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as the
Issuing Lender may request. Upon receipt of any Application, the Issuing Lender
will process such Application and the certificates, documents and other papers
and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its
customary procedures and shall promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested
thereby (but in no event shall the Issuing Lender be required to issue any
Letter of Credit earlier than three Business Days after its receipt of the
Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers
and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of
Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed to by the
Issuing Lender and the Borrower. The Issuing Lender shall furnish a copy of such
Letter of Credit to the Borrower promptly following the issuance thereof. The
Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Agent, which shall in turn promptly
furnish to the Lenders, notice of the issuance of each Letter of Credit
(including the amount thereof).

            3.3 Commissions, Fees and Other Charges. (a) The Borrower will pay a
commission on the undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at a per
annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to
Eurodollar Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility, shared ratably among the
Revolving Credit Lenders and payable 


                                                                              41


quarterly in arrears on each L/C Fee Payment Date after the issuance date. In
addition, the Borrower shall pay to the Issuing Lender for its own account a
fronting fee of 1/4 of 1% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on each L/C
Fee Payment Date after the Issuance Date.

            (b) In addition to the foregoing fees and commissions, the Borrower
shall pay or reimburse the Issuing Lender for such normal and customary costs
and expenses as are incurred or charged by the Issuing Lender in issuing,
negotiating, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any
Letter of Credit.

            3.4 L/C Participations. (a) The Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to
grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce the Issuing
Lender to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, each L/C Participant irrevocably
agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from the Issuing
Lender, on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, for such L/C
Participant's own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C
Participant's Revolving Credit Percentage in the Issuing Lender's obligations
and rights under each Letter of Credit issued hereunder and the amount of each
draft paid by the Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant
unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with the Issuing Lender that, if a draft
is paid under any Letter of Credit for which the Issuing Lender is not
reimbursed in full by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender upon demand at
the Issuing Lender's address for notices specified herein an amount equal to
such L/C Participant's Revolving Credit Percentage of the amount of such draft,
or any part thereof, which is not so reimbursed.

            (b) If any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to the
Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion
of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit is paid to
the Issuing Lender within three Business Days after the date such payment is
due, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender on demand an amount
equal to the product of (i) such amount, times (ii) the daily average Federal
Funds Effective Rate during the period from and including the date such payment
is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the
Issuing Lender, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of
days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360. If any
such amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant pursuant to Section
3.4(a) is not made available to the Issuing Lender by such L/C Participant
within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, the Issuing
Lender shall be entitled to recover from such L/C Participant, on demand, such
amount with interest thereon calculated from such due date at the rate per annum
applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility. A certificate of
the Issuing Lender submitted to any L/C Participant with respect to any amounts
owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

            (c) Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Lender has made payment
under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its pro
rata share of such payment in accordance with Section 3.4(a), the Issuing Lender
receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the
Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied thereto by the
Issuing Lender), or any payment of interest on account 


                                                                              42


thereof, the Issuing Lender will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata
share thereof; provided, however, that in the event that any such payment
received by the Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by the Issuing
Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to the Issuing Lender the portion
thereof previously distributed by the Issuing Lender to it.

            3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower. The Borrower agrees to
reimburse the Issuing Lender on each date on which the Issuing Lender notifies
the Borrower of the date and amount of a draft presented under any Letter of
Credit and paid by the Issuing Lender for the amount of (a) such draft so paid
and (b) any taxes, fees, charges or other costs or expenses incurred by the
Issuing Lender in connection with such payment. Each such payment shall be made
to the Issuing Lender at its address for notices specified herein in lawful
money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds.
Interest shall be payable on any and all amounts remaining unpaid by the
Borrower under this Section from the date such amounts become payable (whether
at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) until the date that is two
Business Days after such draft is so paid at the rate set forth in Section
2.13(b) and thereafter until payment in full at the rate set forth in Section
2.13(c). Each drawing under any Letter of Credit shall (unless an event of the
type described in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 8(f) shall have occurred and be
continuing with respect to the Borrower, in which case the procedures specified
in Section 3.4 for funding by L/C Participants shall apply) constitute a request
by the Borrower to the Agent for a borrowing pursuant to Section 2.5 of ABR
Loans in the amount of such drawing. The Borrowing Date with respect to such
borrowing shall be the date of such drawing.

            3.6 Obligations Absolute. The Borrower's obligations under this
Section 3 shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances
and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment which the
Borrower may have or have had against the Issuing Lender, any beneficiary of a
Letter of Credit or any other Person. The Borrower also agrees with the Issuing
Lender that the Issuing Lender shall not be responsible for, and the Borrower's
Reimbursement Obligations under Section 3.5 shall not be affected by, among
other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any endorsements
thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be invalid,
fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among the Borrower and any
beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party to which such Letter of
Credit may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of the Borrower against any
beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such transferee. The Issuing Lender
shall not be liable for any error, omission, interruption or delay in
transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however
transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit, except for errors or
omissions that resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the
Issuing Lender. The Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by the
Issuing Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related
drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful
misconduct and in accordance with the standards of care specified in the Uniform
Commercial Code of the State of New York, shall be binding on the Borrower and
shall not result in any liability of the Issuing Lender to the Borrower.

            3.7 Letter of Credit Payments. If any draft shall be presented for
payment under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the
Borrower of the date 


                                                                              43


and amount thereof. The responsibility of the Issuing Lender to the Borrower in
connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit
shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in such
Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the documents (including each
draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment
are substantially in conformity with such Letter of Credit.

            3.8 Applications. To the extent that any provision of any
Application related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions
of this Section 3, the provisions of this Section 3 shall apply.

                    SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

            To induce the Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and
to make the Loans and issue or participate in the Letters of Credit, the
Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Agent and each Lender that:

            4.1 Financial Condition. (a) The unaudited pro forma consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at September
28, 1997 (including the notes thereto) (the "Pro Forma Balance Sheet"), copies
of which have heretofore been furnished to each Lender, has been prepared giving
effect (as if such events had occurred on such date) to (i) the consummation of
the Recapitalization, (ii) the use of proceeds of the Loans to be made, and the
Senior Notes and Common Stock to be issued, on the Closing Date and (iii) the
payment of fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing. The Pro Forma
Balance Sheet has been prepared based on the best information available to the
Borrower as of the date of delivery thereof, and presents fairly on a pro forma
basis the estimated financial position of Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as at September 28, 1997, assuming that the events specified in the
preceding sentence had actually occurred at such date.

            (b) The audited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as at January 1, 1995, December 31, 1995 and December
29, 1996, and the related consolidated statements of income and of cash flows
for the fiscal years ended on such dates, reported on by and accompanied by an
unqualified report from Arthur Andersen LLP, present fairly the consolidated
financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at such
dates, and the consolidated results of its operations and its consolidated cash
flows for the respective fiscal years then ended. The unaudited consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at September
28, 1997, and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash
flows for the nine-month period ended on such date, present fairly the
consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as at such date, and the consolidated results of its operations and
its consolidated cash flows for the nine-month period then ended (subject to
normal year-end audit adjustments). All such financial statements, including the
related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP
applied consistently throughout the periods involved (except as approved by the
aforementioned firm of accountants and disclosed therein). The Borrower and its
Subsidiaries do not have any material Guarantee Obligations, contingent
liabilities and 


                                                                              44


liabilities for taxes, or any long-term leases or unusual forward or long-term
commitments, including, without limitation, any interest rate or foreign
currency swap or exchange transaction or other obligation in respect of
derivatives, which are not reflected in the most recent financial statements
referred to in this paragraph (b). During the period from December 29, 1996 to
and including the date hereof there has been no Disposition by the Borrower or
any of its consolidated Subsidiaries of any material part of its business or
Property, other than its sale of Properties to DavCo Restaurants, Inc. on July
14, 1997.

            4.2 No Change. Since September 28, 1997 there has been no
development or event which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

            4.3 Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law. Each of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the
corporate power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its
Property, to lease the Property it operates as lessee and to conduct the
business in which it is currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its
ownership, lease or operation of Property or the conduct of its business
requires such qualification and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of
Law, except, in the case of clauses (b), (c) and (d), to the extent that the
failure to do so could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

            4.4 Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. Each
Loan Party has the corporate power and authority, and the legal right, to make,
deliver and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case
of the Borrower, to borrow hereunder. Each Loan Party has taken all necessary
corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the
Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to
authorize the borrowings on the terms and conditions of this Agreement. No
consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in
respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in
connection with the Recapitalization and the borrowings hereunder or with the
execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement
or any of the Loan Documents, except (i) consents, authorizations, filings and
notices described in Schedule 4.4, which consents, authorizations, filings and
notices have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and (ii) the
filings referred to in Section 4.19. Each Loan Document has been duly executed
and delivered on behalf of each Loan Party thereto. This Agreement constitutes,
and each other Loan Document upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and
binding obligation of each Loan Party thereto, enforceable against each such
Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited
by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general
equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or
at law).

            4.5 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the issuance of Letters of Credit, the
borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof will not violate any
Requirement of Law or any 


                                                                              45


Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and will not
result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their
respective properties or revenues pursuant to any Requirement of Law or any such
Contractual Obligation (other than the Liens created by the Security Documents).
No Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation applicable to the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

            4.6 No Material Litigation. No litigation, investigation or
proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or,
to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened by or against the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries or against any of their respective properties or revenues
(a) with respect to any of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby or (b) as to which there is a reasonable
possibility of an adverse determination and which could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

            4.7 No Default. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is
in default under or with respect to any of its Contractual Obligations in any
respect which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

            4.8 Ownership of Property; Liens. Each of the Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries has title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in,
all its Real Property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all
its other Property, except for such defects in title as could not, individually
or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
and none of such Property is subject to any Lien except as permitted by Section
7.3. The Borrower has previously furnished to the Agent a list of all Real
Property and such list, and the information set forth thereon, is true and
complete in all material respects.

            4.9 Intellectual Property. Each of the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary
for the conduct of its business as currently conducted, except for such
Intellectual Property the failure to so own or be licensed to use could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Borrower's
knowledge, no material claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person
challenging or questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity
or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property, nor does Borrower know of any
valid basis for any such claim. To the Borrower's knowledge, the use of
Intellectual Property by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries does not infringe on
the rights of any Person in any material respect.

            4.10 Taxes. Each of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has
filed or caused to be filed all federal, state and other material tax returns
which are required to be filed and has paid all taxes shown to be due and
payable on said returns or on any assessments made against it or any of its
Property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its
Property by any Governmental Authority (other than any the amount or validity of
which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and
with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided 


                                                                              46


on the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be); no tax
Lien has been filed, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, no claim is being
asserted, with respect to any such tax, fee or other charge.

            4.11 Federal Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loans will
be used for "purchasing" or "carrying" any "margin stock" within the respective
meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation G or Regulation U as now
and from time to time hereafter in effect or for any purpose which violates the
provisions of such Regulations of the Board. If requested by any Lender or the
Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Agent and each Lender a statement to the
foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form G-3 or FR Form
U-1 referred to in Regulation G or Regulation U, as the case may be.

            4.12 Labor Matters. There are no strikes or other labor disputes
against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to the knowledge of
the Borrower, threatened that (individually or in the aggregate) could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Hours worked by and
payment made to employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have not been in
violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Requirement of
Law dealing with such matters that (individually or in the aggregate) could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All payments due from
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries on account of employee health and
welfare insurance that (individually or in the aggregate) could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect if not paid have been paid or accrued
as a liability on the books of the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary.

            4.13 ERISA. Neither a Reportable Event nor an "accumulated funding
deficiency" (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of
ERISA) has occurred during the five-year period prior to the date on which this
representation is made or deemed made with respect to any Plan, and each Plan
has complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA
and the Code. No termination of a Single Employer Plan has occurred, and no Lien
in favor of the PBGC or a Plan has arisen, during such five-year period. The
present value of all accrued benefits under each Single Employer Plan (based on
those assumptions used to fund such Plans) did not, as of the last annual
valuation date prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed
made, exceed the value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such accrued
benefits by a material amount. Neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled
Entity has had a complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan
which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a material
liability under ERISA, and neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled
Entity would become subject to any material liability under ERISA if the
Borrower or any such Commonly Controlled Entity were to withdraw completely from
all Multiemployer Plans as of the valuation date most closely preceding the date
on which this representation is made or deemed made. No such Multiemployer Plan
is in Reorganization or Insolvent.

            4.14 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations. No Loan Party is an
"investment company", or a company "controlled" by an "investment company",
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. No Loan
Party is subject to 


                                                                              47


regulation under any Requirement of Law (other than Regulation X of the Board)
which limits its ability to incur Indebtedness.

            4.15 Subsidiaries. The Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 4.15
constitute all the Subsidiaries of the Borrower at the date hereof.

            4.16 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Term Loans, together with
the proceeds of the Offerings, shall be used to purchase, indirectly through
Societe Generale, from the Existing Lenders the Assigned Loans, to repay all
remaining outstanding obligations under the Existing Credit Facility and to pay
related fees and expenses. The proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loans and the
Letters of Credit shall be used for general corporate purposes.

            4.17  Environmental Matters.

            (a) The facilities and properties owned, leased or operated by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (the "Properties") do not contain, and to
the Borrower's knowledge have not previously contained, any Materials of
Environmental Concern in amounts or concentrations or under circumstances which
(i) constitute or constituted a violation of, or (ii) could give rise to
liability under, any Environmental Law, except in either case insofar as such
violation or liability, or any aggregation thereof, could not reasonably be
expected to result in the payment of a Material Environmental Amount.

            (b) The Properties and all operations at the Properties are in
material compliance, and have to the Borrower's knowledge in the last five years
been in material compliance, with all applicable Environmental Laws, and to the
Borrower's knowledge there is no contamination at, under or about the Properties
or violation of any Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the
business operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (the "Business")
which to the Borrower's knowledge could materially interfere with the continued
operation of the Properties or materially impair the fair saleable value
thereof. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has assumed any
material liability of any other Person under Environmental Laws.

            (c) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has received or
is aware of any written notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance,
liability or potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance
with Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Properties or the Business,
nor does the Borrower have knowledge or reason to believe that any such notice
will be received or is being threatened, except insofar as such notice or
threatened notice, or any aggregation thereof, does not involve a matter or
matters that could reasonably be expected to result in the payment of a Material
Environmental Amount.

            (d) Materials of Environmental Concern have not to the Borrower's
knowledge been transported or disposed of from the Properties in violation of,
or in a manner or to a location which could give rise to liability under, any
Environmental Law, nor to the Borrower's knowledge have any Materials of
Environmental Concern been generated, treated, stored or disposed of at, on or
under any of the Properties in violation of, or in a manner that 


                                                                              48


could give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law, except
insofar as any such violation or liability referred to in this paragraph, or any
aggregation thereof, could not reasonably be expected to result in the payment
of a Material Environmental Amount.

            (e) No judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative action
is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, under any
Environmental Law to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is or will be named as
a party with respect to the Properties or the Business, nor are there any
consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other
orders, or other administrative or judicial requirements outstanding under any
Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the Business, except insofar
as such proceeding, action, decree, order or other requirement, or any
aggregation thereof, could not reasonably be expected to result in the payment
of a Material Environmental Amount.

            (f) To the Borrower's knowledge, there has been no release or threat
of release of Materials of Environmental Concern at or from the Properties, or
arising from or related to the operations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in
connection with the Properties or otherwise in connection with the Business, in
violation of or in amounts or in a manner that could give rise to liability
under Environmental Laws, except insofar as any such violation or liability
referred to in this paragraph, or any aggregation thereof, could not reasonably
be expected to result in the payment of a Material Environmental Amount.

            4.18 Accuracy of Information, etc. No statement or information
contained in this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Confidential
Information Memorandum or any other document, certificate or statement furnished
to the Agent or the Lenders or any of them, by or on behalf of any Loan Party
for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
the other Loan Documents, contained as of the date such statement, information,
document or certificate was so furnished, considering each in the context in
which it was made and taken as a whole with all other statements and information
provided, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein, in
light of the circumstances in which made, not misleading; provided that the
Borrower's representation and warranty as to the projections and pro forma
financial information contained in the materials referenced above is based upon
good faith estimates and assumptions believed by management of the Borrower to
be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by the Lenders that such
financial information as it relates to future events is not to be viewed as
fact, that actual results during the period or periods covered by such financial
information may differ from the projected results set forth therein by a
material amount and that no assurance can be given that such projected results
will be realized. There is no fact known to any Loan Party that could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been expressly
disclosed herein, in the other Loan Documents, in the Confidential Information
Memorandum or in any other documents, certificates and statements furnished to
the Agent and the Lenders for use in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents.


                                                                              49


            4.19 Security Documents. (a) The Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
is effective to create in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a
legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described
therein and proceeds thereof. In the case of the Pledged Stock described in the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when stock certificates representing such
Pledged Stock are delivered to the Agent, and in the case of the other
Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when financing
statements in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule
4.19(a), the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall constitute a fully
perfected, first priority (subject to Section 4.3(b) of the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement) Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and
interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral and the proceeds thereof, as
security for the Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement).

            (b) Each of the Mortgages is effective to create in favor of the
Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable Lien on
the Mortgaged Properties described therein and proceeds thereof, and when the
Mortgages are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 4.19(b), each such
Mortgage shall constitute a fully perfected, first priority (subject to Section
4.3(b) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) Lien on, and security interest
in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in the Mortgaged
Properties and the proceeds thereof, as security for the Obligations (as defined
in the relevant Mortgage).

            4.20 Solvency. Each Loan Party is, and after giving effect to the
Recapitalization and the incurrence of all Indebtedness and obligations being
incurred in connection herewith and therewith will be, Solvent.

            4.21 Regulation H. No Mortgage encumbers improved Real Property
which is located in an area that has been identified by the Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development as an area having special flood hazards and in which flood
insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of
1968.

            4.22 Material Contracts. Set forth on Schedule 4.22 is a complete
list as of the date hereof of all material agreements, instruments and
undertakings to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by
which any of their respective Properties are bound.

                         SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

            5.1 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit. The agreement of each
Lender to make the initial extension of credit requested to be made by it is
subject to the satisfaction, prior to or concurrently with the making of such
extension of credit on the Closing Date, of the following conditions precedent:

            (a) Loan Documents. The Agent shall have received (i) this
      Agreement, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the
      Borrower, (ii) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, executed and
      delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower and each Guarantor,
      (iii) Mortgages covering each of the Mortgaged Properties, each executed
      and delivered by a duly authorized officer of each party 


                                                                              50


      thereto, and (iv) for the account of each relevant Lender, Notes
      conforming to the requirements hereof and executed and delivered by a duly
      authorized officer of the Borrower.

            (b) Offerings. Each of the Offerings shall have been consummated, in
      each case on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders,
      for gross cash proceeds of at least $275,000,000 of which not less than
      $75,000,000 shall consist of the gross cash proceeds from the Common Stock
      Offering.

            (c) Approvals. All governmental and third party approvals (including
      landlords' and other consents) necessary in connection with the
      Recapitalization, the continuing operations of the Borrower and its
      Subsidiaries and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been
      obtained and be in full force and effect, and all applicable waiting
      periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by
      any competent authority which would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose
      adverse conditions on the Recapitalization or the financing contemplated
      hereby.

            (d) Related Agreements. The Agent shall have received (in a form
      reasonably satisfactory to it), with a copy for each Lender, true and
      correct copies, certified as to authenticity by the Borrower, of the
      Senior Note Indenture and such other documents or instruments as may be
      reasonably requested by the Agent, including, without limitation, a copy
      of any other debt instrument, security agreement or other material
      contract to which the Loan Parties may be a party.

            (e) Existing Credit Facility. The Agent shall have received evidence
      satisfactory to it that all amounts owing under the Existing Credit
      Facility shall have been paid in full and/or assigned, indirectly through
      Societe Generale, to the Lenders and arrangements satisfactory to the
      Agent shall have been made for the termination of Liens and security
      interests granted in connection therewith.

            (f) Fees. The Lenders and the Agent shall have received all fees
      required to be paid, and all expenses for which invoices have been
      presented, on or before the Closing Date.

            (g) Business Plan. The Lenders shall have received a satisfactory
      business plan for fiscal years 1997 through 2002 and a satisfactory
      written analysis of the business and prospects of the Borrower and its
      Subsidiaries for the period from the Closing Date through December 31,
      2002.

            (h) Solvency Analysis. The Lenders shall have received a reasonably
      satisfactory solvency analysis certified by the chief financial officer of
      the Borrower which shall document the solvency of the Borrower and its
      Subsidiaries considered as a whole after giving effect to the transactions
      contemplated hereby.


                                                                              51


            (i) Budget. The Lenders shall have received a budget for the
      Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the 1998 fiscal year.

            (j) Lien Searches. The Agent shall have received the results of a
      recent lien search in each of the jurisdictions where assets of the Loan
      Parties are located, and such search shall reveal no liens on any of the
      assets of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries except for liens permitted by
      Section 7.3 and liens to be terminated on the Closing Date.

            (k) Expenses. The Agent shall have received satisfactory evidence
      that the fees and expenses to be incurred in connection with the
      Recapitalization and the financing thereof shall not exceed $25,000,000.

            (l) Closing Certificate. The Agent shall have received, with a
      counterpart for each Lender, a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the
      Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit C, with appropriate
      insertions and attachments.

            (m) Legal Opinions. The Agent shall have received the following
      executed legal opinions:

                     (i) the legal opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt, special
            counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, substantially in the
            form of Exhibit F-1;

                    (ii) the legal opinion of Larry W. Browne, Esq., General
            Counsel of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, substantially in the
            form of Exhibit F-2;

                   (iii) the legal opinion of Choate, Hall & Stewart, special
            Massachusetts counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
            substantially in the form of Exhibit F-3; and

                    (iv) to the extent consented to by the relevant counsel,
            each legal opinion, if any, delivered in connection with the
            Offerings accompanied by a reliance letter in favor of the Lenders.

      Each such legal opinion shall cover such other matters incident to the
      transactions contemplated by this Agreement as the Agent may reasonably
      require.

            (n) Pledged Stock; Stock Powers. The Agent shall have received the
      certificates representing the shares of Capital Stock pledged pursuant to
      the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, together with an undated stock
      power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized
      officer of the pledgor thereof.

            (o) Filings, Registrations and Recordings. The Agent shall have
      received each document (including, without limitation, any Uniform
      Commercial Code financing statement) required by the Security Documents or
      under law or reasonably requested by the Agent to be filed, registered or
      recorded in order to create in favor of the 


                                                                              52


      Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected Lien on the Collateral
      described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person
      (subject to Section 4.3(b) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), in
      proper form for filing, registration or recordation.

            (p) Mortgages, etc. (i) The Agent shall have received, and the title
      insurance company issuing the policy referred to in Section 5.1(p)(ii)
      (the "Title Insurance Company") shall have received to the extent
      reasonably requested by the Agent, maps or plats of a survey (in a form
      reasonably satisfactory to the Agent) of the sites of the Mortgaged
      Properties listed on Schedule 5.1(p) (the "Major Mortgaged Properties")
      certified to the Agent and the Title Insurance Company in a manner
      satisfactory to them, dated a date satisfactory to the Agent and the Title
      Insurance Company by an independent professional licensed land surveyor
      satisfactory to the Agent and the Title Insurance Company.

            (ii) The Agent shall have received in respect of each Major
      Mortgaged Property a mortgagee's title insurance policy (or policies) or
      marked up unconditional binder for such insurance. Each such policy shall
      (A) be in an amount equal to the fair market value of such Major Mortgaged
      Property; (B) be issued at ordinary rates; (C) insure that the Mortgage
      insured thereby creates a valid first Lien on such Major Mortgaged
      Property free and clear of all defects and encumbrances, except as
      disclosed therein; (D) name the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders as
      the insured thereunder; (E) be in the form of 1992 ALTA Loan Policy (or
      equivalent policies); (F) contain such endorsements and affirmative
      coverage as the Agent may reasonably request; and (G) be issued by title
      companies satisfactory to the Agent (including any such title companies
      acting as co-insurers or reinsurers, at the option of the Agent). The
      Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that all premiums in
      respect of each such policy, all charges for mortgage recording tax, and
      all related expenses, if any, have been paid.

            (iii) If reasonably requested by the Agent, the Agent shall have
      received (A) a policy of flood insurance which (1) covers any parcel of
      improved Real Property located in a flood hazard zone and which is
      encumbered by any Mortgage, (2) is written in an amount not less than the
      outstanding principal amount of the indebtedness secured by such Mortgage
      which is reasonably allocable to such Real Property or the maximum limit
      of coverage made available with respect to the particular type of property
      under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, whichever is less, and (3)
      has a term ending not later than the maturity of the Indebtedness secured
      by such Mortgage; and (B) confirmation that the Borrower has received the
      notice required pursuant to Section 208(e)(3) of Regulation H of the
      Board.

            (iv) The Agent shall have received a copy of all recorded documents
      referred to, or listed as exceptions to title in, the title policy or
      policies referred to in Section 5.1(p)(ii).


                                                                              53


            (q) Insurance. The Agent shall have received insurance certificates
      satisfying the requirements of Section 6.5.

            (r) Appraisals. The Agent shall have received and be satisfied with
      the form and content of asset appraisal reports with respect to the
      Property owned by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

            5.2 Conditions to Each Extension of Credit. The agreement of each
Lender to make any extension of credit requested to be made by it on any date
(including, without limitation, its initial extension of credit) is subject to
the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

            (a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
      warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents
      shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date
      as if made on and as of such date, except for representations and
      warranties expressly stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which
      case such representations and warranties shall continue to be true and
      correct in all material respects as of such earlier date.

            (b) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
      and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the extensions of
      credit requested to be made on such date.

Each borrowing by and issuance of a Letter of Credit on behalf of the Borrower
hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower as of
the date of such extension of credit that the conditions contained in this
Section 5.2 have been satisfied.

                        SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

            The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Commitments remain
in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding or any Loan or other amount
is owing to any Lender or the Agent hereunder, the Borrower shall and shall
cause each of its Subsidiaries to:

            6.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to the Agent for delivery to each
Lender (and the Agent agrees to make and so deliver such copies):

            (a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the
      end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the audited
      consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated
      Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related audited
      consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such year, setting
      forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year,
      reported on without a "going concern" or like qualification or exception,
      or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, by Arthur Andersen
      LLP or other independent certified public accountants of nationally
      recognized standing; and


                                                                              54


            (b) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 45 days
      after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal
      year of the Borrower, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the
      Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter
      and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and of cash
      flows for such quarter and the portion of the fiscal year through the end
      of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the
      figures for the previous year, certified by an Authorized Signatory as
      being fairly stated in all material respects (subject to normal year-end
      audit adjustments); and

all such financial statements shall be complete and correct in all material
respects and shall be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP
applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior
periods (except as approved by such accountants or officer, as the case may be,
and disclosed therein). Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and
agreed that so long as the Borrower is required to file Forms 10-K and 10-Q (or
any successor forms) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any
successor agency), the Borrower may deliver copies of such Forms with respect to
the relevant time periods in lieu of the deliveries specified in Sections 6.1(a)
and (b).

            6.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the Agent for
delivery to each Lender (and the Agent agrees to make and so deliver such
copies) or, in the case of clause (h), to the relevant Lender:

            (a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
      referred to in Section 6.1(a), a certificate of the independent certified
      public accountants reporting on such financial statements stating that in
      making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge was obtained of any
      Default or Event of Default, except as specified in such certificate;

            (b) concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements
      pursuant to Section 6.1, (i) a certificate of an Authorized Signatory
      stating that, to the best of such Authorized Signatory's knowledge, each
      Loan Party during such period has observed or performed all of its
      covenants and other agreements, and satisfied every condition, contained
      in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party to
      be observed, performed or satisfied by it, and that such Authorized
      Signatory has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default
      except as specified in such certificate and (ii) in the case of quarterly
      or annual financial statements, (x) a Compliance Certificate containing
      all information necessary for determining compliance by the Borrower and
      its Subsidiaries with the provisions of this Agreement referred to therein
      as of the last day of the fiscal quarter or fiscal year of the Borrower,
      as the case may be, and (y) to the extent not previously disclosed to the
      Agent, a listing of any county or state within the United States where any
      Loan Party keeps inventory or equipment and of any Intellectual Property
      acquired by any Loan Party since the date of the most recent list
      delivered pursuant to this clause (y) (or, in the case of the first such
      list so delivered, since the Closing Date);


                                                                              55


            (c) as soon as available, and in any event no later than 45 days
      after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a detailed consolidated
      budget for the following fiscal year (including a projected consolidated
      balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the
      following fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of
      projected cash flow, projected changes in financial position and projected
      income), and, as soon as available, significant revisions, if any, of such
      budget and projections with respect to such fiscal year (collectively, the
      "Projections"), which Projections shall in each case be accompanied by a
      certificate of an Authorized Signatory stating that such Projections are
      based on reasonable estimates, information and assumptions and that such
      Authorized Signatory has no reason to believe that such Projections are
      incorrect or misleading in any material respect;

            (d) within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the
      Borrower, a narrative discussion and analysis of the financial condition
      and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such
      fiscal quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then current
      fiscal year to the end of such fiscal quarter, as compared to the portion
      of the Projections covering such periods and to the comparable periods of
      the previous year;

            (e) without limiting the provisions of Section 7.9, no later than
      ten Business Days prior to the effectiveness thereof, copies of
      substantially final drafts of any proposed amendment, supplement, waiver
      or other modification with respect to the Senior Note Indenture;

            (f) within five days after the same are sent, copies of all
      financial statements and reports which the Borrower sends to the holders
      of any class of its debt securities or public equity securities and within
      five days after the same are filed, copies of all financial statements and
      reports which the Borrower may make to, or file with, the Securities and
      Exchange Commission or any successor or analogous Governmental Authority;

            (g) within ten days of receipt, copies of any management letter
      issued or provided by the auditors of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and

            (h) promptly, such additional financial and other information as any
      Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

            6.3 Payment of Obligations. (a) Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy
at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all
its material obligations of whatever nature, except where the amount or validity
thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on
the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, and (b) pay
when due all real estate taxes, assessments and other charges assessed or levied
against any Real Property.



                                                                              56


            6.4 Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence, etc. (a) (i)
Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and
(ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and
franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except,
in each case, as otherwise permitted by Section 7.4 and except, in the case of
clause (ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) comply with all Contractual
Obligations and Requirements of Law (including, without limitation, those
relating to Real Property) except to the extent that failure to comply therewith
could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

            6.5 Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) Keep all Property useful
and necessary in its business (including, without limitation, all Real Property)
in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

            (b) Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance
companies insurance on all its Property (including, without limitation, all
Inventory, Equipment and Vehicles) in at least such amounts and against at least
such risks (but including in any event fire, explosion, theft, such other
casualties as may be reasonably requested by the Agent, public liability,
product liability and business interruption) as are usually insured against in
the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar business, it
being understood that dealings with RIC in accordance with past practice shall
not cause this Section 6.5 to be breached, and insuring the Borrower, its
Subsidiaries, the Agent and each Lender against liability for personal injury
and property damage relating to such Property.

            (c) With respect to all Real Property, maintain casualty insurance
in an amount equal to "full replacement value", covering risks customarily
insured against in the prudent operation of a similar business.

            (d) All such insurance shall (i) name the Agent as insured party,
loss payee or mortgagee, (ii) provide that 30 days' notice will be given to the
Agent for any cancellation, material reduction in amount, material change in
coverage or other modification, (iii) if reasonably requested by the Agent,
include a breach of warranty clause and (iv) be reasonably satisfactory in all
other respects to the Agent.

            (e) The Borrower shall deliver to the Agent and the Lenders a
certificate of a reputable insurance broker with respect to such insurance on an
annual basis upon policy renewal and such supplemental reports with respect
thereto as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

            6.6 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions. (a) Keep
proper books of records and account in which full, true and correct entries in
conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings
and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b) permit
representatives of any Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties and
examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records at any reasonable
time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice to the
Borrower and as often as may reasonably be desired and to discuss the business,
operations, 


                                                                              57


properties and financial and other condition of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries with officers and employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
and with its independent certified public accountants; provided, however, that
(i) the Agent and each Lender agree to use reasonable efforts to coordinate
their visits and inspections so as not to be unreasonably burdensome to the
Borrower and (ii) any discussions between a Lender or the Agent and the
Borrower's accountants shall be with the right of a representative of the
Borrower to be in attendance.

            6.7 Notices. Promptly give notice to the Agent and each Lender of:

            (a)  the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

            (b) any (i) default or event of default under any Contractual
      Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) litigation,
      investigation or proceeding which may exist at any time between the
      Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any Governmental Authority, which
      in either case, if not cured or if adversely determined, as the case may
      be, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

            (c) any litigation or proceeding which, if adversely determined,
      could result in a liability to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of
      $1,000,000 or more and not covered by insurance or in which injunctive or
      similar relief is sought;

            (d) the following events, as soon as possible and in any event
      within 30 days after the Borrower knows or has reason to know thereof: (i)
      the occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to any Plan, a failure
      to make any required contribution to a Plan, the creation of any Lien in
      favor of the PBGC or a Plan or any withdrawal from, or the termination,
      Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Multiemployer Plan or (ii) the
      institution of proceedings or the taking of any other action by the PBGC
      or the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity or any Multiemployer
      Plan with respect to the withdrawal from, Reorganization or Insolvency of,
      or termination under circumstances to which the provisions of Section
      4041(c) of ERISA apply of, any Plan; and

            (e) any development or event which has had or could reasonably be
      expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall be accompanied by a statement of
an Authorized Signatory setting forth details of the occurrence referred to
therein and stating what action the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary proposes
to take with respect thereto.

            6.8 Environmental Laws. (a) Comply in all material respects with,
and ensure compliance in all material respects by all tenants and subtenants, if
any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws, and obtain and comply in all
material respects with and maintain, and ensure that all tenants and subtenants
obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any and all
licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by
applicable Environmental Laws.


                                                                              58


            (b) Conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and
testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under
Environmental Laws and promptly comply in all material respects with all lawful
orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental
Laws.

            6.9 Interest Rate Protection. In the case of the Borrower, within 60
days after the Closing Date, enter into Interest Rate Protection Agreements to
the extent necessary to provide that at least 50% of the aggregate principal
amount of outstanding Loans and Letters of Credit is subject to either a fixed
interest rate or interest rate protection for a period of not less than two
years, which Interest Rate Protection Agreements shall have terms and conditions
reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

            6.10 Additional Collateral, etc. (a) With respect to any Property
acquired after the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries other
than RIC and Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries (other than (x) any Property
described in paragraph (b), (c) or (d) below and (y) any Property subject to a
Lien expressly permitted by Section 7.3(g)) as to which the Agent, for the
benefit of the Lenders, does not have a perfected Lien, promptly (i) execute and
deliver to the Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
or such other documents as the Agent deems necessary or advisable in order to
grant to the Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a security interest in such
Property and (ii) take all actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Agent,
for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected security interest in such Property,
including without limitation, the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing
statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be requested by the Agent.

            (b) With respect to any fee interest or leasehold interest in any
real estate having a value (together with improvements thereof) of at least
$100,000 acquired after the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries other than RIC and Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries (other than any
such real estate subject to a Lien expressly permitted by Section 7.3(g)),
promptly (i) execute and deliver a Mortgage in favor of the Agent, for the
benefit of the Lenders, covering such real estate, (ii) if such value is in
excess of $1,000,000, provide the Lenders with (x) title and extended coverage
insurance covering such real estate in an amount at least equal to the purchase
price of such real estate (or such other amount as shall be reasonably specified
by the Agent) as well as a current ALTA survey thereof, together with a
surveyor's certificate and (y) any consents or estoppels reasonably deemed
necessary or advisable by the Agent in connection with such mortgage or deed of
trust, each of the foregoing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Agent, and (iii) if requested by the Agent, deliver to the Agent legal
opinions relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be in
form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

            (c) With respect to any new Subsidiary (other than an Excluded
Foreign Subsidiary) created or acquired by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries after the Closing Date (which, for the purposes of this paragraph
(c), shall include any existing Subsidiary that ceases to be an Excluded Foreign
Subsidiary), promptly (i) execute and deliver to the Agent such amendments to
the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Agent deems necessary 


                                                                              59


or advisable in order to grant to the Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a
perfected first priority security interest in the Capital Stock of such new
Subsidiary which is owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii)
deliver to the Agent the certificates representing such Capital Stock, together
with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a duly authorized
officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, (iii) cause such
new Subsidiary (A) to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
and (B) to take such actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Agent for
the benefit of the Lenders a perfected first priority security interest in the
Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement with respect to
such new Subsidiary, including, without limitation, the filing of Uniform
Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by
the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be requested by the
Agent, and (iv) if requested by the Agent, deliver to the Agent legal opinions
relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be in form and
substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

            (d) With respect to any new Excluded Foreign Subsidiary created or
acquired after the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
promptly (i) execute and deliver to the Agent such amendments to the Guarantee
and Collateral Agreement as the Agent deems necessary or advisable in order to
grant to the Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected first priority
security interest in the Capital Stock of such new Subsidiary which is owned by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Foreign
Subsidiaries) (provided that in no event shall more than 65% of the total
outstanding Capital Stock of any such new Subsidiary be required to be so
pledged), (ii) deliver to the Agent the certificates representing such Capital
Stock, together with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a
duly authorized officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be,
and take such other actions as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the Agent,
desirable to perfect the Lien thereon, and (iii) if requested by the Agent,
deliver to the Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described above,
which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent.

            6.11 Mortgage Recording Taxes. The Borrower shall pay all taxes and
other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority or by any Requirement of Law
in connection with the recording or filing of any of the Mortgages, which taxes
and charges shall be paid when due or when assessed or requested by such
Governmental Authority.

            6.12 Leased Properties. (a) With respect to any Real Property of the
Borrower (other than Real Property located in the State of Maryland) for which
Mortgages are not delivered on the Closing Date and for which the Borrower
leases the land and has constructed and owns the improvements thereon, the
Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts (i) to provide to the Agent
all required consents and fulfill all other requirements reasonably deemed
necessary or advisable by the Agent to grant to the Agent, for the benefit of
the Lenders, a Lien on such Real Property and (ii) to execute and deliver a
Mortgage in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, covering such
Real Property.


                                                                              60


            (b) The Borrower shall furnish to the Agent (i) within 30 days after
the Closing Date, copies of all leases covering Real Property of the Borrower,
(ii) within 15 days after the effectiveness thereof, copies of any lease with
respect to any leasehold interest in real estate acquired by the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date and (iii) within 15 days after the
effectiveness thereof, copies of any amendment, supplement, waiver or other
modification with respect to any lease referred to in the foregoing clauses (i)
and (ii).

                          SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

            The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Commitments remain
in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding or any Loan or other amount
is owing to any Lender or the Agent hereunder, the Borrower shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

            7.1  Financial Condition Covenants.

            (a) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Leverage
Ratio as at the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of
the Borrower (or, if less, the number of full fiscal quarters subsequent to the
Closing Date) ending with any fiscal quarter set forth below to exceed the ratio
set forth below opposite such fiscal quarter:

                                                            Consolidated
            Fiscal Quarter                                  Leverage Ratio
            --------------                                  --------------

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 1997 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 1998                                4.75 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 1998 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 1999                                4.25 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 1999 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 2000                                4.00 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 2000 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 2001                                3.50 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 2001 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 2002                                3.00 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 2002 through and including


                                                                              61


third quarter of fiscal 2003                                2.50 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 2003 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 2004                                2.25 to 1.00

Fourth fiscal quarter of fiscal 2004 and all
fiscal quarters thereafter                                  2.00 to 1.00;

provided that, for purposes of determining the ratio described above for the
first three fiscal quarters of the Borrower following the Closing Date,
Consolidated EBITDA for each of the first three fiscal quarters of 1997 shall be
deemed to be the respective amounts set forth on Schedule 7.1.

            (b) Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated
Interest Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of
the Borrower (or, if less, the number of full fiscal quarters subsequent to the
Closing Date) ending with any fiscal quarter set forth below to be less than the
ratio set forth below opposite such fiscal quarter:

                                                           Consolidated Interest
               Fiscal Quarter                                 Coverage Ratio
               --------------                              ---------------------

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 1997 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 1998                               1.50 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 1998 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 1999                               1.60 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 1999 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 2000                               1.80 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 2000 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 2001                               2.20 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 2001 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 2002                               2.50 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 2002 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 2003                               2.90 to 1.00


                                                                              62


Fourth fiscal quarter of fiscal 2003 and all
fiscal quarters thereafter                                 3.50 to 1.00;

provided that, for purposes of determining the ratio described above for the
first three fiscal quarters of the Borrower following the Closing Date,
Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Cash Interest Expense and cash income taxes
for each of the first three fiscal quarters of 1997 shall be deemed to be the
respective amounts set forth on Schedule 7.1.

            (c) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Permit the
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters of the Borrower (or, if less, the number of full fiscal quarters
subsequent to the Closing Date) ending with any fiscal quarter set forth below
to be less than the ratio set forth below opposite such fiscal quarter:

                                                           Consolidated Fixed
            Fiscal Quarter                                 Charge Coverage Ratio
            --------------                                 ---------------------

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 1997 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 1998                               1.40 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 1998 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 2000                               1.50 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 2000 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 2001                               1.60 to 1.00

Fiscal quarters from and including fourth
quarter of fiscal 2001 through and including
third quarter of fiscal 2002                               1.75 to 1.00

Fourth fiscal quarter of fiscal 2002 and all
fiscal quarters thereafter                                 2.00 to 1.00;

provided that, for purposes of determining the ratio described above for the
first three fiscal quarters of the Borrower following the Closing Date,
Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Cash Interest Expense, cash income taxes and
the other components of Consolidated Fixed Charges for each of the first three
fiscal quarters of 1997 shall be deemed to be the respective amounts set forth
on Schedule 7.1.

            (d) Maintenance of Net Worth. Permit Consolidated Net Worth as of
the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending during any fiscal year
set forth below to be less than the amount set forth below opposite such fiscal
year:


                                                                              63


        Fiscal Quarter                                       Consolidated
        --------------                                       ------------
                                                             Net Worth
                                                             ---------

        Fiscal quarters from and including
        fourth quarter of fiscal 1997
        through and including third
        quarter of fiscal 1998                               ($95,000,000)

        Fiscal quarters from and including
        fourth   quarter of fiscal 1998
        through and including third
        quarter of fiscal 1999                               ($87,000,000)

        Fiscal quarters from and including
        fourth  quarter of fiscal 1999
        through and including third
        quarter of fiscal 2000                               ($77,000,000)

        Fiscal quarters from and including
        fourth  quarter of fiscal 2000
        through and including third
        quarter of fiscal 2001                               ($63,000,000)

        Fiscal quarters from and including
        fourth  quarter of fiscal 2001
        through and including third
        quarter of fiscal 2002                               ($39,000,000)

        Fiscal quarters from and including
        fourth  quarter of fiscal 2002
        through and including third
        quarter of fiscal 2003                               ($5,000,000)

        Fiscal quarters from and including
        fourth  quarter of fiscal 2003
        through and including third
        quarter of fiscal 2004                               $24,000,000

        Fiscal quarters from and including
        fourth  quarter of fiscal 2004
        through and including third
        quarter of fiscal 2005                               $63,000,000

        Fourth fiscal quarter of fiscal
        2005 and all fiscal quarters
        thereafter                                           $112,000,000

            7.2 Limitation on Indebtedness and Disqualified Stock. Create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist (in each case, to "Incur") any Indebtedness or
issue Disqualified Stock, except:

            (a) Indebtedness of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document;

            (b) Indebtedness (i) of the Borrower to any Subsidiary, (ii) of any
      Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary
      and (iii) to the extent permitted by Section 7.8(h), of any Subsidiary
      that is not a Guarantor to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary;


                                                                              64


            (c) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries incurred
      to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of fixed or
      capital assets, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time
      outstanding not to exceed $15,000,000, provided that such Indebtedness is
      incurred within 180 days after the date of such acquisition, construction
      or improvement and does not exceed the fair market value of such acquired,
      constructed or improved assets as determined in good faith by the
      Borrower's Board of Directors;

            (d) Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations in respect
      of Sale/Leaseback Transactions involving the sale of restaurants within 24
      months of the purchase of the associated real property, in an aggregate
      principal amount not to exceed $20,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

            (e) Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on
      Schedule 7.2(e) and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions
      thereof (without any increase in the principal amount thereof);

            (f) guarantees made in the ordinary course of business by the
      Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of obligations of any Subsidiary of
      the Borrower, provided that, in the case of any guarantee of obligations
      of any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, such guarantee is permitted by
      Section 7.8(h);

            (g) guarantees made in the ordinary course of business by the
      Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of franchisees of the
      Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor in an aggregate
      principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $20,000,000;

            (h) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
      to finance the payment of property, casualty and specialty insurance
      premiums in the ordinary course of the Borrower's business which is repaid
      within 18 months of its incurrence, provided that such Indebtedness does
      not exceed $7,500,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

            (i) Indebtedness represented by guarantees of loans to employees of
      the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of paying
      withholding taxes incurred by such employees in connection with the
      vesting of stock and/or stock options granted by the Borrower, in an
      aggregate amount not to exceed $3,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

            (j) (i) Indebtedness of the Borrower in respect of the Senior Notes
      in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $200,000,000 and (ii)
      Guarantee Obligations of any Guarantor in respect of such Indebtedness;

            (k) interest rate protection, currency swap, commodity swap and
      foreign exchange arrangements entered into in connection with bona fide
      hedging operations;


                                                                              65


            (l) initial or successive refinancings of the Indebtedness permitted
      by clause (j) above; provided that (i) the documentation with respect to
      such refinancing Indebtedness shall not contain provisions that are more
      restrictive on the Borrower than the provisions contained in the Senior
      Note Indenture, (ii) such refinancing Indebtedness has a stated maturity
      no earlier than the stated maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced,
      (iii) such refinancing Indebtedness has a weighted average life at the
      time such Indebtedness is incurred that is equal to or greater than the
      weighted average life of the Indebtedness being refinanced, (iv) such
      refinancing Indebtedness is unsecured and (v) such refinancing
      Indebtedness is in an aggregate principal amount (or if issued with
      original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or
      less than the aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue
      discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of the
      Indebtedness being refinanced; and provided further that such refinancing
      Indebtedness shall not include Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of the
      Borrower that refinances Indebtedness of the Borrower; and

            (m) obligations with respect to customary provisions regarding
      post-closing purchase price adjustments and indemnification in agreements
      for the purchase or sale of a business or assets otherwise permitted by
      this Agreement.

            7.3 Limitation on Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist
any Lien upon any of its Property or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, except for:

            (a) Liens for taxes, fees, assessments and other governmental
      charges not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by
      appropriate proceedings, provided that adequate reserves with respect
      thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries,
      as the case may be, in conformity with GAAP;

            (b) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's,
      repairmen's or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business
      which are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are being
      contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

            (c) pledges or deposits in connection with workers' compensation,
      unemployment insurance and other social security legislation;

            (d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts
      (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, surety and
      appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature
      incurred in the ordinary course of business;

            (e) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar
      encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the
      aggregate, are not substantial in amount and which do not in any case
      materially detract from the value of the Property subject thereto or
      materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the
      Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;


                                                                              66


            (f) Liens in existence on the date hereof listed on Schedule 7.3(f),
      securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.2(e), provided that no such
      Lien is spread to cover any additional Property after the Closing Date and
      that the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased;

            (g) Liens securing Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other
      Subsidiary incurred pursuant to Section 7.2(c) to finance the acquisition,
      construction or improvement of fixed or capital assets, provided that (i)
      such Liens shall be created substantially simultaneously with, or within
      180 days after, the acquisition, construction or improvement of such fixed
      or capital assets, (ii) such Liens do not at any time encumber any
      Property other than the Property financed by such Indebtedness and (iii)
      the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the cost of
      the assets or property so acquired, constructed or improved;

            (h)  Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents;

            (i) any interest or title of a lessor under any lease entered into
      by the Borrower or any other Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its
      business and covering only the assets so leased;

            (j) Liens securing Capital Lease Obligations permitted by Section
      7.2(d), provided that (i) such Liens shall be created substantially
      simultaneously with the related Sale/Leaseback Transaction, (ii) such
      Liens do not at any time encumber any Property other than the Property
      subject to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction and (iii) the amount of the
      Indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the fair market value of the
      Property subject to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction;

            (k) Liens arising by virtue of any statutory or common law provision
      relating to banker's liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and
      remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a
      depository institution;

            (l) leases or subleases granted in the ordinary course of business;
      and

            (m) Liens arising in the ordinary course of business out of
      consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods.

            7.4 Limitation on Fundamental Changes. Enter into any merger,
consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or
suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or Dispose of all or substantially all
of its Property or business, except:

            (a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged or consolidated
      with or into the Borrower (provided that the Borrower shall be the
      continuing or surviving corporation) or with or into any Wholly Owned
      Subsidiary Guarantor (provided that the Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor
      shall be the continuing or surviving corporation);


                                                                              67


            (b) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may Dispose of any or all of its
      assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or any
      Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor; and

            (c) any transaction permitted by Section 7.5(f).

            7.5 Limitation on Sale of Assets. Dispose of any of its Property or
business (including, without limitation, receivables and leasehold interests),
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or, in the case of any Subsidiary,
issue or sell any shares of such Subsidiary's Capital Stock to any Person,
except:

            (a) the Disposition of obsolete or worn out property in the ordinary
      course of business;

            (b) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

            (c)  Dispositions permitted by Section 7.4(b);

            (d) the sale or issuance of any Subsidiary's Capital Stock to the
      Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor;

            (e)  Dispositions permitted by Section 7.2(d);

            (f) any Asset Sale or Recovery Event, provided that at least 75% of
      the consideration for any Asset Sale shall consist of cash and Cash
      Equivalents and provided further that the requirements of Sections 2.10(b)
      and 2.10(c) are complied with in connection with any such Asset Sale or
      Recovery Event; and

            (g) the license of trademarks, service marks, tradenames and other
      similar intangibles in the ordinary course of business.

            7.6 Limitation on Dividends. Declare or pay any dividend (other than
dividends payable solely in common stock of the Person making such dividend) on,
or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other
analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement or other
acquisition of, any shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary or any warrants or options to purchase any such Capital Stock,
whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any other distribution in respect
thereof, either directly or indirectly, whether in cash or property or in
obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (collectively, "Restricted
Payments"), except that:

            (a) any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower or
      any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor;

            (b) any Subsidiary may declare and pay pro rata cash dividends to
      Persons other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, provided, that the
      aggregate amount of payments under this paragraph shall not exceed
      $5,000,000 or, if as of the last day of 


                                                                              68


      each of three consecutive fiscal quarters commencing with the fourth
      fiscal quarter of the Borrower's 1998 fiscal year Consolidated EBITDA for
      the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such days shall exceed
      $100,000,000, $10,000,000; and

            (c) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
      and be continuing, the Borrower may purchase its Common Stock or Common
      Stock options from present or former officers of the Borrower or any of
      its Subsidiaries upon the death, disability or termination of employment
      of such officer, provided, that the aggregate amount of payments under
      this paragraph during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed
      $2,000,000 in any 12-month period and $5,000,000 in the aggregate.

            7.7 Limitation on Capital Expenditures. Make or commit to make (by
way of the acquisition of securities of a Person or otherwise) any Capital
Expenditure, except (a) Capital Expenditures of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business not exceeding the Permitted
Capital Expenditure Amount; provided, that (i) so long as no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a result
thereof, any such amount referred to above, if not so expended in the fiscal
year for which it is permitted, may be carried over for expenditure in the next
succeeding fiscal year and (ii) Capital Expenditures made pursuant to this
clause (a) during any fiscal year shall be deemed made, first, in respect of
amounts carried over from the prior fiscal year pursuant to subclause (i) above
and, second, in respect of amounts permitted for such fiscal year as provided
above and (b) Capital Expenditures made with the proceeds of any Reinvestment
Deferred Amount.

            7.8 Limitation on Investments, Loans and Advances. Make any advance,
loan, extension of credit (by way of guaranty or otherwise) or capital
contribution to, or purchase any stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other
securities of or any assets constituting all or a material part of a business
unit of, or make any other investment in, any Person, except:

            (a) extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;

            (b)  investments in Cash Equivalents;

            (c)  Guarantee Obligations permitted by Section 7.2;

            (d) loans and advances to employees of the Borrower or any of its
      Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business (including, without
      limitation, for travel, entertainment and relocation expenses) in an
      aggregate amount for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not to exceed
      $2,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

            (e) purchases of Common Stock and Common Stock options permitted by
      Section 7.6(c);

            (f) investments made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with
      the proceeds of any Reinvestment Deferred Amount;


                                                                              69


            (g) investments by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in any
      Person that, prior to such investment, is a Guarantor;

            (h) investments in existence on the date hereof and listed on
      Schedule 7.8(h) and additional investments in, and extensions of credit
      to, any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor and/or other Persons, provided
      that such additional investments and extensions of credit shall not exceed
      an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or, if as of the last day of each of
      three consecutive fiscal quarters commencing with the fourth fiscal
      quarter of the Borrower's 1998 fiscal year Consolidated EBITDA for the
      four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such days shall exceed
      $100,000,000, $20,000,000;

            (i) investments by Friendly's International, Inc. or its United
      Kingdom Subsidiaries in Shanghai Friendly Food Co., Ltd. solely as a
      result of the transfer by the Borrower of its interests in Shanghai
      Friendly Food Co., Ltd. to such Person;

            (j) investments in stock, obligations or securities received in
      settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing
      to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or in satisfaction of judgments
      and which are readily convertible into cash in U.S. dollars in an amount
      equal to the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the
      Board of Directors of the Borrower;

            (k) investments in securities of account debtors received in
      settlement of obligations or pursuant to any plan of reorganization or
      similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such account
      debtors;

            (l) investments in foreign exchange contracts, currency swap
      agreements, commodity swap agreements, commodity future agreements,
      commodity hedge agreements, Interest Rate Protection Agreements and other
      similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business,
      provided that such agreements are entered into for bona fide hedging
      purposes, are not for speculation or trading purposes and are designed to
      protect against fluctuations in currency exchange rates, commodity prices
      or interest rates, as the case may be, and, in the case of Interest Rate
      Protection Agreements, any such Interest Rate Protection Agreement has a
      notional amount corresponding to the Indebtedness being hedged thereby;

            (m) investments in franchisees of the Borrower in an aggregate
      amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $10,000,000;

            (n) investments in accounts and notes receivable from franchisees,
      customers, suppliers and others in the ordinary course of business; and

            (o) investments made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in
      connection with a Disposition of Property permitted by Section 7.5,
      provided that the aggregate amount of such investments held at any time
      shall not exceed $5,000,000.


                                                                              70


            7.9 Limitation on Optional Payments and Modifications of Debt
Instruments, etc. (a) Make or offer to make any payment, prepayment, repurchase
or redemption of or otherwise defease or segregate funds with respect to the
Senior Notes (other than scheduled interest payments required to be made in
cash), or (b) amend, modify, waive or otherwise change, or consent or agree to
any amendment, modification, waiver or other change to, any of the terms of the
Senior Notes (other than any such amendment, modification, waiver or other
change which (i) would extend the maturity or reduce the amount of any payment
of principal thereof or which would reduce the rate or extend the date for
payment of interest thereon and (ii) does not involve the payment of a consent
fee), except that (x) upon any private or public offering of Capital Stock of
the Borrower (other than the Common Stock Offering and the issuance of common
stock pursuant to employee benefit plans or as compensation to employees), the
Borrower may repurchase or redeem Senior Notes with the Net Cash Proceeds of
such offering, provided that no more than $60,000,000 principal amount of Senior
Notes may be so repurchased or redeemed, and (y) the Senior Notes may be
refinanced in accordance with Section 7.2(l).

            7.10 Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any
transaction, including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, lease or
exchange of Property, the rendering of any service or the payment of any
management, advisory or similar fees, with any Affiliate (other than the
Borrower or any Guarantor) unless such transaction is (a) otherwise permitted
under this Agreement, (b) in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or
such Subsidiary, as the case may be, and (c) upon fair and reasonable terms no
less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, than it
would obtain in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person which is not
an Affiliate.

            7.11 Limitation on Sales and Leasebacks. Enter into any arrangement
with any Person providing for the leasing by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
real or personal property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by the
Borrower or such Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds
have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property
or rental obligations of the Borrower or such Subsidiary other than the
Sale/Leaseback Transactions permitted by Sections 7.2(d) and 7.5(e).

            7.12 Limitation on Changes in Fiscal Periods. Permit the fiscal year
of the Borrower to end on a day other than the last Sunday in December (unless
that day is earlier than December 27, in which case the fiscal year ends on the
following Sunday) or change the Borrower's method of determining fiscal
quarters.

            7.13 Limitation on Negative Pledge Clauses. Enter into or suffer to
exist or become effective any agreement which prohibits or limits the ability of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to
exist any Lien upon any of its Property or revenues, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, to secure the Obligations or, in the case of any Guarantor,
its obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, other than (a)
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (b) any agreements governing any
purchase money Liens or Capital Lease Obligations otherwise permitted hereby (in
which case, any prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against the
assets financed thereby).


                                                                              71


            7.14 Limitation on Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions. Enter
into or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or
restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to (a) pay
dividends or make any other distributions in respect of any Capital Stock of
such Subsidiary held by, or pay any Indebtedness owed to, the Borrower or any
other Subsidiary of the Borrower, (b) make loans or advances to the Borrower or
any other Subsidiary of the Borrower or (c) transfer any of its assets to the
Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, except for such encumbrances
or restrictions existing under or by reason of

            (i) any restrictions existing under the Loan Documents,

            (ii) any restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary imposed pursuant
      to an agreement which has been entered into in connection with the
      Disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of
      such Subsidiary,

            (iii) any encumbrance or restriction in the Existing Credit Facility
      prior to the assignment of the Assigned Loans and the payment of all
      remaining amounts outstanding under the Existing Credit Facility,

            (iv) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Subsidiary
      pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness Incurred by such
      Subsidiary on or prior to the date on which such Subsidiary was acquired
      by the Borrower or a Subsidiary and outstanding on such date (other than
      Indebtedness Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, the
      transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such
      Subsidiary became a Subsidiary or was acquired by the Borrower or a
      Subsidiary),

            (v) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement
      contained in any amendment to an agreement referred to in clause (iv) of
      this covenant; provided, however, that the encumbrances and restrictions
      contained in any such refinancing agreement or amendment are not
      materially less favorable to the Lenders than the encumbrances and
      restrictions contained in any such agreement,

            (vi) in the case of clause (c), any encumbrance or restriction (A)
      that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or
      transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease, license or
      similar contract, (B) by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer,
      option or right with respect to, or Lien on, any property or assets of the
      Borrower or any Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement or
      (C) contained in security agreements securing Indebtedness of a Subsidiary
      to the extent such encumbrance or restrictions restrict the transfer of
      the property subject to such security agreements,

            (vii) any encumbrance or restriction arising under or by reason of
      applicable law,

            (viii) any encumbrance or restriction contained in the Senior Note
      Indenture,


                                                                              72


            (ix) customary provisions in joint venture agreements relating
      solely to the securities, assets and revenues of such joint venture or
      other business venture,

            (x) any encumbrance or restriction applicable to secured
      Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be Incurred under this Agreement that
      limits the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such
      Indebtedness, and

            (xi) customary net worth provisions contained in leases and other
      agreements entered into by a Subsidiary in the ordinary course of
      business.

            7.15 Limitation on Lines of Business. Enter into any business,
either directly or through any Subsidiary, except for those businesses in which
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of this Agreement or
which are reasonably related thereto, or permit RIC to engage in any business
other than the reinsurance of certain of the Borrower's risks (i.e. workers'
compensation, employer's liability, general liability and product liability)
from a third party insurer.

                          SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

            If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:

            (a) The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or
      Reimbursement Obligation when due in accordance with the terms hereof; or
      the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or Reimbursement
      Obligation, or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan
      Document, within three Business Days after any such interest or other
      amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; or

            (b) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan
      Party herein or in any other Loan Document or which is contained in any
      certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished by it at
      any time under or in connection with this Agreement or any such other Loan
      Document shall prove to have been inaccurate in any material respect on or
      as of the date made or deemed made; or

            (c) (i) Any Loan Party shall default in the observance or
      performance of any agreement contained in clause (i) of Section 6.4(a)
      (with respect to the Borrower only), Section 6.7(a), Section 7, or Section
      5.6 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or (ii) an "Event of
      Default" under and as defined in any Mortgage shall have occurred and be
      continuing; or

            (d) any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of
      any other agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document
      (other than as provided in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section),
      and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after
      notice to the Borrower from the Agent or the Required Lenders; or


                                                                              73


            (e) The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) default in
      making any payment of any principal of any Indebtedness (including,
      without limitation, any Guarantee Obligation, but excluding the Loans and
      Reimbursement Obligations) when due (giving effect to any applicable grace
      period) with respect thereto; or (ii) default in making any payment of any
      interest on any such Indebtedness beyond the period of grace, if any,
      provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was
      created; or (iii) default in the observance or performance of any other
      agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in
      any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or
      any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which
      default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder
      or beneficiary of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of
      such holder or beneficiary) to cause, with the giving of notice if
      required, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or
      (in the case of any such Indebtedness constituting a Guarantee Obligation)
      to become payable; provided, that a default, event or condition described
      in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (e) shall not at any time
      constitute an Event of Default unless, at such time, one or more defaults,
      events or conditions of the type described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)
      of this paragraph (e) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect
      to Indebtedness the outstanding principal amount of which exceeds in the
      aggregate $5,000,000; or

            (f) (i) The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall commence any
      case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of
      any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency,
      reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief
      entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or
      insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up,
      liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it
      or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee,
      custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any
      substantial part of its assets, or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
      shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii)
      there shall be commenced against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
      any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i)
      above which (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such
      adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed, undischarged or
      unbonded for a period of 60 days; or (iii) there shall be commenced
      against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or
      other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution,
      distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its
      assets which results in the entry of an order for any such relief which
      shall not have been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending
      appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or (iv) the Borrower or any
      of its Subsidiaries shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating
      its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth
      in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above; or (v) the Borrower or any of its
      Subsidiaries shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in
      writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or

            (g) (i) Any Person shall engage in any "prohibited transaction" (as
      defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) involving any
      Plan, (ii) any 


                                                                              74


      "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA),
      whether or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan or any Lien in
      favor of the PBGC or a Plan shall arise on the assets of the Borrower or
      any Commonly Controlled Entity, (iii) a Reportable Event shall occur with
      respect to, or proceedings shall commence to have a trustee appointed, or
      a trustee shall be appointed, to administer or to terminate, any Single
      Employer Plan, which Reportable Event or commencement of proceedings or
      appointment of a trustee is, in the reasonable opinion of the Required
      Lenders, likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes of
      Title IV of ERISA, (iv) any Single Employer Plan shall terminate for
      purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (v) the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled
      Entity shall, or in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders is
      likely to, incur any liability in connection with a withdrawal from, or
      the Insolvency or Reorganization of, a Multiemployer Plan or (vi) any
      other event or condition shall occur or exist with respect to a Plan; and
      in each case in clauses (i) through (vi) above, such event or condition,
      together with all other such events or conditions, if any, could
      reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

            (h) One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the
      Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate a liability
      (not paid or fully covered by insurance as to which the relevant insurance
      company has acknowledged coverage) of $5,000,000 or more, and all such
      judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed or
      bonded pending appeal within 30 days from the entry thereof; or

            (i) Any of the Security Documents shall cease, for any reason, to be
      in full force and effect, or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan
      Party shall so assert, or any Lien created by any of the Security
      Documents shall cease to be enforceable and of the same effect and
      priority purported to be created thereby; or

            (j) The guarantee contained in Section 2 of the Guarantee and
      Collateral Agreement shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and
      effect or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so
      assert; or

            (k) (i) (A) Any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in
      Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
      amended (the "Exchange Act")), excluding the Permitted Holders, shall
      become, or obtain rights (whether by means or warrants, options or
      otherwise) to become, the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3
      and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than
      35% of the outstanding common stock of the Borrower and (B) the Permitted
      Holders "beneficially own" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the
      Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser
      percentage of total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Borrower than
      such other person and do not have the right or ability by voting power,
      contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the
      Board of Directors of the Borrower; (ii) a majority of the board of
      directors of the Borrower shall cease to consist of Continuing Directors;
      or (iii) there shall occur a "Change of Control" as defined in the Senior
      Note Indenture; or


                                                                              75


then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified
in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (f) above with respect to the Borrower,
automatically the Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans
hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, all
amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then
outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required
thereunder) shall immediately become due and payable, and (B) if such event is
any other Event of Default, either or both of the following actions may be
taken: (i) with the consent of the Majority Revolving Credit Facility Lenders,
the Agent may, or upon the request of the Majority Revolving Credit Facility
Lenders, the Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower declare the Revolving Credit
Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Revolving Credit
Commitments shall immediately terminate; and (ii) with the consent of the
Required Lenders, the Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders,
the Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Loans hereunder (with
accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, all amounts of L/C
Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of
Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) to be due and
payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable.
With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment for
honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to this
paragraph, the Borrower shall at such time deposit in a cash collateral account
opened by the Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired
amount of such Letters of Credit. Amounts held in such cash collateral account
shall be applied by the Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters
of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall
have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay other
obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. After
all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all
Reimbursement Obligations shall have been satisfied and all other obligations of
the Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall have been paid
in full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned
to the Borrower (or such other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto).

                              SECTION 9. THE AGENT

            9.1 Appointment. Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and
appoints the Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Agent, in
such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform
such duties as are expressly delegated to the Agent by the terms of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary
elsewhere in this Agreement, the Agent shall not have any duties or
responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary
relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions,
responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Agent.



                                                                              76


            9.2 Delegation of Duties. The Agent may execute any of its duties
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or
attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all
matters pertaining to such duties. The Agent shall not be responsible for the
negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys in-fact selected by it with
reasonable care.

            9.3 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither the Agent nor any of its
respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or
affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be
taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any
other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by
a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have
resulted from its or such Person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct)
or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals,
statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer
thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any
certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in,
or received by the Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any
other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness,
enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or
for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations
hereunder or thereunder. The Agent shall not be under any obligation to any
Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of
the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party.

            9.4 Reliance by Agent. The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and
shall be fully protected in relying, upon any instrument, writing, resolution,
notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy, telex or teletype
message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be
genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person
or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including, without
limitation, counsel to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts
selected by the Agent. The Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the
owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment,
negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Agent. The Agent
shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice
or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement,
all Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its
satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may
be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The
Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from
acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a
request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all
Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant
thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the
Loans.

            9.5 Notice of Default. The Agent shall not be deemed to have
knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default
hereunder unless it has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring
to this Agreement, describing such Default or 


                                                                              77


Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of default". In the
event that the Agent receives such a notice, the Agent shall give notice thereof
to the Lenders. The Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or
Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if
so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders); provided that unless and until the
Agent shall have received such directions, the Agent may (but shall not be
obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect
to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best
interests of the Lenders.

            9.6 Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender expressly
acknowledges that neither the Agent nor any of its officers, directors,
employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have made any representations
or warranties to such Lender and that no act by the Agent hereinafter taken,
including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan
Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Agent
to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Agent that it has, independently
and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender, and based on such
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal
of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and
other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates
and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this
Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without
reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as
it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property,
financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their
affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required
to be furnished to the Lenders by the Agent hereunder, the Agent shall not have
any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other
information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial
or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate
of a Loan Party which may come into the possession of the Agent or any of its
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

            9.7 Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify the Agent in its
capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without
limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), ratably according to their
respective Revolving Credit Percentages, Tranche A Term Loan Percentages,
Tranche B Term Loan Percentages and Tranche C Term Loan Percentages in effect on
the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if
indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have
terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance
with such Percentages immediately prior to such date), from and against any and
all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,
suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever which may at any
time (including, without limitation, at any time following the payment of the
Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent in any way
relating to or arising out of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other
Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein
or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or
omitted by 


                                                                              78


the Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no
Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements which are found by a final and nonappealable decision
of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the Agent's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section 9.7 shall
survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

            9.8 Agent in Its Individual Capacity. The Agent and its affiliates
may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of
business with any Loan Party as though the Agent was not the Agent. With respect
to its Loans made or renewed by it and with respect to any Letter of Credit
issued or participated in by it, the Agent shall have the same rights and powers
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise
the same as though it were not the Agent, and the terms "Lender" and "Lenders"
shall include the Agent in its individual capacity.

            9.9 Successor Agent. Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a
successor agent as provided below, the Agent may resign as Agent upon 10 days'
notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. If the Agent shall resign as Agent under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall
appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which
successor agent shall (unless an Event of Default under Section 8(a) or Section
8(f) with respect to the Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing) be
subject to approval by the Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the
rights, powers and duties of the Agent and the term "Agent" shall mean such
successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former
Agent's rights, powers and duties as Agent shall be terminated, without any
other or further act or deed on the part of such former Agent or any of the
parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. After any retiring
Agent's resignation as Agent, the provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to
its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was
Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

            9.10 Authorization to Release Liens. The Agent is hereby irrevocably
authorized by each of the Lenders to release any Lien covering any Property of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is the subject of a Disposition
which is permitted by this Agreement or which has been consented to in
accordance with Section 10.1.

                            SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS

            10.1 Amendments and Waivers. Neither this Agreement, any other Loan
Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or
modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.1. The
Required Lenders and each Loan Party to the relevant Loan Document may, or (with
the written consent of the Required Lenders) the Agent and each Loan Party to
the relevant Loan Document may, from time to time, (a) enter into written
amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Loan Documents
for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Loan


                                                                              79


Parties hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive, on such terms and conditions as
the Required Lenders, or the Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such
instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided,
however, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification
shall (i) forgive the principal amount or extend the final scheduled date of
maturity of any Loan, extend the scheduled date of any amortization payment in
respect of any Term Loan, reduce the stated rate of any interest, fee or letter
of credit commission payable hereunder or extend the scheduled date of any
payment thereof, or increase the amount or extend the expiration date of any
Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment, in each case without the consent of each
Lender affected thereby; (ii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this
Section 10.1 or reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required
Lenders or Required Prepayment Lenders, consent to the assignment or transfer by
the Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, release all or substantially all of the Collateral or
release all or substantially all of the Guarantors from their obligations under
the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, in each case without the written consent
of all Lenders; (iii) amend, modify or waive any condition precedent to any
extension of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility set forth in Section 5.2
(including, without limitation, in connection with any waiver of an existing
Default or Event of Default), or amend or otherwise modify clause (B)(i) of
Section 8, without the written consent of the Majority Revolving Credit Facility
Lenders; (iv) reduce the percentage specified in the definition of Majority
Facility Lenders without the written consent of all Lenders under each affected
Facility; (v) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 9 without the
written consent of the Agent; or (vi) amend, modify or waive any provision of
Section 3 without the written consent of the Issuing Lender. Any such waiver and
any such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of
the Lenders and shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Agent
and all future holders of the Loans. In the case of any waiver, the Loan
Parties, the Lenders and the Agent shall be restored to their former position
and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any Default or
Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no
such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default,
or impair any right consequent thereon.

            10.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the
respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by
telecopy), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to
have been duly given or made when delivered, or three Business Days after being
deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy notice, when
received, addressed as follows in the case of the Borrower and the Agent, and as
set forth in an administrative questionnaire delivered to the Agent in the case
of the Lenders, or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the
respective parties hereto:

      The Borrower:                 Friendly Ice Cream Corporation
                                    1855 Boston Road
                                    Wilbraham, Massachusetts 01095
                                    Attention:  George Roller
                                    Telecopy:   (413) 543-3186


                                                                              80


                                    Telephone:  (413) 543-2400

                  with a copy to:   Friendly Ice Cream Corporation
                                    1855 Boston Road
                                    Wilbraham, Massachusetts 01095
                                    Attention:  Aaron Parker
                                    Telecopy:   (413) 543-3282
                                    Telephone:  (413) 543-2400

      The Agent:                    Societe Generale
                                    1221 Avenue of the Americas
                                    New York, New York  10020
                                    Attention:  Kateline Martinez
                                    Telecopy:   (212) 278-7490
                                    Telephone:  (212) 278-6855

                  with a copy to:   Societe Generale
                                    1221 Avenue of the Americas
                                    New York, New York  10020
                                    Attention:  Brent Johnston
                                    Telecopy:   (212) 278-7430
                                    Telephone:  (212) 278-6881

provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Agent or the Lenders
shall not be effective until received.

            10.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no
delay in exercising, on the part of the Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy,
power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall operate as
a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy,
power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights,
remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive
of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

            10.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations
and warranties made hereunder, in the other Loan Documents and in any document,
certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith
shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the
Loans hereunder.

            10.5 Payment of Expenses. The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or
reimburse the Agent for all its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses
incurred in connection with the development, syndication, preparation and
execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection
herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agent, (b) to pay or
reimburse each Lender and the 


                                                                              81


Agent for all their respective costs and expenses incurred in connection with
the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement, the other
Loan Documents and any such other documents, including, without limitation, the
fees and disbursements of counsel (including the non-duplicative allocated fees
and expenses of in-house counsel) to each Lender and of counsel to the Agent,
(c) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and the Agent harmless from, any and
all recording and filing fees or any amendment, supplement or modification of,
or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, this Agreement, the other Loan
Documents and any such other documents and (d) to pay, indemnify, and hold each
Lender and the Agent and their respective officers, directors, employees,
affiliates, agents and controlling persons (each, an "indemnitee") harmless from
and against any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any
kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement,
performance and administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and
any such other documents, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing
relating to the use of proceeds of the Loans or the violation of, noncompliance
with or liability under, any Environmental Law applicable to the operations of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Properties (all the
foregoing in this clause (d), collectively, the "indemnified liabilities"),
provided, that the Borrower shall have no obligation hereunder to any indemnitee
with respect to indemnified liabilities to the extent such indemnified
liabilities resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such
indemnitee. The agreements in this Section shall survive repayment of the Loans
and all other amounts payable hereunder.

            10.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments. (a)
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower,
the Lenders, the Agent, all future holders of the Loans and their respective
successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may not assign or transfer any
of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written
consent of the Agent and each Lender. Nothing expressed or implied herein is
intended to give, or shall be construed to give, any Person, other than the
parties hereto and their permitted successors and assigns hereunder, any benefit
or legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by virtue of this
Agreement or under or by virtue of any provision herein.

            (b) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, in
accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to one or more banks, financial
institutions or other entities (each, a "Participant") participating interests
in any Loan owing to such Lender, any Commitment of such Lender or any other
interest of such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided
that no such participation to a Participant shall be in an aggregate principal
amount of less than $5,000,000 (other than in the case of a participation of all
of a Lender's interests under this Agreement), unless otherw`ise agreed by the
Borrower and the Agent. In the event of any such sale by a Lender of a
participating interest to a Participant, such Lender's obligations under this
Agreement to the other parties to this Agreement shall remain unchanged, such
Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance thereof, such Lender
shall remain the holder of any such Loan for all purposes under this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents, and the Borrower and the Agent shall continue to
deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. In no
event shall any 


                                                                              82


Participant under any such participation have any right to approve any amendment
or waiver of any provision of any Loan Document, or any consent to any departure
by any Loan Party therefrom, except to the extent that such amendment, waiver or
consent would reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Loans or any fees
payable hereunder, or postpone the date of the final maturity of the Loans, in
each case to the extent subject to such participation. The Borrower agrees that
if amounts outstanding under this Agreement and the Loans are due or unpaid, or
shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall, to the maximum extent
permitted by applicable law, be deemed to have the right of set-off in respect
of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same
extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it
as a Lender under this Agreement, provided that, in purchasing such
participating interest, such Participant shall be deemed to have agreed to share
with the Lenders the proceeds thereof as provided in Section 10.7(a) as fully as
if it were a Lender hereunder. The Borrower also agrees that each Participant
shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.17, 2.18 and 2.19 with respect
to its participation in the Commitments and the Loans outstanding from time to
time as if it was a Lender; provided that, in the case of Section 2.18, such
Participant shall have complied with the requirements of said Section and
provided, further, that no Participant shall be entitled to receive any greater
amount pursuant to any such Section than the transferor Lender would have been
entitled to receive in respect of the amount of the participation transferred by
such transferor Lender to such Participant had no such participation occurred.

            (c) Any Lender (an "Assignor") may, in accordance with applicable
law, at any time and from time to time assign to any Lender or any affiliate
thereof or, with the consent of the Borrower, and the Agent (which, in each
case, shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (provided that no such
consent need be obtained in the case of any assignment made when any Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing), to an additional bank, financial
institution or other entity (an "Assignee") all or any part of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance,
substantially in the form of Exhibit E, executed by such Assignee, such Assignor
and the Agent (and, where the consent of the Borrower is required pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, by the Borrower) and delivered to the Agent for its
acceptance and recording in the Register; provided that no such assignment to an
Assignee (other than any Lender or any affiliate thereof) shall be in an
aggregate principal amount of less than $8,000,000 (or, in the case of any
Tranche C Term Loan, $5,000,000) other than in the case of an assignment of all
of a Lender's interests under this Agreement, unless otherwise agreed by the
Borrower and the Agent. Any such assignment need not be ratable as among the
Facilities. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and
after the effective date determined pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance,
(x) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent provided
in such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender
hereunder with a Commitment and/or Loans as set forth therein, and (y) the
Assignor thereunder shall, to the extent provided in such Assignment and
Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the
case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of an Assignor's rights and
obligations under this Agreement, such assigning Lender shall cease to be a
party hereto).


                                                                              83


            (d) The Agent shall maintain at its address referred to in Section
10.2 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register
(the "Register") for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders
and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender
from time to time and any Notes evidencing such Loans. The entries in the
Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the
Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is
recorded in the Register as the owner of the Loan and any Note evidencing such
Loan recorded therein for all purposes of this Agreement. Any assignment of any
Loan whether or not evidenced by a Note shall be effective only upon appropriate
entries with respect thereto being made in the Register (and each Note shall
expressly so provide). Any assignment or transfer of all or part of a Loan
evidenced by a Note shall be registered on the Register only upon surrender for
registration of assignment or transfer of the Note evidencing such Loan,
accompanied by a duly executed Assignment and Acceptance, and thereupon one or
more new Notes in the same aggregate principal amount shall be issued to the
designated Assignee and the old Notes shall be returned by the Agent to the
Borrower marked "cancelled". The Register shall be available for inspection by
the Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon
reasonable prior notice.

            (e) Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by an
assigning Lender and an Assignee (and, in the case of an Assignee that is not
then a Lender or an affiliate thereof or a Person under common management with
such Lender, by the Borrower, the Agent and the Issuing Lender) together with
payment to the Agent of a registration and processing fee of $3,500 (except that
no such registration and processing fee shall be payable in the case of an
Assignee which is already a Lender or is an affiliate of a Lender or a Person
under common management with a Lender), the Agent shall (i) promptly accept such
Assignment and Acceptance and (ii) on the effective date determined pursuant
thereto record the information contained therein in the Register and give notice
of such acceptance and recordation to the Lenders and the Borrower. On or prior
to such effective date, the Borrower, at its own expense, upon request, shall
execute and deliver to the Agent (in exchange for the Revolving Credit Note
and/or Term Notes, as the case may be, of the assigning Lender) a new Revolving
Credit Note and/or Term Notes, as the case may be, to the order of such Assignee
in an amount equal to the Revolving Credit Commitment and/or applicable Term
Loans, as the case may be, assumed or acquired by it pursuant to such Assignment
and Acceptance and, if the assigning Lender has retained a Revolving Credit
Commitment and/or Term Loans, as the case may be, upon request, a new Revolving
Credit Note and/or Term Notes, as the case may be, to the order of the assigning
Lender in an amount equal to the Revolving Credit Commitment and/or applicable
Term Loans, as the case may be, retained by it hereunder. Such new Notes shall
be dated the Closing Date and shall otherwise be in the form of the Note
replaced thereby.

            (f) For avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement
acknowledge that the provisions of this Section concerning assignments of Loans
and Notes relate only to absolute assignments and that such provisions do not
prohibit assignments creating security interests, including, without limitation,
any pledge or assignment by a Lender of any Loan or Note to any Federal Reserve
Bank in accordance with applicable law.


                                                                              84


            10.7 Adjustments; Set-off. (a) Except to the extent that this
Agreement provides for payments to be allocated to the Lenders under a
particular Facility, (i) except to the extent that the Loan Documents provide
that only the Tranche A Term Loans, the Tranche B Term Loans and the Tranche C
Term Loans shall be secured by the Real Property of the Borrower located in the
State of New York (the "New York Collateral"), if any Lender shall at any time
receive any payment of all or part of its Loans or the Reimbursement Obligations
owing to it, or interest thereon, or receive any collateral in respect thereof
(whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or
proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 8(f), or otherwise), in a
greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other
Lender, if any, in respect of such other Lender's Loans or the Reimbursement
Obligations owing to such other Lender, or interest thereon, or (ii) if, as a
result of any exercise of rights and remedies with respect to the New York
Collateral, any Lender holding a Tranche A Term Loan, a Tranche B Term Loan or a
Tranche C Term Loan shall at any time receive any payment of all or part of its
Loans owing to it, or interest thereon (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by
set-off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Section
8(f), or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to any other
Lender, if any, in respect of such other Lender's Loans or the Reimbursement
Obligations owing to such other Lender, or interest thereon, such benefitted
Lender (each benefitted Lender referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, a
"Benefitted Lender") shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a
participating interest in such portion of each such other Lender's Loans and/or
of the Reimbursement Obligations owing to each such other Lender, or shall
provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, or the
proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefitted Lender to share
the excess payment or benefits of such collateral or proceeds ratably with each
of the Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess
payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefitted Lender, such
purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to
the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

            (b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided
by law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to the Borrower,
any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted
by applicable law, upon any amount becoming due and payable by the Borrower
hereunder (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) to set
off and appropriate and apply against such amount any and all deposits (general
or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any
other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether
direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time
held or owing by such Lender or any branch or agency thereof to or for the
credit or the account of the Borrower. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the
Borrower and the Agent after any such setoff and application made by such
Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the
validity of such setoff and application.

            10.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of
the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including
by telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute one and the same instrument. A set of the copies of this Agreement
signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Agent.


                                                                              85


            10.9 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

            10.10 Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents
represent the agreement of the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders with respect
to the subject matter hereof, and there are no promises, undertakings,
representations or warranties by the Agent or any Lender relative to subject
matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan
Documents.

            10.11 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

            10.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers. Each of the Borrower, the
Agent and each Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

            (a) submits for itself and its Property in any legal action or
      proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to
      which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in
      respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the Courts
      of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of America for
      the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

            (b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in
      such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to
      the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such
      action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not
      to plead or claim the same;

            (c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding
      may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail
      (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to the
      Borrower at its address set forth in Section 10.2 or at such other address
      of which the Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

            (d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect
      service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the
      right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

            (e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right
      it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred
      to in this Section 10.12 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential
      damages.


                                                                              86


            10.13 Acknowledgements. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

            (a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and
      delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

            (b) neither the Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship
      with or duty to the Borrower arising out of or in connection with this
      Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between
      the Agent and Lenders, on one hand and the Borrower, on the other hand, in
      connection herewith or therewith is solely that of creditor and debtor;
      and

            (c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan
      Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated
      hereby among the Lenders or among the Borrower and the Lenders.

            10.14 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER, THE AGENT AND THE LENDERS
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION
OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY
COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

            10.15 Confidentiality. Each of the Agent and each Lender agrees to
keep confidential all non-public information provided to it by any Loan Party
pursuant to this Agreement that is designated by such Loan Party as
confidential; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the Agent or any Lender
from disclosing any such information (a) to the Agent, any other Lender or any
affiliate of any Lender, (b) to any Participant or Assignee (each, a
"Transferee") or prospective Transferee which agrees to comply with the
provisions of this Section 10.15, (c) to the employees, directors, agents,
attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors of such Lender or its
affiliates, (d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority having
jurisdiction over the Agent or such Lender, (e) in response to any order of any
court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be required pursuant
to any Requirement of Law, (f) if requested or required to do so in connection
with any litigation or similar proceeding, (g) which has been publicly disclosed
other than in breach of this Section, (h) to the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized
rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender's investment
portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, or (i)
in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan
Document.



            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as
of the day and year first above written.

                                     FRIENDLY ICE CREAM CORPORATION

                                     By: /s/ George G. Roller
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:


                                     SOCIETE GENERALE,
                                      as Arranger, Administrative Agent and a 
                                      Lender


                                     By: /s/ [Illegible]
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:




                                     NATIONSBANK, N.A.


                                     By: /s/ Patricia G. McCormack
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:   Patricia G. McCormack
                                         Title:  Senior Vice President





                                     FIRST SOURCE FINANCIAL LLP

                                       By: First Source Financial, Inc.
                                           its Agent/Manager

                                     By: /s/ Gary L. Francis
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:   Gary L. Francis
                                         Title:  Senior Vice President




                                     GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL 
                                     CORPORATION


                                     By: /s/ Roger M. Burns
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:   Roger M. Burns
                                         Title:  Vice President




                                     CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH


                                     By: /s/ Attila Koc
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:   Attila Koc
                                         Title:  First Vice President




                                     BANKBOSTON, N.A.


                                     By: /s/ Christopher M. Holtz
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:   Christopher M. Holtz
                                         Title:  Vice President




                                     BLACK DIAMOND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT,
                                      L.L.C.


                                     By: /s/ James J. Zenni Jr.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:   James J. Zenni Jr.
                                         Title:  President




                                     SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION


                                     By: /s/ Mark Flamm
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:   Mark Flamm
                                         Title:  Vice President




                                     TRANSAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT
                                      CORPORATION


                                     By: /s/ Perry Vavoules
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:   Perry Vavoules
                                         Title:  Senior Vice President




                                                                       ANNEX A
                                                                       -------

                    PRICING GRID FOR REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS,
                    TRANCHE A TERM LOANS AND COMMITMENT FEES



======================================================================================================
          Consolidated                                            Applicable Margin     Commitment Fee
         Leverage Ratio                                         for Eurodollar Loans          Rate
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          
  (greater than or = to) 4.0 to 1.0                                     2.500%               0.500%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (greater than or = to) 3.5 to 1.0 and (less than) 4.0 to 1.0          2.250%               0.500%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (greater than or = to) 3.0 to 1.0 and (less than) 3.5 to 1.0          2.125%               0.500%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (greater than or = to) 2.5 to 1.0 and (less than) 3.0 to 1.0          1.875%               0.375%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (less than) 2.5 to 1.0                                     1.625%               0.375%
======================================================================================================


            Changes in the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Loans and
Tranche A Loans or in the Commitment Fee Rate resulting from changes in the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the date (the "Adjustment
Date") on which financial statements are delivered to the Lenders pursuant to
Section 6.1 (but in any event not later than the 45th day after the end of each
of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal year or the 90th day after
the end of each fiscal year, as the case may be) and shall remain in effect
until the next change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph. If any
financial statements referred to above are not delivered within the time periods
specified above, then, until such financial statements are delivered, the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio as at the end of the fiscal period that would have
been covered thereby shall for the purposes of this definition be deemed to be
greater than 4.0 to 1.0. In addition, at all times while a Default or an Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, there shall be no reduction in
the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Loans and Tranche A Loans or in
the Commitment Fee Rate; provided, however, that any applicable reduction shall
become effective at such time as no Default or Event of Default shall be
continuing. Each determination of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio pursuant to
this definition shall be made as at the end of and with respect to the period of
four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending at the end of the period
covered by the relevant financial statements and shall reflect the matters set
forth in the proviso to Section 7.1(a).




                                                                       ANNEX B
                                                                       -------

                              ECF PERCENTAGE GRID

================================================================================
             Consolidated                                         ECF
            Leverage Ratio                                     Percentage
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(greater than or = to) 3.5 to 1.0                                 80%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(greater than or = to) 3.0 to 1.0 and (less than) 3.5 to 1.0      65%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(greater than or = to) 2.0 to 1.0 and (less than) 3.0 to 1.0      50%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           (less than) 2.0 to 1.0                                  0%
================================================================================

            Changes in the ECF Percentage resulting from changes in the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the date (the "ECF
Percentage Adjustment Date") on which audited financial statements are delivered
to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.1(a) (but in any event not later than the
90th day after the end of each fiscal year) and shall remain in effect until the
next change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph. If any financial
statements are not delivered within the time period specified above, then, until
such financial statements are delivered, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as at
the end of the fiscal year that would have been covered thereby shall for the
purposes of this definition be deemed to be greater than 3.5 to 1.0. Each
determination of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio pursuant to this definition
shall be made as at the end of and with respect to the period of four
consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending at the end of the fiscal year
covered by the relevant financial statements.




                                                                       ANNEX C
                                                                       -------

                      PERMITTED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE GRID



======================================================================================================
                                                                   Ratio of
                                                                 Consolidated                 Permitted
                    Capital        Consolidated                    EBITDA to                   Capital
   Fiscal         Expenditure         EBITDA                     Consolidated                Expenditure
    Year            Amount            Target                     EBITDA Target               Percentage
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      
1998           $53,000,000        $ 86,200,000          (greater than or = to) 1.00 to 1.00      120%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999           $53,900,000        $ 96,700,000          (less than) 1.00 to 1.00                 100%
- ----------------------------------------------                        and
2000           $57,900,000        $115,600,000          (greater than or = to) 0.90 to 1.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001           $65,800,000        $137,300,000          (less than) 0.90 to 1.00                  80%
                                                                      and
                                                        (greater than or = to) 0.80 to 1.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 and       $71,200,000        $161,000,000          (less than) 0.80 to 1.00                  50%
thereafter
======================================================================================================


            Changes in the Permitted Capital Expenditure Amount resulting from
changes in the Ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated EBITDA Target shall
become effective on the date (the "Permitted Capital Expenditure Adjustment
Date") on which audited financial statements are delivered to the Lenders
pursuant to Section 6.1(a) with respect to any fiscal year, commencing with the
Borrower's 1998 fiscal year (but in any event not later than the 90th day after
the end of each such fiscal year), and shall remain in effect until the next
change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph. If any financial statements
are not delivered within the time period specified above, then, until such
financial statements are delivered, the Ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to
Consolidated EBITDA Target as at the end of the fiscal year that would have been
covered thereby shall for the purposes of this definition be deemed to be less
than 0.80 to 1.00. Each determination of the Ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to
Consolidated EBITDA Target shall be made with respect to the period of four
consecutive quarters of the Borrower ending at the end of the fiscal year
covered by the relevant financial statements.




                                                                SCHEDULE 1.1A

                  COMMITMENTS: LENDING OFFICES AND ADDRESSES



- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Lender and
Information for Notices                                             Commitments
- -----------------------                                             -----------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Tranche A      Tranche B       Tranche C
                                                         Term           Term            Term
                                  Revolving Credit       Loan           Loan            Loan            Total
                                  ----------------       ----           ----            ----            -----
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               
SOCIETE GENERALE                   $15,472,727.27    $7,823,376.62  $14,057,142.86 $12,857,142.85  $50,210,389.60
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY  10020
Contact: Maggie O'Donnell
Telephone: (212) 278-6853
Telecopy: (212) 278-7490
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT      $12,727,272.73     $6,233,766.23  $0             $0              $18,961,038.96
CORPORATION
555 Theodore Friend Avenue
 Suite C-301
Rye, NY  10580
Contact: Ron Walker
Telephone: (914) 925-7233
Telecopy: (914) 921-0110

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT              $8,866,666.67     $4,342,857.14  $4,342,857.14  $0              $17,552,380.95
CORPORATION
1 South Wacker Drive, 28th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
Contact: Tracy Cassello
Telephone: (312) 853-8679
Telecopy: (312) 853-8874
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





                                                                               2




- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Lender and
Information for Notices                                             Commitments
- -----------------------                                             -----------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Tranche A      Tranche B       Tranche C
                                                         Term           Term            Term
                                  Revolving Credit       Loan           Loan            Loan            Total
                                  ----------------       ----           ----            ----            -----
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               
BLACK DIAMOND CAPITAL              $4,000,000.00     $1,714,285.71  $1,714,285.72  $8,571,428.57   $16,000,000.00
MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
One Conway Park
100 Field Drive, Suite #330
Lake Forest, IL  60045
Contact: James Zenni, Jr.
Telephone: (847) 615-9000
Telecopy: (847) 615-9064
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BANKBOSTON, N.A.                   $7,000,000.00     $3,428,571.43  $3,428,571.43  $0              $13,857,142.86
100 Federal Street
P.O. Box 2016 Mailstop 01-09-05
Boston, MA  02110
Contact: Rod Guinn
Telephone: (617) 434-4588
Telecopy: (617) 434-0637
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CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK           $7,000,000.00     $3,428,571.43  $3,428,571.43  $0              $13,857,142.86
BRANCH
53 State Street, 27th Floor
Boston, MA  02109
Contact: Anthony Muller
Telephone: (617) 723-2615
Telecopy: (617) 723-4803
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                                                                               3



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Name of Lender and
Information for Notices                                             Commitments
- -----------------------                                             -----------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Tranche A      Tranche B       Tranche C
                                                         Term           Term            Term
                                  Revolving Credit       Loan           Loan            Loan            Total
                                  ----------------       ----           ----            ----            -----
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL           $5,600,000.00     $2,742,857.15  $2,742,857.14  $0              $11,085,714.29
CORPORATION
201 Highridge Road
Stamford, CT  06927
Contact: Roger Burns
Telephone: (203) 316-7985
Telecopy: (203) 316-7978
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FIRST SOURCE FINANCIAL LLP         $4,666,666.67     $2,285,714.29  $2,285,714.28  $0              $9,238,095.24
2850 West Golf Road, 5th Floor
Rolling Meadow, IL  60006
Contact: Janice Rackow
Telephone: (847) 734-2044
Telecopy: (847) 734-7910
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NATIONSBANK, N.A.                  $4,666,666.66     $2,285,714.29  $2,285,714.29  $0              $9,238.095.24
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY  10153
Contact:  Sean Cassidy
Telephone: (212) 407-5372
Telecopy: (212) 593-1083
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