DREYERS GRAND ICE CREAM INC
10-K405, 1996-03-29
ICE CREAM & FROZEN DESSERTS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                   FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
/X/  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
     THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
     FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 1995*
 
                                         OR
 
/ /  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
               FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM           TO
 
                           COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 0-14190
 
                         DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
                   DELAWARE                                   NO. 94-2967523
       (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                       (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
        INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                     IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
 
                 5929 COLLEGE AVENUE, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94618
              (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
 
       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (510) 652-8187
 
        SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT: NONE
 
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<CAPTION>
                                                          NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE
             TITLE OF EACH CLASS                           ON WHICH REGISTERED
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<S>                                           <C>
                NOT APPLICABLE                                NOT APPLICABLE
</TABLE>
 
          SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT:
 
                         COMMON STOCK, $1.00 PAR VALUE
                        PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS
 
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X  No
 
     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ X ]
 
     The aggregate market value (based on the average of the high and low sales
prices on March 21, 1996, as reported by NASDAQ) of the Common Stock held by
non-affiliates was approximately $359,064,105. (Such amount excludes the
aggregate market value of shares beneficially owned by the executive officers
and members of the Board of Directors of the registrant.)
 
     As of March 21, 1996, the latest practicable date, 13,011,279 shares of
Common Stock were outstanding.
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     Portions of the Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. Proxy Statement for the 1996
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Commission on or before
April 29, 1996 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K. With the exception of those portions which are specifically
incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Dreyer's Grand
Ice Cream, Inc. Proxy Statement for the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is
not to be deemed filed as part of this Report.
 
                            ------------------------
 
* The following disclosure item has been omitted and will be filed no later than
  the 15th calendar day following the prescribed due date: a financial statement
  schedule required under Part IV, Item 14 of this Form 10-K for a 50% or
  less owned company that was a significant subsidiary of the registrant for the
  fiscal year ended December 30, 1995.
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                                     PART I
 
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
     Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries are,
unless the context otherwise requires, sometimes referred to herein as
"Dreyer's" or the "Company." The Company, successor to the original Dreyer's
Grand Ice Cream business, was originally incorporated in California on February
23, 1977 and reincorporated in Delaware on December 28, 1985.
 
     Dreyer's manufactures and distributes premium ice cream and other frozen
dessert products. Since 1977, Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream has developed from a
specialty ice cream sold principally in selected San Francisco Bay Area grocery
and ice cream stores to a broad line of frozen dairy and other frozen desserts
sold under the Dreyer's and Edy's brand names in retail outlets serving more
than 85% of the households in the United States. The Dreyer's line of products
are available in the thirteen western states, parts of Texas and certain markets
in the Far East. The Company's products are sold under the Edy's brand name
generally throughout the remaining regions of the United States. The Dreyer's
and Edy's line of products are distributed through a direct-store-delivery
system further described below under the caption "Marketing, Sales and
Distribution." The Company also distributes and, in certain instances,
manufactures branded ice cream and frozen dessert products of other companies.
The Dreyer's and Edy's line of ice cream and related products is relatively
expensive and is sold by the Company and its independent distributors to grocery
stores, convenience stores, club stores, ice cream parlors, restaurants, hotels
and certain other accounts. The Dreyer's and Edy's brands enjoy strong consumer
recognition and loyalty.
 
MARKETS
 
     Ice cream was traditionally supplied by dairies as an adjunct to their
basic milk business. Accordingly, ice cream was marketed like milk, as a
fungible commodity, and manufacturers competed primarily on the basis of price.
This price competition motivated ice cream producers to seek economies in their
formulations. The resulting trend to lower quality ice cream created an
opportunity for the Company and other producers of premium ice creams, whose
products can be differentiated on the basis of quality, technological
sophistication and brand image, rather than price. Moreover, the market for all
packaged ice creams was influenced by the steady increase in market share of
"private label" ice cream products owned by the major grocery chains and the
purchase or construction by the chains of their own milk and ice cream plants.
The resulting reduction in the market for milk and the "regular" ice cream
brands produced by the independent dairies has caused many such dairies to
withdraw from the market. Manufacturing and formulation complexities, broader
flavor requirements, consumer preference and brand identity, however, make it
more difficult for the chains' private label brands to compete effectively in
the premium market segment. As a result, independent premium brands such as the
Company's are normally stocked by major grocery chains.
 
     While many foodservice operators, including hotels, schools, hospitals and
other institutions, buy ice cream primarily on the basis of price, there are
also those in the foodservice industry who purchase ice cream based on its
quality. Operators of ice cream shops wanting to feature a quality brand,
restaurants that include an ice cream brand on their menu and clubs or chefs
concerned with the quality of their fare are often willing to pay for Dreyer's
quality, image and brand identity.
 
PRODUCTS
 
     The Company and its predecessors have always been innovators of flavor,
package development and formulation. William A. Dreyer, the creator of Dreyer's
Grand Ice Cream, is credited with inventing many popular flavors including Rocky
Road. Dreyer's was among the first ice creams in the West packaged in round
containers with window lids that allow consumers to see the actual product they
are buying. The Company was also the first to produce an ice cream lower in
calories. The Company's Grand Light(R) formulation was a precursor to the
reduced fat, reduced sugar and low cholesterol products in the Company's current
product line.
 
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     The Company uses only the highest quality ingredients in its products. The
Company's management philosophy is to resist changes in its formulations or
production processes that compromise quality for cost even though the industry
in general may adopt such new formulation or process compromises.
 
     Dreyer's and Edy's Grand Ice Cream is the Company's flagship product. This
brand of ice cream utilizes traditional formulations with all natural flavorings
and is characterized by premium quality taste and texture, and diverse flavor
selection. The flagship product is complimented by the Company's successful
reduced fat, low cholesterol products such as Frozen Yogurt; Grand Light, No
Sugar Added, Low Fat and Fat Free ice creams; and the Company's Sherbet product.
The Company believes these products are well positioned in the segments of the
market where products are characterized by lower levels of fat, sugar and
cholesterol than those of regular ice cream. The Company also produces a premium
soft serve product, Grand SoftTM, which is available as ice cream or frozen
yogurt. The Company's novelty line features Dreyer's and Edy's Grand Ice Cream
Bars, Tropical Fruit Bars, and Grand Cones. The Dreyer's and Edy's Grand Ice
Cream Bars and Grand Cones incorporate proprietary technology which allows the
Company to offer flavors that are not available in any other bar or cone. The
Company also distributes and, in some instances, manufactures selected branded
frozen dessert products of other companies.
 
     The Company's product lines now includes over 120 flavors that are selected
both on the basis of general popularity and on the intensity of consumer
response. Some flavors are seasonal and are produced only as a featured flavor
during particular months. The Company operates a continuous flavor development
and evaluation program.
 
     The Company holds registered trademarks on many of its products. Dreyer's
believes that consumers associate the Company's trademarks, distinctive
packaging and trade dress with its high quality products. The Company does not
own any patents that are material to its business. Historically, research and
development expenses have not been significant.
 
MARKETING, SALES AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company's marketing strategy is based upon management's belief that a
significant number of people prefer a quality product and quality image in ice
cream just as they do in other product categories. A quality image is
communicated in many ways - taste, packaging, flavor selection, price and often
through advertising and promotion. If consistency in the product's quality and
image are strictly maintained, a brand can develop a clearly defined and loyal
consumer following. It is the Company's goal to develop such a consumer
following in each major market in which it does business.
 
     During the second quarter of 1994, the Company embarked on a five year plan
(the Strategic Plan) to accelerate the sales of its brand throughout the
country. This plan includes three primary strategies: a quadrupling of
advertising and consumer promotion spending, rapid expansion and development of
the Company's direct-store-delivery system, and introduction of innovative new
products. Under the Strategic Plan, the Company increased the amount of its
spending for advertising and consumer promotion from 1993 levels to
approximately $40,000,000 in 1994 and 1995, and plans to spend approximately
$40,000,000 annually on these marketing activities from 1996 through 1998. The
Company anticipates that the Strategic Plan will continue to reduce earnings
during 1996 below levels that would have been attained under the former business
plan. The potential benefits of the new strategy are increased market share and
future earnings above those levels that would be attained in the absence of the
strategy. No assurance can be given that the anticipated benefits of the
strategy will be achieved. For additional information regarding the Strategic
Plan see the discussion set forth under the caption "Management's Discussion and
Analysis" which appears on pages 28-30 of this Form 10-K.
 
     Unlike many other ice cream manufacturers, the Company uses a
direct-store-delivery system which allows distribution of the Company's products
directly to the retail ice cream cabinet by either the Company's own personnel
or independent distributors who primarily distribute the Company's products.
This store level distribution allows service to be tailored to the needs of each
store. Dreyer's believes this service ensures proper product handling, quality
control, flavor selection and retail display. The implementation of this system
has resulted in an ice cream distribution network capable of providing frequent
direct service to grocery stores
 
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in every market where the Company's products are sold. Under the Strategic Plan,
the Company's distribution network has been significantly expanded to where the
Company's products are available to grocery stores serving approximately 85% of
the United States. This distribution system is considerably larger than any
other direct-store-delivery system for ice cream products currently operating in
the United States.
 
     Each distributor, whether company-owned or independent, is primarily
responsible for sales of all products within its respective market area.
However, the Company provides sales and marketing support to its independent
distributors, including training seminars, sales aids of many kinds, point of
purchase materials, assistance with promotions and other sales support.
 
     The distribution network in the West now includes ten distribution centers
operated by the Company in large metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, the San
Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, San Diego and Denver. The remaining metropolitan
areas throughout the thirteen western states, Texas and the Far East are served
through independent distributors.
 
     Distribution in the remainder of the United States is under the Edy's brand
name with most of the distribution handled through eighteen Company-owned
distribution centers, including centers in New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C.,
Tampa and Milwaukee. The Company also has independent distributors handling the
Company's products in certain market areas east of the Rocky Mountains.
 
     Taken together, independent distributors accounted for approximately 23% of
consolidated net sales in 1995. The Company's agreements with its independent
distributors are generally terminable upon 30 days notice by either party.
 
     For fiscal 1995, no customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated
net sales of the Company. The Company's export sales were about 2% of 1995
consolidated net sales.
 
     The Company experiences a seasonal fluctuation in sales, with more demand
for its products during the spring and summer than during the fall and winter.
 
MANUFACTURING
 
     The Company manufactures its products at its plants in Union City,
California; City of Commerce, California; and Fort Wayne, Indiana. Subsequent to
year end, the Company acquired an additional manufacturing plant in Houston,
Texas. In order to serve high altitude markets, the Company has manufacturing
agreements with two ice cream manufacturers to produce Dreyer's line of products
in accordance with specifications and quality control provided by Dreyer's. Of
the approximately 68 million gallons of the Company's products sold in 1995,
approximately four million gallons were manufactured under these arrangements.
The Company also has manufacturing agreements with two different facilities to
produce a portion of its novelty products. During 1995, these facilities
produced approximately three million cases of Dreyer's and Edy's Ice Cream Bars
and Tropical Fruit Bars. In addition, the Company has agreements to produce
products for other manufacturers. In 1995, the Company manufactured
approximately eight million gallons of product under these agreements.
 
     The primary factor in the Company's product costs is the price of basic
dairy ingredients (cream, milk and skim milk) and sugar. The minimum prices paid
for dairy ingredients are established by the market under the Federal Milk Price
Support Program.
 
     In order to ensure consistency of flavor, each of the Company's
manufacturing plants purchases, to the extent practicable, all of its required
dairy ingredients from one local supplier. These dairy products and most other
ingredients or their equivalents are available from multiple sources. The
Company maintains a rigorous process for evaluating qualified alternative
suppliers of its key ingredients.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The Company's manufactured products compete on the basis of brand image,
quality and breadth of flavor selection. The ice cream industry is highly
competitive and most ice cream manufacturers, including full line dairies, the
major grocery chains and the other independent ice cream processors, are capable
of
 
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manufacturing and marketing high quality ice creams. Furthermore, there are
relatively few barriers to new entrants in the ice cream business. Reduced fat,
reduced sugar and low cholesterol ice cream products, however, generally require
technologically sophisticated formulations in comparison to standard or
"regular" ice cream products.
 
     Much of the Company's competition comes from the "private label" brands
produced by or for the major supermarket chains and which generally sell at
prices below those charged by the Company for its products. Because these brands
are owned by the retailer, they often receive preferential treatment when the
retailers allocate available freezer space. The Company's competition also
includes premium ice creams produced by other ice cream manufacturers, some of
whom are owned by parent companies much larger than Dreyer's.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     On December 30, 1995, the Company had approximately 2,500 employees. The
Company's Union City manufacturing and distribution employees are represented by
the Milk Drivers & Dairy Employees Union, Local 302 whose contract with the
Company expired in December 1995 and the International Union of Operating
Engineers, Stationary Local No. 39 whose contract with the Company expires in
August 1996. The Sacramento distribution employees are represented by the
Chauffeurs, Teamsters and Helpers Union, Local 150 whose contract with the
Company expires in August 1999. The St. Louis distribution employees are
represented by the United Food & Commercial Workers Union, Local 655 whose
contract with the Company expires in December 1997. The expired union contract
is currently under negotiation. The Company has never experienced a strike by
any of its employees.
 
ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES
 
     The Company owns its headquarters located at 5929 College Avenue in
Oakland, California. The headquarters buildings include 54,000 square feet of
office space utilized by the Company and 10,000 square feet of retail space
leased to third parties.
 
     The Company owns a manufacturing and distribution facility in Union City,
California. This facility has approximately 60,000 square feet of manufacturing
and dry storage space, 40,000 square feet of cold storage warehouse space and
15,000 square feet of office space. The plant has the current production
capacity of 28 million gallons per year. During 1995, the facility produced
approximately 19 million gallons of ice cream and related products.
 
     The Company leases an ice cream manufacturing plant with an adjoining cold
storage warehouse located in the City of Commerce, California. This facility has
approximately 76,000 square feet of manufacturing and dry storage space, 25,000
square feet of cold storage space and 19,000 square feet of office space. The
lease on this property, including renewal options, expires in 2022. The plant
has the current production capacity of 20 million gallons per year. During 1995,
the facility produced approximately 18 million gallons of ice cream and related
products.
 
     In 1994, the Company completed construction of a cold storage warehouse
facility located on property acquired in the City of Industry, California. This
facility includes 52,000 square feet of cold and dry storage warehouse space and
13,000 square feet of office space. This facility supplements the cold storage
warehouse and office space leased in the City of Commerce.
 
     The Company owns a manufacturing plant with an adjoining cold storage
warehouse in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This facility has approximately 116,000 square
feet of manufacturing and storage space and 6,000 square feet of office space.
In addition, the Company leases approximately 55,000 square feet of cold storage
and 8,000 square feet of office space near the Fort Wayne facility. The plant
has the current production capacity of 50 million gallons per year. During 1995,
the facility produced approximately 40 million gallons of ice cream and related
products. The Company's original purchase and development of the Fort Wayne
facility was financed by industrial development bonds and the property is
pledged as collateral to secure payment of the Company's obligations to the
issuer of the irrevocable letter of credit established for the benefit of the
bondholders.
 
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     Subsequent to year end, the Company completed the purchase of an additional
manufacturing and distribution facility in Houston, Texas. This facility is
being renovated and, upon completion, will have approximately 69,000 square feet
of manufacturing and dry storage space, 46,000 square feet of cold storage
warehouse space and 20,000 square feet of office space. At that time the plant's
production capacity will be approximately 26 million gallons per year.
 
     The Company intentionally acquires, designs and constructs its
manufacturing and distribution facilities with a capacity greater than current
needs require. This is done to facilitate growth and expansion and minimize
future capital outlays. The cost of carrying this excess capacity is not
significant.
 
     The Company also leases or rents various local distribution and office
facilities with leases expiring through the year 2011 (including options to
renew).
 
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     Not applicable.
 
ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
     Not applicable.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
     The Company's executive officers and their ages are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         NAME                                    POSITION                           AGE
<S>                       <C>                                                       <C>
T. Gary Rogers            Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer         53
William F. Cronk, III     President                                                 53
Edmund R. Manwell         Secretary                                                 53
Thomas M. Delaplane       Vice President -- Sales                                   51
Robert P. Johnson         Vice President -- Marketing                               52
J. Tyler Johnston         Vice President -- New Business                            42
William R. Oldenburg      Vice President -- Operations                              49
Paul R. Woodland          Vice President -- Finance and Administration, Chief       
                            Financial Officer & Assistant Secretary                 45
</TABLE>
 
     All officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. There
is no family relationship among the above officers.
 
     Mr. Rogers has served as Dreyer's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer since its incorporation in February 1977.
 
     Mr. Cronk has served as a director of the Company since its incorporation
in February 1977 and has been the Company's President since April 1981.
 
     Mr. Manwell has served as Secretary of the Company since its incorporation
and as a director of the Company since April 1981. Since March 1982, Mr. Manwell
has been a partner in the law firm of Manwell & Milton, general counsel to the
Company.
 
     Mr. Delaplane has served as Vice President -- Sales of the Company since
May 1987.
 
     Mr. Johnson has served as Vice President -- Marketing of the Company since
May 1990.
 
     Mr. Johnston has served as Vice President -- New Business of the Company
since September 1995. From May 1988 to August 1995, he served as the Company's
Director of Marketing.
 
     Mr. Oldenburg has served as Vice President -- Operations of the Company
since September 1986.
 
     Mr. Woodland has served as Vice President -- Finance and Administration and
Chief Financial Officer of the Company since September 1981 and as Assistant
Secretary since December 1985.
 
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                                    PART II
 
ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
     The information set forth in Note 17 under the caption "Price Range
(NASDAQ)" which appears on page 26 of this Form 10-K is incorporated herein by
reference. The bid and asked quotations for the Company's Common Stock are as
reported by NASDAQ.
 
     On March 21, 1996, the number of holders of record of the Company's common
stock was 4,098.
 
     The Company paid a regular quarterly dividend of $.06 per share of common
stock for each quarter of 1995. On March 5, 1996, the Board of Directors,
subject to compliance with law, contractual restrictions and future review of
the condition of the Company, declared its intention to issue regular quarterly
dividends of $.06 per share of common stock for each quarter of 1996. Also on
March 5, 1996, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $.06 per share of
common stock for the first quarter of 1996 for stockholders of record on March
29, 1996.
 
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The information set forth under the caption "Five Year Summary of
Significant Financial Data" which appears on page 27 of this Form 10-K is
incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS
 
     The information set forth under the caption "Management's Discussion and
Analysis" which appears on pages 28-30 of this Form 10-K is incorporated herein
by reference.
 
ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
     The consolidated financial statements, together with the report thereon of
Price Waterhouse LLP dated February 8, 1996, appearing on pages 14-26 of this
Form 10-K are incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 9.  DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
     Not applicable.
 
                                    PART III
 
ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
     The information set forth under the captions "Matters Submitted to the Vote
of Stockholders -- Election of Directors" and "Compliance With Section 16(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934" in the Company's Proxy Statement for the
1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Commission on or before
April 29, 1996, and the information contained in Part I of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K under the caption "Executive Officers of the Registrant," is
incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The information set forth under the caption "Executive Compensation" in the
Company's Proxy Statement for the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
filed with the Commission on or before April 29, 1996 is incorporated herein by
reference.
 
ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
     The information set forth under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 1996
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Commission on or before
April 29, 1996 is incorporated herein by reference.
 
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<PAGE>   8
 
ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
     The information set forth under the captions "Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation" and "Certain Transactions" in the
Company's Proxy Statement for the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
filed with the Commission on or before April 29, 1996 is incorporated herein by
reference.
 
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
     (a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES:
 
     The following documents are filed as part of this report:
 
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        <S>     <C>                                                                      <C>
        1.      Financial Statements:
                Report of Independent Accountants........................................     14
                Consolidated Statement of Income for the three years ended December 30,
                1995.....................................................................     14
                Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 30, 1995 and December 31, 1994....     15
                Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the three
                years ended December 30, 1995............................................     16
                Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three years ended December
                30, 1995.................................................................     17
                Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...............................  18-26

        2.      Financial Statement Schedules:
                Report of Independent Accountants on Financial Statement Schedule........     31
                For the three years ended December 30, 1995
                   II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.................................     32

                All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required
                information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
                The separate financial statements of M-K-D Distributors, Inc., a 49.7% owned
                subsidiary of the Registrant accounted for under the equity method, will be
                filed by amendment, together with the report of independent accountants on such
                financial statements as of and for the year ended December 30, 1995.

                Financial statements of any other 50% or less owned company have been omitted
                because the Registrant's proportionate share of the income from continuing
                operations before income taxes, and total assets is less than 20% of the
                respective consolidated amounts, and the investment in and advances to any such
                company is less than 20% of consolidated total assets.

        3.      List of Management Compensation Agreements
                (i)  Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. Incentive Stock Option Plan (1982)
                referenced in Exhibit 10.3 herein.
                (ii)  Indemnification Agreements by and between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.
                and each of its directors, executive officers and certain other officers
                      referenced in Exhibit 10.11 herein.
                (iii) Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. Stock Option Plan (1992) referenced in
                Exhibit 10.19 herein.
                (iv) Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. Incentive Bonus Plan referenced in Exhibit
                10.22 herein.
                (v) Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. Stock Option Plan (1993) referenced in
                Exhibit 10.23 herein.
                (vi) Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. Income Swap Plan referenced in Exhibit
                     10.24 herein.
</TABLE>
 
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<PAGE>   9
 
     (b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
        Not applicable.
 
     (c) EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                        DESCRIPTION
- ------     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>
  2.1      Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of November 20, 1992 by and between Edy's Grand
           Ice Cream and Calip Dairies, Inc. (Exhibit 2.1(11)).
  2.2      Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 24, 1993 by and among Dreyer's Grand Ice
           Cream, Inc., Trustees of General Electric Pension Trust, GE Investment Private
           Placement Partners, I and General Electric Capital Corporation (Exhibit 2.1(13)).
  2.3      Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 6, 1994 by and among Dreyer's
           Grand Ice Cream, Inc., Trustees of General Electric Pension Trust, GE Investment
           Private Placement Partners, I and General Electric Capital Corporation, amending
           Exhibit 2.2 (Exhibit 2.1(16)).
  2.4      Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of May 6, 1994 by and between
           Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and Nestle Holdings, Inc. (Exhibit 2.1(17)).
  2.5      First Amendment to Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of June 14, 1994
           by and between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and Nestle Holdings, Inc., amending
           Exhibit 2.4 (Exhibit 2.1(18)).
  2.6      Second Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement dated July 28, 1995 and
           effective as of June 1, 1995 by and among Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc., Trustees
           of General Electric Pension Trust, GE Investment Private Placement Partners, I and
           General Electric Capital Corporation, amending Exhibit 2.3 (Exhibit 10.2(20)).
  2.7      Third Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement dated October 30, 1995 and
           effective as of September 30, 1995 by and among Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.,
           Trustees of General Electric Pension Trust, GE Investment Private Placement
           Partners, I and General Electric Capital Corporation, amending Exhibit 2.3
           (Exhibit 10.1(21)).
  2.8      Amended and Restated Fourth Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement dated March
           12, 1996 and effective as of October 1, 1995 by and among Dreyer's Grand Ice
           Cream, Inc., Trustees of General Electric Pension Trust, GE Investment Private
           Placement Partners, I and General Electric Capital Corporation, amending Exhibit
           2.3.
  3.1      Certificate of Incorporation of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc., as amended,
           including the Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock,
           as amended, setting forth the Powers, Preferences, Rights, Qualifications,
           Limitations and Restrictions of such series of Preferred Stock and the Certificate
           of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, as amended, setting forth
           the Powers, Preferences, Rights, Qualifications, Limitations and Restrictions of
           such series of Preferred Stock (Exhibit 3.1(18)).
  3.2      Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Participating
           Preference Stock (Exhibit 3.2(19)).
  3.3      By-laws of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc., as last amended May 2, 1994 (Exhibit
           3.2(18)).
  4.1      Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated March 4, 1991 between Dreyer's Grand
           Ice Cream, Inc. and Bank of America, NT & SA (Exhibit 10.1(6)).
  4.2      Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 30, 1993 among Dreyer's Grand Ice
           Cream, Inc., General Electric Capital Corporation, Trustees of General Electric
           Pension Trust, and GE Investment Private Placement Partners, I (Exhibit 4.1(14)).
  4.3      Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement dated May 6, 1994 by and among Dreyer's
           Grand Ice Cream, Inc., Trustees of General Electric Pension Trust, GE Investment
           Private Placement Partners, I and General Electric Capital Corporation, amending
           Exhibit 4.2 (Exhibit 4.1(16)).
</TABLE>
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                        DESCRIPTION
- ------     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>
  4.4      First Amendment to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated as of June 14, 1994
           between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and First Interstate Bank of California (as
           successor Rights Agent to Bank of America NT & SA), amending Exhibit 4.1 (Exhibit
           4.1(18)).
  4.5      Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 14, 1994 between Dreyer's Grand Ice
           Cream, Inc. and Nestle Holdings, Inc. (Exhibit 4.2(18)).
  4.6      Warrant Agreement dated as of June 14, 1994 between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.
           and Nestle Holdings, Inc. (Exhibit 4.3(18)).
 10.1      Agreement dated September 18, 1978 between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and
           Kraft, Inc. (Exhibit 10.8(1)).
 10.2      Agreement and Lease dated as of January 1, 1982 and Amendment to Agreement and
           Lease dated as of January 27, 1982 between Jack and Tillie Marantz and Dreyer's
           Grand Ice Cream, Inc., as amended (Exhibit 10.2(19)).
 10.3      Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. Incentive Stock Option Plan (1982), as amended.
           (Exhibit 10.6(15)).
 10.4      Loan Agreement between Edy's and City of Fort Wayne, Indiana dated September 1,
           1985 and related Letter of Credit, Letter of Credit Agreement, Mortgage, Security
           Agreement, Pledge and Security Agreement and General Continuing Guaranty of
           Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. (Exhibit 10.33(2)).
 10.5      Distribution Agreement between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and Ben & Jerry's
           Homemade, Inc. dated January 6, 1987 (Exhibit 10.1(3)).
 10.6      Amendment and Waiver dated July 17, 1987 between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.
           and Security Pacific National Bank, amending the General Continuing Guaranty
           referenced in Exhibit 10.4 (Exhibit 10.44(7)).
 10.7      Amendment and Waiver dated December 24, 1987 between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream,
           Inc. and Security Pacific National Bank, amending the General Continuing Guaranty
           referenced in Exhibit 10.4 (Exhibit 10.45(7)).
 10.8      Master Lease dated September 28, 1988 between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and
           Security Pacific Equipment Leasing, Inc., as amended (Exhibit 10.53(7)).
 10.9      Agreement for Amendments to Distribution Agreement dated as of January 20, 1989
           among Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc., Edy's Grand Ice Cream, Edy's of New York,
           Inc., and Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., amending Exhibit 10.5 (Exhibit 10.46 (4)).
 10.10     Amendment to the Distribution Agreement dated as of April 11, 1989 by and among
           Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc., Edy's Grand Ice Cream, Edy's of New York, Inc.,
           and Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., amending Exhibit 10.5 (Exhibit 10.46(5)).
 10.11     Form of Indemnification Agreement between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and each
           officer and director of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. (Exhibit 10.47(4)).
 10.12     Assignment of Lease dated as of March 31, 1989 among Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream,
           Inc., Smithway Associates, Inc. and Wilsey Foods, Inc. (Exhibit 10.52(5)).
 10.13     Amendment of Lease dated as of March 31, 1989 between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream,
           Inc. and Smithway Associates, Inc., as amended by letter dated April 17, 1989
           between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and Wilsey Foods, Inc., amending Exhibit
           10.12 (Exhibit 10.53(5)).
 10.14     Manufacturing and Warehouse Agreement dated as of April 5, 1989 by and between
           Edy's Grand Ice Cream and Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc. and Agreement for First
           Amendment to Manufacturing and Warehouse Agreement dated as of January 3, 1990
           (Exhibit 10.45(5)).
</TABLE>
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                        DESCRIPTION
- ------     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>
 10.15     Third Amendment to General Continuing Guaranty and Waiver dated January 29, 1991
           between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and Security Pacific National Bank,
           amending the General Continuing Guaranty referenced in Exhibit 10.4 (Exhibit
           10.46(7)).
 10.16     $25,000,000 9.3% Senior Notes: Form of Note Agreement dated as of March 15, 1991,
           and executed on April 12, 1991 between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and each of
           Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Massachusetts Mutual Life Pension
           Insurance Company, Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, The Equitable Life
           Assurance Society of the United States, and Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance
           Company (Exhibit 19.1(8)).
 10.17     Second Amendment to Distribution Agreement dated as of August 31, 1992 between
           Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., amending Exhibit
           10.5 (Exhibit 19.6(10)).
 10.18     Letter Agreement dated February 4, 1992 between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and
           Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., amending Exhibit 10.14 (Exhibit 10.61(9)).
 10.19     Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc., Stock Option Plan (1992) (Exhibit 10.35(15)).
 10.20     Agreement of Amendment and Waiver, dated as of September 30, 1992, between
           Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and each of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
           Company, MML Pension Insurance Company, the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance
           Company, the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, and
           Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company (together, the "Lenders") regarding
           the Note Agreements dated as of March 15, 1991 between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream,
           Inc. and each of the Lenders, which Note Agreements are referenced in Exhibit
           10.16 (Exhibit 19.5(10)).
 10.21     Second Amendment to Note Agreements dated as of September 30, 1992, between
           Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and each of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
           Company, MML Pension Insurance Company, the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance
           Company, the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, and
           Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company (together, the "Lenders") regarding
           the Note Agreements dated as of March 15, 1991 between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream,
           Inc. and each of the Lenders, which Note Agreements are referenced in Exhibit
           10.16 (Exhibit 10.58(12)).
 10.22     Description of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. Incentive Bonus Plan (Exhibit
           10.57(12)).
 10.23     Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. Stock Option Plan (1993) (Exhibit 10.9(15)).
 10.24     Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. Income Swap Plan (Exhibit 10.38 (15)).
 10.25     Distribution and Customer Base Agreement by and between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream,
           Inc. and Sunbelt Distributors, Inc. dated January 4, 1994 (Exhibit 10.37(15)).
 10.26     Amendment to Distribution Agreement dated April 18, 1994, and Letter Agreement
           modifying such Amendment to Distribution Agreement dated April 18, 1994 between
           Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., amending Exhibit
           10.5 (Exhibit 10.3(16)).
 10.27     Amendment to Distribution Agreement dated December 12, 1994 between Dreyer's Grand
           Ice Cream, Inc. and Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., amending Exhibit 10.5 (Exhibit
           10.27(19)).
 10.28     Third Amendment to Note Agreement dated as of June 5, 1995 between Dreyer's Grand
           Ice Cream, Inc. and each of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, MML
           Pension Insurance Company, the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, the
           Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, and Transamerica Occidental
           Life Insurance Company (together, the "Lenders"), regarding the Note Agreements
           dated as of March 15, 1991 between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and each of the
           Lenders, which Note Agreements are referenced in Exhibit 10.16 (Exhibit 10.3(20)).
 10.29     Letter Agreement dated August 4, 1995 between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and
           Smithway Associates, Inc., amending Exhibits 10.2 and 10.12.
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                        DESCRIPTION
- ------     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>
 10.30     Credit Agreement dated as of December 22, 1995 among Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream,
           Inc., Bank of America NT & SA (as a Bank and as Agent), ABN-AMRO Bank N.V. (as a
           Bank and as Co-Agent), Credit Suisse and The Bank of California.
 11        Computation of Net Income Per Share.
 21        Subsidiaries of Registrant.
 23        Consent of Independent Accountants.
 27        Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
 (1) Incorporated by reference to designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 and Amendment No. 1
     thereto, filed under Commission File No. 2-71841 on April 16, 1981 and June
     11, 1981, respectively.
 
 (2) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Amendment No. 1 thereto for
     the fiscal year ended December 28, 1985 filed under Commission File No.
     0-10259 on March 28, 1986 and April 14, 1986, respectively.
 
 (3) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed under Commission File No.
     0-10259 on January 23, 1987.
 
 (4) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
     31, 1988 filed under Commission File No. 0-10259 on March 31, 1989.
 
 (5) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
     30, 1989 filed under Commission File No. 0-10259 on March 30, 1990.
 
 (6) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed under Commission File No.
     0-10259 on March 20, 1991.
 
 (7) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
     29, 1990 filed under Commission File No. 0-10259 on March 29, 1991.
 
 (8) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
     on June 29, 1991 filed under Commission File No. 0-10259 on August 13,
     1991.
 
 (9) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
     28, 1991 filed under Commission File No. 0-10259 on March 27, 1992.
 
(10) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
     on September 26, 1992 filed under Commission File No. 0-10259 on November
     10, 1992.
 
(11) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed under Commission File No.
     0-10259 on December 4, 1992.
 
(12) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
     26, 1992 filed under Commission File No. 0-10259 on March 26, 1993.
 
(13) Incorporated by reference to designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed under Commission File No.
     0-10259 on June 25, 1993.
 
(14) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
     on June 26, 1993 filed under Commission File No. 0-10259 on August 10,
     1993.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
(15) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
     25, 1993 filed under Commission File No. 0-14190 on March 25, 1994.
 
(16) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
     March 26, 1994 filed under Commission File No. 0-14190 on May 10, 1994.
 
(17) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed under Commission File No.
     0-14190 on May 9, 1994.
 
(18) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
     June 25, 1994 filed under Commission File No. 0-14190 on August 9, 1994.
 
(19) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
     31, 1994 filed under Commission File No. 0-14190 on March 30, 1995.
 
(20) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
     July 1, 1995 filed under Commission File No. 0-14190 on August 15, 1995.
 
(21) Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to Dreyer's Grand Ice
     Cream, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
     September 30, 1995 filed under Commission File No. 0-14190 on November 14,
     1995.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: March 28, 1996                      DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.
 
                                          By:     /s/  PAUL R. WOODLAND
                                                -----------------------
                                                   (Paul R. Woodland)
                                             Vice President -- Finance and
                                               Administration,
                                             Chief Financial Officer and
                                              Assistant Secretary
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                TITLE                     DATE
- ---------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
<C>                                            <S>                              <C>
                 /s/  T. GARY ROGERS           Chairman of the Board and         March 28, 1996
                 -------------------            Chief Executive Officer and
                  (T. Gary Rogers)              Director (Principal
                                                Executive Officer)

            /s/  WILLIAM F. CRONK, III         President and Director            March 28, 1996
           ---------------------------
             (William F. Cronk, III)

              /s/  EDMUND R. MANWELL           Secretary and Director            March 28, 1996
              ----------------------
               (Edmund R. Manwell)

               /s/  PAUL R. WOODLAND           Vice President -- Finance and     March 28, 1996
              -----------------------           Administration, Chief
                (Paul R. Woodland)               Financial Officer and
                                                 Assistant Secretary
                                                 (Principal Financial
                                                 Officer)

               /s/  JEFFREY P. PORTER          Corporate Controller              March 28, 1996
              ------------------------          (Principal Accounting
               (Jeffrey P. Porter)              Officer)

                /s/  TIMM F. CRULL             Director                          March 28, 1996
              ----------------------
                (Timm F. Crull)

              /s/  MERRIL M. HALPERN           Director                          March 28, 1996
             ------------------------ 
               (Merril M. Halpern)

                /s/  JEROME L. KATZ            Director                          March 28, 1996
              ----------------------
                  (Jerome L. Katz)

                 /s/  JOHN W. LARSON           Director                          March 28, 1996
                ---------------------
                  (John W. Larson)

              /s/  ANTHONY J. MARTINO          Director                          March 28, 1996
              -----------------------
                (Anthony J. Martino)

                 /s/  JACK O. PEIFFER          Director                          March 28, 1996
                ---------------------
                 (Jack O. Peiffer)
</TABLE>
 
     SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED WITH REPORTS FILED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 15(D) OF THE ACT BY REGISTRANTS WHICH HAVE NOT REGISTERED SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE ACT:
 
     Not applicable.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         YEAR ENDED
                                                      -------------------------------------------------
                                                      DECEMBER 30,      DECEMBER 31,      DECEMBER 25,
                                                          1995              1994              1993
                                                      -------------     -------------     -------------
                                                      ($ IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                   <C>               <C>               <C>
Revenues:
  Net sales.......................................      $ 678,797         $ 564,372         $ 470,665
  Other income....................................          2,255             2,230             1,125
                                                         --------          --------          --------
                                                          681,052           566,602           471,790
                                                         --------          --------          --------
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of goods sold..............................        530,561           428,779           356,237
  Selling, general and administrative.............        143,090           126,945            79,779
  Interest, net of interest capitalized...........          9,912             9,243             7,803
                                                         --------          --------          --------
                                                          683,563           564,967           443,819
                                                         --------          --------          --------
(Loss) income before income taxes.................         (2,511)            1,635            27,971
Income tax (benefit) provision....................           (987)              634            11,182
                                                         --------          --------          --------
Net (loss) income.................................         (1,524)            1,001            16,789
Accretion of preferred stock to redemption
  value...........................................            168
Preferred stock dividends.........................          1,804
                                                         --------          --------          --------
Net (loss) income applicable to common stock......      $  (3,496)        $   1,001         $  16,789
                                                         ========          ========          ========
Net (loss) income per common share................      $    (.26)        $     .07         $    1.15
                                                         ========          ========          ========
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.
 
     In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and the related
consolidated statements of income, of changes in stockholders' equity and of
cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 30, 1995 and
December 31, 1994, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 1995, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our
audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
 


Price Waterhouse LLP
San Francisco, California
February 8, 1996
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        DECEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                            1995           1994
                                                                        ------------   ------------
                                                                             ($ IN THOUSANDS,
                                                                        EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                                     <C>            <C>
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents..........................................     $  3,051       $  6,334
  Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $698 in 1995 and $635 in 1994................................       59,298         47,519
  Other accounts receivable..........................................       19,072          6,243
  Inventories........................................................       33,201         29,081
  Prepaid expenses and other.........................................       12,487          9,657
                                                                          --------       --------
  Total current assets...............................................      127,109         98,834
Property, plant and equipment, net...................................      182,757        160,322
Goodwill and distribution rights, net of accumulated amortization of
  $13,414 in 1995 and $10,443 in 1994................................       86,812         87,825
Other assets.........................................................       17,427         15,045
                                                                          --------       --------
Total assets.........................................................     $414,105       $362,026
                                                                          ========       ========
                               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities...........................     $ 35,514       $ 30,130
  Accrued payroll and employee benefits..............................       18,634         15,801
  Current portion of long-term debt..................................        3,600          4,500
                                                                          --------       --------
  Total current liabilities..........................................       57,748         50,431
Long-term debt, less current portion.................................      134,000         46,100
Convertible subordinated debentures..................................                     100,752
Deferred income taxes................................................       31,712         28,822
                                                                          --------       --------
Total liabilities....................................................      223,460        226,105
                                                                          --------       --------
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable convertible Series B preferred stock, $1 par value --
  1,008,000 shares authorized; 1,008,000 shares and no shares issued
  and outstanding in 1995 and 1994, respectively.....................       98,382
                                                                          --------       --------
Stockholders' Equity:
  Preferred stock, $1 par value -- 8,992,000 shares authorized;
     no shares issued or outstanding in 1995 and 1994
  Common stock, $1 par value -- 30,000,000 shares authorized;
     12,929,000 shares and 14,064,000 shares issued and outstanding
     in 1995 and 1994, respectively..................................       12,929         14,064
  Capital in excess of par...........................................       39,370         75,257
  Retained earnings..................................................       39,964         46,600
                                                                          --------       --------
  Total stockholders' equity.........................................       92,263        135,921
                                                                          --------       --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity...........................     $414,105       $362,026
                                                                          ========       ========
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              COMMON STOCK         CAPITAL
                                           ------------------     IN EXCESS     RETAINED
                                           SHARES     AMOUNT       OF PAR       EARNINGS       TOTAL
                                           ------     -------     ---------     ---------     --------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                        <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>
Balance at December 26, 1992.............  14,563     $14,563      $56,329       $ 36,677     $107,569
  Net income for 1993....................                                          16,789       16,789
  Common stock dividends declared........                                          (3,513)      (3,513)
  Common stock issued as contingent
     payment in acquisition of Cervelli
     Distributors, Inc...................      18          18          501                         519
  Employee stock plans and other.........      90          90        2,315           (735)       1,670
                                           -------    -------      -------        -------     --------
Balance at December 25, 1993.............  14,671      14,671       59,145         49,218      123,034
  Net income for 1994....................                                           1,001        1,001
  Common stock dividends declared........                                          (3,619)      (3,619)
  Common stock and warrants issued to an
     affiliate of Nestle USA, Inc........  3,000..      3,000       99,487                     102,487
  Repurchases and retirements
     of common stock.....................  (3,753)     (3,753)     (85,608)                    (89,361)
  Employee stock plans and other.........     146         146        2,233                       2,379
                                           -------    -------      -------        -------     --------
Balance at December 31, 1994.............  14,064      14,064       75,257         46,600      135,921
  Net loss for 1995......................                                          (1,524)      (1,524)
  Accretion of preferred stock to
     redemption value....................                                            (168)        (168)
  Preferred stock dividends declared.....                                          (1,804)      (1,804)
  Common stock dividends declared........                                          (3,140)      (3,140)
  Repurchases and retirements
     of common stock.....................  (1,319)     (1,319)     (39,202)                    (40,521)
  Employee stock plans and other.........     184         184        3,315                       3,499
                                           -------    -------      -------        -------     --------
Balance at December 30, 1995.............  12,929     $12,929      $39,370       $ 39,964     $ 92,263
                                           =======    =======      =======        =======     ========
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           YEAR ENDED
                                                          --------------------------------------------
                                                          DECEMBER 30,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 25,
                                                              1995            1994            1993
                                                          ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                        ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                       <C>             <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net (loss) income.....................................    $ (1,524)       $  1,001       $   16,789
  Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash
     (used in) provided from operations:
     Depreciation and amortization......................      20,568          18,986           14,592
     Deferred income taxes..............................       2,058            (420)           3,485
     Changes in assets and liabilities, net
       of amounts acquired:
       Trade accounts receivable........................     (11,779)           (711)          (3,587)
       Other accounts receivable........................     (12,829)           (917)           1,283
       Inventories......................................      (4,120)           (684)          (1,810)
       Prepaid expenses and other.......................      (1,998)          1,237           (1,272)
       Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.........       5,470             882            6,357
       Accrued payroll and employee benefits............       2,833           6,547              872
                                                            --------       ---------        ---------
                                                              (1,321)         25,921           36,709
                                                            --------       ---------        ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Acquisition of property, plant and equipment..........     (39,437)        (31,568)         (34,036)
  Retirement of property, plant and equipment...........         590             547              399
  Increase in goodwill and distribution rights..........      (1,959)           (556)          (5,228)
  Purchase of distribution rights of Sunbelt
     Distributors, Inc..................................                     (11,321)
  Increase in other assets, net.........................      (6,104)         (1,128)            (511)
                                                            --------       ---------        ---------
                                                             (46,910)        (44,026)         (39,376)
                                                            --------       ---------        ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Decrease in short-term bank borrowings................                                      (29,000)
  Proceeds from long-term debt..........................      91,500          20,200           51,800
  Reductions in long-term debt..........................      (4,500)        (10,160)        (117,123)
  Proceeds from convertible subordinated debentures.....                                      100,752
  Net proceeds from issuance of common stock and
     warrants to an affiliate of Nestle USA, Inc........                     102,487
  Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans...       3,499           2,379            1,670
  Repurchases of common stock...........................     (40,521)        (89,361)
  Cash dividends paid...................................      (5,030)         (3,638)          (3,506)
                                                            --------       ---------        ---------
                                                              44,948          21,907            4,593
                                                            --------       ---------        ---------
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents........      (3,283)          3,802            1,926
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year............       6,334           2,532              606
                                                            --------       ---------        ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year..................    $  3,051        $  6,334       $    2,532
                                                            ========       =========        =========
Supplemental Cash Flow Information --
  Cash paid during the year for:
     Interest (net of amounts capitalized)..............    $  9,738        $ 10,810       $    6,360
     Income taxes (net of refunds)......................       2,172          (2,264)           6,581
  Non-cash transaction:
     Conversion of convertible subordinated debentures
       into redeemable convertible Series B preferred
       stock............................................     100,752
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 1.  OPERATIONS
 
     Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) is a
single segment industry company engaged primarily in the business of
manufacturing and selling premium ice cream and other frozen dairy products to
grocery and convenience stores, foodservice accounts and independent
distributors in the United States.
 
NOTE 2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Consolidation
 
     The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dreyer's
Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany
transactions have been eliminated.
 
  Fiscal Year
 
     The Company's fiscal year is a fifty-two or fifty-three week period ending
on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal years 1995 and 1993 each consisted of
fifty-two weeks and fiscal year 1994 consisted of fifty-three weeks.
 
  Use of Estimates
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Financial Statement Presentation
 
     Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' financial
statements to conform to the 1995 presentation.
 
  Cash Equivalents
 
     The Company classifies financial instruments as cash equivalents if the
original maturity of such investments is three months or less.
 
  Inventories
 
     Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined by the first-in,
first-out method) or market. Cost includes materials, labor and manufacturing
overhead.
 
  Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
     Effective as of the beginning of fiscal 1995, the Company adopted the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed
Of" (SFAS 121), on a prospective basis. SFAS 121 requires the Company to review
long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles, including goodwill and
distribution rights, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The
assessment of impairment is based on the estimated undiscounted future cash
flows from operating activities compared with the carrying value of the assets.
If the undiscounted future cash flows of an asset are less than the carrying
value, a write-down would be recorded measured by the amount of the
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
difference between the carrying value of the asset and the fair value of the
asset. The adoption of SFAS 121 did not have any effect on the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
  Property, Plant and Equipment
 
     The cost of additions and major improvements and repairs are capitalized,
while maintenance and minor repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
Depreciation of fixed assets is computed using the straight-line method over the
assets' estimated useful lives, generally ranging from three to thirty-five
years. Interest costs relating to capital assets under construction are
capitalized.
 
  Goodwill and Distribution Rights
 
     Goodwill and distribution rights are amortized using the straight-line
method over thirty to thirty-six years.
 
  Product Formulations
 
     The cost of product formulations purchased from others is amortized using
the straight-line method over the period of minimum expected benefit,
approximately twelve years.
 
  Advertising Costs
 
     The Company defers production costs for media advertising and expenses
these costs in the period the advertisement is first run. All other advertising
costs are expensed in the period incurred. Advertising expense, including
consumer promotion spending, was $39,971,000, $40,287,000 and $11,486,000 in
1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     Income taxes are accounted for using the liability method. Under this
method, deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the tax
consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax
basis of assets and liabilities.
 
  Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
 
     In October 1995, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," was issued which establishes
accounting and reporting standards for stock-based compensation plans. The
Company is required to adopt this standard in fiscal 1996. This standard
encourages the adoption of the fair value-based method of accounting for
employee stock options or similar equity instruments, but continues to allow the
Company to measure compensation cost for those equity instruments using the
intrinsic value-based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles
Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." Under the fair
value-based method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the
value of the award. Under the intrinsic value-based method, compensation cost is
the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock at the grant date or
other measurement date over the amount the employee must pay to acquire the
stock. The Company intends to continue the use of the intrinsic value-based
method. As a result, adoption of this standard will not have any effect to the
Company's consolidated financial statements other than to require disclosure of
the pro forma effect on net income of using the fair value-based method of
accounting.
 
  Net (Loss) Income Per Common Share
 
     Net (loss) income per common share is computed using the weighted average
number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period which were
13,285,000, 14,731,000, and 14,624,000 shares in 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively. The potentially dilutive effect of the Company's redeemable
convertible
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
preferred stock, convertible subordinated debentures and other common stock
equivalents was anti-dilutive for each fiscal year. Accordingly, fully diluted
earnings per share are not presented.
 
NOTE 3.  INVENTORIES
 
     Inventories at December 30, 1995 and December 31, 1994 consisted of the
following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1995         1994
                                                                 --------     --------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                      <C>          <C>
        Raw materials..........................................  $  3,291     $  3,153
        Finished goods.........................................    29,910       25,928
                                                                   ------       ------
                                                                 $ 33,201     $ 29,081
                                                                   ======       ======
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 4.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
     The cost and accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment at
December 30, 1995 and December 31, 1994 were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1995         1994
                                                                 --------     --------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                      <C>          <C>
        Buildings and improvements.............................  $ 67,626     $ 64,913
        Machinery and equipment................................   145,023      118,958
        Office furniture and fixtures..........................     5,629        5,399
                                                                 --------     --------
                                                                  218,278      189,270
        Accumulated depreciation...............................   (77,453)     (64,254)
                                                                 --------     --------
                                                                  140,825      125,016
        Land...................................................    11,019       11,019
        Construction in progress...............................    30,913       24,287
                                                                 --------     --------
                                                                 $182,757     $160,322
                                                                 ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
     Interest capitalized was $2,288,000, $1,788,000 and $1,271,000 in 1995,
1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
     Depreciation expense for property, plant and equipment was $16,412,000,
$13,194,000 and $11,309,000 in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
     Construction in progress at December 30, 1995 and December 31, 1994
included $19,046,000 and $19,265,000, respectively, of costs associated with the
enhancement of management information systems.
 
NOTE 5.  DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS
 
     On January 4, 1994, the Company entered into a long-term distribution
agreement with Sunbelt Distributors, Inc. (Sunbelt), the leading independent
direct-store-delivery ice cream distributor in Texas. Under the agreement, the
Company paid Sunbelt $10,970,000 in cash to secure the long-term exclusive right
to have its products distributed by Sunbelt in Texas and certain parts of
Louisiana and Arkansas. In conjunction with this transaction, the Company
recorded $11,321,000 in distribution rights, including $351,000 in transaction
costs.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 6.  INCOME TAXES
 
     The (benefits) provisions for federal and state income taxes consisted of
the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1995        1994       1993
                                                                 -------     ------     -------
                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                              <C>         <C>        <C>
Current:
  Federal......................................................  $(3,045)    $  890     $ 6,110
  State........................................................                 164       1,587
                                                                 -------     ------     -------
                                                                  (3,045)     1,054       7,697
                                                                 -------     ------     -------
Deferred:
  Federal......................................................    2,127       (422)      2,943
  State........................................................      (69)         2         542
                                                                 -------     ------     -------
                                                                   2,058       (420)      3,485
                                                                 -------     ------     -------
                                                                 $  (987)    $  634     $11,182
                                                                 =======     ======     =======
</TABLE>
 
     The deferred income tax liability as of December 30, 1995 and December 31,
1994 consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1995        1994
                                                                           -------     -------
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                        <C>         <C>
Intangible assets and related amortization...............................  $12,855     $12,541
Depreciation.............................................................   14,671      13,187
Deferred costs...........................................................    2,621       2,968
Other....................................................................    1,565         126
                                                                           -------     -------
                                                                           $31,712     $28,822
                                                                           =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
     The federal statutory income tax rate is reconciled to the Company's
effective income tax rate as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1995        1994       1993
                                                                    -----       ----       ----
<S>                                                                 <C>         <C>        <C>
Federal statutory income tax rate.................................  (35.0)%     35.0%      35.0%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit....................   (1.7)       6.6        5.0
Effect of tax rate increase on prior years' deferred income
  taxes...........................................................                          2.1
Reversal of income taxes provided in prior periods................   (5.8)                 (1.4)
Other.............................................................    3.2       (2.8)      (0.7)
                                                                    -----       ----       ----
                                                                    (39.3)%     38.8%      40.0%
                                                                    =====       ====       ====
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 7.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
     The Company maintains a defined contribution retirement plan for employees
not covered by collective bargaining agreements. The plan provides retirement
and other benefits based upon the assets of the plan held by the trustee. The
Company contributes 7% of the eligible participants' annual compensation to the
plan. The Company also maintains a salary deferral plan under which it may make
a matching contribution of a percentage of each participant's deferred salary
amount.
 
     Pension expense and matching contributions under these plans were
approximately $7,202,000, $5,776,000, and $4,035,000 in 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively. The Company's liability for accrued pension contributions and
salary deferrals was $7,186,000 and $5,996,000 at December 30, 1995 and December
31, 1994, respectively.
 
     Pension expense for employees covered by multi-employer retirement plans
under collective bargaining agreements was $848,000, $677,000, and $586,000 in
1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 8. DESCRIPTION OF LEASING ARRANGEMENTS
 
     The Company conducts certain of its operations from leased facilities,
which include land and buildings, production equipment, and certain vehicles.
All of these leases are classified as operating leases and expire over a period
of twenty-seven years including renewal options. Certain of these leases include
non-bargain purchase options.
 
     The minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable operating leases
at December 30, 1995 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                 --------------
                <S>                                              <C>
                Year ending:
                  1996.........................................     $  3,318
                  1997.........................................        1,888
                  1998.........................................        1,740
                  1999.........................................        1,493
                  2000.........................................        1,102
                  Thereafter...................................        4,814
                                                                    --------
                                                                    $ 14,355
                                                                    ========
</TABLE>
 
     Rental expense for operating leases was $12,824,000, $11,474,000, and
$9,804,000 in 1995, 1994, and 1993, respectively.
 
NOTE 9.  LONG-TERM DEBT
 
  Long-Term Debt
 
     Long-term debt at December 30, 1995 and December 31, 1994 consisted of the
following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1995        1994
                                                                          --------     -------
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>
Revolving line of credit with banks due 1999 with interest payable at
  three different rate options..........................................  $111,700     $20,200
Senior notes with principal due through 2001 and interest payable
  semiannually
  at 9.3%...............................................................    21,400      25,000
Industrial revenue bonds with principal due through 2001 and interest
  payable quarterly at a floating rate based upon a tax-exempt note
  index.................................................................     4,500       5,400
                                                                          --------     -------
                                                                           137,600      50,600
Less -- current portion.................................................     3,600       4,500
                                                                          --------     -------
                                                                          $134,000     $46,100
                                                                          ========     =======
</TABLE>
 
     The aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt as of December 30, 1995
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                 --------------
                <S>                                              <C>
                Year ending:
                  1996.........................................     $  3,600
                  1997.........................................        3,600
                  1998.........................................        3,600
                  1999.........................................      115,300
                  2000.........................................        3,600
                  Thereafter...................................        7,900
                                                                    --------
                                                                    $137,600
                                                                    ========
</TABLE>
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     During 1995, the Company entered into a new credit agreement with certain
banks for a total revolving line of credit of $175,000,000. This agreement
replaced the Company's previous revolving line of credit agreement. The total
available line of credit decreases by $25,000,000 on December 31, 1997 and
December 31, 1998, and expires on December 31, 1999. This line is available at
three different interest rate options which are defined as the agent bank's
offshore rate, same day funding rate, plus an applicable margin, or the agent
bank's reference rate. At December 30, 1995, there was $111,700,000 outstanding
under the line.
 
  Convertible Subordinated Debentures
 
     In June 1993, the Company issued in a private placement $100,752,000 of
6 1/4% convertible subordinated debentures, due June 30, 2001. These debentures
were converted into redeemable convertible Series B preferred stock during 1995.
(See Note 10.)
 
  Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
     As of December 30, 1995 and December 31, 1994, the fair value of the
Company's long-term debt was determined to be the same as the carrying amount.
The fair value was based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues
or on the current rates offered to the Company for a term equal to the same
remaining maturities. It is not practicable to estimate the fair value of the
redeemable convertible Series B preferred stock due to the unique terms and
conditions of these securities. (See Note 10.)
 
     The Company is subject to the requirements of various financial covenants,
including dividend restrictions, under its long-term debt obligations and the
redeemable convertible Series B preferred stock.
 
NOTE 10.  REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK
 
     On August 8, 1995, the Company converted $100,752,000 of 6 1/4% convertible
subordinated debentures into 1,008,000 shares of redeemable convertible Series B
preferred stock (Series B), redeemable on June 30, 2001. On the conversion date,
$2,538,000 of unamortized debenture issuance costs were charged against the
carrying value of the debentures to arrive at the carrying value of $98,214,000
for this preferred stock. The Company is recording accretion to increase the
carrying value to the redemption value of $100,752,000 by June 30, 2001, the
redemption date.
 
     The Series B preferred stock is convertible, under certain conditions, into
a total of 1,008,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (Series A),
redeemable on June 30, 2001. Additionally, both the Series A preferred stock and
Series B preferred stock are convertible, under certain conditions, at an
initial conversion price of $34.74 into a total of 2,900,000 shares of common
stock. Series B preferred stock can be called by the Company for early
redemption, subject to certain limitations.
 
     In preference to shares of common stock, shares of both the Series A
preferred stock and the Series B preferred stock are entitled to receive
cumulative cash dividends, payable quarterly in arrears. The Company pays
dividends for the Series B preferred stock of approximately $1,143,000 per
quarter. Dividends on the Series A preferred stock are payable at a dividend
rate equal to the amount they would receive as if the shares were converted into
comparable shares of common stock.
 
NOTE 11.  COMMON STOCK
 
     The Company paid a regular quarterly dividend of $.06 per share for each
quarter of 1995, 1994 and 1993.
 
     During 1987, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of one Preferred
Stock Purchase Right (the Rights) for each outstanding share of common stock.
Under certain conditions, the Rights become exercisable for the purchase of the
Company's preferred or common stock.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
  Nestle Equity Issuance
 
     On June 14, 1994, The Company completed a transaction (the "Nestle
Agreement") with an affiliate of Nestle USA, Inc. ("Nestle"), whereby Nestle
purchased 3,000,000 newly issued shares of common stock of the Company for $32
per share and warrants to purchase an additional 2,000,000 shares at an exercise
price of $32 per share. Warrants for 1,000,000 shares will expire on June 14,
1997 and warrants for the other 1,000,000 shares will expire on June 14, 1999.
Nestle paid an aggregate of $10,000,000 for the 2,000,000 warrants. Total
proceeds from the issuance of the initial 3,000,000 shares and the 2,000,000
warrants were $106,000,000. In connection with the Nestle Agreement, the Company
incurred transaction costs of $3,513,000 which were recorded as a charge against
capital in excess of par.
 
     The Company has the right to cause Nestle to exercise the warrants at $24
per share subject to certain conditions at any time before June 14, 1997. The
Company also has the right to cause Nestle to exercise the warrants at any time
through the warrant expiration dates at $32 per share if the average trading
price of the common stock exceeds $60 during a 130 trading day period preceding
the exercise, subject to certain conditions. Furthermore, if the average trading
price of the common stock equals or exceeds $60 during a 130 trading day period
before June 14, 1999, Nestle will be required to pay an additional $2 for each
share purchased and each share purchased upon exercise of the warrants.
 
     In connection with the Nestle Agreement, the Company entered into a
distribution agreement with Nestle Ice Cream Company to distribute Nestle's
frozen novelty and ice cream products in certain markets.
 
  Common Stock Repurchases
 
     During 1995, the Company repurchased and retired 1,291,000 shares of its
common stock at prices ranging from $25.38 to $34.25 through open market
purchases and negotiated transactions thereby completing the plan implemented in
1994 to repurchase up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock (the Stock Repurchase
Plan). In addition, the Company repurchased and retired 28,000 shares of its
common stock at prices ranging from $24.50 to $38.50 from employees who
previously acquired shares under employee stock plans.
 
     During 1994, the Company repurchased and retired 3,709,000 shares of its
common stock at prices ranging from $21.38 to $25.75 per share under the Stock
Repurchase Plan. In addition, the Company repurchased and retired 44,000 shares
of its common stock at prices ranging from $22.00 to $28.69 per share from
employees who previously acquired shares under employee stock plans.
 
     Since the beginning of fiscal 1994, the Company charged the excess over par
value for shares repurchased to capital in excess of par rather than the
previous practice of charging the excess to retained earnings.
 
NOTE 12.  SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
 
     For fiscal 1995, 1994 and 1993, no customer accounted for more than 10% of
consolidated net sales.
 
NOTE 13.  EMPLOYEE STOCK PLANS
 
     The Company has three stock option plans under which options may be granted
for the purchase of the Company's common stock at a price not less than 100% of
the fair market value at the date of grant. The incentive stock option plan (the
1982 Plan) provides that options are not exercisable until after two years from
the date of grant and generally expire six years from the date of grant. The
non-qualified stock option plan (the 1992 Plan) provides that options are not
exercisable until after two years from the date of grant and expire upon death
or termination of employment. In 1994, the stockholders approved a stock option
plan (the 1993 Plan) under which granted options may be either incentive stock
options or non-qualified stock options. This plan provides that options expire
no later than ten years from the date of grant. This plan also provides that
most of the terms of the options, such as vesting, are within the discretion of
the compensation committee,
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
comprising of certain members of the Board of Directors of the Company. Changes
in stock options under all three plans in the aggregate were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       OPTIONS
                                                      AVAILABLE        OPTIONS          OPTIONS PRICE
                                                      FOR GRANT      OUTSTANDING          PER SHARE
                                                      ---------     -------------     -----------------
                                                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>               <C>
Balance, December 26, 1992..........................      224             502         $  6.78 to $30.25
  Authorized........................................      200
  Granted...........................................     (358)            358           24.75 to  30.13
  Exercised.........................................                      (82)           6.78 to  14.44
                                                        -----           -----          ----------------
Balance, December 25, 1993..........................       66             778         $  7.19 to $30.25
  Authorized........................................    1,200
  Granted...........................................     (387)            387           21.75 to  29.38
  Exercised.........................................                      (99)           7.19 to  19.50
  Canceled..........................................       12             (12)
                                                        -----           -----          ----------------
Balance, December 31, 1994..........................      891           1,054         $  9.63 to $30.25
  Authorized
  Granted...........................................     (446)            446           25.63 to  38.63
  Exercised.........................................                     (120)           9.63 to  29.50
  Canceled..........................................       15             (15)
                                                        -----           -----          ----------------
Balance, December 30, 1995..........................      460           1,365         $ 13.63 to $38.63
                                                        =====           =====          ================
</TABLE>
 
     At December 30, 1995, options to purchase 277,000 shares of the Company's
common stock were exercisable.
 
     The Company has two plans under which employees may purchase shares of the
Company's common stock: the section 423 employee stock purchase plan (the 423
Plan) and the employee secured stock purchase plan (the Secured Plan). Under the
423 Plan, employees may authorize payroll deductions up to 10% of their
compensation for the purpose of acquiring shares at 85% of the market price
determined at the beginning of a specified twelve month period. Under this plan,
employees purchased 40,000 shares at prices ranging from $20.29 to $21.67 per
share in 1995, 20,000 shares at prices ranging from $20.61 to $23.16 per share
in 1994, and 25,000 shares at prices ranging from $16.69 to $29.75 per share in
1993. Under the Secured Plan, on specified dates, employees may purchase shares
at fair market value by paying 20% of the purchase price in cash and the
remaining 80% of the purchase price in the form of a non-recourse promissory
note with a term of 30 years. Under this plan, employees purchased 23,000 shares
at prices ranging from $25.38 to $39.50 per share in 1995, 27,000 shares at
prices ranging from $24.25 to $25.13 per share in 1994, and 10,000 shares at
prices ranging from $22.50 to $27.25 per share in 1993.
 
NOTE 14.  INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATE
 
     The Company's 49.7% ownership of M-K-D Distributors, Inc. (MKD), a company
engaged in manufacturing and direct-store-distribution of ice cream in the
states of Washington, Oregon, Utah and Alaska, is accounted for under the equity
method. The investment included in other assets, is stated at cost adjusted for
the Company's equity in undistributed earnings and was $5,517,000 and $4,738,000
at December 30, 1995 and December 31, 1994, respectively. The Company's equity
in the earnings of MKD were $779,000, $1,063,000, and $695,000 in 1995, 1994,
and 1993, respectively. The Company's sales of its branded products to MKD were
$25,174,000, $22,583,000, and $18,360,000 in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Summarized financial information for MKD at December 30, 1995 and December 31,
1994, was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1995          1994
                                                                     -------       -------
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
    <S>                                                              <C>           <C>
    Current assets.................................................  $ 7,756       $ 8,433
    Non-current assets.............................................    9,688         7,717
                                                                     -------       -------
                                                                     $17,444       $16,150
                                                                     =======       =======
    Current liabilities............................................  $ 3,960       $ 5,937
    Non-current liabilities........................................    2,084           500
    Stockholder's equity...........................................   11,400         9,713
                                                                     -------       -------
                                                                     $17,444       $16,150
                                                                     =======       =======
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1995        1994        1993
                                                                -------     -------     -------
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>
Net sales.....................................................  $74,219     $62,817     $43,385
Gross profit..................................................   15,316      14,492      11,251
Net income....................................................    1,687       2,146       1,517
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 15.  CONTINGENCIES
 
     The Company is engaged in various legal actions as both plaintiff and
defendant. Management believes that the outcome of these actions, either
individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
NOTE 16.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
     On February 2, 1996, the Company signed a letter of intent to purchase the
remaining 50.3% of the outstanding common stock of MKD. After the purchase, the
Company will own 100% of the outstanding common stock of MKD.
 
     Separately, the Company is in the process of negotiating an agreement for
the private placement of $50,000,000 of senior notes.
 
NOTE 17.  SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          PER SHARE
                                                                            -------------------------------------
                                                      NET (LOSS) INCOME     NET (LOSS) INCOME
                              NET         GROSS         APPLICABLE TO         APPLICABLE TO         PRICE RANGE
                             SALES        MARGIN        COMMON STOCK         COMMON STOCK(1)          (NASDAQ)
                            --------     --------     -----------------     ------------------     --------------
                                                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                         <C>          <C>          <C>                   <C>                    <C>
1995
1st Quarter...............  $141,255     $ 29,025          $   322                $  .02           $24.25 - 28.25
2nd Quarter...............   188,083       43,045            3,664                   .27            25.50 - 37.50
3rd Quarter...............   205,226       50,453              893                   .07            36.00 - 40.00
4th Quarter...............   144,233       25,713           (8,375)                 (.65)           30.00 - 39.00
                            --------     --------          -------
                            $678,797     $148,236          $(3,496)                 (.26)(2)
                            ========     ========          =======
1994
1st Quarter...............  $112,001     $ 23,249          $ 1,582                $  .11           $21.50 - 29.50
2nd Quarter...............   147,727       38,068           (1,435)                 (.10)           21.25 - 28.25
3rd Quarter...............   168,704       45,058            2,260                   .15            21.75 - 26.00
4th Quarter...............   135,940       29,218           (1,406)                 (.09)           24.25 - 28.25
                            --------     --------          -------
                            $564,372     $135,593          $ 1,001                   .07(2)
                            ========     ========          =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Fully diluted net (loss) income per share for each quarter of 1995 and 1994
    is equivalent to primary net (loss) income per share since the potentially
    dilutive effect of the redeemable convertible Series B preferred stock,
    convertible subordinated debentures and warrants was anti-dilutive.
 
(2) The number of weighted average shares outstanding used in the computation of
    net (loss) income per common share increases and decreases as shares are
    issued or repurchased during the year. For this reason, the sum of net
    (loss) income per common share for the quarters may not be the same as the
    net (loss) income per common share for the year.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
                FIVE YEAR SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL DATA
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
                                        1995         1994         1993         1992         1991
                                      --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
                                                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                   <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Operations:
  Net sales and other income........  $681,052     $566,602     $471,790     $407,946     $355,779
  (Loss) income before cumulative
     effect of change in accounting
     principle......................    (1,524)       1,001       16,789       13,973       15,850
  Net (loss) income.................    (1,524)       1,001       16,789       15,694(2)    15,850
  Net (loss) income applicable to
     common stock...................    (3,496)       1,001       16,789       15,694(2)    15,850
Per Common Share:
  (Loss) income before cumulative
     effect of change in accounting
     principle......................      (.26)         .07         1.15          .94         1.05
  Net (loss) income.................      (.26)(1)      .07(1)      1.15(1)      1.05(1)(2)   1.05(1)
  Dividends declared................       .24          .24          .24          .24          .20
Balance Sheet:
  Total assets......................   414,105      362,026      322,275      289,051      224,042
  Working capital...................    69,361       48,403       57,397       25,768       19,412
  Long-term debt, including
     convertible subordinated
     debentures.....................   134,000      146,852      139,627      102,160       44,289
  Redeemable convertible Series B
     preferred stock................    98,382
  Stockholders' equity..............    92,263      135,921      123,034      107,569      113,129
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Fully diluted net (loss) income per share for each fiscal year is equivalent
    to primary net (loss) income per share. In 1995 the potentially dilutive
    effect of the stock warrants and redeemable convertible Series B preferred
    stock was anti-dilutive, in 1994 the potentially dilutive effect of the
    stock warrants and the convertible subordinated debentures was
    anti-dilutive, in 1993 the potentially dilutive effect of the convertible
    subordinated debentures was anti-dilutive, and in 1992 and 1991 no
    potentially dilutive securities were outstanding.
 
(2) Includes the cumulative effect of change in method of accounting for income
    taxes of $1,721,000, or $.11 per share.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  Fiscal 1995 Compared with Fiscal 1994
 
     The Company embarked on a five year plan (the Strategic Plan) during the
second quarter of 1994 to accelerate the sales of its brand throughout the
country. This plan includes three primary strategies: 1) a quadrupling of
advertising and consumer promotion spending, 2) rapid expansion and development
of the Company's direct-store-delivery system, and 3) introduction of innovative
new products. As originally announced, the Company anticipated that the cost of
implementing the Strategic Plan would materially reduce earnings during the
fiscal years of 1994 and 1995. In fact, these development activities resulted in
a net income of $1,001,000 for 1994, as compared with net income of $16,789,000
in 1993, and a net loss of $1,524,000 for 1995.
 
     One of the potential benefits of the Strategic Plan is increased market
share above those levels that would have been attained under the former business
plan. In response to the Strategic Plan, dollar market share grew from 11.7% at
the end of 1994 to 13.4% for the fourth quarter of 1995. Consolidated net sales
for fiscal 1995 increased 20% (net sales increased 23% when adjusting for 52
weeks in fiscal 1995 and 53 weeks in 1994) to $678,797,000 from the $564,372,000
achieved in 1994. Sales of the Company's branded products increased 20% in all
markets. This growth was led by Dreyer's and Edy's Fat Free Ice Cream and Grand
Ice Cream as well as the new products of Low Fat Ice Cream and the revitalized
Sherbet line introduced in 1995. Sales of branded products purchased from other
companies (partner brands) increased 22%, led by sales of frozen novelty and ice
cream products from Nestle Ice Cream Company introduced in 1995. Sales of
partner brands represented 34% of consolidated net sales in both 1995 and 1994.
 
     During 1995, the Company expanded its direct-store-delivery system into 16
new markets. The expenses associated with this expansion effort were the primary
cause of a decrease in gross margin from 24.0% in 1994 to 21.8% for 1995,
resulting in a 24%, or $101,782,000, increase in cost of goods sold over 1994.
The gross margin was affected to a lesser extent by the Company's continued
development of its new Grand Soft business including significantly enhanced
manufacturing, equipment service, and financing capabilities.
 
     Advertising and consumer promotion spending continued at the annual rate of
approximately $40,000,000 during 1995. The Strategic Plan anticipates continued
expenditures at approximately this level of marketing spending during a period
of increasing sales. The Company increased its level of trade promotion spending
during 1995 by approximately $14,000,000 due principally to the initial
introduction of the Company's products in new markets. This increase in
promotion spending was the primary factor in the $16,145,000 growth in selling,
general, and administrative expenses between 1994 and 1995. The Company
regularly monitors its levels of advertising and promotion spending in an effort
to enhance long-term profitability. Interest expense increased $669,000, or 7%,
principally due to higher borrowings under the Company's revolving line of
credit.
 
     In addition to increased market share, the potential benefits of the
Strategic Plan include future earnings in excess of those levels that would have
been achieved in the absence of this plan. The Company anticipates an
improvement in earnings during 1996 and that the earnings benefits expected
under the Strategic Plan will be achieved in 1997 and future years. However, no
assurance can be given that these expectations relative to future market share
and earnings benefits of the strategy will be achieved. The success of the
strategy will depend upon, among other things, consumer purchase responsiveness
to the increased marketing expenditures, competitors' marketing responses,
market conditions affecting the price of the Company's products, commodity
costs, and efficiencies achieved in manufacturing and distribution operations.
 
  Fiscal 1994 Compared with Fiscal 1993
 
     In the first partial year of the implementation of the Strategic Plan, the
Company's consolidated net sales for 1994 increased 20% (net sales increased 18%
when adjusting for 53 weeks in fiscal 1994 and 52 weeks in 1993) to
$564,372,000, compared with $470,665,000 in 1993. Driven by substantially higher
advertising and consumer promotion spending in the Strategic Plan, sales of the
Company's branded products increased 22%.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
Dreyer's and Edy's Frozen Yogurt and Grand Ice Cream led this increase followed
by the contribution from the Company's new novelty products. The increase in
sales of Healthy Choice(R) low fat ice cream from ConAgra, Inc. was the primary
factor in a partner brand sales increase of 12% over the prior year. Partner
brands represented 34% of consolidated net sales as compared to 36% in 1993.
 
     Cost of goods sold increased $72,542,000, or 20%, over 1993. Gross margin,
however, decreased slightly from 24.3% to 24.0% primarily due to the additional
expenses associated with introducing the Company's product line and expansion of
the distribution system in the Texas and New England markets as well as in
several cities in the southern United States. The effect of these expenses on
gross margin was partially offset by a higher proportion of Company products,
which carry a higher margin than partner brands.
 
     The implementation of the Strategic Plan required an increase in overall
marketing expenses of $40,501,000, leading to a 59%, or $47,166,000, increase in
selling, general and administrative expenses over those incurred in 1993.
Interest expense was $1,440,000, or 18%, higher than in 1993 due primarily to
the issuance of the convertible subordinated debentures in the second quarter of
1993. (See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
 
     As anticipated and announced, the implementation of the Strategic Plan
detailed above resulted in a net income of $1,001,000 for 1994 as compared with
$16,789,000 for 1993.
 
  Fiscal 1993 Compared with Fiscal 1992
 
     A 27% increase in the sales of Company brands was the primary factor in the
growth of consolidated net sales from $407,045,000 in 1992 to $470,665,000 in
1993, representing a 16% increase. The improvement was generated principally by
established products and the introduction of Dreyer's and Edy's Ice Cream Bars
and Tropical Fruit Bars. Partner brand sales represented 36% of consolidated
sales as compared with 42% for 1992.
 
     The higher proportion of Dreyer's and Edy's products in the sales mix was
the primary cause of the increase in gross margin from 22.7% in 1992 to 24.3% in
1993, resulting in a 13%, or $41,475,000, increase in cost of goods sold over
1992. In addition to this improvement in the sales mix, the gross margin was
benefited by lower manufacturing costs per unit offset in part by higher
distribution expenses.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses were $14,329,000, or 22%,
higher than in 1992 resulting primarily from an increase in marketing expenses
in an effort to enhance the Company's long-term competitive position and
increase its market share. Interest expense was $2,570,000, or 49%, higher than
in 1992 due largely to the issuance of the previously mentioned convertible
subordinated debentures. (See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.)
 
  Price Increases
 
     The effect of price increases for both Company and partner brands was not
significant for each of the comparative periods.
 
  Tax Provisions
 
     The Company's income tax provisions differ from the expected tax provisions
calculated at the federal statutory tax rate primarily due to the reversal of
income taxes provided in prior periods and state income taxes. (See Note 6 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
 
  Seasonality
 
     The Company experiences more demand for its products during the spring and
summer than during the fall and winter. (See Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.)
 
  Effects of Inflation and Changing Prices
 
     Management believes that the effects of inflation and changing prices are
successfully managed, with both margins and earnings being protected through a
combination of cost control programs and productivity
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
gains. The largest component of the Company's cost of production is raw
materials, principally dairy products and sugar. Historically, the Company has
been able to compensate for increases in the price level of these commodities
through manufacturing and distribution productivity gains. Other cost increases
such as labor and general and administrative costs have also been offset by
productivity gains and other operating efficiencies.
 
  Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
     Working capital at December 30, 1995 was $20,958,000 higher than at
year-end 1994 due primarily to increases in trade accounts receivable and other
accounts receivable.
 
     Working capital at December 31, 1994 was $8,994,000 lower than at year-end
1993 due primarily to increases in trade accounts payable and accrued
liabilities, and accrued payroll and employee benefits.
 
     Working capital at December 25, 1993 was $31,629,000 higher than at
year-end 1992 due primarily to the decrease in short-term bank borrowings.
 
     Refer to the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the components of
increases and decreases in cash and cash equivalents for the three-year period
ended December 30, 1995.
 
     The Company's inventory is maintained at the same general level relative to
sales throughout the year by changing production and purchasing schedules to
meet demand. The ratio of inventory to sales typically does not vary
significantly from year to year.
 
     On August 8, 1995, the Company converted $100,752,000 of 6 1/4% convertible
subordinated debentures into 1,008,000 shares of redeemable convertible Series B
preferred stock, redeemable on June 30, 2001. (See Note 10 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.)
 
     On June 14, 1994, the Company completed a transaction with an affiliate of
Nestle USA, Inc., whereby Nestle purchased 3,000,000 newly issued shares of
common stock of the Company for $32 per share and warrants to purchase an
additional 2,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $32 per share. Total
proceeds from the issuance of the initial 3,000,000 shares and the 2,000,000
warrants was $106,000,000. (See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.)
 
     During 1995, the Company repurchased and retired 1,291,000 shares of its
common stock at prices ranging from $25.38 to $34.25 through open market
purchases and negotiated transactions thereby completing the plan implemented in
1994 to repurchase up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock (the Stock Repurchase
Plan).
 
     During 1994, the Company repurchased and retired 3,709,000 shares of its
common stock at prices ranging from $21.38 to $25.75 per share under the Stock
Repurchase Plan. (See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
 
     On February 2, 1996, the Company signed a letter of intent to purchase the
remaining 50.3% of the outstanding common stock of M-K-D Distributors, Inc.
(MKD), a company engaged in manufacturing and direct-store-distribution of ice
cream in the states of Washington, Oregon, Utah and Alaska. After the purchase,
the Company will own 100% of the outstanding common stock of MKD.
 
     Separately, the Company is in the process of negotiating an agreement for
the private placement of $50,000,000 of senior notes.
 
     On January 4, 1994, the Company entered into a long-term distribution
agreement with Sunbelt Distributors, Inc., the leading direct-store-delivery ice
cream distributor in Texas. (See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.)
 
     Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment in 1996 are
currently estimated to be approximately $64,000,000, primarily for the expansion
of manufacturing capacity and the construction of distribution facilities. It is
anticipated that these additions will be largely financed through internally
generated funds and borrowings. As of year-end 1995, the Company had $3,051,000
in cash and cash equivalents, and an unused credit line of $63,300,000. The
Company believes that its credit line, along with its liquid resources,
internally generated cash and financing capacity are adequate to meet
anticipated operating and capital requirements.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
                      REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ON
                          FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
 
To the Board of Directors of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.
 
     Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our
report dated February 8, 1996 appearing on page 14 of this Form 10-K also
included an audit of the Financial Statement Schedule listed in Item 14(a)2 of
this Form 10-K. In our opinion, this Financial Statement Schedule presents
fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in
conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.
 


PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
San Francisco, California
February 8, 1996
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
                                                                     SCHEDULE II
 
                         DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.
 
                       VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 ADDITIONS
                                                  BALANCE AT     CHARGED TO                    BALANCE AT
                                                  BEGINNING      COSTS AND                        END
                CLASSIFICATIONS                   OF PERIOD       EXPENSES      DEDUCTIONS     OF PERIOD
- ------------------------------------------------  ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
<S>                                               <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Fiscal year ended December 25, 1993:
  Allowance for doubtful accounts...............   $    513        $1,397         $1,375(1)     $    535
  Amortization of goodwill and distribution
     rights.....................................      5,268         2,304             --           7,572
  Amortization of other assets..................      2,530           979             --           3,509
                                                    -------        ------         ------         -------
                                                   $  8,311        $4,680         $1,375        $ 11,616
                                                    =======        ======         ======         =======
Fiscal year ended December 31, 1994:
  Allowance for doubtful accounts...............   $    535        $1,672         $1,572(1)     $    635
  Amortization of goodwill and distribution
     rights.....................................      7,572         2,871             --          10,443
  Amortization of other assets..................      3,509         2,921            208(2)        6,222
                                                    -------        ------         ------         -------
                                                   $ 11,616        $7,464         $1,780        $ 17,300
                                                    =======        ======         ======         =======
Fiscal year ended December 30, 1995:
  Allowance for doubtful accounts...............   $    635        $1,234         $1,171(1)     $    698
  Amortization of goodwill and distribution
     rights.....................................     10,443         2,971             --          13,414
  Amortization of other assets..................      6,222         1,184          3,209(2)        4,197
                                                    -------        ------         ------         -------
                                                   $ 17,300        $5,389         $4,380        $ 18,309
                                                    =======        ======         ======         =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Write-off of receivables considered uncollectible.
 
(2) Removal of fully-amortized assets.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
                                EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                        DESCRIPTION
- ------     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>
2.8        Amended and Restated Fourth Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement dated March
           12, 1996 and effective as of October 1, 1995 by and among Dreyer's Grand Ice
           Cream, Inc., Trustees of General Electric Pension Trust, GE Investment Private
           Placement Partners, I and General Electric Capital Corporation, amending Exhibit
           2.3.

10.29      Letter Agreement dated August 4, 1995 between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and
           Smithway Associates, Inc., amending Exhibits 10.2 and 10.12.

10.30      Credit Agreement dated as of December 22, 1995 among Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream,
           Inc., Bank of America NT & SA (as a Bank and as Agent), ABN-AMRO Bank N.V.
           (as a Bank and as Co-Agent), Credit Suisse and The Bank of California.

11         Computation of Net Income Per Share

21         Subsidiaries of Registrant.

23         Consent of Independent Accountants.

27         Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 2.8


                      AMENDED AND RESTATED FOURTH AMENDMENT
                        TO SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This Amended and Restated Fourth Amendment to Securities Purchase
Agreement (the "Amendment") is entered into this 12th day of March, 1996 and is
effective as of October 1, 1995 by and among Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Trustees of General Electric Pension
Trust, a New York common law trust ("GE Pension"), GE Investment Private Place
ment Partners, I, a Delaware limited partnership ("GEIPPP") and General Electric
Capital Corporation, a New York corporation (collectively the "Purchasers").

                                    Recitals

A.       Company is a party to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 24,
1993, with Purchasers (the "Purchase Agreement"), as amended by amendments dated
May 6, 1994, July 28, 1995 and October 30, 1995, pursuant to which Purchasers
acquired various securities of Company.

B.       The Company and Purchasers entered into a Fourth Amendment to
Securities Purchase Agreement dated February 1, 1996 and effective as of October
1, 1995 (the "Fourth Amendment").

C.       Company and Purchasers now desire to amend and restate the Fourth
Amendment in its entirety and amend the Purchase Agreement as set forth herein.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, waiver
provisions, and covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

         1.       Amendment and Restatement of Fourth Amendment.

                  The Fourth Amendment is amended and restated in its entirety
as set forth in this Amendment.

         2.       Amendments to Purchase Agreement.

                  2.1      Section 12.1 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby
amended by adding the following definition:

                           ""Net Aggregate Stated Value" shall mean the
aggregate Stated Value of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock net of
unamortized issuance costs associated with the Securities."

                  2.2      The definition of "Consolidated Net Worth" contained
in Section 12.1 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended to read in its
entirety as follows:

                                       1.
<PAGE>   2
                           "Consolidated Net Worth" shall mean the consolidated
                           stockholders' equity of the Company and its
                           Subsidiaries (not including the Net Aggregate Stated
                           Value) determined in accordance with generally
                           accepted accounting principles consistently applied
                           plus the Net Aggregate Stated Value."

                  2.3      Section 6.1(a) of the Purchase Agreement is hereby
amended to read in its entirety as follows:

                           "6.1.   Financial Covenants. (a) The Company will not
                           permit its Consolidated Net Worth to be less than (i)
                           $185,000,000 during the Company's fourth fiscal
                           quarter of 1995 or (ii) $190,000,000 during each of
                           the Company's four fiscal quarters of 1996 or (iii)
                           the sum of $100,000,000 plus the Net Aggregate Stated
                           Value at any time after the end of the Company's 1996
                           fiscal year."

                  2.4      Section 6.1(c) of the Purchase Agreement is hereby
amended to read in its entirety as follows:

                                   "(c) The Company will not permit its Fixed
                           Charge Ratio to be less than .75 to 1.00 on the last
                           day of fiscal year 1995 and 1.5 to 1.0 on the last
                           day of each fiscal year thereafter."

                  2.5      Section 6.1 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby 
further amended by adding the following paragraphs (d), (e) and (f):

                                   "(d) In the event the Company's Fixed Charge
Ratio on the last day of the second fiscal quarter of 1996 is less than 1.25 to
1.0, then within ten (10) business days after the Company's final calculation of
such Fixed Charge Ratio, the Company will pay to the holders of the outstanding
shares of Series B Preferred Stock, pro rata based on the number of shares held
by each holder, out of the assets of the Company legally available therefor, a
special dividend in the aggregate amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($500,000) cash.

                                   (e) In the event the Company's Fixed Charge
Ratio on the last day of fiscal year 1996 is less than 1.5 to 1.0, then within
ten (10) business days after the Company's final calculation of such Fixed
Charge Ratio, the Company will pay to the holders of the outstanding shares of
Series B Preferred Stock, pro rata based on the number of shares held by each
holder, out of the assets of the Company legally available therefor, a special
dividend in the aggregate amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000)
cash.

                                       2.
<PAGE>   3
                                   (f) The Purchasers agree that any special
dividend payments made pursuant to paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section 6.1
shall not be considered for purposes of calculating the Company's Fixed Charge
Ratio. The Company agrees that the provisions of Sections 6.17 and 6.18 of this
Agreement shall be applicable to any special dividend payments made pursuant to
paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section 6.1."

         3.       Waiver of Rights under Certificate of Designation and
                  Interpretation.

                  3.1      Waiver of Rights. Notwithstanding their respective
rights under the Company's Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock (the "Series B Certificate"), the Company and the Purchasers
agree to waive certain of their respective rights thereunder and to agree as 
follows:

         (a)      The Purchasers agree to waive their right, as the holders of 
the Company's Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series B Preferred
Stock") to receive dividends under Section 2(a) of the Series B Certificate (i)
after December 15, 1997, if the Company's Fixed Charge Ratio on the last day of
fiscal year 1996 is 1.5 to 1.0 or greater; or (ii) after June 15, 1999, if the
Company's Fixed Charge Ratio on the last day of fiscal year 1996 is less than
1.5 to 1.00.

         (b)      The Company agrees (i) after December 15, 1997, if the 
Company's Fixed Charge Ratio on the last day of fiscal year 1996 is 1.5 to 1.0
or greater; or (ii) after June 15, 1999, if the Company's Fixed Charge Ratio on
the last day of fiscal year 1996 is less than 1.5 to 1.0, that no dividend or
distribution in cash, shares of stock or other property on the Common Stock, par
value $1.00 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") shall be declared or
paid or set apart for payment unless, at the same time, the same dividend or
distribution is declared or paid or set apart, as the case may be, on the Series
B Preferred Stock payable on the same date, at the rate per share of Series B
Preferred Stock based upon the number of shares of Common Stock into which each
share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible (as adjusted pursuant to
Section 8 of the Series B Certificate) on the record date for such dividend or
distribution on the Common Stock.

         (c)      The Company agrees that it will not exercise its right to 
redeem the Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (i) of the first
paragraph of Section 5(a) of the Series B Certificate until after June 15, 1999.

         (d)      The Purchasers agree that the Company's right to redeem the 
Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (ii) of the first paragraph of
Section 5(a) of the Series B Certificate shall be extended to on or prior to
June 15, 1999, such that the Company

                                       3.
<PAGE>   4
shall have the right to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock on the same terms as
set forth in such clause of the Series B Certificate.

                  3.2      Interpretation. The parties hereto confirm and agree
that it was their intent at the time the Purchase Agreement was executed that
the definitions of "Agreement" in the Purchase Agreement and of "Purchase
Agreement" in the Series B Certificate would include any amendments to the
Purchase Agreement as made from time to time pursuant to the terms of the
Purchase Agreement.

         4.       Miscellaneous.

                  4.1      Except as expressly amended herein, all terms, 
covenants and provisions of the Purchase Agreement are and shall remain in full
force and effect and all references therein to such Purchase Agreement shall
henceforth refer to the Purchase Agreement as amended by this Amendment. This
Amendment shall be deemed incorporated into, and a part of, the Purchase
Agreement.

                  4.2      This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. The
Purchasers agree that they will not sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise
dispose of (collectively, "Transfer") any of their shares of Series B Preferred
Stock unless prior to such Transfer, the proposed transferee shall have agreed
in writing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company to be
bound by the terms of this Fourth Amendment. No third party beneficiaries are
intended in connection with this Amendment.

                  4.3      This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the law of the State of Delaware.

                  4.4      This Amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such
counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.




                      [THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       4.
<PAGE>   5
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Purchasers have caused this
Amendment to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.                    TRUSTEES OF GENERAL ELECTRIC
                                                    PENSION TRUST


By: /s/ Paul R. Woodland                          By: /s/ John H. Myers
    --------------------------                        -------------------------
Title: CFO                                        Title: Trustee
       -----------------------                           ----------------------

GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL                          GE INVESTMENT PRIVATE
  CORPORATION                                       PLACEMENT PARTNERS, I, L.P.

                                                  By: GE Investment Management
By: /s/                                                 Incorporated, its
    --------------------------                          General Partner
Title: Department Operations 
       Manager
                                                      By: /s/ John H. Myers
                                                          ---------------------
                                                      Title: Executive Vice
                                                             President


                                       5.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.29

                            SMITHWAY ASSOCIATES, INC.
                              5743 SMITHWAY STREET
                               COMMERCE, CA 90040

August 4, 1995

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.
5929 College Avenue
Oakland, CA 94618

Gentlemen:

         The purpose of this letter is to amend, effective as of August 1, 1995,
the Commerce Lease (as herein after defined) between Smithway Associates, Inc.
("Smithway") and Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. ("Dreyer's"). Jack and Tillie
Marantz, predecessor of Smithway, and Dreyer's previously entered into that
certain Agree ment and Lease dated July 1, 1982, as amended, with respect to cer
tain improved real and personal property located at 5743 E. Smithway Street,
Commerce, California (the "Smithway Property") (the "Original Lease"). By that
certain Assignment of Lease dated March 31, 1989, Wilsey, Bennett Co. ("Wilsey")
assigned and trans ferred, and Dreyer's assumed, all the provisions of that
certain Agreement and Lease dated August 1, 1986 between Wilsey and Tillie
Marantz, as Trustee of the Tillie Marantz Revocable Trust, dba TJ Investments
(the "Wilsey Lease"). Dreyer's and Smithway subsequently amended the Wilsey
Lease to, among other things, make it coterminous with the Original Lease (the
Wilsey Lease, as amended to date, and the Original Lease, as amended to date,
taken together shall be referred to herein as the "Commerce Lease").

         In consideration of this amendment letter, and in consideration of the
mutual promises contained herein, the following is hereby agreed upon:

         1.       Smithway hereby waives any claims it may have against Dreyer's
                  for rent or common area expenses ("CAM") unbilled under the
                  Commerce Lease up to and including the date of this amendment
                  letter and Dreyer's hereby waives any claims it may have
                  against Smithway for refund of CAM, taxes or insurance under
                  the Commerce Lease up to and including the date of this
                  amendment letter.

         2.       The Commerce Lease is hereby amended as follows:

                  A.       Lease Term:

                           12 years, commencing August 1, 1995 and terminating
                           July 31, 2007, subject to Paragraph 2B hereof.

                  B.       Options:

                           3 options, each option to extend the lease term for 5
                           additional years.

                                        1
<PAGE>   2

                  C.       (i)Rent:

                  The aggregate amount of $59,000 per month, plus CAM (as
                  defined in Paragraph 2D hereof), taxes and insurance, for
                  Dreyer's occupancy of the spaces in the Smithway Property
                  identified in Exhibit B, attached hereto and made a part
                  hereof.

                              (ii)Additional Rent:

                  Dreyer's shall pay additional rent for August 1995 of $14,153
                  (plus CAM, taxes and insurance related to, and Dreyer's may
                  occupy during such month as additional space identified in
                  Exhibit B attached hereto, the cooler portion of the B Box
                  space (the "B Cooler") and the freezer portion of the B Box
                  space (the "B Freezer")).

                  Dreyer's shall pay additional rent for the B Freezer for
                  September 1995 of $9,000 (plus CAM, taxes and insurance
                  related to the B Freezer).

                  Dreyer's shall pay additional rent for the B Freezer for
                  October 1995 through December 1996 of $9,000 per month (plus
                  CAM, taxes and insurance related to the B Freezer) unless the
                  B Freezer is to be sub-subleased by Smithway to a third party,
                  at which time (upon not less than thirty (30) days prior
                  notice from Smithway) Dreyer's will vacate the B Freezer,
                  sublease the B Freezer to Smithway in accordance with
                  Paragraph 2H hereof, and the additional rent to be paid by
                  Dreyer's for the B Freezer thereafter shall be reduced to $1
                  per month. In any event, Dreyer's will not sublease to
                  Smithway, and vacate, the B Freezer earlier than September 30,
                  1995 or later than December 31, 1996. Dreyer's obligation to
                  pay additional rent of $9,000 per month shall cease on the
                  earlier to occur of (x) Smithway sub-subleasing the B Freezer
                  or (y) the payment of $9,000 additional rent for December
                  1996, provided Dreyer's has vacated the B Freezer, and made
                  the sublease described in Paragraph 2H hereof available to
                  Smithway, by the end of such month.

                               (iii) Payment Date:

                  Rent and Additional Rent is due on the first day of each
                  month.

                  D.       CAM:

                  The CAM to be paid by Dreyer's to Smithway shall be defined as
                  set out in Exhibit A, attached hereto and made a part hereof,
                  titled "Southwest Operations Center, CAM Expense Definition."

                  E.       CPI:

                  Any CPI change shall not exceed 0.75% per year. Rent (as set
                  out in Paragraph 2C(i) hereof) will be adjusted based upon the
                  increase in CPI over the base year 1995 on August 1, 2000 and
                  2005, and, to the extent lease


                                        2
<PAGE>   3



                  extension options are exercised, on August 1 of 2010, 2015,
                  and 2020, as applicable. The rent of $59,000 shall be used as
                  the basis for each CPI calculation. A CPI index for the
                  California area shall be chosen by Dreyer's.

                  F.       Fee:

                  A fee of $15,000 shall be paid by Dreyer's to Smithway on
                  January 1, 1996 if both the B Cooler and the B Freezer
                  portions of the B Box have been rented by Smithway to
                  third-parties by December 31, 1995. It is understood that
                  Dreyer's will not vacate the B Freezer earlier than September
                  30, 1995.

                  G.       Tanks:

                  Smithway hereby assumes ownership of Dreyer's underground
                  tanks subject to Smithway (i) receiving from Dreyer's, at
                  Dreyer's expense, a certification of underground storage tank
                  closure from the L.A. County Public Works (for the previously
                  removed tanks) and (ii) obtaining at no cost to Smithway a
                  permit to own and use the tanks (a "Permit"). Smithway agrees
                  that any renewal or reissuance of the Permit after initial
                  issuance shall be at Smithway's expense. Dreyer's will provide
                  right-of-way to access the tanks/pumps for as long as Dreyer's
                  or its successor in interest occupies the Smithway Property.

                  H.       Depreciation:

                  At such time as Dreyer's vacates the B Freezer as described in
                  Paragraph 2C(ii) hereof, Dreyer's will sublease the B Freezer
                  to Smithway for $1 per month so that Dreyer's will be able to
                  legally maintain its current depreciation schedule for the B
                  Freezer (approximately 5 years); provided however, that the
                  efficacy of such sublease for depreciation purposes shall not
                  be a condition to Dreyer's obligations under the Commerce
                  Lease (or the restated Commerce Lease to be negotiated
                  pursuant to Paragraph 3 hereof). Smithway agrees that under
                  such sublease all obligations of Dreyer's under the Commerce
                  Lease for the B Freezer shall cease except Dreyer's obligation
                  to pay additional rent to Smithway of $1 per month for
                  Dreyer's continued lease of the B Freezer for the period of
                  the depreciation schedule.

                  I.       Surrender of Space:

                  Dreyer's will surrender, on August 1, 1995, the Sales Office
                  space to Smithway; provided that Dreyer's will continue to
                  occupy the small storage room in the Sales Office Space where
                  its telephone system is currently installed and Dreyer's will
                  be permitted reasonable access to such storage room for so
                  long as Dreyer's occupies such storage room under the Commerce
                  Lease. The B Cooler will be surrendered to Smithway on
                  September 1,


                                        3
<PAGE>   4

                  1995. Smithway is relying on Dreyer's agreement to surrender
                  these spaces so a lease can be negotiated and signed with
                  Malibu Farms for the Sales Office space and the B Cooler.
                  Smithway agrees that Dreyer's may have reasonable access to
                  the Sales Office space during the month of August, 1995 so
                  that Dreyer's may remove certain equipment.

                  J.       Other Space:

                  Dreyer's will continue to occupy various dry storage space for
                  the rental rate set out in Paragraph 2C(i) above until such
                  time as the space is rented to a third-party or Dreyer's
                  additional rent obligation of $9,000 per month terminates (as
                  described in Paragraph 2C(ii)above), at which time Dreyer's
                  will vacate such dry storage space.

         3.       Smithway and Dreyer's agree that promptly following the
                  execution of this amendment letter they shall negotiate in
                  good faith regarding all other necessary and appropriate terms
                  and conditions to be included in a complete and definitive
                  restatement of the Commerce Lease containing the terms set out
                  in this amendment letter.

         4.       This amendment letter shall be deemed to be a contract
                  made under the laws of the State of California and for
                  all purposes shall be governed and construed in
                  accordance with the laws of such State applicable to
                  contracts to be made and performed entirely within such
                  State. If any term or provision of this amendment letter
                  is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other
                  authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the
                  remainder of the terms and provisions of this amendment
                  letter shall in no way be affected, impaired or
                  invalidated.  The language of this amendment letter shall
                  be construed as a whole and in accordance with the fair
                  meaning of the language used.  The language of this
                  amendment letter shall not be strictly construed for or
                  against either of the parties hereto based upon who
                  drafted or was principally responsible for drafting the
                  amendment letter or any specific term or condition
                  hereof.  This amendment letter shall be deemed to have
                  been drafted by each party hereof, and no party may urge
                  otherwise.



                                        4
<PAGE>   5


         5.       The existing terms and conditions of the Commerce Lease shall
                  remain in full force and effect except as such terms and
                  conditions are specifically amended by this amendment letter.

Sincerely,

/s/ Aaron Cohen
- -----------------------------
Aaron Cohen, President
SMITHWAY ASSOCIATES, INC.

Agreed and Accepted this 4th day of August, 1995:

DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.

By: /s/ Paul R. Woodland
   --------------------------
        Paul R. Woodland

Title: Vice President - Finance



                                        5
<PAGE>   6

                                    EXHIBIT A

                           Southwest Operations Center
                             CAM Expense Definition

I. It is understood and agreed that "common area expenses" ("CAM") as used
herein, shall mean the reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Smithway in
connection with the upkeep, maintenance and repair of the common areas of the
Smithway Property. Dreyer's shall pay the percentage of CAM determined by
dividing: (x) 85,000 square feet of the space occupied by Dreyer's in the
Smithway building (excluding the B Cooler and the B Freezer) by (y) the total
Smithway building square footage (total Smithway building square footage as of
August 1, 1995 is 220,795 square feet). If Smithway, subsequent to August 1,
1995, leases to Dreyer's additional internal space in the Smithway building, the
square footage of such space shall be added to Dreyer's 85,000 square feet for
purposes of determining Dreyer's percentage of CAM applicable after such change;
provided that, if Smithway leases to Dreyer's additional space external to the
Smithway building it shall have no effect on the determination of Dreyer's
percentage of CAM. Smithway agrees that any single expenditure in excess of
$2,500 that will be included in CAM must have prior written approval of
Dreyer's, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld. CAM may include but
is not limited to the following:

         -        Electricity
         -        Water & Sewer
         -        Trash
         -        Landscaping, Gardening (Both Exterior & Interior)
         -        Walkway Maintenance
         -        Parking Lot Maintenance & Repair
         -        Electrical Repair
         -        Pest Control, Exterminator
         -        Dreyer's percentage of CAM determined as set out above
                  multiplied by 50.0% of one Building Engineer's salary
         -        Secretarial Services & Record Keeping - Dreyer's shall be
                  subject to pay for such services only Dreyer's percentage of
                  CAM determined as set out above multiplied by 50.0% of Karen
                  Worthy's salary
         -        Fire Protection System, Fire Department
         -        Security
         -        Exterior Lighting Maintenance & Repair
         -        Janitorial Services
         -        Miscellaneous Painting
         -        Property Taxes
         -        Insurance
         -        Miscellaneous Taxes
         -        Elevator Permits & Maintenance
         -        Capital Expenditures (Per above single item expenditure
                  guidelines)


                                        1
<PAGE>   7


Exhibit A cont.

It is further understood and agreed that CAM may include the reasonable costs
and expenses incurred by Smithway for a property tax consultant to challenge the
assessed amount of real estate taxes attributable to the Smithway Property.

II. Smithway agrees that any costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
following items, regardless of whether such costs and expenses might otherwise
fall within the definition of CAM set out in part I. of this Exhibit A, may not
be included in CAM to be paid by Dreyer's under the Commerce Lease and that
Dreyer's shall have no obligation to pay any portion of any costs and expenses
related to such items:

         -        Leasing Commission or Other Commissions
         -        Property Tax Consultant (Except as noted above)
         -        Property Management Fees
         -        Marketing & Promotional Expenses
         -        Architectural Or General Engineering - Other Consultants
         -        Legal Fees
         -        Business Licenses
         -        Debt Services
         -        Tenant Improvements by tenants other than Dreyer's
         -        Health Permits


                                        2
<PAGE>   8
EXHIBIT B


                          Southwest Operations Center

                     Area Measurements and Space Definition

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
[Reference]             Definition of Space Subject to Rent                      [Square Feet]
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>             <C>                      <C>                                   <C>
    A1                                              A Box Freezer                    13,801
    A2                                              A Box Ante-Room                     640
    A3                                              A Box Truck Loadout               2,340
                                                                                    =======
                Total Refrigerated Space & Cooler                                    16,781

    E                                               Package Prod.                     7,781
    F                                             Snack & Novelty Prod.               7,621
    G                                    Mix Room (Receiving & Storage)               2,580
                                                                                    =======
                Total Production                                                     17,982

   H1           Telephone Switching Equipt. Room                                        300
   H2           Offices                                                              18,283
                                                                                    =======
                Total Offices                                                        18,583

    I                                                      Charger Room               1,305
    J                                                          Basement               4,219
                                                                                    =======
                Total Other Space (Internal)                                          5,524

   K1                                                       Dry Storage               5,586
   K2                                                       Dry Storage               7,350
   K3                                                       Dry Storage               6,556
   K4                                                       Dry Storage                 722
   K5                                               Dry Storage (Aisle)               1,150
                                                                                    =======
                Total Warehouse Area (Dry Storage)                                   21,364
                
                                                                                    =======
                Total Square Footage                                                 80,234
                                                                                    =======

   C1                                                     Boiler Room                   784
   C2                                                     Engine Room                 2,080
   C3                                                         S/R Box                 2,300
   C4                                            Other External Space                28,694
                                                                                    =======
                Total Other Space (External Incl. S/R Box)                           39,858

                                                                                    =======
                Total Square Footage Subject To Rent                                120,092
                                                                                    =======


                   Definition of Space Subject to Additional Rent               [Square Feet]
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   D1                                           W/B Cooler (B Cooler)                 3,168
   D2                                         W/B Freezer (B Freezer)                 6,458
                                                                                    =======
                Total B Cooler & Freezer                                              9,636

                                                                                    =======
                Total Square Footage Subject To Rent & Additional Rent              129,728
                                                                                    =======
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  Exhibit 10.30

===============================================================================




                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                   DATED AS OF

                                DECEMBER 22, 1995



                                      AMONG



                         DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.



                        THE BANKS PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT

                                       AND


             BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION

                             AS AGENT FOR THE BANKS

                                       AND

                               ABN-AMRO BANK N.V.

                                   AS CO-AGENT




===============================================================================
<PAGE>   2
List of Exhibits and Schedules


EXHIBITS

Exhibit A - Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit B - Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit C - Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
Exhibit D - Form of Legal Opinion
Exhibit E - Form of Assignment and Acceptance


SCHEDULES

Schedule 2.01 - Commitments
Schedule 5.07 - ERISA
Schedule 5.11 - Indebtedness
Schedule 5.15 - Labor
Schedule 5.17 - Subsidiaries
Schedule 7.01 - Liens
Schedule 7.04 - Investments
Schedule 7.05 - Indebtedness
Schedule 7.08 - Contingent Obligations
Schedule 10.02 - Addresses for Notices, etc.
<PAGE>   3
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1 
         1.01  Certain Defined Terms  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1 
         1.02  Other Interpretive Provisions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
         1.03  Accounting Principles  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17

ARTICLE II
THE CREDITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
         2.01  Amounts and Terms of Commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
               (a)  The Revolving Credit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
               (b)  The Same Day Rate Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
         2.02  Loan Accounts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
         2.03  Procedure for Borrowing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
         2.04  Conversion and Continuation Elections  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
         2.05  Voluntary Termination or Reduction of 
               Commitments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
         2.06  Optional Prepayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
         2.07  Repayment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
         2.08  Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
         2.09  Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
               (a)  Arrangement, Agency Fees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
               (b)  Closing Fees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
               (c)  Commitment Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
         2.10  Computation of Fees and Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
         2.11  Payments by the Company  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
         2.12  Payments by the Banks to the Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
         2.13  Sharing of Payments, Etc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26


ARTICLE III
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
         3.01  Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
         3.02  Illegality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
         3.03  Increased Costs and Reduction of Return  . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
         3.04  Funding Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
         3.05  Inability to Determine Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
         3.06  Reserves on Offshore Rate Loans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
         3.07  Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30


ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
         4.01  Conditions of Initial Loans Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
               (a)  Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
               (b)  Resolutions; Incumbency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
               (c)  Legal Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
               (d)  Payment of Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
               (e)  Prior Credit Agreement; Payment of Sums Due
                    and Termination of Commitment to Lend Under
                    the Prior Credit Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
               (f)  Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
               (g)  Other Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
         4.02  Conditions to All Borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
               (a)  Notice of Borrowing or
                    Conversion/Continuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section                                                                          Page
<S>                                                                              <C>
               (b)  Continuation of Representations and
                    Warranties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
               (c)  No Existing Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32

ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
         5.01  Corporate Existence and Power  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
         5.02  Corporate Authorization; No Contravention  . . . . . . . . . . .  33
         5.03  Governmental Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
         5.04  Binding Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
         5.05  Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
         5.06  No Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
         5.07  ERISA Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
         5.08  Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
         5.09  Title to Properties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
         5.10  Taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
         5.11  Financial Condition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
         5.12  Environmental Matters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
         5.13  Regulated Entities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
         5.14  No Burdensome Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
         5.15  Labor Relations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
         5.16  Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Licenses, etc. . . . . . . .  36
         5.17  Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
         5.18  Insurance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
         5.19  Full Disclosure  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
         5.20  Disclosure re Margin Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37


ARTICLE VI
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
         6.01  Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
         6.02  Certificates; Other Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
         6.03  Notices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
         6.04  Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
         6.05  Maintenance of Property  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
         6.06  Insurance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
         6.07  Payment of Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
         6.08  Compliance with Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
         6.09  Compliance with ERISA  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
         6.10  Inspection of Property and Books and Records . . . . . . . . . .  40
         6.11  Environmental Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
         6.12  Use of Proceeds  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
         6.13  Senior Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
         6.14  Cooperation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42


ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
         7.01  Limitation on Liens  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
         7.02  Disposition of Assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
         7.03  Consolidations and Mergers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
         7.04  Loans and Investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
         7.05  Limitation on Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
         7.06  Transactions with Affiliates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
         7.07  Use of Proceeds  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   5
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section                                                                          Page
<S>                                                                              <C>
         7.08  Contingent Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
         7.09  Joint Ventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
         7.10  Lease Obligations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
         7.11  Restricted Payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48
         7.12  ERISA  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
         7.13  Consolidated Net Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
         7.14  Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
         7.15  Funded Debt/EBITDA Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50
         7.16  Change in Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50
         7.17  Accounting Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50
         7.18  Other Contracts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51


ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
         8.01  Event of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
               (a)  Non-Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
               (b)  Representation or Warranty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
               (c)  Specific Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
               (d)  Other Defaults  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
               (e)  Cross-Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
               (f)  Insolvency; Voluntary Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . .  52
               (g)  Involuntary Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  52
               (h)  ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  52
               (i)  Monetary Judgments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53
               (j)  Non-Monetary Judgments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53
               (k)  Change of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53
               (l)  Loss of Licenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53
               (m)  Adverse Change  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53
               (n)  Invalidity of Subordination Provisions  . . . . . . . . . .  54
         8.02  Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54
         8.03  Rights Not Exclusive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54


ARTICLE IX
THE AGENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54
         9.01  Appointment and Authorization  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54
         9.02  Delegation of Duties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  55
         9.03  Liability of Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  55
         9.04  Reliance by Agent  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  55
         9.05  Notice of Default  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  56
         9.06  Credit Decision  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  56
         9.07  Indemnification of Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
         9.08  Agent in Individual Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
         9.09  Successor Agent  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  58
         9.10  Withholding Tax  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  58
         9.11  Co-Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60


ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
         10.01  Amendments and Waivers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
         10.02  Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  61
         10.03  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  61
         10.04  Costs and Expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  61
         10.05  Company Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
         10.06  Payments Set Aside  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section                                                                          Page
<S>                                                                              <C>
         10.07  Successors and Assigns  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
         10.08  Assignments, Participations, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
         10.09  Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
         10.10  Set-off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  65
         10.11  Notification of Addresses, Lending Offices,
                Etc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  65
         10.12  Counterparts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
         10.13  Severability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
         10.14  No Third Parties Benefitted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
         10.15  Commitment Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
         10.16  Termination of Commitments to Lend Under the
                Prior Credit Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
         10.17  Governing Law and Jurisdiction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
         10.18  Waiver of Jury Trial  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  67
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   7
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


         This CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of December 22, 1995 among
Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the
several financial institutions from time to time party to this Agreement
(collectively, the "Banks"; individually, a "Bank"), ABN-AMRO Bank N.V., San
Francisco International Branch as Co-Agent, and Bank of America National Trust
and Savings Association, as agent for the Banks.

         WHEREAS, the Company, certain financial institutions party thereto,
ABN-AMRO Bank N.V., San Francisco International Branch as Co-Agent, and Bank of
America National Trust and Savings Association, as agent for the Banks entered
into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 13, 1994 (as
amended as of the date of this Agreement, the "Prior Credit Agreement");

         WHEREAS, the Banks have agreed to make available to the Company a
revolving credit facility upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the initial borrowings of which will be used to repay principal,
interest, and all other sums then due and payable under the Prior Credit
Agreement;


         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions
and covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS

         1.01 Certain Defined Terms.  The following terms have the following
meanings:

                 "Acquisition" means any transaction or series of related
         transactions for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly,
         in (a) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a
         Person, or of any business or division of a Person, (b) the
         acquisition of in excess of 50% of the capital stock, partnership
         interests, membership interests, or equity of any Person, or otherwise
         causing any Person to become a Subsidiary, or (c) a merger or
         consolidation or any other combination with another Person (other than
         a Person that is a Subsidiary) provided that the Company or the
         Subsidiary is the surviving entity.





                                       1
<PAGE>   8
                 "Affiliate" means, 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. A Person shall be deemed to
         control another Person if the controlling Person possesses, directly
         or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the
         management and policies of the other Person, whether through the
         ownership of voting securities, membership interests, by contract, or
         otherwise.  Each of General Electric Capital Corporation, the Trustees
         of General Electric Pension Trust, GE Investment Private Placement
         Partners I, and Nestle Holdings, Inc. and its Affiliates shall not be
         deemed an Affiliate of the Company by reason of such Person's equity
         holdings in the Company as of the date of this Agreement.

                 "Agent" means BofA in its capacity as agent for the Banks
         hereunder, and any successor agent arising under Section 9.09.

                 "Agent-Related Persons" means BofA and any successor agent
         arising under Section 9.09, together with their respective Affiliates
         (including, in the case of BofA, the Arranger), and the officers,
         directors, employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact of such Persons and
         Affiliates.

                 "Agent's Payment Office" means the address for payments set
         forth on Schedule 10.02 in relation to the Agent, or such other
         address as the Agent may from time to time specify.

                 "Agreement" means this Credit Agreement as in effect from time
         to time.

                 "Applicable Margin" means:

                          (a)  For each Loan made, converted, or continued
         during the period from the date of this Agreement through the date
         which is two Business Days after the date on which the Agent first
         receives a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(b):

                          0.625% if such Loan is an Offshore Rate Loan

                          0.000% if such Loan is a Base Rate Loan

                          0.625% if such Loan is a Same Date Rate Loan; and





                                       2
<PAGE>   9
                          (b)  Thereafter:


                    For each period from the date which is three Business Days
                    after the date the Agent receives a Compliance Certificate
                    pursuant to Section 6.02(b) (the "Current Compliance
                    Certificate") through the date which is two Business Days
                    after the Agent receives the next such Compliance
                    Certificate, and for each Loan made, converted, or
                    continued during such period, if the Current Compliance
                    Certificate shows the Company's Funded Debt/EBITDA Ratio
                    is:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                2.50 or       3.00 or       3.50 or        4.00 or
For               Below         above and     above and     above and      above and      4.50 or
each:             2.50          below 3.00    below 3.50    below 4.00     below 4.50     above
<S>               <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>
Offshore 
Rate
Loan              0.500%        0.625%        0.750%        0.875%         1.000%        1.250%

Base 
Rate 
Loan              0.000%        0.000%        0.000%        0.000%         0.000%        0.250%

Same Day 
Rate
Loan              0.500%        0.625%        0.750%        0.875%         1.000%        1.250%
</TABLE>


                 "Arranger" means BA Securities, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

                 "Assignee" has the meaning specified in subsection 10.08(a).

                 "Attorney Costs" means and includes all fees and disbursements
         of any law firm or other external counsel, the allocated cost of
         internal legal services and all disbursements of internal counsel.

                 "Bank" has the meaning specified in the introductory clause
         hereto.

                 "Bankruptcy Code" means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of
         1978 (11 U.S.C. Section 101, et seq.).

                 "Base Rate" means, for any day, the higher of:  (a) 0.50% per
         annum above the Federal Funds Rate for such day; and (b) the rate of
         interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to
         time by BofA in San Francisco, California, as its "Reference Rate."
         (The "Reference Rate" is a rate set by BofA based upon various





                                       3
<PAGE>   10
         factors including BofA's costs and desired return, general economic
         conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for
         pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such
         announced rate.)

                 Any change in the Reference Rate announced by BofA shall take
         effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public
         announcement of such change.

                 "Base Rate Loan" means a Loan that bears interest based on the
         Base Rate.

                 "BofA" means Bank of America National Trust and Savings
         Association, a national banking association.

                 "Borrowing" means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Loans of
         the same Type made to the Company on the same day under Article II
         and, other than in the case of Base Rate Loans, having the same
         Interest Period.

                 "Borrowing Date" means any date on which a Borrowing occurs
         under Section 2.03.

                 "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
         other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York, or San
         Francisco, California are authorized or required by law to close and,
         if the applicable Business Day relates to any Offshore Rate Loan,
         means such a day on which dealings are carried on in the applicable
         offshore dollar interbank market.

                 "Capital Adequacy Regulation" means any guideline, request or
         directive of any central bank or other Governmental Authority, or any
         other law, rule or regulation, whether or not having the force of law,
         in each case, regarding capital adequacy of any bank or of any
         corporation controlling a bank.

                 "Cash Equivalents" means:

                 (a)      securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by
         the United States Government or any agency thereof and backed by the
         full faith and credit of the United States having maturities of not
         more than six months from the date of acquisition;

                 (b)      certificates of deposit, time deposits, Eurodollar
         time deposits, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements,
         or bankers' acceptances, having in each case a tenor of not more than
         six months, issued by any Bank, or by any U.S. commercial bank or any
         branch or agency of a non-U.S. bank licensed to conduct business in
         the U.S. having combined capital and surplus of not less than
         $100,000,000 whose short term securities are rated at least A-1 by
         Standard & Poor's Corporation and P-1 by Moody's Investors Service,
         Inc.;

                 (c)      commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by
         Standard & Poor's Corporation or P-1 by Moody's Investors





                                       4
<PAGE>   11
         Service Inc. and in either case having a tenor of not more than three
         months.

                 "Closing Date" means the date on which all conditions
         precedent set forth in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived by all
         Banks (or, in the case of subsection 4.01(d), waived by the Person
         entitled to receive such payment), which date must occur before
         December 31, 1995.

                 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and regulations
         promulgated thereunder.

                 "Commitment", as to each Bank, has the meaning specified in
         Section 2.01.

                 "Compliance Certificate" means a certificate substantially in
         the form of Exhibit A.

                 "Consolidated Net Worth" of the Company means stockholders'
         equity plus subordinated debt existing on the Closing Date, plus
         subordinated debt subsequently incurred which is acceptable to the
         Majority Banks, plus Series A Preferred Stock, plus Series B Preferred
         Stock, minus the current portion of mandatory redeemable Series B
         Preferred Stock, minus any treasury stock.  Each Bank agrees not to
         unreasonably refuse or withhold its consent to subordinated debt which
         the Company wishes to incur after the date of this Agreement.

                 "Contingent Obligation" means, as to any Person, any direct or
         indirect liability of that Person, whether or not contingent, with or
         without recourse, (a) with respect to any Indebtedness, lease,
         dividend, letter of credit or other obligation (the "primary
         obligations") of another Person (the "primary obligor"), including any
         obligation of that Person (i) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise
         acquire such primary obligations or any security therefor, (ii) to
         advance or provide funds for the payment or discharge of any such
         primary obligation, or to maintain working capital or equity capital
         of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or
         solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or financial
         condition 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 holder of any such primary obligation
         against loss in respect thereof (each, a "Guaranty Obligation"); (b)
         with respect to any Surety Instrument issued for the account of that
         Person or as to which that Person is otherwise liable for
         reimbursement of drawings or payments; (c) to purchase any materials,
         supplies or other property from, or to obtain the services of, another
         Person if the relevant contract or other related document or
         obligation requires that payment for such materials, supplies or other
         property, or for such services,





                                       5
<PAGE>   12
         shall be made regardless of whether delivery of such materials,
         supplies or other property is ever made or tendered, or such services
         are ever performed or tendered, or (d) in respect of any Swap
         Contract.  The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall, in the case
         of Guaranty Obligations, be deemed equal to the stated or determinable
         amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guaranty
         Obligation is made or, if not stated or if indeterminable, the maximum
         reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof, and in the case
         of other Contingent Obligations other than in respect of Swap
         Contracts, shall be equal to the maximum reasonably anticipated
         liability in respect thereof and, in the case of Contingent
         Obligations in respect of Swap Contracts, shall be equal to the Swap
         Termination Value.

                 "Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any
         provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement,
         undertaking, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other
         instrument, document or agreement to which such Person is a party or
         by which it or any of its property is bound.

                 "Conversion/Continuation Date" means any date on which, under
         Section 2.04, the Company (a) converts Loans of one Type to another
         Type, or (b) continues as Loans of the same Type with a new Interest
         Period, Loans of the same Type with Interest Periods expiring on such
         date.

                 "Default" means any event or circumstance which, with the
         giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, would (if not cured or
         otherwise remedied during such time) constitute an Event of Default.

                 "Dollars", "dollars" and "$" each mean lawful money of the
         United States.

                 "EBITDA" means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
         and amortization of non-cash charges, all determined on a consolidated
         basis and in accordance with GAAP.

                 "Eligible Assignee" means (i) a commercial bank organized under
         the laws of the United States, or any state thereof, and having a
         combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000; (ii) a
         commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country which is
         a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
         (the "OECD"), or a political subdivision of any such country, and
         having a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000,
         provided that such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in
         the country in which it is organized or another country which is also a
         member of the OECD; and (iii) a Person that is primarily engaged in the
         business of commercial banking and that is (A) a Subsidiary of a Bank,
         (B) a Subsidiary of a Person of which a Bank is a





                                       6
<PAGE>   13
         Subsidiary, or (C) a Person of which a Bank is a Subsidiary.

                 "Environmental Claims" means all written claims received by the
         Company, however asserted, by any Governmental Authority or other
         Person alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of
         any Environmental Law, or for release or injury to the environment.

                 "Environmental Laws" means all federal, state, local, or
         foreign laws and regulations, relating to pollution or protection of
         public health and the environment (including, without limitation,
         ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface
         strata), including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating
         to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of Materials
         of Environmental Concern, or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
         processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport,
         or handling of Materials of Environmental Concern.

                 "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
         1974, and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                 "ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not
         incorporated) under common control with the Company within the meaning
         of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of
         the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the
         Code).

                 "ERISA Event" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a
         Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate
         from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year
         in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section
         4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations which is treated as
         such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or
         partial withdrawal by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from a
         Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in
         reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the
         treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or
         4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to
         terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or
         condition which might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds
         under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment
         of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or
         (f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than
         PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon
         the Company or any ERISA Affiliate.

                 "Event of Default" means any of the events or circumstances
         specified in Section 8.01.





                                       7
<PAGE>   14
                 "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and
         regulations promulgated thereunder.

                 "FDIC" means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and any
         Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

                 "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate set forth in
         the weekly statistical release designated as H.15(519), or any
         successor publication, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
         York (including any such successor, "H.15(519)") on the preceding
         Business Day opposite the caption "Federal Funds (Effective)"; or, if
         for any relevant day such rate is not so published on any such
         preceding Business Day, the rate for such day will be the arithmetic
         mean as determined by the Agent of the rates for the last transaction
         in overnight Federal funds arranged prior to 9:00 a.m. (New York City
         time) on that day by each of three leading brokers of Federal funds
         transactions in New York City selected by the Agent.

                 "Fee Letter" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.09(a).

                 "FRB" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
         System, and any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its
         principal functions.

                 "Funded Debt" of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all
         indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) all obligations issued, undertaken
         or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services
         (other than trade payables entered into in the ordinary course of
         business on ordinary terms); (c) all obligations evidenced by notes,
         bonds, debentures or similar instruments, including obligations so
         evidenced incurred in connection with the acquisition of property,
         assets or businesses; and (d) all indebtedness created or arising under
         any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as
         financing, in either case with respect to property acquired by the
         Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under
         such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or
         sale of such property); and (e) in the case of the Company, the current
         portion of mandatory redeemable Series B Preferred Stock. Obligations
         arising from capital leases shall not be deemed Funded Debt.

                 "Funded Debt/EBITDA Ratio" of any Person means the ratio of
         such Person's Funded Debt to its EBITDA; with EBITDA calculated on a
         rolling four quarter basis.

                 "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth
         from time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
         Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public
         Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial
         Accounting





                                       8
<PAGE>   15
         Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable
         stature and authority within the U.S. accounting profession), which
         are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination.

                 "Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any
         state or other political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or
         similar monetary or regulatory authority) thereof, any entity
         exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or
         administrative functions of or pertaining to government, and any
         corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through stock or
         capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.

                 "Grand Soft Capital Company" means Grand Soft Capital Company,
         a California corporation.

                 "Grand Soft Equipment Company" means Grand Soft Equipment
         Company, a Kentucky corporation.

                 "Grand Soft Program" means (i) all sales by Grand Soft Capital
         Company or Grand Soft Equipment Company of leases covering machinery
         manufactured for or by Grand Soft Equipment Company; (ii) all sales and
         leasebacks by Grand Soft Capital Company or Grand Soft Equipment
         Company of machinery manufactured for or by Grand Soft Equipment
         Company; and (iii) all leases of equipment manufactured for or by Grand
         Soft Equipment Company leased by Grand Soft Equipment Company or Grand
         Soft Capital Company.

                 "Guaranty Obligation" has the meaning specified in the
         definition of "Contingent Obligation."

                 "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication, (a)
         all indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) all obligations issued,
         undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or
         services (other than trade payables entered into in the ordinary course
         of business on ordinary terms); (c) all non-contingent reimbursement or
         payment obligations with respect to Surety Instruments; (d) all
         obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar
         instruments, including obligations so evidenced incurred in connection
         with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses; (e) all
         indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other
         title retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case
         with respect to property acquired by the Person (even though the rights
         and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of
         default are limited to repossession or sale of such property); (f) all
         obligations with respect to capital leases; (g) all indebtedness
         referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above secured by (or for which
         the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or
         otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or in property (including
         accounts and contracts





                                        9
<PAGE>   16
         rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed
         or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness; and (h) all
         Guaranty Obligations in respect of indebtedness or obligations of
         others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above.

                 "Indemnified Liabilities" has the meaning specified in Section
         10.05.

                 "Indemnified Person" has the meaning specified in Section
         10.05.

                 "Independent Auditor" has the meaning specified in subsection
         6.01(a).

                 "Insolvency Proceeding" means, with respect to any Person, (a)
         any case, action or proceeding with respect to such Person before any
         court or other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy,
         reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution,
         winding-up or relief of debtors, or (b) any general assignment for the
         benefit of creditors, composition, marshalling of assets for creditors,
         or other, similar arrangement in respect of its creditors generally or
         any substantial portion of its creditors; undertaken under U.S.
         Federal, state or foreign law, including the Bankruptcy Code.

                 "Interest Payment Date" means, as to any Loan other than a Base
         Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan
         and, as to any Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each calendar
         quarter and each date such Loan is converted into another Type of Loan,
         provided, however, that if any Interest Period for an Offshore Rate
         Loan exceeds three months, the date that falls three months after the
         beginning of such Interest Period and after each Interest Payment Date
         thereafter is also an Interest Payment Date.

                 "Interest Period" means, (a) as to any Same Day Rate Loan, the
         period commencing on the Borrowing Date of such Loan, or the date such
         Same Day Rate Loan is continued as a Same Day Rate Loan through the
         date agreed upon between the Company and BofA, except that the Interest
         Period for a Same Day Rate Loan shall not exceed 30 days; and (b) as to
         any Offshore Rate Loan, the period commencing on the Borrowing Date of
         such Loan or on the Conversion/Continuation Date on which the Loan is
         converted into or continued as an Offshore Rate Loan, and ending on the
         date one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the
         Company in its Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
         Conversion/Continuation; provided that:

                          (i)     if any Interest Period would otherwise end on
                 a day that is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall
                 be extended to the following Business Day unless, in the case
                 of an Offshore Rate Loan, the result of such extension would
                 be to carry such Interest Period





                                       10
<PAGE>   17
                 into another calendar month, in which event such Interest
                 Period shall end on the preceding Business Day;

                          (ii)  any Interest Period pertaining to an Offshore
                 Rate Loan 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 the
                 calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

                          (iii)  no Interest Period for any Loan shall extend
                 beyond December 31, 1999.

                 "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service, and any Governmental
         Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under the Code.

                 "Joint Venture" means a single-purpose corporation,
         partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other similar
         legal arrangement (whether created by contract or conducted through a
         separate legal entity) now or hereafter formed by the Company or any of
         its Subsidiaries with another Person in order to conduct a common
         venture or enterprise with such Person.

                 "Lending Office" means, as to any Bank, the office or offices
         of such Bank specified as its "Lending Office" or "Domestic Lending
         Office" or "Offshore Lending Office", as the case may be, on Schedule
         10.02, or such other office or offices as such Bank may from time to
         time notify the Company and the Agent.

                 "Lien" means any security interest, mortgage, deed of trust,
         pledge, hypothecation, assignment, charge or deposit arrangement,
         encumbrance, lien (statutory or other) or preferential arrangement of
         any kind or nature whatsoever in respect of any property (including
         those created by, arising under or evidenced by any conditional sale or
         other title retention agreement, the interest of a lessor under a
         capital lease, any financing lease having substantially the same
         economic effect as any of the foregoing, or the filing of any financing
         statement naming the owner of the asset to which such lien relates as
         debtor, under the Uniform Commercial Code or any comparable law) and
         any contingent or other agreement to provide any of the foregoing, but
         not including the interest of a lessor under an operating lease.

                 "Loan" means an extension of credit by a Bank to the Company
         under Article II, and may be a Base Rate Loan, an Offshore Rate Loan,
         or a Same Day Rate Loan (each, a "Type" of Loan).

                 "Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Fee Letter, and all
         other documents delivered to the Agent or any Bank in connection
         herewith.





                                       11
<PAGE>   18
                 "Majority Banks" means (a) at any time when there are more than
         two Banks, Banks then holding 60% or more of the then aggregate unpaid
         principal amount of the Loans, or, if no such principal amount is then
         outstanding, Banks then having 60% or more of the combined Commitments
         of the Banks; or (b) at any time when there are only two Banks, both
         Banks.

                 "Margin Stock" means "margin stock" as such term is defined in
         Regulation G, T, U or X of the FRB.

                 "Material Adverse Effect" means (a) a material adverse change
         in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business,
         properties, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the
         Company or the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a
         material impairment of the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary to
         perform under any Loan Document and to avoid any Event of Default; or
         (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding
         effect or enforceability against the Company of any Loan Document.

                 "Material Subsidiary" means Edy's Grand Ice Cream and, at any
         time, any other Subsidiary of the Company having at such time either
         (i) total (gross) revenues for the preceding four fiscal quarter period
         in excess of 10% of the total (gross) revenues of the Company on a
         consolidated basis, or (ii) total assets, as of the last day of the
         preceding fiscal quarter, having a net book value in excess of
         $50,000,000 in each case, based upon the Company's most recent annual
         or quarterly financial statements delivered to the Agent under Section
         6.01.

                 "Materials of Environmental Concern" means chemicals,
         pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous
         substances, petroleum, and petroleum products.

                 "Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan", within the
         meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Company or any
         ERISA Affiliate makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions
         or, during the preceding three calendar years, has made, or been
         obligated to make, contributions.

                 "Net Issuance Proceeds" means, in respect of any offering of
         equity or debt securities or debt instruments, cash proceeds and
         non-cash proceeds received or receivable in connection therewith, net
         of reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses paid or incurred in
         connection therewith in favor of any Person not an Affiliate of the
         Company or in favor of Manwell & Milton, such costs and expenses not to
         exceed 5% of the gross proceeds of such issuance.

                 "Notice of Borrowing" means a notice in substantially the form
         of Exhibit B.





                                       12
<PAGE>   19
                 "Notice of Conversion/Continuation" means a notice in
         substantially the form of Exhibit C.

                 "Obligations" means all advances, debts, liabilities,
         obligations, covenants and duties arising under any Loan Document owing
         by the Company to any Bank, the Agent, or any Indemnified Person,
         whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment),
         absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter
         arising.

                 "Offshore Rate" means, for any Interest Period, with respect to
         Offshore Rate Loans comprising part of the same Borrowing, the rate of
         interest per annum at which dollar deposits in the approximate amount
         of BofA's Offshore Rate Loan for such Interest Period would be offered
         by BofA's Grand Cayman Branch, Grand Cayman, B.W.I. (or such other
         office as may be designated for such purpose by BofA), to major banks
         in the offshore dollar interbank market upon request of such banks at
         approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) two Business Days prior
         to the commencement of such Interest Period.

                 "Offshore Rate Loan" means a Loan that bears interest based on
         the Offshore Rate.

                 "Organization Documents" means, for any corporation, the
         certificate or articles of incorporation, the bylaws, any certificate
         of determination or instrument relating to the rights of preferred
         shareholders of such corporation, any shareholder rights agreement, and
         all applicable resolutions of the board of directors (or any committee
         thereof) of such corporation.

                 "Other Taxes" means any present or future stamp or documentary
         taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies
         which arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution,
         delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this
         Agreement or any other Loan Documents.

                 "Participant" has the meaning specified in subsection 10.08(d).

                 "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any
         Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions
         under ERISA.

                 "Pension Plan" means a pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2)
         of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA which the Company sponsors,
         maintains, or to which it makes, is making, or is obligated to make
         contributions, or in the case of a multiple employer plan (as described
         in Section 4064(a) of ERISA) has made contributions at any time during
         the immediately preceding five (5) plan years.





                                       13
<PAGE>   20
                 "Permitted Liens" has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.

                 "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
         liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust,
         unincorporated association, joint venture or Governmental Authority.

                 "Plan" means an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section
         3(3) of ERISA) which the Company sponsors or maintains or to which the
         Company makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions and
         includes any Pension Plan.

                 "Prior Credit Agreement" has the meaning ascribed in the first
         "WHEREAS" clause of this Agreement.

                 "Pro Rata Share" means, as to any Bank at any time, the
         percentage equivalent (expressed as a decimal, rounded to the ninth
         decimal place) at such time of such Bank's Commitment divided by the
         combined Commitments of all Banks.

                 "Reportable Event" means, any of the events set forth in
         Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder, other than any
         such event for which the 30-day notice requirement under ERISA has been
         waived in regulations issued by the PBGC.

                 "Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, any law
         (statutory or common), treaty, rule or regulation or determination of
         an arbitrator or of a Governmental Authority, in each case applicable
         to or binding upon the Person or any of its property or to which the
         Person or any of its property is subject.

                 "Responsible Officer" means the chief executive officer or the
         president of the Company, or any other officer having substantially the
         same authority and responsibility; or, with respect to compliance with
         financial covenants and the Compliance Certificate, the chief financial
         officer or the treasurer of the Company, or any other officer having
         substantially the same authority and responsibility.

                 "Revolving Termination Date" means the earlier to occur of:

                 (a)      December 31, 1999; and

                 (b)  the date on which the Commitments terminate in accordance
                 with the provisions of this Agreement.

                 "Same Day Rate" means the rate specified by BofA to the Company
         prior to the making of the Same Day Rate Loan to which such rate will
         apply and agreed to by the Company.

                 "Same Day Rate Loan" means a Loan that bears interest at the
         Same Day Rate.





                                       14
<PAGE>   21
                 "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any
         Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

                 "Senior Notes" means the Company's unsecured notes which are
         not subordinated to but are of equal rank with the Obligations, issued
         in favor of institutional investors through a private placement
         arranged by the Arranger.

                 "Series A Certificate of Designation" means the Company's
         Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock as
         in effect on the date hereof.

                 "Series B Certificate of Designation" means the Company's
         Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock as
         in effect on the date hereof.

                 "Series A Preferred Stock" means the Company's Series A
         Convertible Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the Series A Certificate
         of Designation.

                 "Series B Preferred Stock" means the Company's Series B
         Convertible Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the Series B Certificate
         of Designation.

                 "Subsidiary" of a Person means any corporation, limited
         liability company, association, partnership, joint venture or other
         business entity of which more than 50% of the voting stock, membership
         interests, or other equity interests (in the case of Persons other than
         corporations), is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the
         Person, or one or more of the Subsidiaries of the Person, or a
         combination thereof. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires,
         references herein to a "Subsidiary" refer to a Subsidiary of the
         Company.

                 "Surety Instruments" means all letters of credit (including
         standby and commercial), banker's acceptances, bank guaranties,
         shipside bonds, surety bonds and similar instruments.

                 "Swap Contract" means any agreement, whether or not in writing,
         relating to any transaction that is a rate swap, basis swap, forward
         rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity
         index swap or option, bond, note or bill option, interest rate option,
         forward foreign exchange transaction, cap, collar or floor transaction,
         currency swap, cross-currency rate swap, swaption, currency option or
         any other, similar transaction (including any option to enter into any
         of the foregoing) or any combination of the foregoing, and, unless the
         context otherwise clearly requires, any master agreement relating to or
         governing any or all of the foregoing.

                 "Swap Termination Value" means, in respect of any one or more
         Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect





                                       15
<PAGE>   22
         of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap
         Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts
         have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance
         therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to
         the date referenced in clause (a) the amount(s) determined as the
         mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined by the
         Company based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available
         quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts
         (which may include any Bank).

                 "Taxes" means any and all present or future taxes, levies,
         imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with
         respect thereto, excluding, in the case of each Bank and the Agent,
         such taxes (including income taxes or franchise taxes) as are imposed
         on or measured by each Bank's net income by the jurisdiction (or any
         political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such Bank or the
         Agent, as the case may be, is organized or maintains a lending office.

                 "Truck Lease Program" means (i) the sale and leaseback, the
         acquisition financing, or the secured financing by the Company or any
         of its Subsidiaries of trucks up to an aggregate of $30,000,000 for
         such transactions and (ii) the lease of trucks by the Company or any of
         its Subsidiaries for use in the ordinary course of business of the
         Company or such Subsidiary, which trucks are not leased pursuant to a
         sale and leaseback.

                 "Type" has the meaning specified in the definition of "Loan."

                 "Unfunded Pension Liability" means the excess of a Plan's
         benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the
         current value of that Plan's assets, determined in accordance with the
         assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412
         of the Code for the applicable plan year.

                 "United States" and "U.S." each means the United States of
         America.

                 "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" means any corporation in which (other
         than directors' qualifying shares required by law) 100% of the capital
         stock of each class having ordinary voting power, and 100% of the
         capital stock of every other class, in each case, at the time as of
         which any determination is being made, is owned, beneficially and of
         record, by the Company, or by one or more of the other Wholly-Owned
         Subsidiaries, or both.

         1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions. (a) The meanings of defined terms
are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.





                                       16
<PAGE>   23

                 (b)  The words "hereof", "herein", "hereunder" and similar
words refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of
this Agreement; and subsection, Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to
this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

                 (c)  (1)  The term "documents" includes any and all
         instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, indentures, notices
         and other writings, however evidenced.

                      (2)  The term "including" is not limiting and means
         "including without limitation."
 
                      (3)  In the computation of periods of time from a
         specified date to a later specified date, the word "from" means "from
         and including"; the words "to" and "until" each mean "to but
         excluding", and the word "through" means "to and including."

                 (d)  Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (i)
references to agreements (including this Agreement) and other contractual
instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other
modifications thereto, but only to the extent such amendments and other
modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document, and (ii)
references to any statute or regulation are to be construed as including all
statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing,
supplementing or interpreting the statute or regulation.

                 (e)  The captions and headings of this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this
Agreement.

                 (f)  This Agreement and other Loan Documents may use several
different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar
matters.  All such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and shall
each be performed in accordance with their terms.

                 (g)  This Agreement and other Loan Documents may use several
different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar
matters.  All such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and shall
each be performed in accordance with their terms.  Unless otherwise expressly
provided, any reference to any action of the Agent or the Banks by way of
consent, approval or waiver shall be deemed modified by the phrase "in
its/their sole discretion."

         1.03 Accounting Principles. (a) Unless the context otherwise clearly
requires, all accounting terms not expressly defined herein shall be construed,
and all financial computations required under this Agreement shall be made, in
accordance with GAAP, consistently applied.





                                       17
<PAGE>   24
                 (b)  References herein to "fiscal year" and "fiscal quarter"
refer to such fiscal periods of the Company.


                                   ARTICLE II

                                  THE CREDITS

         2.01 Amounts and Terms of Commitments.

                 (a)  The Revolving Credit.  Each Bank severally agrees, on the
terms and conditions set forth herein, to make Loans to the Company from time
to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date to the
Revolving Termination Date, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time
outstanding, for the relevant period, the amount set forth opposite such Bank's
name on Schedule 2.01 under the heading "Commitment" (such amount, as the same
may be reduced under Section 2.05 or as a result of one or more assignments
under Section 10.08, the Bank's "Commitment"); provided, however, that, after
giving effect to any Borrowing (including those of Same Day Rate Loans), the
aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans shall not at any time
exceed the combined Commitments.  Within the limits of each Bank's Commitment,
and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Company may borrow
under this subsection, prepay under Section 2.06 and reborrow under this
subsection.

                 (b)  The Same Day Rate Loans.

                          (1)  The Revolving Credit provided for in subsection
(a) of this Section shall contain a facility providing for Same Day Rate Loans.
If the Company wishes to borrow under this facility, (a "Same Day Rate Loan"),
it shall so notify the Agent, with a copy to BofA, in its Notice of Borrowing.
Same Day Rate Loans shall be subject to the following:

                                  (A)  The aggregate principal amount of
         outstanding Same Day Rate Loans shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any
         one time.

                                  (B)  Same Day Rate Loans shall be made by
         BofA on behalf of all the Banks except that the other Banks shall not
         fund their share of the Same Day Rate Loans except as specified in
         this subsection.

                                  (C)  A Bank's Pro Rata Share of outstanding
         Same Day Rate Loans (i) shall be subtracted from a Bank's Commitment
         when computing the unused Commitment of such Bank, and (ii) so long as
         such Pro Rata Share is unfunded, shall be deemed part of such Bank's
         unused Commitment for purposes of computing the commitment fees due
         such Bank.

                          (2)  Each Bank hereby promises BofA that it shall,
upon demand by BofA made from time to time, purchase from BofA such Bank's Pro
Rata Share of all Same Day Rate Loans outstanding at such times, regardless of
whether at such times a Default or





                                       18
<PAGE>   25
an Event of Default has occurred.  Each Bank agrees that its commitment to BofA
under the preceding sentence is irrevocable, unconditional, and unqualified.
Each Bank agrees that it shall not be entitled to any portion of principal and
interest accrued and/or paid on a Same Day Loan until such Bank purchases from
BofA such Bank's Pro Rata Share of such Same Day Rate Loan; prior to such
purchase, principal and interest accrued and/or paid on such Loan shall be for
the account of BofA and those Banks (if any) which have purchased their Pro
Rata Shares in such Loan.

                          (3)  BofA shall furnish Agent, weekly, with a report
showing the Same Day Rate Loan outstandings and payments made on each Business
Day of the week covered by such report.

         2.02 Loan Accounts. The Loans made by each Bank shall be evidenced by
one or more loan accounts or records maintained by such Bank in the ordinary
course of business. The loan accounts or records maintained by the Agent and
each Bank shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, of the amount of the Loans
made by the Banks to the Company and the interest and payments thereon. Any
failure so to record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or
otherwise affect the obligation of the Company hereunder to pay any amount owing
with respect to the Loans.

         2.03 Procedure for Borrowing.

                 (a)  Each Borrowing shall be made upon the Company's
irrevocable written notice delivered to the Agent in accordance with Section
10.02 in the form of a Notice of Borrowing (which notice must be received by
the Agent prior to:

                          (1)  9:00 a.m. (San Francisco, California time) three
         Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of
         Offshore Rate Loans; and

                          (2)  9:00 a.m. (San Francisco, California time) on
         the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Base Rate Loans or Same
         Day Rate Loans, specifying:

                 (A)  the amount of the Borrowing, which shall be in an
         aggregate minimum principal amount of $3,000,000 or any multiple of
         $1,000,000 in excess thereof; except that a Borrowing consisting of a
         Same Day Rate Loan shall be in a minimum principal amount of
         $1,000,000 or any multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof;

                 (B)  the requested Borrowing Date, which shall be a Business
         Day;

                 (C)  whether the Borrowing is to be comprised of Offshore Rate
         Loans, Base Rate Loans, or Same Day Rate Loans;

                 (D)  the duration of the Interest Period applicable to such
         Loans included in such notice.  If the Notice of





                                       19
<PAGE>   26
         Borrowing shall fail to specify the duration of the Interest Period
         for any Borrowing comprised of Offshore Rate Loans, such Interest
         Period shall be three months;

provided, however, that with respect to any Borrowing to be made on the Closing
Date, the Notice of Borrowing shall be delivered to the Agent not later than
9:00 a.m. (San Francisco, California time) on the Closing Date or one or three
Business Days before the Closing Date if the Borrowing is to consist of Base
Rate or Same Day Loans or Offshore Rate Loans, respectively.

                 (b)  The Agent will promptly notify each Bank of its receipt
of any Notice of Borrowing and of the amount of such Bank's Pro Rata Share of
that Borrowing; except that if the Borrowing consists of Same Day Rate Loans,
the Agent need notify the Banks of such Borrowings only on the last Business
Day of each week, setting forth the amount of Same Day Rate Loans made and/or
paid during such week.

                 (c)  Each Bank will make the amount of its Pro Rata Share of
each Borrowing (except for a Borrowing consisting of Same Day Rate Loans made
by BofA) available to the Agent for the account of the Company at the Agent's
Payment Office by 11:00 a.m.  (San Francisco, California time) on the Borrowing
Date requested by the Company in funds immediately available to the Agent.  The
proceeds of all such Loans will then be made available to the Company by the
Agent at such office by crediting the account of the Company on the books of
BofA with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Agent by the Banks
and in like funds as received by the Agent.

                 (d)  After giving effect to any Borrowing, unless the Agent
shall otherwise consent, there may not be more than six different Interest
Periods in effect (excluding Interest Periods for Same Day Rate Loans).

         2.04 Conversion and Continuation Elections. (a) The Company may, upon
irrevocable written notice to the Agent in accordance with subsection 2.04(b):

                          (1)  elect, as of any Business Day, in the case of
         Base Rate Loans, or as of the last day of the applicable Interest
         Period, in the case of any other Type of Loans, to convert any such
         Loans (or any part thereof in an amount not less than $3,000,000, or
         that is in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) into
         Loans of any other Type (except that Same Day Rate Loans may not be
         converted); or

                          (2)  elect, as of the last day of the applicable
         Interest Period, to continue any Loans having Interest Periods
         expiring on such day (or any part thereof in an amount not less than
         $3,000,000, or that is in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
         thereof);

provided, that if at any time the aggregate amount of Offshore Rate Loans in
respect of any Borrowing is reduced, by payment,





                                       20
<PAGE>   27
prepayment, or conversion of part thereof to be less than $1,000,000, such
Offshore Rate Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Loans, and on
and after such date the right of the Company to continue such Loans as, and
convert such Loans into, Offshore Rate Loans shall terminate.

                 (b)  The Company shall deliver a Notice of Conversion/
Continuation to be received by the Agent not later than 9:00 a.m. San
Francisco, California time) at least (i) three Business Days in advance of the
Conversion/Continuation Date, if the Loans are to be converted into or
continued as Offshore Rate Loans; and (ii) one Business Day in advance of the
Conversion/Continuation Date, if the Loans are to be converted into Base Rate
Loans, specifying:

                                  (A)  the proposed Conversion/Continuation
                 Date;

                                  (B)  the aggregate amount of Loans to be
                 converted or continued;

                                  (C)  the Type of Loans resulting from the
                 proposed conversion or continuation; and

                                  (D)  other than in the case of conversions
                 into Base Rate Loans, the duration of the requested Interest
                 Period.

                 (c)  If upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable
to Offshore Rate Loans or Same Day Rate Loans, the Company has failed to select
timely a new Interest Period to be applicable to such Offshore Rate Loans or
has failed to agree with BofA on a new Same Day Rate and Interest Period
applicable to such Same Day Rate Loans, as the case may be, or if any Default
or Event of Default then exists, the Company shall be deemed to have elected to
convert (i) such Offshore Rate Loans into Base Rate Loans, or (ii) such Same
Day Rate Loans bearing interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin,
effective as of the expiration date of such Interest Period.

                 (d)  The Agent will promptly notify each Bank of its receipt
of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, or, if no timely notice is provided by
the Company, the Agent will promptly notify each Bank of the details of any
automatic conversion.  All conversions and continuations shall be made ratably
according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Loans with
respect to which the notice was given held by each Bank.

                 (e)  Unless the Majority Banks otherwise consent, during the
existence of a Default or Event of Default, the Company may not elect to have a
Loan converted into or continued as an Offshore Rate Loan.

                 (f)  After giving effect to any conversion or continuation of
Loans, unless the Agent shall otherwise consent, there may not be more than six
different Interest Periods in





                                       21
<PAGE>   28
effect (excluding Interest Periods for Same Day Rate Loans).

         2.05 Voluntary Termination or Reduction of Commitments. The Company
may, upon not less than five Business Days' prior notice to the Agent, terminate
the Commitments, or permanently reduce the Commitments by an aggregate minimum
amount of $3,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; unless,
after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of Loans made on the
effective date thereof, the then outstanding principal amount of the Loans would
exceed the amount of the combined Commitments then in effect. Once reduced in
accordance with this Section, the Commitments may not be increased. Any
reduction of the Commitments shall be applied to each Bank according to its Pro
Rata Share. All accrued commitment fees to, but not including the effective date
of any reduction or termination of Commitments, shall be paid on the effective
date of such reduction or termination.

         2.06 Optional Prepayments. Subject to Section 3.04, the Company may at
any time or from time to time ratably prepay Loans in whole or in part in
minimum amounts of $3,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.
Each prepayment shall be made upon not less than three Business Days'
irrevocable notice to the Agent with respect to Offshore Rate Loans and not less
than same day irrevocable notice of prepayment with respect to Base Rate Loans
and Same Day Rate Loans. Such notice of prepayment shall specify the date and
amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid. The Agent will
promptly notify each Bank of its receipt of any such notice, and of such Bank's
Pro Rata Share of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Company, the
Company shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such
notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with
accrued interest to each such date on the amount prepaid and any amounts
required pursuant to Section 3.04.

         2.07 Repayment. The Company (a) shall make principal payments of the
Loans as set forth in Schedule 2.01 and (b) on the Revolving Termination Date
repay the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding on such date.

         2.08 Interest. (a) Each Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding
principal amount thereof from the applicable Borrowing Date at a rate per annum
equal to the Offshore Rate, the Base Rate, or the Same Day Rate as the case may
be (and subject to the Company's right to convert to other Types of Loans under
Section 2.04), plus the Applicable Margin.

                 (b)  Interest on each Loan shall be paid in arrears on each
Interest Payment Date.  Interest shall also be paid on the date of any
prepayment of Loans under Section 2.06 for the portion of the Loans so prepaid
and upon payment (including prepayment) in full thereof and, during the
existence of any Event of Default, interest shall be paid on demand of the
Agent at the request or with the consent of the Majority Banks.

                 (c)  Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Section,





                                       22
<PAGE>   29
while any Event of Default exists or after acceleration, the Company shall pay
interest (after as well as before entry of judgment thereon to the extent
permitted by law) on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations, at a
rate per annum which is determined by adding 2% per annum to the Applicable
Margin then in effect for such Loans and, in the case of Obligations not
subject to an Applicable Margin, at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate
plus 2%; provided, however, that, on and after the expiration of any Interest
Period applicable to any Offshore Rate Loan or Same Day Rate Loan outstanding
on the date of occurrence of such Event of Default or acceleration, the
principal amount of such Loan shall, during the continuation of such Event of
Default or after acceleration, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the
Base Rate plus 2%.

                 (d)  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the
obligations of the Company to any Bank hereunder shall be subject to the
limitation that payments of interest shall not be required for any period for
which interest is computed hereunder, to the extent (but only to the extent)
that contracting for or receiving such payment by such Bank would be contrary
to the provisions of any law applicable to such Bank limiting the highest rate
of interest that may be lawfully contracted for, charged or received by such
Bank, and in such event the Company shall pay such Bank interest at the highest
rate permitted by applicable law.

         2.09 Fees. (a) Arrangement, Agency Fees. The Company shall pay an
arrangement fee to the Arranger for the Arranger's own account, and shall pay an
agency fee to the Agent for the Agent's own account, as required by the letter
agreement ("Fee Letter") between the Company, the Arranger, and Agent dated
October 23, 1995.

                 (b)  Closing Fees.  On the Closing Date, the Company shall pay
to the Banks, through Agent, closing fees in the amount set forth in BofA's
commitment letter and term sheet dated October 23, 1995 and agreed to by the
Company.

                 (c)  Commitment Fees.  (1)  The Company shall pay to the Agent
for the account of each Bank a commitment fee on the average daily unused
portion of such Bank's Commitment (subject to Section 2.01(b)(1)(C)), computed
on a quarterly basis in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar
quarter, based upon the daily utilization for that quarter as calculated by the
Agent, equal to the rate per annum as follows:

                 (A)  For the period from the date of this Agreement through
         the date which is two Business Days after the date on which the Agent
         first receives a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(b):
         0.250% per annum;

                 (B)  Thereafter and for each period commencing on the date
         which is three Business Days after the date on which the Agent
         receives a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(b) (the
         "Current Compliance Certificate")





                                       23
<PAGE>   30
         through the date which is two Business Days after the Agent receives
         the next such Compliance Certificate, if the Current Compliance
         Certificate shows the Company's Funded Debt/EBITDA Ratio is:

                 Below 3.00                        0.250% per annum

                 3.00 or above and
                  below 4.00                       0.375% per annum

                 4.00 or above                     0.500% per annum

                          (2)  Such commitment fee shall accrue from the
Closing Date to the Revolving Termination Date and shall be due and payable
quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter
commencing on March 31, 1996 through the Revolving Termination Date, with the
final payment to be made on the Revolving Termination Date; provided that, in
connection with any reduction or termination of Commitments under Section 2.05,
the accrued commitment fee calculated for the period ending on such date shall
also be paid on the date of such reduction or termination, with the following
quarterly payment being calculated on the basis of the period from such
reduction or termination date to such quarterly payment date.

                          (3)  The commitment fees provided in this subsection
shall accrue at all times after the above-mentioned commencement date,
including at any time during which one or more conditions in Article IV are not
met.

         2.10 Computation of Fees and Interest. (a) All computations of interest
for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by the Reference Rate shall
be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and
actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made
on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more
interest being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest
and fees shall accrue during each period during which interest or such fees are
computed from the first day thereof to the last day thereof.

                 (b)  Each determination of an interest rate by the Agent shall
be conclusive and binding on the Company and the Banks in the absence of
manifest error.

         2.11 Payments by the Company. (a) All payments (including prepayments)
to be made by the Company on account of principal, interest, fees, and other
amounts required hereunder shall be made without set-off, recoupment or
counterclaim. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the
Company shall be made to the Agent for the account of the Banks at the Agent's
Payment Office, and shall be made in dollars and in immediately available funds,
no later than 10:00 a.m. (San Francisco, California time) on the date specified
herein. The Agent will promptly distribute to each Bank its Pro Rata Share (or
other applicable share as expressly provided herein) of such





                                       24
<PAGE>   31
payment in like funds as received.  Any payment received by the Agent later
than 1:00 p.m. (San Francisco, California time) shall be deemed to have been
received on the following Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall
continue to accrue.

                 (b)  Subject to the provisions set forth in the definition of
"Interest Period" herein, whenever any payment is due on a day other than a
Business Day, such payment shall be made on the following Business Day, and
such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of
interest or fees, as the case may be.

                 (c)  Unless the Agent receives notice from the Company prior
to the date on which any payment is due to the Banks that the Company will not
make such payment in full as and when required, the Agent may assume that the
Company has made such payment in full to the Agent on such date in immediately
available funds and the Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance
upon such assumption, distribute to each Bank on such due date an amount equal
to the amount then due such Bank.  If and to the extent the Company has not
made such payment in full to the Agent, each Bank shall repay to the Agent on
demand such amount distributed to such Bank, together with interest thereon at
the Federal Funds Rate for each day from the date such amount is distributed to
such Bank until the date repaid.

         2.12 Payments by the Banks to the Agent. (a) Unless the Agent receives
notice from a Bank on or prior to the Closing Date or, with respect to any
Borrowing after the Closing Date, at least one Business Day prior to the date of
such Borrowing, that such Bank will not make available as and when required
hereunder to the Agent for the account of the Company the amount of that Bank's
Pro Rata Share of the Borrowing, the Agent may assume that each Bank has made
such amount available to the Agent in immediately available funds on the
Borrowing Date and the Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance
upon such assumption, make available to the Company on such date a corresponding
amount. If and to the extent any Bank shall not have made its full amount
available to the Agent in immediately available funds and the Agent in such
circumstances has made available to the Company such amount, that Bank shall on
the Business Day following such Borrowing Date make such amount available to the
Agent, together with interest at the Federal Funds Rate for each day during such
period. A notice of the Agent submitted to any Bank with respect to amounts
owing under this subsection shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. If such
amount is so made available, such payment to the Agent shall constitute such
Bank's Loan on the date of Borrowing for all purposes of this Agreement. If such
amount is not made available to the Agent on the Business Day following the
Borrowing Date, the Agent will notify the Company of such failure to fund and,
upon demand by the Agent, the Company shall pay such amount to the Agent for the
Agent's account, together with interest thereon for each day elapsed since the
date of such Borrowing, at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate
applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing.





                                       25
<PAGE>   32

                 (b)  The failure of any Bank to make any Loan on any Borrowing
Date shall not relieve any other Bank of any obligation hereunder to make a
Loan on such Borrowing Date, but no Bank shall be responsible for the failure
of any other Bank to make the Loan to be made by such other Bank on any
Borrowing Date.

         2.13 Sharing of Payments, Etc. If, other than as expressly provided
elsewhere herein, any Bank shall obtain on account of the Loans made by it any
payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of
set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its ratable share (or other share
contemplated hereunder), such Bank shall immediately (a) notify the Agent of
such fact, and (b) purchase from the other Banks such participations in the
Loans made by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Bank to share
the excess payment pro rata with each of them; provided, however, that if all or
any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing
Bank, such purchase shall to that extent be rescinded and each other Bank shall
repay to the purchasing Bank the purchase price paid therefor, together with an
amount equal to such paying Bank's ratable share (according to the proportion of
(i) the amount of such paying Bank's required repayment to (ii) the total amount
so recovered from the purchasing Bank) of any interest or other amount paid or
payable by the purchasing Bank in respect of the total amount so recovered. The
Company agrees that any Bank so purchasing a participation from another Bank
may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment
(including the right of set-off, but subject to Section 10.10) with respect to
such participation as fully as if such Bank were the direct creditor of the
Company in the amount of such participation. The Agent will keep records (which
shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error) of
participations purchased under this Section and will in each case notify the
Banks following any such purchases or repayments.


                                  ARTICLE III

                     TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

         3.01 Taxes.

                 (a)  Any and all payments by the Company to each Bank or the
Agent under this Agreement and any other Loan Document shall be made free and
clear of, and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes.  In addition, the
Company shall pay all Other Taxes.

                 (b)  The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
Bank and the Agent for the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes (including any
Taxes or Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this
Section) paid by the Bank or the Agent and any liability (including penalties,
interest, additions to tax and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect
thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally
asserted.  Payment under this





                                       26
<PAGE>   33
indemnification shall be made within 30 days after the date the Bank or the
Agent makes written demand therefor.

                 (c)  If the Company shall be required by law to deduct or
withhold any Taxes or Other Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable
hereunder to any Bank or the Agent, then:

                          (1)  the sum payable shall be increased as necessary
         so that after making all required deductions and withholdings
         (including deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums
         payable under this Section) such Bank or the Agent, as the case may
         be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no
         such deductions or withholdings been made;

                          (2)  the Company shall make such deductions and
         withholdings;

                          (3)  the Company shall pay the full amount deducted
         or withheld to the relevant taxing authority or other authority in
         accordance with applicable law; and

                          (4)  the Company shall also pay to each Bank or the
         Agent for the account of such Bank, at the time interest is paid, all
         additional amounts which the respective Bank specifies as necessary to
         preserve the after-tax yield the Bank would have received if such
         Taxes or Other Taxes had not been imposed.

                 (d)  Within 30 days after the date of any payment by the
Company of Taxes or Other Taxes, the Company shall furnish the Agent the
original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof, or other
evidence of payment satisfactory to the Agent.

                 (e)  If the Company is required to pay additional amounts to
any Bank or the Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, then such
Bank shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory
restrictions) to change the jurisdiction of its Lending Office so as to
eliminate any such additional payment by the Company which may thereafter
accrue, if such change in the judgment of such Bank is not otherwise
disadvantageous to such Bank.

         3.02 Illegality. (a) If any Bank determines that the introduction of
any Requirement of Law, or any change in any Requirement of Law, or in the
interpretation or administration of any Requirement of Law, has made it
unlawful, or that any central bank or other Governmental Authority has asserted
that it is unlawful, for any Bank or its applicable Lending Office to make
Offshore Rate Loans, then, on notice thereof by the Bank to the Company through
the Agent, any obligation of that Bank to make Offshore Rate Loans shall be
suspended until the Bank notifies the Agent and the Company that the
circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist.





                                       27
<PAGE>   34
                 (b)  If a Bank determines that it is unlawful to maintain any
Offshore Rate Loan, the Company shall, upon its receipt of notice of such fact
and demand from such Bank (with a copy to the Agent), prepay in full such
Offshore Rate Loans of that Bank then outstanding, together with interest
accrued thereon and amounts required under Section 3.04, either on the last day
of the Interest Period thereof, if the Bank may lawfully continue to maintain
such Offshore Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if the Bank may not
lawfully continue to maintain such Offshore Rate Loan.  If the Company is
required to so prepay any Offshore Rate Loan, then concurrently with such
prepayment, the Company shall borrow from the affected Bank, in the amount of
such repayment, a Base Rate Loan.

                 (c)  If the obligation of any Bank to make or maintain
Offshore Rate Loans has been so terminated or suspended, the Company may elect,
by giving notice to the Bank through the Agent that all Loans which would
otherwise be made by the Bank as Offshore Rate Loans shall be instead Base Rate
Loans.

                 (d)  Before giving any notice to the Agent under this Section,
the affected Bank shall designate a different Lending Office with respect to
its Offshore Rate Loans if such designation will avoid the need for giving such
notice or making such demand and will not, in the judgment of the Bank, be
illegal or otherwise disadvantageous to the Bank.

         3.03 Increased Costs and Reduction of Return. (a) If any Bank
determines that, due to either (i) the introduction of or any change (other than
any change by way of imposition of or increase in reserve requirements included
in the calculation of the Offshore Rate) in or in the interpretation of any law
or regulation or (ii) the compliance by that Bank with any guideline or request
from any central bank or other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the
force of law), there shall be any increase in the cost to such Bank of agreeing
to make or making, funding or maintaining any Offshore Rate Loans, then the
Company shall be liable for, and shall from time to time, upon demand (with a
copy of such demand to be sent to the Agent), pay to the Agent for the account
of such Bank, additional amounts as are sufficient to compensate such Bank for
such increased costs.

                 (b)  If any Bank shall have determined that (i) the
introduction of any Capital Adequacy Regulation, (ii) any change in any Capital
Adequacy Regulation, (iii) any change in the interpretation or administration
of any Capital Adequacy Regulation by any central bank or other Governmental
Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or (iv)
compliance by the Bank (or its Lending Office) or any corporation controlling
the Bank with any Capital Adequacy Regulation, affects or would affect the
amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by the Bank or any
corporation controlling the Bank and (taking into consideration such Bank's or
such corporation's policies with respect to capital adequacy and such Bank's
desired return on capital) determines that the amount of such capital is
increased as a





                                       28
<PAGE>   35
consequence of its Commitment, loans, credits or obligations under this
Agreement, then, upon demand of such Bank to the Company through the Agent, the
Company shall pay to the Bank, from time to time as specified by the Bank,
additional amounts sufficient to compensate the Bank for such increase.

         3.04 Funding Losses. The Company shall reimburse each Bank and hold
each Bank harmless from any loss or expense which the Bank may sustain or incur
as a consequence of:

                 (a)  the failure of the Company to make on a timely basis any
payment of principal of any Offshore Rate Loan or Same Day Rate Loan;

                 (b)  the failure of the Company to borrow, continue or convert
a Loan after the Company has given (or is deemed to have given) a Notice of
Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation;

                 (c)  the failure of the Company to make any prepayment in
accordance with any notice delivered under Section 2.06;

                 (d)  the prepayment or other payment (including after
acceleration thereof) of an Offshore Rate Loan or a Same Day Rate Loan on a day
that is not the last day of the relevant Interest Period; or

                 (e)  the automatic conversion under Section 2.04 of any
Offshore Rate Loan or Same Day Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan on a day that is
not the last day of the relevant Interest Period;

including any such loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment
of funds obtained by it to maintain its Offshore Rate Loans or Same Day Rate
Loans or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were
obtained.  For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Company to the
Banks under this Section and under subsection 3.03(a), (i) each Offshore Rate
Loan made by a Bank (and each related reserve, special deposit or similar
requirement) shall be conclusively deemed to have been funded at the LIBOR used
in determining the Offshore Rate for such Offshore Rate Loan by a matching
deposit or other borrowing in the interbank eurodollar market for a comparable
amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Offshore Rate Loan is
in fact so funded, and (ii) each Same Day Rate Loan (and each related reserve,
special deposit or similar requirement) shall be conclusively deemed to have
been funded at the rate used in determining the Same Day Rate for such Same Day
Rate Loan, whether or not such Same Day Rate Loan is in fact so funded.

         3.05 Inability to Determine Rates. If the Agent determines that for any
reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Offshore
Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Offshore Rate
Loan or that the Offshore Rate applicable for any requested Interest Period with
respect to a proposed Offshore Rate Loan does not adequately and





                                       29
<PAGE>   36
fairly reflect the cost to the Banks of funding such Loan, the Agent will
promptly so notify the Company and each Bank.  Thereafter, the obligation of
the Banks to make or maintain Offshore Rate Loans hereunder shall be suspended
until the Agent upon the instruction of the Majority Banks revokes such notice
in writing.  Upon receipt of such notice, the Company may revoke any Notice of
Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation then submitted by it.  If the
Company does not revoke such Notice, the Banks shall make, convert or continue
the Loans, as proposed by the Company, in the amount specified in the
applicable notice submitted by the Company, but such Loans shall be made,
converted or continued as Base Rate Loans instead of Offshore Rate Loans.

         3.06 Reserves on Offshore Rate Loans. The Company shall pay to each
Bank, as long as such Bank shall be required under regulations of the FRB to
maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or
including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as "Eurocurrency
liabilities"), additional costs on the unpaid principal amount of each Offshore
Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by
the Bank (as determined by the Bank in good faith, which determination shall be
conclusive), payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan,
provided the Company shall have received at least 15 days' prior written notice
(with a copy to the Agent) of such additional interest from the Bank. If a Bank
fails to give notice 15 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such
additional interest shall be payable 15 days from receipt of such notice.

         3.07 Survival. The agreements and obligations of the Company in this
Article III shall survive the payment of all other Obligations.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         4.01 Conditions of Initial Loans Etc. The obligation of each Bank to
make its initial Loan hereunder or to convert or continue any Loan outstanding
on the Closing Date is subject to the condition that the Agent have received on
or before the Closing Date all of the following, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent and each Bank, and in sufficient copies for each Bank:

                 (a)  Agreement.  This Agreement executed by each party
thereto;

                 (b)  Resolutions; Incumbency.

                          (1)  Copies of the resolutions of the board of
         directors of the Company authorizing the transactions contemplated
         hereby, certified as of the Closing Date by the Secretary or an
         Assistant Secretary of the Company; and





                                       30
<PAGE>   37
                          (2)  A certificate of the Secretary or Assistant
         Secretary of the Company certifying the names and true signatures of
         the officers of the Company authorized to execute, deliver and
         perform, as applicable, this Agreement, and all other Loan Documents
         to be delivered by it hereunder;

                 (c)  Legal Opinion.  An opinion of Manwell & Milton, counsel
to the Company and addressed to the Agent and the Banks, substantially in the
form of Exhibit D;

                 (d)  Payment of Fees.  Evidence of payment by the Company of
all accrued and unpaid fees, costs and expenses to the extent then due and
payable on the Closing Date, together with Attorney Costs of BofA to the extent
invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of
Attorney Costs as shall constitute BofA's reasonable estimate of Attorney Costs
incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that
such estimate shall not thereafter preclude final settling of accounts between
the Company and BofA); including any such costs, fees and expenses arising
under or referenced in Sections 2.09 and 10.04;

                 (e)  Prior Credit Agreement; Payment of Sums Due and
Termination of Commitment to Lend Under the Prior Credit Agreement.  Evidence
of:

                          (1)  Payment by the Company of all sums due unpaid
         (including but not limited to principal, interest, commitment fees
         through the Closing Date under the Prior Credit Agreement) under the
         Prior Credit Agreement, except for any break-funding fees associated
         with the prepayment of outstanding Loans under the Prior Credit
         Agreement in connection with payment and prepayment of such Loans
         under this clause.  These fees are due and payable upon demand;

                          (2)  Termination of the various commitments to extend
         credit under the Prior Credit Agreement;

                 (f)  Certificate.  A certificate signed by a Responsible
Officer, dated as of the Closing Date, stating that:

                          (1)  the representations and warranties contained in
         Article V are true and correct on and as of such date, as though made
         on and as of such date;

                          (2)  no Default or Event of Default exists or would
         result from execution and performance of this Agreement by the
         Company; and

                          (3)  there has occurred since September 30, 1995 no
         event or circumstance that has resulted or could reasonably be
         expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

                 (g)  Other Documents.  Such other approvals, opinions,





                                       31
<PAGE>   38
documents or materials as the Agent or any Bank may reasonably request.

         4.02 Conditions to All Borrowings. The obligation of each Bank to make
any Loan to be made by it (including its initial Loan) or to continue or convert
any Loan under Section 2.04 (including continuations or conversions of Loans
outstanding on the Closing Date) is subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions precedent on the relevant Borrowing Date or Conversion/Continuation
Date:

                 (a)  Notice of Borrowing or Conversion/Continuation.  The
Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, as applicable;

                 (b)  Continuation of Representations and Warranties.  The
representations and warranties in Article V shall be true and correct on and as
of such Borrowing Date or Conversion/Continuation Date with the same effect as
if made on and as of such Borrowing Date or Conversion/Continuation Date
(except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly refer to an
earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier
date); and

                 (c)  No Existing Default.  No Default or Event of Default
shall exist or shall result from such Borrowing or continuation or conversion.

Each Notice of Borrowing and Notice of Conversion/Continuation submitted by the
Company hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Company
hereunder, as of the date of each such notice and as of each Borrowing Date or
Conversion/Continuation Date, as applicable, that the conditions in this
Section 4.02 are satisfied.


                                   ARTICLE V

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         The Company represents and warrants to the Agent and each Bank that:

         5.01 Corporate Existence and Power. The Company and each of its
Subsidiaries, other than Dreyer's International, Inc.:

                 (a)  is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation;

                 (b)  has the power and authority and all governmental
licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to own its assets, carry on
its business and to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under the
Loan Documents;

                 (c)  is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is





                                       32
<PAGE>   39
licensed 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 or license; and

                 (d)  is in compliance with all Requirements of Law.

         5.02 Corporate Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery
and performance by the Company of this Agreement and each other Loan Document to
which the Company is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action, and do not and will not:

                 (a)  contravene the terms of any of the Company's Organization
Documents;

                 (b)  conflict with or result in any breach or contravention
of, or the creation of any Lien under, any document evidencing any Contractual
Obligation to which the Company is a party or any order, injunction, writ or
decree of any Governmental Authority to which the Company or its property is
subject; or

                 (c)  violate any Requirement of Law.

         5.03 Governmental Authorization. No approval, consent, exemption,
authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any
Governmental Authority is necessary or required in connection with the
execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries of the Agreement or any other Loan Document.

         5.04 Binding Effect. This Agreement and each other Loan Document to
which the Company is a party constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations
of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their
respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

         5.05 Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or
disputes pending, or to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened or
contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental
Authority, against the Company, or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
properties which:

                 (a)  purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby;
or

                 (b)  if determined adversely to the Company or its
Subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
No injunction, writ, temporary restraining order or any order of any nature has
been issued by any court or other





                                       33
<PAGE>   40
Governmental Authority purporting to enjoin or restrain the execution, delivery
or performance of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or directing that
the transactions provided for herein or therein not be consummated as herein or
therein provided.

         5.06 No Default. No Default or Event of Default exists or would result
from the incurring of any Obligations by the Company. As of the Closing Date,
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default under or with respect to
any Contractual Obligation in any respect which, individually or together with
all such defaults, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, or that would, if such default had occurred after the Closing Date,
create an Event of Default under subsection 8.01(e).

         5.07 ERISA Compliance. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule
5.07:

                 (a)  Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with
the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state law.
Each Plan which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has
received a favorable determination letter from the IRS and to the best
knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred which would cause the loss of
such qualification.  The Company and each ERISA Affiliate has made all required
contributions to any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code, and no
application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period
pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made with respect to any Plan.

                 (b)  There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of
Company, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental
Authority, with respect to any Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  There has been no prohibited
transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to
any Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect.

                 (c)  (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected
to occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability; (iii)
neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects
to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension
Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA);
(iv) neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably
expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the
giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability)
under Section 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and
(v) neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction
that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

         5.08 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. The proceeds of the Loans are
to be used solely for the purposes set forth in and





                                       34
<PAGE>   41
permitted by Section 6.12 and Section 7.07.  Neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary is generally engaged in the business of purchasing or selling Margin
Stock or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin
Stock.

         5.09 Title to Properties. The Company and each Subsidiary have good
record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in,
all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of their respective
businesses, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Closing Date, the
property of the Company and its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than
Permitted Liens.

         5.10 Taxes. The Company and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal and
other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all
Federal and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental
charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets
otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been provided in
accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against the Company or
any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect.

         5.11 Financial Condition. (a) The unaudited consolidated financial
statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries dated September 30, 1995, and the
related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders' equity
and cash flows for the fiscal period ended on that date:

                          (1)  were prepared in accordance with GAAP
         consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as
         otherwise expressly noted therein, subject to ordinary, good faith
         year end audit adjustments;

                          (2)  fairly present the financial condition of the
         Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and results of
         operations for the period covered thereby; and

                          (3)  except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 
         5.11, show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or
         contingent, of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the
         date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and
         Contingent Obligations.

                 (b) Since September 30, 1995 there has been no Material Adverse
Effect.

         5.12 Environmental Matters. Except where non-compliance is not
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its
Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Environmental Laws. Except in cases or
circumstances not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, there is
no Environmental Claim pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened
against the Company or any Subsidiary.





                                       35
<PAGE>   42

         5.13 Regulated Entities. None of the Company, any Person controlling
the Company, or any Subsidiary, is an "Investment Company" within the meaning of
the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company is not subject to regulation
under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, the
Interstate Commerce Act, any state public utilities code, or any other Federal
or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur Indebtedness.

         5.14 No Burdensome Restrictions. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
is a party to or bound by any Contractual Obligation, or subject to any
restriction in any Organization Document, or any Requirement of Law, which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         5.15 Labor Relations. There are no strikes, lockouts or other labor
disputes against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the best of the
Company's knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and, except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.15, no
significant unfair labor practice complaint is pending against the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened
against any of them before any Governmental Authority.

         5.16 Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Licenses, etc. The Company or
its Subsidiaries own or are licensed or otherwise have the right to use all of
the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, contractual
franchises, authorizations and other rights that are reasonably necessary for
the operation of their respective businesses, without conflict with the rights
of any other Person. To the best knowledge of the Company, no slogan or other
advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material
now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by the Company or any
Subsidiary infringes upon any rights held by any other Person. No claim or
litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or threatened, and no
patent, invention, device, application, principle or any statute, law, rule,
regulation, standard or code is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
proposed, which, in either case, could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         5.17 Subsidiaries. The Company has no Subsidiaries other than those
specifically disclosed in part (a) of Schedule 5.17 hereto and has no equity
investments in any other corporation or entity other than those specifically
disclosed in part (b) of Schedule 5.17.

         5.18 Insurance. The Company has a self-insurance program covering types
of risks and/or properties in amounts consistent with the practices of other
companies in the same or similar business and of similar size. The properties of
the Company and its Subsidiaries are, consistent with its self-insurance
program, insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not
Affiliates of the Company, in such amounts, with such





                                       36
<PAGE>   43
deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies
engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where
the Company or such Subsidiary operates.

         5.19 Full Disclosure. None of the representations or warranties made by
the Company or any Subsidiary in the Loan Documents as of the date such
representations and warranties are made or deemed made, and none of the
statements contained in any exhibit, report, statement or certificate furnished
by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the Loan
Documents contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading
as of the time when made or delivered.

         5.20 Disclosure re Margin Stock. On the Closing Date, the Company owns
no Margin Stock.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                             AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         So long as any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan
or other Obligation shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, unless the Majority
Banks waive compliance in writing:

         6.01 Financial Statements. The Company shall deliver to the Agent, in
form and detail satisfactory to the Agent and the Majority Banks, with
sufficient copies for each Bank:

                 (a)  as soon as available, but not later than 100 days after
the end of each fiscal year, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related
consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders' equity and cash
flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures
for the previous fiscal year, and accompanied by the opinion of Price
Waterhouse or another nationally-recognized independent public accounting firm
("Independent Auditor") which report shall state that such consolidated
financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis
consistent with prior years.  Such opinion shall not be qualified or limited
because of a restricted or limited examination by the Independent Auditor of
any material portion of the Company's or any Subsidiary's records;

                 (b)  as soon as available, but not later than 60 days after
the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, a copy
of the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries
as of the end of such quarter and the related consolidated statements of
income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the period commencing on the
first day





                                       37
<PAGE>   44
and ending on the last day of such quarter, and certified by a Responsible
Officer as fairly presenting, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP
(subject to ordinary, good faith year-end audit adjustments), the financial
position and the results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries;

         6.02 Certificates; Other Information. The Company shall furnish to the
Agent, with sufficient copies for each Bank:

                 (a)  concurrently with the delivery of the financial
statements referred to in subsection 6.01(a), a certificate of the Independent
Auditor 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 the financial
statements referred to in subsections 6.01(a) and (b), a Compliance Certificate
executed by a Responsible Officer;

                 (c)  promptly, copies of all financial statements and reports
that the Company sends to its shareholders, and copies of all financial
statements and regular, periodical or special reports (including Forms 10-K,
10-Q and 8-K) that the Company or any Subsidiary may make to, or file with, the
SEC; and

                 (d)  promptly, such additional information regarding the
business, financial or corporate affairs of the Company or any Subsidiary as
the Agent, at the request of any Bank, may from time to time request.

         6.03 Notices. The Company shall promptly notify the Agent and each
Bank:

                 (a)  of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, and
of the occurrence or existence of any event or circumstance that foreseeably
will become a Default or Event of Default;

                 (b)  of any matter that has resulted or may result in a
Material Adverse Effect, including (i) breach or non-performance of, or any
default under, a Contractual Obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary; (ii)
any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the
Company or any Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the
commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding
affecting the Company or any Subsidiary; including pursuant to any applicable
Environmental Laws;

                 (c)  of the occurrence of any of the following events
affecting the Company or any ERISA Affiliate (but in no event more than 10 days
after such event), and deliver to the Agent and each Bank a copy of any notice
with respect to such event that is filed with a Governmental Authority and any
notice delivered by a Governmental Authority to the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate with respect to such event:





                                       38
<PAGE>   45
                          (1)  an ERISA Event;

                          (2)  a material increase in the Unfunded Pension
         Liability of any Pension Plan;

                          (3)  the adoption of, or the commencement of
         contributions to, any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code by the
         Company or any ERISA Affiliate; or

                          (4)  the adoption of any amendment to a Plan subject
         to Section 412 of the Code, if such amendment results in a material
         increase in contributions or Unfunded Pension Liability.

                 (d)  of any material change in accounting policies or
financial reporting practices by the Company or any of its consolidated
Subsidiaries;

                 (e)  upon the request from time to time of the Agent, the Swap
Termination Values, together with a description of the method by which such
values were determined, relating to any then-outstanding Swap Contracts to
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is party.

                 Each notice under this Section shall be accompanied by a
written statement by a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the
occurrence referred to therein, and stating what action the Company or any
affected Subsidiary proposes to take with respect thereto and at what time.
Each notice under subsection 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and
all clauses or provisions of this Agreement or other Loan Document that have
been (or foreseeably will be) breached or violated.

         6.04 Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc. The Company shall, and
shall cause each Subsidiary to:

                 (a)  preserve and maintain in full force and effect its
corporate existence and good standing under the laws of its state or
jurisdiction of incorporation;

                 (b)  preserve and maintain in full force and effect all
governmental rights, privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and
franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business except
in connection with transactions permitted by Section 7.03 and sales of assets
permitted by Section 7.02;

                 (c)  use reasonable efforts, in the ordinary course of
business, to preserve its business organization and goodwill; and

                 (d)  preserve or renew all of its registered patents,
trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.05 Maintenance of Property. The Company shall maintain,





                                       39
<PAGE>   46
and shall cause each Subsidiary to maintain, and preserve all its property
which is used or useful in its business in good working order and condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted and make all necessary repairs thereto and
renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.06 Insurance. The Company shall maintain (in accordance with its
self-insurance program), and shall cause each Subsidiary to maintain (in
accordance with the Company's self-insurance program), with financially sound
and reputable independent insurers, insurance with respect to its properties and
business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by
Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such
amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other
Persons.

         6.07 Payment of Obligations. The Company shall, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to, pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all
their respective obligations and liabilities, including:

                 (a)  interest, principal, fees, and all other sums outstanding
under or in respect of this Agreement, the Fee Letter, and any other instrument
required hereunder in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof;

                 (b)  all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges
or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves in
accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Company or such Subsidiary;

                 (c)  all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a
Lien upon its property; and

                 (d)  all indebtedness, as and when due and payable, but
subject to any subordination provisions contained in any instrument or
agreement evidencing such Indebtedness.

         6.08 Compliance with Laws. The Company shall comply, and shall cause
each Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all Requirements of Law
of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or its business
(including the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act), except such as may be
contested in good faith or as to which a bona fide dispute may exist.

         6.09 Compliance with ERISA. The Company shall, and shall cause each of
its ERISA Affiliates to: (a) maintain each Plan in compliance in all material
respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or
state law; (b) cause each Plan which is qualified under Section 401(a) of the
Code to maintain such qualification; and (c) make all required contributions to
any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code.

         6.10 Inspection of Property and Books and Records. The





                                       40
<PAGE>   47
Company shall maintain and shall cause each Subsidiary to maintain proper books
of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity
with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and
matters involving the assets and business of the Company and such Subsidiary.
The Company shall permit, and shall cause each Subsidiary to permit,
representatives and independent contractors of the Agent or any Bank to visit
and inspect any of their respective properties, to examine their respective
corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or
abstracts therefrom, and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and
accounts with their respective directors, officers, and independent public
accountants, all at the expense of the Company and at such reasonable times
during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon
reasonable advance notice to the Company; provided, however, when an Event of
Default exists the Agent or any Bank may do any of the foregoing at the expense
of the Company at any time during normal business hours and without advance
notice.

         6.11 Environmental Laws. The Company shall, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to, conduct its operations and keep and maintain its property in
compliance with all Environmental Laws.

         6.12 Use of Proceeds. (a) The Company shall use the proceeds of the
Loans made on the Closing Date to repay (to the extent of such proceeds)
principal, interest, fees, and all other sums due and payable under the Prior
Credit Agreement and thereafter for working capital and other general corporate
purposes not in contravention of any Requirement of Law or of any Loan Document.

                 (b)  The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, use any
portion of the Loan proceeds (i) knowingly to purchase Ineligible Securities
from the Arranger during any period in which the Arranger makes a market in
such Ineligible Securities, (ii) knowingly to purchase during the underwriting
or placement period Ineligible Securities being underwritten or privately
placed by the Arranger, or (iii) to make payments of principal or interest on
Ineligible Securities underwritten or privately placed by the Arranger and
issued by or for the benefit of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company.
The Arranger is a registered broker-dealer and permitted to underwrite and
deal in certain Ineligible Securities; and "Ineligible Securities" means
securities which may not be underwritten or dealt in by member banks of the
Federal Reserve System under Section 16 of the Banking Act of 1933 (12 U.S.C.
Section  24, Seventh), as amended.

         6.13 Senior Notes. The Company shall place $50,000,000 in Senior Notes
with a maturity of not less than five years, and with terms and conditions
acceptable to the Majority Banks, on or before February 28, 1996; this date may
be extended to March 31, 1996 by the Majority Banks if the Majority Banks are
satisfied (in their sole discretion) that such Senior Notes will be placed on or
before March 31, 1996.





                                       41
<PAGE>   48
         6.14 Cooperation. The Company shall perform, on request of the Agent or
the Majority Banks and at the Company's expense, such acts as may be necessary
or advisable to otherwise carry out the intent of this Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         So long as any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan
or other Obligation shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, unless the Majority
Banks waive compliance in writing:

         7.01 Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer
or permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make, create, incur, assume
or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any part of its property,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following ("Permitted
Liens"):

                 (a)  any Lien existing on property of the Company or any
Subsidiary on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 7.01 securing
Indebtedness outstanding on such date and any Lien associated with operating
leases of the Company and any Subsidiary existing as of the Closing Date;

                 (b)  any Lien created under any Loan Document;

                 (c)  Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental
charges which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty, or to the
extent that non-payment thereof is permitted by Section 6.07, provided that no
notice of lien has been filed or recorded under the Code;

                 (d)  carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', landlords',
materialmen's, repairmen's or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary
course of business which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty
or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings,
which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the
property subject thereto;

                 (e)  Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) consisting
of pledges or deposits required in the ordinary course of business in
connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other social
security legislation;

                 (f)  Liens on the property of the Company or its Subsidiary
securing (i) the non-delinquent performance of bids, trade contracts (other
than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, (ii) contingent
obligations on surety and appeal bonds, and (iii) other non-delinquent
obligations of a like nature; in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of
business, provided all such Liens in the aggregate would not (even if enforced)
cause a Material Adverse Effect;





                                       42
<PAGE>   49
                 (g)  Liens consisting of judgment or judicial attachment
liens, provided that the enforcement of such Liens is effectively stayed and
all such liens in the aggregate at any time outstanding for the Company and its
Subsidiaries do not exceed $5,000,000;

                 (h)  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 interfere
with the ordinary conduct of the businesses of the Company and its
Subsidiaries;

                 (i)  Liens on assets of corporations which become Subsidiaries
after the date of this Agreement, provided, however, that such Liens existed at
the time the respective corporations became Subsidiaries and were not created
in anticipation thereof and the principal amount of the obligations secured by
such Liens does not exceed $10,000,000;

                 (j)  purchase money security interests on any property
acquired or held by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business, securing Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of
financing all or any part of the cost of acquiring such property; provided that
(i) any such Lien attaches to such property concurrently with or within 20 days
after the acquisition thereof, (ii) such Lien attaches solely to the property
so acquired in such transaction, (iii) the principal amount of the debt secured
thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of such property, and (iv) the
principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by any and all such purchase money
security interests shall not at any time exceed $10,000,000;

                 (k)  Liens securing obligations in respect of capital leases
and operating leases on assets subject to such leases, provided that such
capital leases and operating leases are otherwise permitted hereunder;

                 (l)  Liens arising solely 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 creditor
depository institution; provided that (i) such deposit account is not a
dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against
access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated
by the FRB, and (ii) such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any
Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution; and

                 (m)  Liens arising solely by reason of the Truck Lease
Program.

         7.02 Disposition of Assets. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer
or permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, lease,
convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of
transactions) any





                                       43
<PAGE>   50
property (including accounts and notes receivable, with or without recourse) or
enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing, except:

                 (a)  dispositions of inventory, or used, worn-out or surplus
equipment, all in the ordinary course of business;

                 (b)  the sale of equipment to the extent that such equipment
is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement
equipment, or the proceeds of such sale are reasonably promptly applied to the
purchase price of such replacement equipment;

                 (c)  the sale by Grand Soft Capital Company or Grand Soft
Equipment Company of leases and/or machinery pursuant to the Grand Soft
Program;

                 (d)  the sale by the Company or any Subsidiary of trucks
pursuant to the Truck Lease Program; and

                 (e)  the lease, by the Company, of its real and personal
property which is not needed by the Company for its current business
operations, for fair market value;

                 (f)  dispositions not otherwise permitted hereunder which are
made for fair market value; provided, that (i) at the time of any disposition,
no Event of Default shall exist or shall result from such disposition, (ii) the
aggregate sales price from such disposition shall be paid in cash, and (iii)
the aggregate value of all assets so sold by the Company and its Subsidiaries,
together, shall not exceed in any fiscal year $5,000,000.

         7.03 Consolidations and Mergers. The Company shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, merge, consolidate with or into, or convey,
transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a
series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now
owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except:

                 (a)  any Subsidiary may merge with the Company, provided that
the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, or with any one
or more Subsidiaries, provided that if any transaction shall be between a
Subsidiary and a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Wholly-Owned Subsidiary shall be
the continuing or surviving corporation; and

                 (b)  any Subsidiary may sell all or substantially all of its
assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise), to the Company or another
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

         7.04 Loans and Investments. The Company shall not purchase or acquire,
or suffer or permit any Subsidiary to purchase or acquire, or make any
commitment therefor, any capital stock, equity interest, or any obligations or
other securities of, or any interest in, any Person, or make or commit to make
any





                                       44
<PAGE>   51
Acquisitions, or make or commit to make any advance, loan, extension of credit
or capital contribution to or any other investment in, any Person including any
Affiliate of the Company, except for:

                 (a)  investments by the Company or Subsidiary in Cash
Equivalents;

                 (b)  extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable
or notes receivable arising from the sale or lease of goods or services in the
ordinary course of business;

                 (c)  extensions of credit by the Company to any of its
Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or by any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries to another
of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries;

                 (d)  investments (other than those permitted under subsections
(a), (b), (c), (e), and (f) of this Section) subject to the following
additional limitations:

                          (1)  the following amounts may be invested in Persons
         engaged in businesses substantially similar to the businesses
         currently engaged in by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries:

                                  (A)  up to an aggregate amount of $50,000,000
                 prior to the first anniversary of this Agreement; and

                                  (B)  up to an aggregate amount of $60,000,000
                 (including investments made prior to the first anniversary of
                 this Agreement) during the term of this Agreement;

                          (2)  up to an aggregate amount of $15,000,000 may be
         invested in Persons engaged in businesses not covered by clause (1) of
         this subsection; and

                          (3)  the aggregate amount of investments under
         clauses (1) and (2) of this subsection may not exceed $60,000,000
         during the term of this Agreement;

                 (e)  investments acquired in exchange for stock of the Company;
and

                 (f)  investments existing as of the Closing Date as set forth
in Schedule 7.04.

         7.05 Limitation on Indebtedness. The Company shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume, suffer to exist, or
otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any
Indebtedness, except:

                 (a)  Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement;

                 (b)  accounts payable to trade creditors for goods and
services and current operating liabilities (not the result of the





                                       45
<PAGE>   52
borrowing of money) incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business of the Company
or such Subsidiary in accordance with customary terms and paid within the
specified time, unless contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and
reserved for in accordance with GAAP;

                 (c)  Indebtedness consisting of Contingent Obligations
permitted pursuant to Section 7.08;

                 (d)  Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth
in Schedule 7.05;

                 (e)  Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by subsections
7.01(i) and (j) in an aggregate amount outstanding not to exceed $20,000,000;

                 (f)  Indebtedness incurred in connection with leases permitted
pursuant to Section 7.10; and

                 (g)  The Senior Notes required under Section 6.13.

         7.06 Transactions with Affiliates. The Company shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction with any
Affiliate of the Company, except upon fair and reasonable terms no less
favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary than would obtain in a comparable
arm's-length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of the Company or such
Subsidiary.

         7.07 Use of Proceeds. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, use any portion of the Loan proceeds, directly or
indirectly, (i) to purchase or carry Margin Stock, (ii) to repay or otherwise
refinance indebtedness of the Company or others incurred to purchase or carry
Margin Stock, (iii) to extend credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
any Margin Stock, or (iv) to acquire any security in any transaction that is
subject to Section 13 or 14 of the Exchange Act.

         7.08 Contingent Obligations. The Company shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any
Contingent Obligations except:

                 (a)  endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary
course of business;

                 (b)  Contingent Obligations of the Company and its
Subsidiaries existing as of the Closing Date and listed in Schedule 7.08; and

                 (c)  Guaranty Obligations in respect of Indebtedness of a
Subsidiary which is permitted under this Agreement;

                 (d)  The Contingent Obligations of Grand Soft Capital Company
and Grand Soft Equipment Company with respect to leases each sells or enters
into pursuant to the Grand Soft Program up





                                       46
<PAGE>   53
to an aggregate amount of $10,000,000; and the Company's Guaranty Obligations,
if any, with respect to such Contingent Obligations of Grand Soft Capital
Company and Grand Soft Equipment Company up to an aggregate amount of
$10,000,000; and

                 (e)  In addition to that permitted under the preceding
subsections, Guaranty Obligations covering up to $5,000,000 principal of
primary obligations.

         7.09 Joint Ventures. Except for investments in a Joint Venture
permitted under Section 7.04, the Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any Joint Venture, other than in the
ordinary course of business.

         7.10 Lease Obligations. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, create or suffer to exist any obligations for the
payment of rent for any property under lease or agreement to lease, except for:

                 (a)  leases of the Company and of Subsidiaries in existence on
the Closing Date and any renewal, extension or refinancing thereof;

                 (b)  leases entered into by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries pursuant to the Truck Lease Program;

                 (c)  leases entered into by Grand Soft Capital Company and
Grand Soft Equipment Company pursuant to the Grand Soft Program;

                 (d)  operating leases other than those permitted under other
subsections of this Section entered into by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries after the Closing Date in the ordinary course of business as
conducted as of the Closing Date; provided that the aggregate amount of rent
and other charges to be paid under such leases (without discounting to present
value and without regard to any options to extend) does not exceed $10,000,000;

                 (e)  leases other than those permitted under other subsections
of this Section entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after
the Closing Date, provided, that:

                          (1)  immediately prior to giving effect to such
         lease, the Property subject to such lease was sold by the Company or
         any such Subsidiary to the lessor pursuant to a transaction permitted
         under Section 7.02;

                          (2)  no Default or Event of Default exists or would
         occur as a result of such sale and subsequent lease; and

                          (3)  the aggregate amount of rent and other charges
         to be paid under such leases (without discounting to present value and
         without regard to any options to extend) does not exceed $5,000,000.





                                       47
<PAGE>   54

                 (f)  capital leases other than those permitted under other
subsections of this Section, entered into by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries after the Closing Date to finance the acquisition of equipment;
provided that the aggregate for all such capital leases included in the
Company's most current consolidated balance sheet furnished to the Agent
pursuant to Section 6.01 to the Agent shall not exceed $15,000,000.

         7.11 Restricted Payments. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer
or permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make any dividend payment or other
distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on
account of any shares of any class of its capital stock, or purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire for value any shares of its capital stock or any warrants,
rights or options to acquire such shares, now or hereafter outstanding; except
that the Company and any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may:

                 (a)  declare and make dividend payments or other distributions
to:

                          (1)  its common stockholders, payable in cash or in
         its common stock; and

                          (2)  its preferred stockholders, up to an annual
         aggregate amount of $4,600,000 payable in cash or in its common stock.
         The amount by which $4,600,000 exceeds the aggregate dividend payments
         and other distributions made in any fiscal year (commencing with 1996)
         to preferred stockholders may be added, on a cumulative basis, to the
         amount available for dividend payments to preferred stockholders in
         subsequent fiscal years;

                 (b)  purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its
common stock or warrants or options to acquire any such shares with the
proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its
common stock;

                 (c)  with respect to the Company:

                          (1)  convert all or part of its Series B Preferred
         Stock into its (y) Series A Preferred Stock or (z) common stock;

                          (2)  convert all or part of its Series A Preferred
         Stock into its common stock;

                          (3)  redeem its Series B Preferred Stock for cash so
         long as such redemption is a mandatory redemption;

                 (d)  purchase shares of its common stock pursuant to:

                          (1)  the Company's "Employee Secured Stock Purchase
         Plan (1990)" and the Company's "Section 423 Employee Stock Purchase
         Plan (1990)" both as in effect on





                                       48
<PAGE>   55
         the Closing Date and as amended to comply with applicable tax,
         securities, or other laws, and

                          (2)  the Company's "Stock Option Plan (1992)", the
         Company's "Incentive Stock Option Plan (1982)", and the Company's
         "Stock Option Plan (1993)", all as in effect on the Closing Date and
         as amended to comply with applicable tax, securities, or other laws or
         to increase the number of shares authorized to be issued under such
         plans as approved by the stockholders of the Company.

         7.12 ERISA. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or permit any
of its ERISA Affiliates to: (a) engage in a prohibited transaction or violation
of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan which has
resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Company
in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000,000; or (b) engage in a transaction
that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

         7.13 Consolidated Net Worth. The Company shall not permit its
Consolidated Net Worth at any time during any fiscal quarter to be less than the
sum of (i) $175,000,000; plus (ii) 75% of the Company's consolidated net income
for each fiscal quarter beginning with the first fiscal quarter of 1996 (with no
deduction for losses); plus (iii) 100% of Net Issuance Proceeds of any stock
offerings or subordinated debt incurred since December 31, 1995.

         7.14 Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

                 (a)  The Company shall not permit its Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================
                                    For the period consisting of the four 
                                    consecutive fiscal quarters
To be less than:                    ending on the last day of its:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>
     1.55                           fourth fiscal quarter of 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     1.65                           first and second fiscal quarters of 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     1.75                           third fiscal quarter of 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     2.00                          fourth fiscal quarter of 1996 and each of 
                                   the first three fiscal quarters of 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     2.50                          fourth fiscal quarter of 1997 and each 
                                   fiscal quarter thereafter
================================================================================
</TABLE>

                 (b)  For purposes of this Section, Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
means the ratio of "A" to "B" where:





                                       49
<PAGE>   56

         "A"     means the sum of earnings before taxes plus current operating
         lease expenses plus interest expense; and

         "B"     means interest expense plus current operating lease expense;

         in all cases computed on a consolidated basis and measured at the end
         of the relevant fiscal quarter for the four successive fiscal quarters
         ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter.

         7.15 Funded Debt/EBITDA Ratio. (a) The Company shall not permit its
Funded Debt/EBITDA Ratio to be greater than:

                          (1)  5.25 for the period from the Closing Date through
         its fourth fiscal quarter in 1995;

                          (2)  4.75 for its first fiscal quarter in 1996;

                          (3)  4.50 for its second fiscal quarter in 1996;

                          (4)  4.00 for its third fiscal quarter in 1996;

                          (5)  3.50 for its fourth fiscal quarter in 1996; and

                          (6)  3.00 for each of its fiscal quarters thereafter.

                 (b)  In determining compliance with this Section, the
Company's Funded Debt at each quarterly measurement period shall be reduced by
the amounts shown in the following table to accommodate increases in the
Company's seasonal debt:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================
Fiscal quarter                                                  each year after
ending in:                        1996                          1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>                           <C>
March                             $10,000,000                   $10,000,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June                              $45,000,000                   $50,000,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September                         $35,000,000                   $40,000,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December                          $0                            $0
================================================================================
</TABLE>

         7.16 Change in Business. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, engage in any material line of business substantially
different from those lines of business carried on by the Company and its
Subsidiaries on the date hereof.

         7.17 Accounting Changes. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, make any significant change in accounting treatment or
reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, or change the fiscal year of
the Company or of any Subsidiary.





                                       50
<PAGE>   57

         7.18 Other Contracts. The Company shall not enter into any employment
contracts or other employment or service-retention arrangements whose terms,
including salaries, benefits and other compensation, are not normal and
customary.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         8.01 Event of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an "Event
of Default":

                 (a)  Non-Payment.  The Company fails to pay, (i) when and as
required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan, or (ii) within
five days after the same becomes due, any interest, fee or any other amount
payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

                 (b)  Representation or Warranty.  Any representation or
warranty by the Company or any Subsidiary made or deemed made herein, in any
other Loan Document, or which is contained in any certificate, document or
financial or other statement by the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Responsible
Officer, furnished at any time under this Agreement, or in or under any other
Loan Document, is incorrect in any material respect on or as of the date made
or deemed made; or

                 (c)  Specific Defaults.  The Company fails to perform or
observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Sections 6.03,
6.10, or 6.13 or in Article VII other than Sections 7.01, 7.05, 7.06, 7.12,
7.16, 7.17, or 7.18; or

                 (d)  Other Defaults.  The Company fails to perform or observe:

                          (1)  any term, covenant or agreement contained in any
         of Sections 6.01, 6.02, 7.01, or 7.05 and such default shall continue
         unremedied for a period of five Business Days after notice from the
         Agent or any Bank that such failure to comply constitutes an Event of
         Default; or

                          (2)  any other term or covenant contained in this
         Agreement or any other Loan Document, and such default shall continue
         unremedied for a period of 30 days after its occurrence; or

                 (e)  Cross-Default.  The Company or any Subsidiary (i) fails
to make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation
having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available
amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or
syndicated credit arrangement) of more than $1,000,000 when due (whether by
scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise)
and such failure continues after the applicable grace or notice period, if any,
specified in the document relating





                                       51
<PAGE>   58
thereto on the date of such failure; or (ii) fails to perform or observe any
other condition or covenant, or any other event shall occur or condition exist,
under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness or
Contingent Obligation, and such failure continues after the applicable grace or
notice period, if any, specified in the document relating thereto on the date
of such failure if the effect of such failure, event or condition is to cause,
or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or
beneficiaries of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such
holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause such Indebtedness
to be declared to be due and payable prior to its stated maturity, or such
Contingent Obligation to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof
to be demanded; or

                 (f)  Insolvency; Voluntary Proceedings.  The Company or any
Material Subsidiary (i) ceases or fails to be solvent, or generally fails to
pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due,
subject to applicable grace periods, if any, whether at stated maturity or
otherwise; (ii) voluntarily ceases to conduct its business in the ordinary
course; (iii) commences any Insolvency Proceeding with respect to itself; or
(iv) takes any action to effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing; or

                 (g)  Involuntary Proceedings.  (i) Any involuntary Insolvency
Proceeding is commenced or filed against the Company or any Material
Subsidiary, or any writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar
process, is issued or levied against a substantial part of the Company's or any
Material Subsidiary's properties, and any such proceeding or petition shall not
be dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or
similar process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded within 60 days
after commencement, filing or levy; (ii) the Company or any Material Subsidiary
admits the material allegations of a petition against it in any Insolvency
Proceeding, or an order for relief (or similar order under non-U.S. law) is
ordered in any Insolvency Proceeding; or (iii) the Company or any Material
Subsidiary acquiesces in the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian,
conservator, liquidator, mortgagee in possession (or agent therefor), or other
similar Person for itself or a substantial portion of its property or business;
or

                 (h)  ERISA.  (i) An ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a
Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be
expected to result in liability of the Company under Title IV of ERISA to the
Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess
of $5,000,000; (ii) the aggregate amount of Unfunded Pension Liability among
all Pension Plans at any time exceeds $5,000,000; or (iii) the Company or any
ERISA Affiliate shall fail to pay when due, after the expiration of any
applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal
liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an
aggregate amount in excess of $5,000,000; or





                                       52
<PAGE>   59

                 (i)  Monetary Judgments.  One or more non-interlocutory
judgments, non-interlocutory orders, decrees or arbitration awards is entered
against the Company or any Subsidiary involving in the aggregate a liability
(to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the
insurer does not dispute coverage) as to any single or related series of
transactions, incidents or conditions, in an aggregate amount equal to 5% or
more of the Company's Consolidated Net Worth, and the same shall remain
unsatisfied, unvacated and unstayed pending appeal for a period of 30 days
after the entry thereof; or

                 (j)  Non-Monetary Judgments.  Any non-monetary judgment, order
or decree is entered against the Company or any Subsidiary which does or would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there shall be
any period of 10 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such
judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in
effect; or

                 (k)  Change of Control.  (i) Any person acquires beneficial
ownership of 40% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's
outstanding securities immediately after such acquisition (which 40% shall be
calculated after including the dilutive effect of the conversion or exchange of
any outstanding securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for
voting securities), (ii) a change occurs in the composition of majority
membership of the Company's Board of Directors over any two year period, (iii)
a change of ownership of the Company such that the Company becomes subject to
the delisting of its common stock from the NASDAQ National Market System, (iv)
the Company's Board of Directors approves the sale of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Company, or (v) the Company's Board of Directors approves
any merger, consolidation, issuance of securities, or purchase of assets, the
result of which would be the occurrence of any event described in clause (i),
(ii), or (iii) of this subsection.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this subsection, acquisitions by any person (or any group of which such a
person is a member) who as of the date of this Agreement is a member of the
Board of Directors of the Company, of beneficial ownership of 40% or more of
the combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities immediately
after such acquisition (calculation of such 40% being made as described above)
shall not be deemed subject to this subsection;

                 (l)  Loss of Licenses.  Any Governmental Authority revokes or
fails to renew any material license, permit or franchise of the Company or any
Subsidiary, or the Company or any Subsidiary for any reason loses any material
license, permit or franchise, or the Company or any Subsidiary suffers the
imposition of any restraining order, escrow, suspension or impound of funds in
connection with any proceeding (judicial or administrative) with respect to any
material license, permit or franchise; or

                 (m)  Adverse Change.  There occurs a Material Adverse Effect
which, in the opinion of Majority Banks, (1) will





                                       53
<PAGE>   60
adversely affect the ability of the Company to perform under any Loan Document
or to avoid any Event of Default or (2) will have a material adverse effect
upon the legality, validity, binding effect, or enforceability against the
Company of any Loan Document; or

                 (n)  Invalidity of Subordination Provisions.  The
subordination provisions of any agreement or instrument governing any
subordinated debt is for any reason revoked or invalidated, or otherwise cease
to be in full force and effect, or any Person contests in any manner the
validity or enforceability thereof or denies that it has any further liability
or obligation thereunder, or the Indebtedness hereunder is for any reason
subordinated or does not have the priority contemplated by this Agreement or
such subordination provisions.

         8.02 Remedies. If any Event of Default occurs, the Agent shall, at the
request of, or may, with the consent of, the Majority Banks:

                 (a)  declare the commitment of each Bank to make Loans to be
terminated, whereupon such commitments shall be terminated;

                 (b)  declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding
Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or
payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and
payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all
of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company; and

                 (c)  exercise on behalf of itself and the Banks all rights and
remedies available to it and the Banks under the Loan Documents or applicable
law;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any event specified in
subsection (f) or (g) of Section 8.01 (in the case of clause (i) of subsection
(g) upon the expiration of the 60-day period mentioned therein), the obligation
of each Bank to make Loans shall automatically terminate and the unpaid
principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as
aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable without further act of the
Agent or any Bank.

         8.03 Rights Not Exclusive. The rights provided for in this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other
rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under
any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   THE AGENT

         9.01 Appointment and Authorization. Each Bank hereby irrevocably
(subject to Section 9.09) appoints, designates and





                                       54
<PAGE>   61
authorizes the Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of
this Agreement and each other Loan Document and to exercise such powers and
perform such duties as are expressly delegated to it by the terms of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, together with such powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary
contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, the Agent
shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth
herein, nor shall the Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary
relationship with any Bank, 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.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term
"agent" in this Agreement with reference to the Agent is not intended to
connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under
agency doctrine of any applicable law.  Instead, such term is used merely as a
matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an
administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

         9.02 Delegation of Duties. The Agent may execute any of its duties
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees
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 agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects with
reasonable care.

         9.03 Liability of Agent. None of the Agent-Related Persons shall (i) be
liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in
connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions
contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct),
or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any of the Banks for any recital,
statement, representation or warranty made by the Company or any Subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Company, or any officer thereof, contained in this Agreement or
in 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 the validity,
effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or
any other Loan Document, or for any failure of the Company or any other party to
any Loan Document to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No
Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Bank 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 the Company or any of the Company's
Subsidiaries or Affiliates. For purposes of this Section, "Affiliates" of the
Company include the entities mentioned in the last sentence of the definition of
"Affiliates".

         9.04 Reliance by Agent. (a) The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and
shall be fully protected in relying, upon any





                                       55
<PAGE>   62
writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram,
facsimile, telex or telephone message, statement 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 counsel to the Company), independent accountants and
other experts selected by 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
Majority Banks as it deems appropriate and, if it so requests, it shall first
be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Banks 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 or any other Loan
Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Majority Banks and such
request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be
binding upon all of the Banks.

                 (b)  For purposes of determining compliance with the
conditions specified in Section 4.01, each Bank that has executed this
Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be
satisfied with, each document or other matter either sent by the Agent to such
Bank for consent, approval, acceptance or satisfaction, or required thereunder
to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Bank.

         9.05 Notice of Default. The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge
or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with
respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest and fees required to
be paid to the Agent for the account of the Banks, unless the Agent shall have
received written notice from a Bank or the Company referring to this Agreement,
describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a
"notice of default". The Agent will notify the Banks of its receipt of any such
notice. The Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event
of Default as may be requested by the Majority Banks in accordance with Article
VIII; provided, however, that unless and until the Agent has received any such
request, 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 or in the best interest of the Banks.

         9.06 Credit Decision. Each Bank acknowledges that none of the
Agent-Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no
act by the Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, shall be deemed to constitute any representation
or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Bank. Each Bank represents to the
Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related
Person and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate,
made its own appraisal





                                       56
<PAGE>   63
of and investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property,
financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank regulatory laws relating to the
transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this
Agreement and to extend credit to the Company and its Subsidiaries hereunder.
Each Bank also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon
any Agent-Related Person 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 investigations as it deems
necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property,
financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Company.  Except for
notices, reports and other documents expressly herein required to be furnished
to the Banks by the Agent, the Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility
to provide any Bank with any credit or other information concerning the
business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or
creditworthiness of the Company which may come into the possession of any of
the Agent-Related Persons.

         9.07 Indemnification of Agent. Whether or not the transactions
contemplated hereby are consummated, the Banks shall indemnify upon demand the
Agent-Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of the
Company and without limiting the obligation of the Company to do so), pro rata,
from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided, however, that no
Bank shall be liable for the payment to the Agent-Related Persons of any portion
of such Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from such Person's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Bank
shall reimburse the Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or
out-of-pocket expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by the Agent in
connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration,
modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or
responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document
contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that the Agent is not
reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Company. The undertaking in
this Section shall survive the payment of all Obligations hereunder and the
resignation or replacement of the Agent.

         9.08 Agent in Individual Capacity. BofA and its Affiliates may make
loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from,
acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust,
financial advisory, underwriting or other business with the Company and its
Subsidiaries and Affiliates as though BofA were not the Agent hereunder and
without notice to or consent of the Banks. The Banks acknowledge that, pursuant
to such activities, BofA or its Affiliates may receive information regarding the
Company or its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to





                                       57
<PAGE>   64
confidentiality obligations in favor of the Company or such Subsidiary) and
acknowledge that the Agent shall be under no obligation to provide such
information to them.  With respect to its Loans, BofA shall have the same
rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Bank and may exercise the
same as though it were not the Agent, and the terms "Bank" and "Banks" include
BofA in its individual capacity.  For purposes of this Section, "Affiliates" of
the Company include the entities mentioned in the last sentence of the
definition of "Affiliates".

         9.09 Successor Agent. The Agent may, and at the request of the Majority
Banks shall, resign as Agent upon 30 days' notice to the Banks. If the Agent
resigns under this Agreement, the Majority Banks shall appoint from among the
Banks a successor agent for the Banks. If no successor agent is appointed prior
to the effective date of the resignation of the Agent, the Agent may appoint,
after consulting with the Banks and the Company, a successor agent from among
the Banks. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor agent hereunder,
such successor agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers and duties of the
retiring Agent and the term "Agent" shall mean such successor agent and the
retiring Agent's appointment, powers and duties as Agent shall be terminated.
After any retiring Agent's resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of
this Article and Sections 10.04 and 10.05 shall inure to its benefit as to any
actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this
Agreement. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Agent by the date
which is 30 days following a retiring Agent's notice of resignation, the
retiring Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and
the Banks shall perform all of the duties of the Agent hereunder until such
time, if any, as the Majority Banks appoint a successor agent as provided for
above.

         9.10 Withholding Tax. (a) If any Bank is a "foreign corporation,
partnership or trust" within the meaning of the Code and such Bank claims
exemption from, or a reduction of, U.S. withholding tax under Sections 1441 or
1442 of the Code, such Bank agrees with and in favor of the Agent, to deliver to
the Agent:

                          (1)  if such Bank claims an exemption from, or a
         reduction of, withholding tax under a United States tax treaty, two
         properly completed and executed copies of IRS Form 1001 before the
         payment of any interest in the first calendar year and before the
         payment of any interest in each third succeeding calendar year during
         which interest may be paid under this Agreement;

                          (2)  if such Bank claims that interest paid under
         this Agreement is exempt from United States withholding tax because it
         is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of
         such Bank, two properly completed and executed copies of IRS Form 4224
         before the payment of any interest is due in the first taxable year of
         such Bank and in each succeeding taxable year of such Bank during
         which





                                       58
<PAGE>   65
         interest may be paid under this Agreement; and

                           (3)  such other form or forms as may be required
         under the Code or other laws of the United States as a condition to
         exemption from, or reduction of, United States withholding tax.

Such Bank agrees to promptly notify the Agent of any change in circumstances
which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

                 (b)  If any Bank claims exemption from, or reduction of,
withholding tax under a United States tax treaty by providing IRS Form 1001 and
such Bank sells, assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise transfers all
or part of the Obligations of the Company to such Bank, such Bank agrees to
notify the Agent of the percentage amount in which it is no longer the
beneficial owner of Obligations of the Company to such Bank.  To the extent of
such percentage amount, the Agent will treat such Bank's IRS Form 1001 as no
longer valid.

                 (c)  If any Bank claiming exemption from United States
withholding tax by filing IRS Form 4224 with the Agent sells, assigns, grants a
participation in, or otherwise transfers all or part of the Obligations of the
Company to such Bank, such Bank agrees to undertake sole responsibility for
complying with the withholding tax requirements imposed by Sections 1441 and
1442 of the Code.

                 (d)  If any Bank is entitled to a reduction in the applicable
withholding tax, the Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such Bank
an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax after taking into
account such reduction.  However, if the forms or other documentation required
by subsection (a) of this Section are not delivered to the Agent, then the
Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such Bank not providing such
forms or other documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding
tax imposed by Sections 1440 and 1442 of the Code, without reduction.

                 (e)  If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority of the
United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Agent did not
properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Bank
(because the appropriate form was not delivered or was not properly executed,
or because such Bank failed to notify the Agent of a change in circumstances
which rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax
ineffective, or for any other reason) such Bank shall indemnify the Agent fully
for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Agent as tax or otherwise,
including penalties and interest, and including any taxes imposed by any
jurisdiction on the amounts payable to the Agent under this Section, together
with all costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs).  The obligation of the
Banks under this subsection shall survive the payment of all Obligations and
the resignation or replacement of the Agent.





                                       59
<PAGE>   66

         9.11 Co-Agent. The Bank identified on the facing page or signature
pages of this Agreement as a "co-agent" shall have no right, power, obligation,
liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those
applicable to all Banks as such. Without limiting the foregoing, the Bank so
identified as a "co-agent" shall not have and shall not be deemed to have any
fiduciary relationship with any Bank. Each Bank acknowledges that it has not
relied, and will not rely, on the Bank so identified in deciding to enter into
this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.


                                   ARTICLE X

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

         10.01 Amendments and Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision
of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any
departure by the Company therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be
in writing and signed by the Majority Banks (or by the Agent at the written
request of the Majority Banks) and the Company and acknowledged by the Agent,
and then any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that
no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all
the Banks and the Company and acknowledged by the Agent, do any of the
following:

                 (a)  increase or extend the Commitment of any Bank (or
reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02);

                 (b)  postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any
other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees or other
amounts due to the Banks (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan
Document;

                 (c)  reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest
specified herein on any Loan, or (subject to clause (ii) below) any fees or
other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

                 (d)  change the percentage of the Commitments or of the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans which is required for the Banks
or any of them to take any action hereunder; or

                 (e)  amend this Section, or Section 2.13, or any provision
herein providing for consent or other action by all Banks;

and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless
in writing and signed by the Agent in addition to the Majority Banks or all the
Banks, as the case may be, affect the rights or duties of the Agent under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (ii) the Fee Letter may be amended,
or





                                       60
<PAGE>   67
rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed by the parties
thereto.

         10.02 Notices. (a) All notices, requests, consents, approvals, waivers,
and other communications shall be in writing (including, unless the context
expressly otherwise provides, by facsimile transmission, provided that any
matter transmitted by the Company by facsimile (i) shall be immediately
confirmed by a telephone call to the recipient at the number specified on
Schedule 10.02, and (ii) shall be followed promptly by delivery of a hard copy
original thereof) and mailed, faxed or delivered, to the address or facsimile
number specified for notices on Schedule 10.02; or, as directed to the Company
or the Agent, to such other address as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice to the other parties, and as directed to any other party, at such
other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the
Company and the Agent.

                 (b)  All such notices, requests and communications shall, when
transmitted by overnight delivery, or faxed, be effective when delivered for
overnight (next-day) delivery, or transmitted in legible form by facsimile
machine, respectively, or if mailed, upon the third Business Day after the date
deposited into the U.S. mail, or if delivered, upon delivery; except that
notices pursuant to Article II or IX to the Agent shall not be effective until
actually received by the Agent.

                 (c)  Any agreement of the Agent and the Banks herein to
receive certain notices by telephone or facsimile is solely for the convenience
and at the request of the Company.  The Agent and the Banks shall be entitled
to rely on the authority of any Person purporting to be a Person authorized by
the Company to give such notice and the Agent and the Banks shall not have any
liability to the Company or other Person on account of any action taken or not
taken by the Agent or the Banks in reliance upon such telephonic or facsimile
notice.  The obligation of the Company to repay the Loans shall not be affected
in any way or to any extent by any failure by the Agent and the Banks to
receive written confirmation of any telephonic or facsimile notice or the
receipt by the Agent and the Banks of a confirmation which is at variance with
the terms understood by the Agent and the Banks to be contained in the
telephonic or facsimile notice.

         10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no
delay in exercising, on the part of the Agent or any Bank, any right, remedy,
power or privilege hereunder, 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.

         10.04 Costs and Expenses. The Company shall:

                 (a)  whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are
consummated, pay or reimburse BofA (including in its capacity as Agent) and the
Arranger within five Business Days





                                       61
<PAGE>   68
after demand (subject to subsection 4.01(d)) for all costs and expenses
incurred by BofA (including in its capacity as Agent) and the Arranger in
connection with the development, preparation, delivery, administration and
execution of, and any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification to (in each
case, whether or not consummated), this Agreement, any Loan Document and any
other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith (including
assignments and delegations by any Bank or Banks of their rights and
obligations under this Agreement), and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, including reasonable Attorney Costs incurred
by BofA (including in its capacity as Agent) and the Arranger with respect
thereto; and

                 (b)  pay or reimburse the Agent, the Arranger, and each Bank
within five Business Days after demand (subject to subsection 4.01(d)) for all
costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by them in connection
with the enforcement, attempted enforcement, or preservation of any rights or
remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Document during the existence
of an Event of Default or after acceleration of the Loans (including in
connection with any "workout" or restructuring regarding the Loans, and
including in any Insolvency Proceeding or appellate proceeding).

         10.05 Company Indemnification. Whether or not the transactions
contemplated hereby are consummated, the Company shall indemnify, defend, and
hold the Agent-Related Persons, and each Bank and each of its respective
officers, directors, employees, counsel, agents and attorneys-in-fact (each, an
"Indemnified Person") harmless from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
charges, expenses and disbursements (including Attorney Costs) of any kind or
nature whatsoever which may at any time (including at any time following
repayment of the Loans and the termination, resignation or replacement of the
Agent or replacement of any Bank) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against
any such Person in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any
document contemplated by or referred to herein, or the transactions contemplated
hereby, or any action taken or omitted by any such Person under or in connection
with any of the foregoing, including with respect to any investigation,
litigation or proceeding (including any Insolvency Proceeding or appellate
proceeding) related to or arising out of this Agreement or the Loans or the use
of the proceeds thereof, whether or not any Indemnified Person is a party
thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the "Indemnified Liabilities");
provided, that the Company shall have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnified
Person with respect to Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person. The agreements in
this Section shall survive payment of all other Obligations.

         10.06 Payments Set Aside. To the extent that the Company makes a
payment to the Agent or the Banks, or the Agent or the Banks exercise their
right of set-off, and such payment or the





                                       62
<PAGE>   69
proceeds of such set-off or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated,
declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including
pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Agent or such Bank in its
discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in
connection with any Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise, then (a) to the extent
of such recovery the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be
satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such
payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and (b) each Bank
severally agrees to pay to the Agent upon demand its pro rata share of any
amount so recovered from or repaid by the Agent.

         10.07 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns, except that the Company may not assign or transfer any
of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written
consent of the Agent and each Bank.

         10.08 Assignments, Participations, etc. (a) Any Bank may, with the
written consent of the Company (which consent of the Company shall not be
unreasonably withheld) at all times other than during the existence of an Event
of Default and the Agent at any time, assign and delegate to one or more
Eligible Assignees (provided that no written consent of the Company or the Agent
shall be required in connection with any assignment and delegation by a Bank to
an Eligible Assignee that is an Affiliate of such Bank) (each an "Assignee")
all, or any ratable part of all, of the Loans, the Commitments and the other
rights and obligations of such Bank hereunder, in a minimum amount of
$10,000,000; provided, however, that the Company and the Agent may continue to
deal solely and directly with such Bank in connection with the interest so
assigned to an Assignee until (i) written notice of such assignment, together
with payment instructions, addresses and related information with respect to the
Assignee, shall have been given to the Company and the Agent by such Bank and
the Assignee; (ii) such Bank and its Assignee shall have delivered to the
Company and the Agent an Assignment and Acceptance in the form of Exhibit E
("Assignment and Acceptance"); and (iii) the assignor Bank or Assignee has paid
to the Agent a processing fee in the amount of $3,000 (except as set forth in a
separate agreement between the Agent and the Co-Agent).

                 (b)  From and after the date that the Agent notifies the
assignor Bank that it has received (and provided its consent with respect to)
an executed Assignment and Acceptance and payment of the above-referenced
processing fee, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the
extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant
to such Assignment and Acceptance, shall have the rights and obligations of a
Bank under the Loan Documents, and (ii) the assignor Bank shall, to the extent
that rights and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents have
been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its





                                       63
<PAGE>   70
rights and be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents.

                 (c)  Immediately upon each Assignee's making its processing
fee payment under the Assignment and Acceptance, this Agreement shall be deemed
to be amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary to reflect the
addition of the Assignee and the resulting adjustment of the Commitments
arising therefrom. The Commitment allocated to each Assignee shall reduce such
Commitments of the assigning Bank pro tanto.

                 (d)  Any Bank may at any time sell to one or more commercial
banks or other Persons not Affiliates of the Company (a "Participant")
participating interests in any Loans, the Commitment of that Bank and the other
interests of that Bank (the "originating Bank") hereunder and under the other
Loan Documents; provided, however, that (i) the originating Bank's obligations
under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) the originating Bank shall
remain solely responsible for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the
Company and the Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with the
originating Bank in connection with the originating Bank's rights and
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (iv) no Bank
shall transfer or grant any participating interest under which the Participant
has rights to approve any amendment to, or any consent or waiver with respect
to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except to the extent such
amendment, consent or waiver would require unanimous consent of the Banks as
described in the first proviso to Section 10.01.  In the case of any such
participation, the Participant shall be entitled to the benefit of Sections
3.01, 3.03 and 10.05 as though it were also a Bank hereunder, and shall not
have any other rights under this Agreement, or any of the other Loan Documents,
and all amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall be determined as if such
Bank had not sold such participation; except that, if amounts outstanding under
this Agreement are due and unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have
become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each
Participant shall 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
Bank under this Agreement.

                 Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, any
Bank may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or any
portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement in favor of any
Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the FRB or U.S.
Treasury Regulation 31 CFR Section 203.14, and such Federal Reserve Bank may
enforce such pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under
applicable law.

         10.09 Confidentiality. Each Bank agrees to take and to cause its
Affiliates to take normal and reasonable precautions and exercise due care to
maintain the confidentiality of all information identified as "confidential" or
"secret" by the Company and provided to it by the Company or any Subsidiary, or





                                       64
<PAGE>   71
by the Agent on such Company's or Subsidiary's behalf, under this Agreement or
any other Loan Document, and neither it nor any of its Affiliates shall use any
such information other than in connection with or in enforcement of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents or in connection with other business now
or hereafter existing or contemplated with the Company or any Subsidiary;
except to the extent such information (i) was or becomes generally available to
the public other than as a result of disclosure by the Bank, or (ii) was or
becomes available on a  non-confidential basis from a source other than the
Company, provided that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement
with the Company known to the Bank; provided, however, that any Bank may
disclose such information (A) at the request or pursuant to any requirement of
any Governmental Authority to which the Bank is subject or in connection with
an examination of such Bank by any such authority; (B) pursuant to subpoena or
other court process; (C) when required to do so in accordance with the
provisions of any applicable Requirement of Law; (D) to the extent reasonably
required in connection with any litigation or proceeding to which the Agent,
any Bank or their respective Affiliates may be party; (E) to the extent
reasonably required in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or
under any other Loan Document; (F) to such Bank's independent auditors and
other professional advisors; (G) to any Participant or Assignee, actual or
potential, provided that such Person agrees in writing to keep such information
confidential to the same extent required of the Banks hereunder; (H) as to any
Bank or its Affiliate, as expressly permitted under the terms of any other
document or agreement regarding confidentiality to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is party or is deemed party with such Bank or such Affiliate; and
(I) to its Affiliates.

         10.10 Set-off. In addition to any rights and remedies of the Banks
provided by law, if an Event of Default exists or the Loans have been
accelerated, each Bank is authorized at any time and from time to time, without
prior notice to the Company, any such notice being waived by the Company to the
fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits
(general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held by,
and other indebtedness at any time owing by, such Bank to or for the credit or
the account of the Company against any and all Obligations owing to such Bank,
now or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or not the Agent or such Bank
shall have made demand under this Agreement or any Loan Document and although
such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured. Each Bank agrees promptly to
notify the Company and the Agent after any such set-off and application made by
such Bank; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not
affect the validity of such set-off and application.

         10.11 Notification of Addresses, Lending Offices, Etc. Each Bank shall
notify the Agent in writing of any changes in the address to which notices to
the Bank should be directed, of addresses of any Lending Office, of payment
instructions in respect of all payments to be made to it hereunder and of such





                                       65
<PAGE>   72
other administrative information as the Agent shall reasonably request.

         10.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an
original, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute but one and the same instrument.

         10.13 Severability. The illegality or unenforceability of any provision
of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder shall not in
any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the remaining
provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder.

         10.14 No Third Parties Benefitted. This Agreement is made and entered
into for the sole protection and legal benefit of the Company, the Banks, the
Agent and the Agent-Related Persons, and their permitted successors and assigns,
and no other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have
any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

         10.15 Commitment Letter. This is the Credit Agreement referred to in
the October 23, 1995 letter (and accompanying term sheet) to the Company from
the Arranger and BofA (the "Commitment Letter") and contains the terms and
conditions relating to the credit facility described in the Commitment Letter.
These terms and conditions are modified, as set forth in this Agreement. The
terms and conditions of the October 23, 1995 Fee Letter remain in full force and
effect and are not amended or modified by this Agreement.

         10.16 Termination of Commitments to Lend Under the Prior Credit
Agreement. The Company and each of the Banks party to the Prior Credit Agreement
agree that:

                 (a)  the commitment of each of such Banks to extend credit
under the Prior Credit Agreement terminates upon execution of this Agreement
without necessity of further act of the parties; and

                 (b)  principal, interest, and fees due under the Prior Credit
are immediately due and payable upon execution of this Agreement and all sums
due under Section 3.04 of the Prior Credit Agreement by reason of payment of
such items shall be due and payable on demand.

         10.17 Governing Law and Jurisdiction. (a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA; PROVIDED THAT THE AGENT AND THE BANKS SHALL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS
ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

                 (b)  ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE





                                       66
<PAGE>   73
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS
AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE AGENT AND THE BANKS CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF
AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THOSE
COURTS.  EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE AGENT AND THE BANKS IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY
OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE
GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE
BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO.  THE COMPANY, THE AGENT AND THE BANKS
EACH WAIVE PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS, WHICH
MAY BE MADE BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW.

         10.18 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE COMPANY, THE BANKS AND THE AGENT EACH
WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION
BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR OTHER LITIGATION OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY ANY OF THE PARTIES AGAINST
ANY OTHER PARTY OR ANY AGENT-RELATED PERSON, PARTICIPANT OR ASSIGNEE, WHETHER
WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, OR OTHERWISE. THE COMPANY, THE
BANKS AND THE AGENT EACH AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE
TRIED BY A COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THE
PARTIES FURTHER AGREE THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS WAIVED
BY OPERATION OF THIS SECTION AS TO ANY ACTION, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING
WHICH SEEKS, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF
THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY PROVISION HEREOF OR THEREOF.
THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR
MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

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


                                       DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.


                                       By: /s/ William C. Collett
                                          ---------------------------
                                       Name: William C. Collett
                                            -------------------------
                                       Title: Treasurer
                                             ------------------------





                                       67
<PAGE>   74
                                       BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                                       AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,
                                       as Agent


                                       By: /s/ Christine Corti
                                          ---------------------------

                                       Name: Christine Corti
                                            -------------------------

                                       Title: Vice President





                                       68
<PAGE>   75
                                       ABN AMRO BANK N.V., as Co-Agent


                                       By: /s/ Gina M. Brusatori
                                          ----------------------------
                                       Name: Gina M. Brusatori
                                            --------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                             ------------------------- 


                                       By: /s/ R. Clay Jackson
                                          ----------------------------
                                       Name: R. Clay Jackson
                                            --------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                             -------------------------





                                       69
<PAGE>   76
                                       BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                                       AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as a Bank


                                       By: /s/ Michael J. Dasher
                                          -------------------------------
                                       Name: Michael J. Dasher
                                            -----------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                             ----------------------------





                                       70
<PAGE>   77
                                       ABN AMRO BANK N.V., as a Bank


                                       By: /s/ Gina M. Brusatori
                                          ----------------------------
                                       Name: Gina M. Brusatori
                                            --------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                             -------------------------


                                       By: /s/ R. Clay Jackson
                                          ----------------------------
                                       Name: R. Clay Jackson
                                            --------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                             -------------------------





                                       71
<PAGE>   78
                                       CREDIT SUISSE


                                       By: /s/ David J. Worthington
                                          -------------------------------
                                       Name: David J. Worthington
                                            -----------------------------
                                       Title: Member of Senior Management
                                             ----------------------------


                                       By: /s/ Marilou Palenzuela
                                          -------------------------------
                                       Name: Marilou Palenzuela
                                            -----------------------------
                                       Title: Member of Senior Management
                                             ----------------------------





                                       72
<PAGE>   79
                                       THE BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.


                                       By: /s/ Wanda Headrick
                                          -------------------------
                                       Name: Wanda Headrick
                                            -----------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                             ----------------------


                                       By: 
                                          -------------------------
                                       Name: 
                                            -----------------------
                                       Title: 
                                             ----------------------





                                       73
<PAGE>   80
                                    EXHIBIT A

                         DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.
                             COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE


                                                Financial
                                                Statement Date:___________, 199_


         Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of December
22, 1995, (as extended, renewed, amended or restated from time to time, the
"Agreement") among Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), the several financial institutions from time to time parties to the
Credit Agreement (the "Banks"), Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association, as agent for the Banks (in such capacity, the "Agent"), and
ABN-AMRO Bank N.V., San Francisco International Branch as Co-Agent. Unless
otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein have the respective
meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.

         The undersigned Responsible Officer of the Company, hereby certifies as
of the date hereof that he/she is the _____________ of the Company, and that, as
such, he/she is authorized to execute and deliver this Certificate to the Banks
and the Agent on the behalf of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries,
and that:

[Use the following paragraph if this Certificate is delivered in connection with
the financial statements required by subsection 6.01(a) of the Agreement.]

         1. Attached as Schedule 1 hereto are (a) a true and correct copy of the
audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as at the end of the fiscal year ended _______________, ____ and
(b) the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders'
equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in
comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, accompanied by the
opinion of the Independent Auditor which states that such consolidated financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position for
the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with
prior years. Such opinion is not qualified or limited because of a restricted or
limited examination by the Independent Auditor of any material portion of the
Company's or any Subsidiary's records.

                                       OR

[Use the following paragraph if this Certificate is delivered in

                                       A-1
<PAGE>   81
connection with the financial statements required by subsection 6.01(b) of the
Agreement.]

         1. Attached as Schedule 1 hereto are (a) a true and correct copy of the
unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended __________, _____, and
(b) the related unaudited consolidated statements of income, shareholders'
equity, and cash flows for the period commencing on the first day and ending on
the last day of such quarter, and such financial statements were prepared in
accordance with GAAP (subject only to ordinary, good faith year-end audit
adjustments and the absence of footnotes) and fairly present, in all material
respects, the financial position and the results of operations of the Company
and its consolidated Subsidiaries.

         2. The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the
Agreement and has made, or has caused to be made under his/her supervision, a
detailed review of the transactions and conditions (financial or otherwise) of
the Company during the accounting period covered by the attached financial
statements.

         3. To the best of the undersigned's knowledge, the Company, during such
period, has observed, performed or satisfied all of its covenants and other
agreements, and satisfied every condition in the Agreement to be observed,
performed or satisfied by the Company, and the undersigned has no knowledge of
any Default or Event of Default.

         4. The following financial covenant analyses and information set forth
on Schedule 2 attached hereto are true and accurate on and as of the date of
this Certificate. All amounts and ratios refer to the financial statements
attached as Schedule 1 hereto and are determined in accordance with the
specifications set forth in the Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this
Certificate as of___________________,_____.

                                          
                                                  DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.


                                                  By:
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:


                                      A-2
<PAGE>   82
                                      Date:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      For the fiscal quarter
                                      ended
                                           -------------------------------------



                                   Schedule 2
                          to the Compliance Certificate
                   Financial Covenant Analyses and Information

         "7.01 Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer
or permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make, create, incur, assume
or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any part of its property,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following ("Permitted
Liens"):

                  "(g) Liens consisting of judgment or judicial attachment
liens, provided that the enforcement of such Liens is effectively stayed and all
such Liens in the aggregate at any time outstanding for the Company and its
Subsidiaries do not exceed $5,000,000;"

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 ACTUAL               PERMITTED

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                     <C>
AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT SECURED BY
JUDGMENT AND JUDICIAL ATTACHMENT LIENS
UNDER SECTION 7.01(g)                        $                       $5,000,000
                                              ----------------                 
</TABLE>

                                      2-1
<PAGE>   83
                  "(i) Liens on assets of corporations which become Subsidiaries
after the date of this Agreement, provided, however, that such Liens existed at
the time the respective corporations became Subsidiaries and were not created in
anticipation thereof and the principal amount of the obligations secured by such
Liens does not exceed $10,000,000;"

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       ACTUAL          PERMITTED

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                    <C>
AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT SECURED BY LIENS
ON ASSETS OF CORPORATIONS WHICH BECAME
SUBSIDIARIES AFTER THE DATE OF THE CREDIT       $                      $10,000,000
AGREEMENT                                        --------------------             
</TABLE>


                                      2-2
<PAGE>   84
                  "(j) purchase money security interests on any property
acquired or held by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business, securing Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing
all or any part of the cost of acquiring such property; provided that (i) any
such Lien attaches to such property concurrently with or within 20 days after
the acquisition thereof, (ii) such Lien attaches solely to the property so
acquired in such transaction, (iii) the principal amount of the debt secured
thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of such property, and (iv) the
principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by any and all such purchase money
security interests shall not at any time exceed $10,000,000;"

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          ACTUAL           PERMITTED

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>                     <C>         
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF INDEBTEDNESS SECURED BY
PURCHASE MONEY SECURITY INTERESTS IN PROPERTY
HELD BY THE COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES IN
THE ORDINARY COURSE OF BUSINESS                    $                       $10,000,000
                                                    --------------------              
</TABLE>


                                      2-3
 provided
<PAGE>   85
         "7.02 Disposition of Assets. The Company shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, lease,
convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of
transactions) any property (including accounts and notes receivable, with or
without recourse) or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing,
except:

               "(f) dispositions not otherwise permitted hereunder which are
made for fair market value; provided, that (i) at the time of any disposition,
no Event of Default shall exist or shall result from such disposition, (ii) the
aggregate sales price from such disposition shall be paid in cash, and (iii) the
aggregate value of all assets so sold by the Company and its Subsidiaries,
together, shall not exceed in any fiscal year $5,000,000."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      ACTUAL              PERMITTED

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>                     <C>                         
DISPOSITION OF ASSETS COVERED BY SECTION
7.02(f) DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING WITH THE
PERIOD COVERED BY THIS COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE     $                       $5,000,000
                                                   --------------------             
</TABLE>


                                      2-4

<PAGE>   86
         "7.04 Loans and Investments. The Company shall not purchase or acquire,
or suffer or permit any Subsidiary to purchase or acquire, or make any
commitment therefor, any capital stock, equity interest, or any obligations or
other securities of, or any interest in, any Person, or make or commit to make
any Acquisitions, or make or commit to make any advance, loan, extension of
credit or capital contribution to or any other investment in, any Person
including any Affiliate of the Company, except for:

               "(d) investments (other than those permitted under subsections
         (a), (b), (c), (e), and (f) of this Section) subject to the following
         additional limitations:

                    "(1) the following amounts may be invested in Persons
         engaged in businesses substantially similar to the businesses currently
         engaged in by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries:

                         "(A) up to an aggregate amount of $50,000,000 prior to
               the first anniversary of this Agreement; and

                         "(B) up to an aggregate amount of $60,000,000
               (including investments made prior to the first anniversary of
               this Agreement) during the term of this Agreement;

                    "(2) up to an aggregate amount of $15,000,000 may be
         invested in Persons engaged in businesses not covered by clause (1) of
         this subsection; and

                    "(3) the aggregate amount of investments under clauses (1)
         and (2) of this subsection may not exceed $60,000,000 during the term
         of this Agreement;"


                                      2-5

<PAGE>   87
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FROM THE DATE OF THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT THROUGH THE LAST DAY OF
THE FISCAL QUARTER COVERED BY THIS
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE:                       ACTUAL                    PERMITTED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                       <C> 
(1)  INVESTMENTS UNDER CLAUSE

(1)(A) OF SECTION 7.04(d)             $                         
                                       -----------------              $50,000,000          
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                $50,000,000 PRIOR TO THE FIRST
                                                                ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREDIT
                                                                AGREEMENT, THEREAFTER A
                                                                CUMULATIVE AGGREGATE OF
                                                                $60,000,000 FOR THE TERM OF
                                                                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT
                                                                (INCLUDING INVESTMENTS DURING
(2)  INVESTMENTS UNDER CLAUSE                                   THE FIRST YEAR OF THE CREDIT
(1)(B) OF SECTION 7.04(d)             $                         AGREEMENT), BUT SUBJECT TO
                                       -----------------        LIMIT IN SECTION 7.04(d)(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)  INVESTMENTS UNDER CLAUSE (2)     $                         UP TO $15,000,000 BUT
OF SECTION 7.04(d)                     -----------------        SUBJECT TO LIMIT IN SECTION 7.04(d)(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                $50,000,000 PRIOR TO THE FIRST
                                                                ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREDIT
                                                                AGREEMENT, THEREAFTER A
                                                                CUMULATIVE AGGREGATE OF
                                                                $60,000,000 FOR THE TERM OF
                                                                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT
                                                                (INCLUDING INVESTMENTS DURING
SUM OF (1) PLUS (2) PLUS (3)         $                          THE FIRST YEAR OF THE CREDIT
                                      -----------------         AGREEMENT)
</TABLE>


                                      2-6

<PAGE>   88
         "7.05 Limitation on Indebtedness. The Company shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume, suffer to exist, or
otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any
Indebtedness, except:

               "(e) Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by subsections
7.01(i) and (j) in an aggregate amount outstanding not to exceed $20,000,000;"

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   ACTUAL        PERMITTED
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>                   <C>
ACTUAL INDEBTEDNESS INCURRED SUBJECT TO SECTION 7.05(e)
FROM THE DATE OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT THROUGH
THE LAST DAY OF THE FISCAL QUARTER COVERED BY THIS
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE                                    $                     $20,000,000
                                                           -------------------             
</TABLE>



                                      2-7

<PAGE>   89
         "7.08 Contingent Obligations. The Company shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any
Contingent Obligations except:

               "(d) The Contingent Obligations of Grand Soft Capital Company and
Grand Soft Equipment Company with respect to leases each sells or enters into
pursuant to the Grand Soft Program up to an aggregate amount of $10,000,000; and
the Company's Guaranty Obligations, if any, with respect to such Contingent
Obligations of Grand Soft Capital Company and Grand Soft Equipment Company up to
an aggregate amount of $10,000,000; and"

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      ACTUAL           PERMITTED
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>                  <C>                     
(1)  CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS OF GRAND SOFT
CAPITAL COMPANY AND GRAND SOFT EQUIPMENT         $                    $10,000,000
COMPANY COVERED BY SECTION 7.08(d)                -----------------                 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)  COMPANY'S GUARANTY OBLIGATIONS COVERED
BY SECTION 7.08(d)                               $                    $10,000,000
                                                  -----------------                 
</TABLE>



                                      2-8

<PAGE>   90
                  "(e) In addition to that permitted under the preceding
subsections, Guaranty Obligations covering up to $5,000,000 principal of primary
obligations."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   ACTUAL         PERMITTED
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>                    <C>
GUARANTY OBLIGATIONS COVERED BY SECTION 7.08(e) FROM
THE DATE OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT THROUGH THE
LAST DAY OF THE FISCAL QUARTER COVERED BY THIS
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE                                    $                      $5,000,000
                                                           -------------------             
</TABLE>



                                      2-9

<PAGE>   91
         "7.10 Lease Obligations. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, create or suffer to exist any obligations for the
payment of rent for any property under lease or agreement to lease, except for:

               "(d) operating leases other than those permitted under other
subsections of this Section entered into by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries after the Closing Date in the ordinary course of business as
conducted as of the Closing Date; provided that the aggregate amount of rent and
other charges to be paid under such leases (without discounting to present value
and without regard to any options to extend) does not exceed $10,000,000;"

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       ACTUAL     PERMITTED

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>         <C>                              
AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF RENT AND OTHER CHARGES COVERED BY OPERATING LEASES COVERED
BY SECTION 7.10(d) ENTERED INTO AFTER THE DATE OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THROUGH
THE LAST DAY OF THE FISCAL QUARTER COVERED BY THIS COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(WITHOUT DISCOUNTING TO PRESENT VALUE AND WITHOUT REGARD
TO ANY OPTIONS TO EXTEND)                                                           $           $10,000,000
                                                                                    ----------                 
</TABLE>

                                      2-10
<PAGE>   92
                  "(e) leases other than those permitted under other subsections
of this Section entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the
Closing Date, provided, that:

                       "(1) immediately prior to giving effect to such lease,
         the Property subject to such lease was sold by the Company or any such
         Subsidiary to the lessor pursuant to a transaction permitted under
         Section 7.02;

                       "(2) no Default or Event of Default exists or would occur
         as a result of such sale and subsequent lease; and

                       "(3) the aggregate amount of rent and other charges to be
         paid under such leases (without discounting to present value and
         without regard to any options to extend) does not exceed $5,000,000."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               ACTUAL                PERMITTED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>                    <C>                            
AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF RENT AND OTHER CHARGES TO BE PAID UNDER LEASES (WITHOUT
DISCOUNTING TO PRESENT VALUE AND WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY OPTIONS TO EXTEND)
COVERED BY SECTION 7.10(e) ENTERED INTO AFTER THE DATE OF THE CREDIT 
AGREEMENT AND THROUGH THE LAST DAY OF THE FISCAL QUARTER COVERED BY THIS
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE                                                       $                      $5,000,000
                                                                              -------------------                       
</TABLE>



                                      2-11

<PAGE>   93
                  "(f) capital leases other than those permitted under other
subsections of this Section, entered into by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries after the Closing Date to finance the acquisition of equipment;
provided that the aggregate for all such capital leases included in the
Company's most current consolidated balance sheet furnished to the Agent
pursuant to Section 6.01 to the Agent shall not exceed $15,000,000."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 ACTUAL          PERMITTED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>                    <C>                     
AGGREGATE FOR CAPITAL LEASES COVERED BY SECTION 7.10(f)
AS OF THE LAST DAY OF THE FISCAL QUARTER COVERED
BY THIS COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE                            $                      $15,000,000
                                                           -------------------               
</TABLE>

                                      2-12
<PAGE>   94
         "7.11 Restricted Payments. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer
or permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make any dividend payment or other
distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on
account of any shares of any class of its capital stock, or purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire for value any shares of its capital stock or any warrants,
rights or options to acquire such shares, now or hereafter outstanding; except
that the Company and any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may:

               "(a) declare and make dividend payments or other distributions
to:

                    "(2) its preferred stock holders, up to an annual aggregate
         amount of $4,600,000 payable in cash or in its common stock. The amount
         by which $4,600,000 exceeds the aggregate dividend payments and other
         distributions made in any fiscal year (commencing with 1996) to
         preferred stock holders may be added, on a cumulative basis, to the
         amount available for dividend payments to preferred stock holders in
         subsequent fiscal years;"

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                ACTUAL          PERMITTED
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>                <C>                                               
DIVIDEND PAYMENTS OR OTHER
DISTRIBUTIONS MADE IN CASH OR                             $4,600,000 FOR FISCAL YEAR
COMMON STOCK TO PREFERRED STOCK                           1996; THE AMOUNT DETERMINED
HOLDERS FOR THE YEAR ENDING ON THE                        AS SET FORTH BELOW FOR
DATE OF THIS COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE    $                  SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS
                                        ----------                               
</TABLE>

FOR ALL FISCAL YEARS AFTER FISCAL 1996:

   1.    $4,600,000 MINUS DIVIDEND PAYMENTS OR OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS TO
         PREFERRED STOCK HOLDERS IN FISCAL 1996: $________ (ADD TO $4,600,000 TO
         DETERMINE AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR DIVIDEND PAYMENTS OR OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
         TO PREFERRED STOCK HOLDERS IN FISCAL 1997. INSERT AMOUNT IN FIRST BLANK
         IN LINE 2.)

   2.    $_________ MINUS DIVIDEND PAYMENTS OR OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED
         STOCK HOLDERS IN FISCAL 1997: $________ (ADD TO $4,600,000 TO DETERMINE
         AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR DIVIDEND PAYMENTS OR OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS TO 
         PREFERRED STOCK HOLDERS IN FISCAL 1998. INSERT AMOUNT IN FIRST BLANK 
         IN LINE 3.)

   3.    $_________ MINUS DIVIDEND PAYMENTS OR OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED
         STOCK HOLDERS IN FISCAL 1998: $_________ (ADD TO $4,600,000 TO 
         DETERMINE AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR DIVIDEND PAYMENTS OR OTHER 
         DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED STOCK HOLDERS IN FISCAL 1999. INSERT 
         AMOUNT IN FIRST BLANK IN LINE 4.)



                                      2-13

<PAGE>   95
         "7.13 Consolidated Net Worth. The Company shall not permit its
Consolidated Net Worth at any time during any fiscal quarter to be less than the
sum of (i) $175,000,000; plus (ii) 75% of the Company's consolidated net income
for each fiscal quarter beginning with the first fiscal quarter of 1996 (with no
deduction for losses); plus (iii) 100% of Net Issuance Proceeds of any stock
offerings or subordinated debt incurred since December 31, 1995.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                             <C>
1.  (a)  BASE AMOUNT                                                            $175,000,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (b) 75% OF THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME FOR EACH FISCAL QUARTER
BEGINNING WITH FIRST QUARTER 1996 (WITH NO DEDUCTION FOR
LOSSES)                                                                         $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (c)  100% OF NET ISSUANCE PROCEEDS OF ANY STOCK OFFERINGS SINCE
DECEMBER 31, 1995                                                               $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (d)  100% OF NET ISSUANCE PROCEEDS OF SUBORDINATED DEBT INCURRED
SINCE DECEMBER 31, 1995                                                         $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.  SUM OF 1(a), (b), (c) AND (d) OR REQUIRED CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH            $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.  ACTUAL CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH                                               $
</TABLE>




                                      2-14

<PAGE>   96
         "7.14  Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.  (a)  The
Company shall not permit its Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

                     For the period consisting of the four
"To be less than:    consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the
                     last day of its:

       "1.55         fourth fiscal quarter of 1995

       "1.65         first and second fiscal quarters of 1996


       "1.75         third fiscal quarter of 1996

       "2.00         fourth fiscal quarter of 1996 and each of
                     the first three fiscal quarters of 1997
                     
       "2.50         fourth fiscal quarter of 1997 and each
                     fiscal quarter thereafter

               "(b) For purposes of this Section, Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
means the ratio of "A" to "B" where:

         'A'   means the sum of earnings before taxes plus current
               operating lease expenses plus interest expense; and

         'B'   means interest expense plus current operating lease expense;

         "in all cases computed on a consolidated basis and measured at the end
         of the relevant fiscal quarter for the four successive fiscal quarters
         ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        A =
<S>                                       <C>
- -------------------------------------------------
1.  EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES                 $
- -------------------------------------------------
2.  CURRENT OPERATING LEASE EXPENSES      $
- -------------------------------------------------
3.  INTEREST EXPENSE                      $
- -------------------------------------------------
A = 1 + 2 + 3                             $
</TABLE>

                                      2-15
<PAGE>   97
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        B =
     <S>                                      <C>         
     -------------------------------------------------
     1.  INTEREST EXPENSE                     $
     -------------------------------------------------
     2.  CURRENT OPERATING LEASE EXPENSES     $
     -------------------------------------------------
     B = 1 + 2                                $
</TABLE>


  RATIO OF A TO B =__________

  REQUIRED RATIO AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 7.14(a):  NOT LESS THAN________




                                      2-16


<PAGE>   98
         "7.15  Funded Debt/EBITDA Ratio.  (a)  The Company shall not
permit its Funded Debt/EBITDA Ratio to be greater than:

                     "(1)  5.25 for the period from the Closing Date
         through its fourth fiscal quarter in 1995;

                     "(2)  4.75 for its first fiscal quarter in 1996;

                     "(3)  4.50 for its second fiscal quarter in 1996;

                     "(4)  4.00 for its third fiscal quarter in 1996;

                     "(5)  3.50 for its fourth fiscal quarter in 1996;
         and

                     "(6)  3.00 for each of its fiscal quarters
         thereafter.

                  "(b) In determining compliance with this Section, the
Company's Funded Debt at each quarterly measurement period shall be reduced by
the amounts shown in the following table to accommodate increases in the
Company's seasonal debt:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal quarter                     each year after
ending in:               1996      1996
<S>                <C>             <C>          
- --------------------------------------------------
March              $10,000,000     $10,000,000
- --------------------------------------------------
June               $45,000,000     $50,000,000
- --------------------------------------------------
September          $35,000,000     $40,000,000
- --------------------------------------------------
December           $0              $0
</TABLE>

1.  FUNDED DEBT                                                     $______

2.  MINUS AMOUNT AS DETERMINED ACCORDING TO THE
    TABLE IN SECTION 7.15(b):                                        ______
 
3.  FUNDED DEBT FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 7.15 (1 MINUS 2)            $______


4.  EBITDA  =  ______

5.  RATIO OF FUNDED DEBT TO EBITDA = ______

6.  REQUIRED RATIOS AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 7.15(a):  NOT LESS THAN ______

                                      2-17
<PAGE>   99
                                    EXHIBIT B


                               NOTICE OF BORROWING


                                          Date:__________________, _____

To:   Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as agent for
      the Banks (in such capacity, the "Agent") under that certain Credit
      Agreement dated as of December 22, 1995, (as extended, renewed, amended or
      restated from time to time, the "Agreement") among Dreyer's Grand Ice
      Cream, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the several financial
      institutions from time to time parties to the Credit Agreement (the
      "Banks"), Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as the
      Agent and ABN-AMRO Bank N.V., San Francisco International Branch as
      Co-Agent.


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         The undersigned, Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. (the "Company"), refers
to the Agreement, the terms defined therein being used herein as therein
defined, and hereby gives you notice irrevocably, pursuant to Section 2.03 of
the Agreement, of the Borrowing specified below:

              1. The Business Day of the proposed Borrowing is
         _____________________, 19___.

              2. The aggregate amount of the proposed Borrowing is
         $_________________________.

              3. The Borrowing is to be comprised of $____________ of [Base
         Rate] [Offshore Rate] [Same Day Rate] Loans.

              4. The duration of the Interest Period for the [Offshore Rate
         Loans] [Same Day Rate] included in the Borrowing shall be [_____ days]
         [_____ months].

         The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true
on the date hereof, and will be true on the date of the proposed Borrowing,
before and after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds
therefrom:

              (a) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in
         Article V of the Agreement are true and correct as though made on and
         as of such date (except to the extent such representations and
         warranties relate to an earlier date, in which case they are true and
         correct as of such date);




                                      B-1

<PAGE>   100
              (b) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
         or would result from such proposed Borrowing; and

              (c) The proposed Borrowing will not cause the aggregate principal
         amount of all outstanding Loans to exceed the combined Commitments of
         the Banks.


                                                  DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.



                                                  By:
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:


                                                  By:
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:

                                      B-2

<PAGE>   101
                                    EXHIBIT C


                        NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION


                                                  Date:__________________, _____


To:   Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as agent for
      the Banks (in such capacity, the "Agent") under that certain Credit
      Agreement dated as of December 22, 1995, (as extended, renewed, amended or
      restated from time to time, the "Agreement") among Dreyer's Grand Ice
      Cream, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the several financial
      institutions from time to time parties to the Credit Agreement (the
      "Banks"), the Agent, and ABN-AMRO Bank N.V., San Francisco International
      Branch as Co-Agent.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      The undersigned, Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. (the "Company"), refers to
the Agreement, the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined,
and hereby gives you notice irrevocably, pursuant to Section 2.04 of the
Agreement, of the [conversion] [continuation] of the Loans specified herein,
that:


             1. The Conversion/Continuation Date is ________________, 19__.

             2. The aggregate amount of the Loans to be [converted] [continued]
      is $____________________.

             3. The Loans are to be [converted into] [continued as] [Offshore
      Rate] [Base Rate] Loans.

             4. [If applicable:] The duration of the Interest Period for the
      Loans included in the [conversion] [continuation] shall be [____ days]
      [_____ months].

         The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true
on the date hereof, and will be true on the proposed [conversion]
[continuation], before and after giving effect thereto and to the application of
the proceeds therefrom:

             (a) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in
      Article V of the Agreement are true and correct as though made on and as
      of such date (except to the extent such representations and warranties
      relate to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of
      such date);

                                       C-1
<PAGE>   102
             (b) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
      or would result from such proposed [conversion] [continuation]; and

             (c) the proposed [conversion] [continuation] will not cause the
      aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans to exceed the combined
      Commitments of the Banks.


                                                  DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.


                                                  By:
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:


                                                  By:
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:



                                       C-2
<PAGE>   103
                                    EXHIBIT D


                                December 22, 1995


Bank of America N.T. & S.A.
555 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94104

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
101 California Street, Suite 4550
San Francisco, CA  94111-5812

Credit Suisse
633 West Fifth Street
Los Angeles, CA  90071

The Bank of California, N.A.
400 California Street, 17th Floor
San Francisco, CA  94104

Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Credit Agreement dated as of
December 22, 1995, among the Company, Bank of America N.T. & S.A., as one of the
Banks and as Agent, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., as one of the Banks and as Co-Agent,
Credit Suisse and The Bank of California, N.A. (the "Credit Agreement").
Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings
assigned to them in the Credit Agreement. This opinion is rendered pursuant to
Section 4.10(c) of the Credit Agreement.

         We have examined executed copies of the Credit Agreement. We have also
examined such other documents and certificates of public officials and
representatives of the Company as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the
opinions expressed herein. With respect to factual matters not within our actual
knowledge, we have made no independent investigation but have relied solely upon
factual recitals set forth in the Credit Agreement and in other documents which
we have reviewed and upon the officer's certificate and the certificates of
appropriate public officials referred to above.
<PAGE>   104
Bank of America NT & SA
ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
Credit Suisse
The Bank of California, N.A.
December 22, 1995
Page 2




         We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and documents
submitted as originals, that all copies submitted to us conform to the
originals, the legal capacity of all natural persons, and as to documents
executed by entities other than the Company or its Subsidiaries, that each such
entity has complied with any applicable requirement to file returns and pay
taxes under the California Franchise Tax law and had the power to enter into and
perform its obligations under such documents, and that such documents have been
duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and are binding upon and enforceable
against, such entities.

         Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth
below, it is our opinion that:

         1. Except Dreyer's International, Inc. which is not in good standing in
the United States Virgin Islands for failure to file its 1995 Annual Report and
Franchise Tax Report, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation, and is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation, licensed 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 (except in such jurisdiction or
jurisdictions where a failure to do any or all of the above would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on the applicable Subsidiary or the Company).

         2. The Company has full corporate power and authority to execute,
deliver and perform its obligations under the Credit Agreement. Each of the
Company and its Subsidiaries has full corporate power and authority to own its
property and to carry on its business in the manner currently conducted.

         3. The Credit Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary 
corporate action on the part of the Company and has been duly executed and 
delivered by the Company.

         4. The Credit Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of the 
Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

         5. Execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement and performance 
by the Company of its obligations thereunder does not violate the Certificate 
of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company, or any applicable law or 
regulation or any order of court or
<PAGE>   105
Bank of America NT & SA
ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
Credit Suisse
The Bank of California, N.A.
December 22, 1995
Page 3




arbitrator known to us and specifically directed to the Company or its
Subsidiaries, or result in a material breach of, or default under, the
provisions of any material contract known to us by which the Company or its
Subsidiaries is bound.

         6. To our knowledge, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending
or overtly threatened against the Company or its Subsidiaries before any court
or administrative agency which (i) affect or pertain to the Credit Agreement or
the transactions contemplated thereby, or (ii) if determined adversely, would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

         The opinions set forth above are subject to the following
qualifications:

         (a) The enforceability of the Company's obligations under the Credit
Agreement is subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, receivership, conservatorship, arrangement, moratorium or
similar laws affecting creditor's rights generally, to general principles of
equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law), to the requirement that any actions taken or
determinations made by the Banks be consistent with the implied covenant of good
faith and fair dealing and the Banks' obligation to act in a commercially
reasonable manner in exercising any rights and remedies.

         (b) Whenever a statement herein is qualified by "known to us," "to our
knowledge," or similar phrase, it indicates that in the course of our
representation of the Company no information that would give us current actual
knowledge of the inaccuracy of such statement has come to the attention of the
attorneys in this firm who have rendered legal services in connection with this
transaction. We have not made any independent investigation to determine the
accuracy of such statement, except as expressly described herein.

         We express no opinion as to any matter other than as set forth above.
Further, we express no opinion on the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
State of California, the federal law of the United States of America and the
corporate law of the State of Delaware.
<PAGE>   106
Bank of America NT & SA
ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
Credit Suisse
The Bank of California, N.A.
December 22, 1995
Page 4




         The opinions expressed herein are based upon the law in effect on the
date hereof, and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion.

         This opinion is rendered solely for your use in connection with the
transaction described above and may not be relied upon by any other person for
any purpose without our prior written consent.

                                                     Very truly yours

                                                     MANWELL & MILTON



                                                     By
                                                       Denise B. Milton

<PAGE>   107
                                    EXHIBIT E


                       ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT


                  This ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT (this "Assignment and
Acceptance") dated as of __________, _____ is made between
______________________________ (the "Assignor") and __________________________
(the "Assignee").


                                    RECITALS

                  WHEREAS, the Assignor is party to that certain Credit
Agreement (the "Agreement") dated as of December 22, 1995 (as amended, amended
and restated, modified, supplemented or renewed, the "Agreement") among Dreyer's
Grand Ice Cream, Inc. a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the several
financial institutions from time to time party thereto (including the Assignor,
the "Banks"), Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as agent
for the Banks (the "Agent"), and ABN-AMRO Bank N.V., San Francisco International
Branch as Co-Agent. Any terms defined in the Agreement and not defined in this
Assignment and Acceptance are used herein as defined in the Agreement;

                  WHEREAS, as provided under the Agreement, the Assignor has
committed to making Loans (the "Loans") to the Company in an aggregate amount
not to exceed $__________ (the "Commitment");

                  WHEREAS, [the Assignor has made Loans in the aggregate
principal amount of $__________ to the Company] [no Loans are outstanding under
the Agreement];

                  WHEREAS, the Assignor wishes to assign to the Assignee [part
of the] [all] rights and obligations of the Assignor under the Agreement in
respect of its Commitment, [together with a corresponding portion of each of its
outstanding Loans in an amount equal to $__________ (the "Assigned Amount") on
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and the Assignee wishes
to accept assignment of such rights and to assume such obligations from the
Assignor on such terms and subject to such conditions;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the
mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

             1.   Assignment and Acceptance.

                  (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Assignment 
and Acceptance, (i) the Assignor hereby sells,

                                       E-1
<PAGE>   108
transfers and assigns to the Assignee, and (ii) the Assignee hereby purchases,
assumes and undertakes from the Assignor, without recourse and without
representation or warranty (except as provided in this Assignment and
Acceptance) __% (the "Assignee's Percentage Share") of (A) the Commitment of the
Assignor and (B) all related rights, benefits, obligations, liabilities and
indemnities of the Assignor under and in connection with the Agreement and the
Loan Documents.

                  [If appropriate, add paragraph specifying payment to Assignor
by Assignee of outstanding principal of, accrued interest on, and fees with
respect to Loans.]

                  (b) With effect on and after the Effective Date (as defined in
Section 5 hereof), the Assignee shall be a party to the Agreement and succeed to
all of the rights and be obligated to perform all of the obligations of a Bank
under the Agreement, including the requirements concerning confidentiality and
the payment of indemnification, with a Commitment in an amount equal to the
Assigned Amount. The Assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with
their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Agreement are
required to be performed by it as a Bank. It is the intent of the parties hereto
that the Commitment of the Assignor shall, as of the Effective Date, be reduced
by an amount equal to the Assigned Amount and the Assignor shall relinquish its
rights and be released from its obligations under the Agreement to the extent
such obligations have been assumed by the Assignee; provided, however, the
Assignor shall not relinquish its rights under Sections 10.04 and 10.05 of the
Agreement to the extent such rights relate to the time prior to the Effective
Date.

                  (c) After giving effect to the assignment and assumption set
forth herein, on the Effective Date the Assignee's Commitment will be
$__________.

                  (d) After giving effect to the assignment and assumption set
forth herein, on the Effective Date the Assignor's Commitment will be
$__________.

             2.   Payments.

                  (a) As consideration for the sale, assignment and transfer
contemplated in Section 1 hereof, the Assignee shall pay to the Assignor on the
Effective Date in immediately available funds an amount equal to $__________,
representing the Assignee's Pro Rata Share of the principal amount of all Loans.

                  (b) The [Assignor] [Assignee] further agrees to pay to the
Agent a processing fee in the amount specified in Section 10.08(a)(iii) of the
Agreement.

             3.   Reallocation of Payments.

             Any interest, fees and other payments accrued to the

                                       E-2
<PAGE>   109
Effective Date with respect to the Commitment[,] [and] Loans be for the account
of the Assignor. Any interest, fees and other payments accrued on and after the
Effective Date with respect to the Assigned Amount shall be for the account of
the Assignee. Each of the Assignor and the Assignee agrees that it will hold in
trust for the other party any interest, fees and other amounts which it may
receive to which the other party is entitled pursuant to the preceding sentence
and pay to the other party any such amounts which it may receive promptly upon
receipt.

             4.  Independent Credit Decision.

         The Assignee (a) acknowledges that it has received a copy of the
Agreement and the Schedules and Exhibits thereto, together with copies of the
most recent financial statements referred to in Section 6.01 of the Agreement,
and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make
its own credit and legal analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and
Acceptance; and (b) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon
the Assignor, the Agent or any other Bank and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
credit and legal decisions in taking or not taking action under the Agreement.

             5.  Effective Date; Notices.

                  (a) As between the Assignor and the Assignee, the effective
date for this Assignment and Acceptance shall be __________, _____ (the
"Effective Date"); provided that the following conditions precedent have been
satisfied on or before the Effective Date:

                      (i) this Assignment and Acceptance shall be executed and
delivered by the Assignor and the Assignee;

                      (ii) the consent of the Company and the Agent required for
an effective assignment of the Assigned Amount by the Assignor to the Assignee
under Section 10.08(a) of the Agreement shall have been duly obtained and shall
be in full force and effect as of the Effective Date;

                      (iii) the Assignee shall pay to the Assignor all amounts
due to the Assignor under this Assignment and Acceptance;

                      [(iv) the Assignee shall have complied with Section 9.10
of the Agreement (if applicable);]

                      (v) the processing fee referred to in Section 2(b) hereof
and in Section 10.08(a)(iii) of the Agreement shall have been paid to the Agent;
and

                      (vi) the Assignor shall have assigned and the Assignee
shall have assumed a percentage equal to the Assignee's

                                       E-3
<PAGE>   110
Percentage Share of the rights and obligations of the Assignor under the
Agreement (if such agreement exists).

                  (b) Promptly following the execution of this Assignment and
Acceptance, the Assignor shall deliver to the Company and the Agent for
acknowledgement by the Agent, a Notice of Assignment substantially in the form
attached hereto as Schedule 1.

             [6.   Agent.  [INCLUDE ONLY IF ASSIGNOR IS AGENT]

                  (a) The Assignee hereby appoints and authorizes the Assignor
to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the
Agreement as are delegated to the Agent by the Banks pursuant to the terms of
the Agreement.

                  (b) The Assignee shall assume no duties or obligations
held by the Assignor in its capacity as Agent under the Agreement.]

             7.  Withholding Tax.

         The Assignee (a) represents and warrants to the Bank, the Agent and the
Company that under applicable law and treaties no tax will be required to be
withheld by the Bank with respect to any payments to be made to the Assignee
hereunder, (b) agrees to furnish (if it is organized under the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the United States or any State thereof) to the Agent and
the Company prior to the time that the Agent or Company is required to make any
payment of principal, interest or fees hereunder, duplicate executed originals
of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 4224 or U.S. Internal Revenue
Service Form 1001 (wherein the Assignee claims entitlement to the benefits of a
tax treaty that provides for a complete exemption from U.S. federal income
withholding tax on all payments hereunder) and agrees to provide new Forms 4224
or 1001 upon the expiration of any previously delivered form or comparable
statements in accordance with applicable U.S. law and regulations and amendments
thereto, duly executed and completed by the Assignee, and (c) agrees to comply
with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations with regard to such withholding
tax exemption.

             8.  Representations and Warranties.

                 (a) The Assignor represents and warrants that (i) it is the
legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and
that such interest is free and clear of any Lien or other adverse claim; (ii) it
is duly organized and existing and it has the full power and authority to take,
and has taken, all action necessary to execute and deliver this Assignment and
Acceptance and any other documents required or permitted to be executed or
delivered by it in connection with this Assignment and Acceptance and to fulfill
its obligations hereunder; (iii) no notices to, or consents, authorizations or
approvals of, any Person are required (other than any already

                                       E-4
<PAGE>   111
given or obtained) for its due execution, delivery and performance of this
Assignment and Acceptance, and apart from any agreements or undertakings or
filings required by the Agreement, no further action by, or notice to, or filing
with, any Person is required of it for such execution, delivery or performance;
and (iv) this Assignment and Acceptance has been duly executed and delivered by
it and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Assignor,
enforceable against the Assignor in accordance with the terms hereof, subject,
as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization and
other laws of general application relating to or affecting creditors' rights and
to general equitable principles.

                  (b) The Assignor makes no representation or warranty and
assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or
representations made in or in connection with the Agreement or the execution,
legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the
Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto. The
Assignor makes no representation or warranty in connection with, and assumes no
responsibility with respect to, the solvency, financial condition or statements
of the Company, or the performance or observance by the Company, of any of its
respective obligations under the Agreement or any other instrument or document
furnished in connection therewith.

                  (c) The Assignee represents and warrants that (i) it is duly
organized and existing and it has full power and authority to take, and has
taken, all action necessary to execute and deliver this Assignment and
Acceptance and any other documents required or permitted to be executed or
delivered by it in connection with this Assignment and Acceptance, and to
fulfill its obligations hereunder; (ii) no notices to, or consents,
authorizations or approvals of, any Person are required (other than any already
given or obtained) for its due execution, delivery and performance of this
Assignment and Acceptance; and apart from any agreements or undertakings or
filings required by the Agreement, no further action by, or notice to, or filing
with, any Person is required of it for such execution, delivery or performance;
(iii) this Assignment and Acceptance has been duly executed and delivered by it
and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Assignee,
enforceable against the Assignee in accordance with the terms hereof, subject,
as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization and
other laws of general application relating to or affecting creditors' rights and
to general equitable principles; and (iv) it is an Eligible Assignee.

             9.  Further Assurances.

         The Assignor and the Assignee each hereby agree to execute and deliver
such other instruments, and take such other action, as either party may
reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Assignment and Acceptance, including the delivery of any notices or other
documents or

                                       E-5
<PAGE>   112
instruments to the Company or the Agent, which may be required in connection
with the assignment and assumption contemplated hereby.

             10.  Miscellaneous.

                  (a) Any amendment or waiver of any provision of this
Assignment and Acceptance shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
No failure or delay by either party hereto in exercising any right, power or
privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof and any waiver of any
breach of the provisions of this Assignment and Acceptance shall be without
prejudice to any rights with respect to any other or further breach thereof.

                  (b) All payments made hereunder shall be made without any 
set-off or counterclaim.

                  (c) The Assignor and the Assignee shall each pay its own costs
and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution
and performance of this Assignment and Acceptance.

                  (d) This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any
number of counterparts and all of such counterparts taken together shall be
deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

                  (e) THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. The Assignor
and the Assignee each irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of
any State or Federal court sitting in California over any suit, action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Assignment and Acceptance and
irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may
be heard and determined in such California State or Federal court. Each party to
this Assignment and Acceptance hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent
it may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the
maintenance of such action or proceeding.

                  (f) THE ASSIGNOR AND THE ASSIGNEE EACH HEREBY KNOWINGLY,
VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY
IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE, THE AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED
DOCUMENTS AND AGREEMENTS OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, OR
STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN).

                  [Other provisions to be added as may be negotiated between the
Assignor and the Assignee, provided that such provisions are not inconsistent
with the Agreement.]

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have
caused this Assignment and Acceptance to be executed and

                                       E-6
<PAGE>   113
delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.


                                                          [ASSIGNOR]


                                             By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


                                             By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                             Address:


                                                          [ASSIGNEE]


                                             By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


                                             By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                             Address:



                                       E-7
<PAGE>   114
                                   SCHEDULE 1

                      NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

                                                           _______________, 19__

Bank of America National Trust
  and Savings Association, as Agent
1455 Market Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, CA  94103
Attn:  Agency Management Services #5596

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.
5929 College Ave.
Oakland, CA  94618
Attn:  Treasurer

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We refer to the Credit Agreement dated as of December 22, 1995 (as
amended, amended and restated, modified, supplemented or renewed from time to
time the "Agreement") among Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. (the "Company"), the
Banks referred to therein, Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association as agent for the Banks (the "Agent") and ABN-AMRO Bank N.V., San
Francisco International Branch as Co-Agent. Terms defined in the Agreement are
used herein as therein defined.

         1.       We hereby give you notice of, and request your consent to, the
assignment by __________________ (the "Assignor") to _______________ (the
"Assignee") of _____% of the right, title and interest of the Assignor in and to
the Agreement (including, without limitation, the right, title and interest of
the Assignor in and to the Commitments of the Assignor[,] [and] all outstanding
Loans made by the Assignor) pursuant to the Assignment and Acceptance Agreement
attached hereto (the "Assignment and Acceptance"). Before giving effect to such
assignment the Assignor's Commitment is $ ___________[,] [and] the aggregate
amount of its outstanding Loans is $_____________.

         2.       The Assignee agrees that, upon receiving the consent of the
Agent[, the Issuing Bank] and, if applicable, Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. to
such assignment, the Assignee will be bound by the terms of the Agreement as
fully and to the same extent as if the Assignee were the Bank originally holding
such interest in the Agreement.


                                      E-8
<PAGE>   115
         3.       The following administrative details apply to the Assignee:

                  (A)    Notice Address:

                         Assignee name:
                                        ----------------------------------------
                         Address:
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                         Attention:
                                    --------------------------------------------
                         Telephone: (   )
                                     ---  --------------------------------------
                         Telecopier: (   )
                                      ---  -------------------------------------

                  (B)    Payment Instructions:

                         Account No.:
                                      ------------------------------------------
                         Address:
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                         Reference:
                                    --------------------------------------------
                         Attention:
                                    --------------------------------------------
                         Telephone: (   )
                                     ---  --------------------------------------
                         Telecopier: (   )
                                      ---  -------------------------------------

                  (C)    Domestic Lending Office:

                         Address:
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                         Attention:
                                    --------------------------------------------
                         Telephone: (   )
                                     ---  --------------------------------------
                         Telecopier: (   )
                                      ---  -------------------------------------

                  (D)    Offshore Lending Office:

                         Address:
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                         Attention:
                                    --------------------------------------------
                         Telephone: (   )
                                     ---  --------------------------------------
                         Telecopier: (   )
                                      ---  -------------------------------------

         4.       You are entitled to rely upon the representations, warranties
and covenants of each of the Assignor and Assignee contained in the Assignment
and Acceptance.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have caused this
Notice of Assignment and Acceptance to be executed by


                                      E-9
<PAGE>   116
their respective duly authorized officials, officers or agents as of the date
first above mentioned.

                                                     Very truly yours,

                                                     [NAME OF ASSIGNOR]


                                                     By:
                                                        ------------------------
                                                     Name:
                                                     Title:

                                                     By:
                                                        ------------------------
                                                     Name:
                                                     Title:


                                                     [NAME OF ASSIGNEE]


                                                     By:
                                                     Name:
                                                     Title:


                                                     By:
                                                     Name:
                                                     Title:

ACKNOWLEDGED AND ASSIGNMENT
CONSENTED TO:


DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.


By:
   -----------------------------------
Name:
Title:


By:
   -----------------------------------
Name:
Title:


BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
  SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as Agent


By:
   -----------------------------------
Name:
Title:  Vice President


                                      E-10
<PAGE>   117
                                 Schedule 2.01

                                  Commitments
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================
           Bank                 Commitment to   Commitment from    Commitment from    Pro Rata Share
                                12/31/97*       12/31/97 and to    12/31/98 and to
                                                12/31/98*          the Revolving
                                                                   Termination Date
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>             <C>                <C>                <C>
BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL
TRUST AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION   $ 65,000,000     $ 55,714,285.72    $ 46,428,571.43    37.142857143%

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

ABN AMRO BANK N.V.                60,000,000       51,428,571.43      42,857,142.86    34.285714286%

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

CREDIT SUISSE                     30,000,000       25,714,285.71      21,428,571.43    17.142857143%

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

THE BANK OF CALIFORNIA            20,000,000       17,142,857.14      14,285,714.28    11.428571428%

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

TOTAL                           $175,000,000     $150,000,000.00    $125,000,000.00   100.000000000%
                                ============     ===============    ===============   ==============

====================================================================================================
</TABLE>

         *        On which dates the Company shall repay the amount, if any, by
                  which the aggregate principal of outstanding Loans exceeds the
                  combined Commitments.
<PAGE>   118
                                  SCHEDULE 5.07

                                      ERISA




         The Company has been advised that the participation of the employees of
Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream Charitable Foundation and Edy's Grand Ice Cream
Charitable Foundation (the "Charitable Foundations") in the Dreyer's Grand Ice
Cream, Inc. Savings Plan (the "Savings Plan") may be construed as the Charitable
Foundations "maintaining" the Savings Plan contrary to Internal Revenue Code
Section 401(k)(4)(B). The Company has discontinued the Charitable Foundations
employees' active participation in the Savings Plan. The Company has also
prepared a Voluntary Compliance Resolution ("VCR") application to obtain a
compliance certificate from the Internal Revenue Service on the discontinuance
of participation by the Charitable Foundations employees and the disposition of
contributions and earnings related to that participation. The Company filed the
VCR application on December 22, 1994 and the application is presently pending
before the Internal Revenue Service.
<PAGE>   119
                                  SCHEDULE 5.11

                   SPECIAL DISCLOSURES OF FINANCIAL CONDITION


                                      None.

<PAGE>   120
                                 SCHEDULE 5.15

                                LABOR RELATIONS

        1. Edy's Grand Ice Cream and United Food and Commercial Workers Union
Local 700, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, NLRB Case No. 25-CA-23065; and 25-CA-23141.

        In January of 1994, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 700
("UFCW") filed a representation petition seeking to represent all employees
working at Edy's Ft. Wayne Manufacturing Facility. An election was subsequently
held in March 1994 which was won by the employer. Subsequent to the election, a
number of employees were discharged. The UFCW, in turn, filed Unfair Labor
Practice Charges with Region 25 of the National Labor Relations Board ("NLRB")
alleging that these terminations were motivated by Edy's intent to retaliate
against these employees for having participated in union organizing activities.

        Originally, two separate Charges were filed and subsequently
consolidated by order of the Regional Director. After investigation, the
Regional Director issued a Complaint against Edy's alleging that the following
individuals were terminated in violation of the National Labor Relations Act
for having engaged in union organizing activities:

     Joe Troendly      -    Date of Termination:    March 31, 1994
     Steve Leatherman  -    Date of Termination:    March 31, 1994
     Robert Byanskie   -    Date of Termination:    April 4, 1994
     Lois Jones        -    Date of Termination:    April 22, 1994
     Amy Wickensheimer -    Date of Termination:    Oct. 10, 1994

        The Complaint in the matter also alleges that Edy's engaged in certain
other violations of the National Labor Relations Act, such as interrogating
employees about their union membership activities and issuing verbal warnings
to other employees. In addition, an Amended Complaint was issued in September
1994 alleging that Edy's had removed certain union supporters from employee
committees in retaliation for their having engaged in union organizing
activities. 

        If successful, the claimants in the present case would be entitled to
reinstatement, back pay and compensation for any and all lost benefits. At the
time of his termination, Mr. Troendly was earning approximately $50,000 a year.
The other claimants were earning approximately $30,000 to $35,000 per year.
The other, non-economic allegations would require the Company to reinstate
certain employees to the committees they were removed from and to post a
notice agreeing to refrain from interrogating employees and/or issuing warnings
in retaliations for their participation in union organizing activities. 




                                       1
<PAGE>   121
        Edy's believes it has significant defenses to each and every of these
claims. These defenses include the fact that certain of these individuals were
supervisors under Section 2(11) of the National Labor Relations Act and,
accordingly, were prohibited from engaging in union organizing activities. In
addition, the record reflects that there were legitimate business reasons for
the termination of certain of these individuals related to their violation of
the Company's policies and/or for failure to adequately perform their job
duties.

        Edy's intends to vigorously defend these claims. At the present time,
no trial of the matter has been set, although it is anticipated that the case
will proceed to trial in the spring of 1995.

        2.  Edy's Grand Ice Cream and Marvin Stanley, NLRB Case No. 22-CA-20245.

        Stanley was employed by Edy's Rockaway, New Jersey Distribution
Facility in approximately July of 1994. On or about September 20, 1994, Edy's
extended Stanley's probationary period due to performance-related problems. On
or about October 20, 1994, Stanley was terminated for poor performance. Stanley
subsequently filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor
Relations Board alleging that he was terminated in retaliation for his union
organizing activities and/or his support of the union.

        The National Labor Relations Board conducted an investigation into
Stanley's termination. On or about November 30, 1995, the NLRB issued a
complaint against Edy's alleging that Stanley had been terminated in
retaliation for his union organizing activities and support of the union.

        If successful, Stanley would be entitled to reinstatement, back pay and
compensation for any and all lost benefits. At the time of his termination,
Stanley was earning approximately $35,000 a year. At this time, Stanley had
made an offer to settle his claim fully and completely, including waiving any
reinstatement, for a gross payment of $10,000.

        Edy's believes it has significant defenses to each and every of
Stanley's claims. These defenses include the fact that he was terminated for
legitimate work-related problems, and that his termination was in no way based
on his union organizing activities and/or support of the union.

        At the present time, Edy's intends to vigorously defend these claims.
The matter has not been scheduled for trial, although it is anticipated that
the case will proceed to trial some time during the spring of 1996.


                                       2

<PAGE>   122
                                  SCHEDULE 5.17

                                  SUBSIDIARIES


(a)      Subsidiaries

         Edy's Grand Ice Cream, a California corporation

         Edy's of Illinois, Inc., an Illinois corporation

         Dreyer's International [FSC], a Virgin Islands corporation

         Grand Soft Capital Company, a California corporation

         Grand Soft Equipment Company, a Kentucky corporation (formerly named
         Polar Express Systems International, Inc.)

(b)      Ownership Interests

         M-K-D Distributors, Inc., a Texas corporation

         DSD Partnership, a California general partnership

         Kabushiki Kaisha Dreyer's Japan, a Japanese limited liability stock
         company (in liquidation)

         Yadon Enterprises, Inc., dba Rainbo Distribution Company, a California
         corporation

         Starbucks/Dreyer's Ice Cream Partnership, a California general
         partnership
<PAGE>   123
                                  SCHEDULE 7.01

                                 EXISTING LIENS


         1. Security Agreement dated as of September 1, 1985 between Edy's Grand
Ice Cream ("Edy's") and Security Pacific National Bank ("Security Pacific")
pursuant to which Edy's granted Security Pacific a lien on certain fixtures and
equipment located at Edy's City of Fort Wayne, Indiana facility to secure Edy's
obligations to Security Pacific under a Letter of Credit Agreement dated
September 1, 1985. The obligations secured total $9,450,000, as reduced from
time to time as the outstanding principal balance of the $9,000,000 City of Ft.
Wayne, Indiana Industrial Revenue Bonds (Edy's Grand Ice Cream) 1985 Series is
reduced from time to time.

         2. Mortgage in favor of Security Pacific dated August 22, 1985 on Edy's
City of Fort Wayne, Indiana real property given to secure Edy's obligations to
Security Pacific referred to in paragraph 1 above.

         3. Combination Mortgage, Security Agreement and Fixture Financing
Statement in favor of the Northern Trust Company dated December 31, 1985 on
Tivoli Distributing Company, Inc. real property (and the fixtures located on
such real property) given to secure Tivoli's obligation to the Northern Trust
Company. A release of said mortgage is to be prepared in connection with the
obligation's satisfaction on December 1, 1994.

         4. Those liens set forth on Exhibit A to this Schedule attached hereto
and incorporated herein by reference.


<PAGE>   124
                                    EXHIBIT A
                                       TO
                                  SCHEDULE 7.01
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       UCC-1                                                                 UCC-2             UCC-2
                       Date of          Secured                                              Date of           Type of
State of Filing        Filing           Party             Debtor            File No.         Filing            Filing
- ---------------        ------           -----             ------            --------         ------            ------
<S>                    <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
Arizona       (1)      05/01/91         Handling          Cervelli          662555
                                        Systems, Inc.     Distributors,
                                                          Inc.

              (2)      06/18/86         IBM Credit        Cervelli          442068
                                        Corporation       Distributors,

California    (3)      07/17/78         Crocker           Dreyer's          78-112136        04/18/83          Continuation
                                        Equipment         Grand Ice                          04/19/88          Continuation
                                        Leasing, Inc.     Cream, Inc.                        10/18/88          Release

              (4)      10/03/88         Crown             Dreyer's          88-245423
                                        Credit Co.        Grand Ice
                                                          Cream, Inc.

              (5)      02/02/89         Bell Atlantic     Dreyer's          89-029475
                                        Tricon Leasing    Grand Ice
                                        Corp.             Cream, Inc.

              (6)      12/31/85         Chancellor        Dreyer's          85-316802        05/19/86          Assignment
                                        Corp.             Grand Ice                          11/20/90          Continuation
                                                          Cream, Inc.

              (7)      05/28/92         Crown Credit      Dreyer's          92-118060
                                        Co.               Grand Ice
                                                          Cream, Inc.

              (8)      11/17/88         Security          Dreyer's          88-288896
                                        Pacific Equip.    Grand Ice
                                        Leasing,Inc.      Cream, Inc.

              (9)      12/05/88         Wells Fargo       Dreyer's          88-301804
                                        Leasing Corp.     Grand Ice
                                                          Cream, Inc.

              (10)     06/19/89         Security          Dreyer's          89-165683
                                        Pacific Equip.    Grand Ice
                                        Leasing, Inc.     Cream, Inc.

              (11)     06/22/89         Crown Credit      Dreyer's          89-170433
                                        Co.               Grand Ice
                                                          Cream, Inc.

              (12)     07/10/89         Crown Credit      Dreyer's          89-185126
                                        Co.               Grand Ice
                                                          Cream, Inc.

              (13)     09/27/89         Crown Credit      Dreyer's          89-253881
                                        Co.               Grand Ice
                                                          Cream, Inc.

              (14)     11/13/89         Security          Dreyer's          89-292168
                                        Pacific Equip.    Grand Ice
                                        Leasing, Inc.     Cream, Inc.
</TABLE>



                                       1
<PAGE>   125
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       UCC-1                                                                 UCC-2             UCC-2
                       Date of          Secured                                              Date of           Type of
State of Filing        Filing           Party             Debtor            File No.         Filing            Filing
- ---------------        ------           -----             ------            --------         ------            ------
<S>                    <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
California    (15)     11/13/89         Security          Dreyer's          89-293877
                                        Pacific Equip.    Grand Ice
                                        Leasing, Inc.     Cream, Inc.

              (16)     02/13/90         Leasenu Inc.      Dreyer's          90-041016
                                                          Grand Ice
                                                          Cream, Inc.

              (17)     02/13/90         Leasenu Inc.      Dreyer's          90-041017
                                                          Grand Ice
                                                          Cream, Inc.

              (18)     06/11/90         Security          Dreyer's          90-147098        11/26/90          Assignment
                                        Pacific Equip.    Grand Ice
                                        Leasing, Inc.     Cream, Inc.

              (19)     07/12/90         1989-Oakland      Dreyer's          90-170505
                                        Housing Part-     Grand Ice
                                        nership Asso-     Cream, Inc.
                                        ciates

              (20)     01/17/91         Bay Area Oil      Dreyer's          91-010037
                                        Company           Grand Ice
                                                          Cream, Inc.

              (21)     02/11/91         American          Dreyer's          91-029566
                                        National          Grand Ice
                                        Leasing Corp.     Cream, Inc.

              (22)     03/18/91         Security          Dreyer's          91-059056
                                        Pacific Equip.    Grand Ice
                                        Leasing, Inc.     Cream, Inc.

              (23)     04/11/91         JM Lift           Dreyer's          91-079844
                                        Trucks Inc.       Grand Ice
                                                          Cream, Inc.

              (24)     05/24/91         Security          Dreyer's          91-113571
                                        Pacific Equip.    Grand Ice
                                        Leasing, Inc.     Cream, Inc.

              (25)     03/05/92         Clark Rental      Dreyer's          92-044615
                                        System            Grand Ice
                                                          Cream, Inc.

              (26)     04/06/92         1991-Oakland      Dreyer's          92-062835
                                        Housing Part-     Grand Ice
                                        nership Asso-     Cream, Inc.
                                        ciates, a
                                        California Ltd.
                                        Partnership

              (27)     05/08/92         Clark Rental      Dreyer's          92-104147
                                        System            Grand Ice
                                                          Cream, Inc.

              (28)     07/09/92         Pitney            Dreyer's          92-150874
                                        Bowes Credit      Grand Ice
                                        Corp.             Cream, Inc.

              (29)     01/10/90         Security          Edy's Grand       90-008059
                                        Pacific Equip.    Ice Cream,
                                        Leasing, Inc.
</TABLE>



                                       2
<PAGE>   126
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       UCC-1                                                                 UCC-2             UCC-2
                       Date of          Secured                                              Date of           Type of
State of Filing        Filing           Party             Debtor            File No.         Filing            Filing
- ---------------        ------           -----             ------            --------         ------            ------
<S>                    <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
California    (30)     10/23/87         Security          Edy's Grand       87-258452
                                        Pacific Equip.    Ice Cream,
                                        Leasing, Inc.

              (31)     07/14/88         Security          Edy's Grand       88-169938
                                        Pacific Equip.    Ice Cream,
                                        Leasing, Inc.

              (32)     09/30/85         Security          Edy's Grand       85-237915        06/01/90          Continuation
                                        Pacific Equip.    Ice Cream
                                        Leasing, Inc.

Illinois      (33)     05/05/92         Pitney            Edy's Grand       2982060
                                        Bowes Credit      Ice Cream

Indiana       (34)     07/18/88         Security          Edy's Grand       1508312
                                        Pacific Equip.    Ice Cream
                                        Leasing, Inc.

              (35)     10/26/87         Security          Edy's Grand       1420961
                                        Pacific Equip.    Ice Cream
                                        Leasing, Inc.

              (36)     10/02/85         Security          Edy's Grand       1184458          06/29/90          Continuation
                                        Pacific Equip.    Ice Cream
                                        Leasing, Inc.

              (37)     08/28/85         Security          Edy's Grand       1175113          08/28/90          Continuation
                                        Pacific           Ice Cream
                                        National Bank

Minnesota     (38)*    01/31/86         The Northern      Tivoli            866154           10/12/90          Continuation
                                        Trust Company     Distributing
                                                          Company, Inc.
</TABLE>

* Underlying obligation has been satisfied, termination statement to be
  prepared and filed.



                                       3


<PAGE>   127
                                  SCHEDULE 7.04

                                   INVESTMENTS

1.       Promissory Note of Don Redican Distributing, Inc. dated December
         15, 1993 in the principal amount of $70,436.35
         payable to Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.

2.       Promissory Note of Don Redican Distributing, Inc. dated March 5,
         1994 in the principal amount of $21,657.05 payable to Dreyer's
         Grand Ice Cream, Inc.

3.       Promissory Note of Don Redican Distributing, Inc. dated May 3, 1994
         in the principal amount of $4,203.30 payable to Dreyer's Grand Ice
         Cream, Inc.

4.       Promissory Note of Don Redican Distributing, Inc. dated June 3,
         1994 in the principal amount of $22,005.20 payable to Dreyer's
         Grand Ice Cream, Inc.

5.       Promissory Note of Joseph Saker dated July 17, 1995 in the principal
         amount of $317,491.44 payable to Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.

6.       Promissory Note of Sunbelt Distributors, Inc. dated November 30,
         1994 in the principal amount of $1,999,998.31, payable to Dreyer's
         Grand Ice Cream, Inc.

7.       Option to purchase outstanding stock of Sunbelt Distributors, Inc.
         (option extension payment due January 4, 1996), and in the event the
         option is exercised by the Company, payment of the purchase price and
         any subsequent earnout payments to the former shareholders of Sunbelt.

8.       Earnout payment to the former shareholders of Polar Express Systems
         International, Inc.

9.       Promissory Note of Rutledge Distribution Inc. dated July 21, 1994
         in the principal amount of $328,754.88 payable to Dreyer's Grand
         Ice Cream, Inc.

10.      Promissory Note of the Yadon Family Partnership dated
         _____________________, 1994 in the principal amount of $460,000.00
         payable to Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.

11.      Promissory Note of David and Ann Kottler dated November 28, 1986 in the
         principal amount of $350,000 payable to National City Bank ("NCB"),
         which was assigned to Edy's Grand Ice Cream on January 4, 1995 upon
         payment to NCB of $26,575.85.
<PAGE>   128
12.      Promissory Note of Sunbelt Distributors, Inc. dated March 31, 1995
         in the principal amount of $1,999,998.56 payable to Dreyer's Grand
         Ice Cream, Inc.

13.      Promissory Note of Seward's Ice Cream Distributors, Inc. dated
         November 2, 1995 in the principal amount of $792,528.91 payable to
         Edy's Grand Ice Cream.
<PAGE>   129
                                  SCHEDULE 7.05

                                  INDEBTEDNESS


         That amount of indebtedness reflected on the attached balance sheet
plus any bank borrowings which may have occurred from September 30, 1995 through
the Closing Date.

<PAGE>   130

                            DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        September 30,     December 31,
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)                  1995              1994
                                                        -------------     ------------
                                                         (unaudited)
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                $ 37,795          $ 30,130
  Accrued payroll and employee benefits                     14,396            15,801
  Current portion of long-term debt                          3,600             4,500
                                                          --------          --------
  Total current liabilities                                 55,791            50,431

Long-term debt, less current portion                       137,300            46,100
Convertible subordinated debentures                                          100,752
Deferred income taxes                                       30,214            28,822
                                                          --------          --------
Total liabilities                                          223,306           226,105
                                                          --------          --------
Redeemable convertible Series B preferred stock,
  $1 par value - 1,008,000 shares authorized;
  1,008,000 shares and no shares issued and
  outstanding in 1995 and 1994, respectively                98,214        
                                                          --------          --------
Commitments and contingencies 

Stockholders' Equity:
  Preferred stock, $1 par value -
     8,992,000 shares authorized; no shares
     issued or outstanding in 1995 and 1994
  Common stock, $1 par value -
     30,000,000 shares authorized; 12,900,000
     shares and 14,064,000 shares issued and
     outstanding in 1995 and 1994, respectively             12,900            14,064
  Capital in excess of par                                  38,635            75,257
  Retained earnings                                         49,115            46,600
                                                          --------          --------
Total stockholders' equity                                 100,650           135,921
                                                          --------          --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                $422,169          $362,026
                                                          ========          ========
</TABLE>


          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                                       3

<PAGE>   131
                                  SCHEDULE 7.08

                             CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS


1.       General Continuing Guaranty of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. dated
         February 10, 1994 in favor of West One Bank, Idaho (guaranteeing
         the obligations of Don Redican Distributing, Inc. in the principal
         amount of $50,573.00).

2.       General Continuing Guaranty of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. dated
         April 6, 1994 in favor of Seattle First National Bank (guaranteeing
         obligations of Williams Inland Distributors, Inc. in the aggregate
         amount of $850,000).

3.       Guaranty by Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. of certain loans of
         employees in connection with their relocation in the aggregate
         amount of $499,350.00.



<PAGE>   132
                                 Schedule 10.02

                          Addresses for Notices, etc.

ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES

DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.
5929 College Avenue
Oakland, CA  94618

Attention:  William C. Collett, Treasurer

Telephone:  510/601-4339
Facsimile:  510/450-4592



BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as Agent
Bank of America National Trust
and Savings Association
Agency Management Services #5596
1455 Market Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, California 94103

Attention:  Christine Cordi
            Vice President

Telephone: 415/436-2790
Facsimile: 415/436-2700


                                       10
<PAGE>   133
BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as a Bank

DOMESTIC AND OFFSHORE LENDING OFFICE:
Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association
1850 Gateway Boulevard, Fourth Floor
Concord, California 94520
Attention:  Shireen Watson

Telephone:  510/675-7148
Facsimile:  510/675-7531


NOTICES (OTHER THAN NOTICES OF BORROWING AND NOTICES OF
CONVERSION/CONTINUATION):
Bank of America National Trust
and Savings Association
Credit Products #3838
555 California Street - 41st Floor
San Francisco, CA  94137

Attention:  Michael J. Dasher
            Vice President

Telephone:  415/622-2126
Facsimile:  415/622-4584


                                       11
<PAGE>   134
ABN AMRO BANK N.V.

DOMESTIC AND OFFSHORE LENDING OFFICE:
ABN AMRO BANK N.V.
101 California Street - Suite 4550
San Francisco, CA  94111-5812

Attention:  Gloria C. Lee

Telephone:  415/984-3720
Facsimile:  415/363-3524


NOTICES (OTHER THAN NOTICES OF BORROWING AND NOTICES OF
CONVERSION/CONTINUATION):
ABN AMRO BANK N.V.
101 California Street - Suite 4550
San Francisco, CA  94111-5812

Attention:  Gina Brusatori
            Vice President

Telephone:  415/984-3702
Facsimile:  415/363-3524


                                       12
<PAGE>   135
CREDIT SUISSE

DOMESTIC AND OFFSHORE LENDING OFFICE:
CREDIT SUISSE
633 West Fifth Street, 64th Floor
Los Angeles, CA  90071

Attention:  Rita Asa
            Loan Administrator

Telephone:  213/955-8284
Facsimile:  213/955-8245


NOTICES (OTHER THAN NOTICES OF BORROWING AND NOTICES OF
CONVERSION/CONTINUATION):
CREDIT SUISSE
633 West Fifth Street, 64th Floor
Los Angeles, CA  90071

Attention:  Maria Gaspara
            Associate

Telephone:  213/955-8256
Facsimile:  213/955-8245


With a copy to:
CREDIT SUISSE
50 California Street - Suite 2940
San Francisco, CA 94111

Attention:  Andrew Tammen
            Associate

Telephone:  415/391-9590
Facsimile:  415/362-1175


                                       13
<PAGE>   136
THE BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.

DOMESTIC AND OFFSHORE LENDING OFFICE:
THE BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.
400 California Street - 17th Floor
San Francisco, CA  94104
Attention:  Kathy Simien

Telephone:  415/765-3641
Facsimile:  415/765-2634


NOTICES (OTHER THAN NOTICES OF BORROWING AND NOTICES OF
CONVERSION/CONTINUATION):
THE BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.
400 California Street - 17th Floor
San Francisco, CA  94104

Attention:  Wanda Headrick

Telephone:  415/765-3003
Facsimile:  415/765-2634


                                       14

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 11

                         DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.

                   COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
                                  (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Year Ended
                                                      ----------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share amounts)              Dec. 30, 1995    Dec. 31, 1994   Dec. 25, 1993
                                                      -------------    -------------   -------------
<S>                                                        <C>              <C>             <C>
PRIMARY

Net (loss) income applicable to common stock             $(3,496)         $ 1,001         $16,789

Weighted average number of shares of common
   stock outstanding                                      13,285           14,731          14,624
                                                         -------          -------         -------

Net (loss) income share, as reported                     $  (.26)         $   .07         $  1.15
                                                         =======          =======         =======

Weighted average number of shares of common
   stock outstanding                                      13,285           14,731          14,624

Common stock equivalent--assumed exercise of
   common stock options and warants                          334               99             148
                                                         -------          -------         -------

Weighted average number of shares of common
   stock outstanding, including common stock
   equivalents                                            13,619           14,830          14,772
                                                         =======          =======         =======

Net (loss) income per common share                       $  (.26)(1)      $   .07(1)      $  1.14(1)
                                                         =======          =======         =======

FULLY DILUTED

Net (loss) income applicable to common stock             $(3,496)         $ 1,001         $16,789

Add preferred dividends on redeemable convertible
   Series B preferred stock, due June 2001, and
   accretion of preferred stock to redemption value        1,972

Add interest expense on convertible subordinated
   debentures issued June 1993 and amortization of
   related issuance costs, net of tax                      2,571            4,103           1,993
                                                         -------          -------         -------

Adjusted net income                                      $ 1,047          $ 5,104         $18,782
                                                         =======          =======         =======

Weighted average number of shares of common
   stock outstanding                                      13,285           14,731          14,624

Common stock equivalent--assumed exercise of
   common stock options and warrants                         412              105             204

Assumed conversion of debentures                                            2,900           1,426

Assumed conversion of preferred stock                      2,900
                                                         -------          -------         -------
                
Adjusted shares                                           16,597           17,736          16,254
                                                         =======          =======         =======

Net income per common share                              $   .06(2)       $   .29(2)      $  1.16(2)
                                                         =======          =======         =======
</TABLE>

(1) This calculation is submitted in accordance with Regulation S-K item 601 (b)
    (11) although it is not required by footnote 2 to paragraph 14 of APB
    Opinion No. 15 because it results in dilution of less than 3%.

(2)  This calculation is submitted in accordance with Regulation S-K item 601
     (b) (11) although it is contrary to APB Opinion No. 15 because it produces
     an anti-dilutive effect.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21



                 SUBSIDIARIES OF DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name                                                         Jurisdiction
- ----                                                         ------------
<S>                                                          <C>
Edy's Grand Ice Cream                                        California
*Edy's of Illinois, Inc.                                     Illinois
Dreyer's International, Inc.                                 U.S. Virgin Islands
Grand Soft Capital Company                                   California
Grand Soft Equipment Company                                 Kentucky
  (formerly Polar Express Systems International, Inc.)
Portofino Company                                            California
M-K-D Distributors, Inc.                                     Texas
</TABLE>

* Subsidiary of Edy's Grand Ice Cream

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 23



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration 
Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-7350, 33-8418, 33-35561, 33-36092, 33-40275, 
33-56417, 33-56411 and 33-56413) of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. of our 
report dated February 8, 1996 appearing on page 14 of this Form 10-K.  We 
also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report on the Financial 
Statement Schedule, which appears on page 31 of this Form 10-K.





PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
San Francisco, California
March 28, 1996

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-30-1995
<CASH>                                           3,051
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   59,996
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (698)
<INVENTORY>                                     33,201
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               127,109
<PP&E>                                         260,210
<DEPRECIATION>                                (77,453)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 414,105
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           57,748
<BONDS>                                        134,000
                           98,382
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,929
<OTHER-SE>                                      79,334
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   414,105
<SALES>                                        678,797
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               681,052
<CGS>                                          530,561
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  530,561
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               141,856
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,234
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,912
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,511)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (987)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,524)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,524)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.26)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .06
        

</TABLE>


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