KROGER CO
8-K, 1999-01-08
GROCERY STORES
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<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              Washington, DC 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                         Date of Report: January 8, 1999


                                 THE KROGER CO.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


An Ohio Corporation              No. 1-303             31-0345740
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission File     (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                 Number)                Number)

1014 Vine Street 
Cincinnati, OH 45201 
(Address of principal 
executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number: (513) 762-4000


Item 5.  Other Events
- -------  ------------

         On December 18, 1998, the Company amended its Five-Year Credit
         Agreement and its 364-Day Credit Agreement, both 


<PAGE>   2

         dated as of May 28, 1997, and among the Company and the other parties
         thereto. Copies of the amendments are filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1
         and Exhibit 10.2.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits
- -------  ---------------------------------

                  (c)      Exhibits

                           10.1  Amendment and Restatement, dated as of
                                 December 18, 1998, of the Five-Year Credit 
                                 Agreement among the Company and the other 
                                 parties thereto

                           10.2  Amendment and Restatement, dated as of 
                                 December 18, 1998, of the 364-Day Credit
                                 Agreement among the Company and the other 
                                 parties thereto



<PAGE>   3


                                    SIGNATURE
                                    ---------


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereto duly
authorized.



                                            THE KROGER CO.


January 8, 1999                             By: (Paul W. Heldman)
                                                 Paul W. Heldman
                                                 Senior Vice President,
                                                 Secretary, and General Counsel



<PAGE>   4


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------

Exhibit
- -------

10.1     Amendment and Restatement, dated as of December 18, 1998, of the
         Five-Year Credit Agreement among the Company and the other parties
         thereto

10.2     Amendment and Restatement, dated as of December 18, 1998, of the
         364-Day Credit Agreement among the Company and the other parties
         thereto


<PAGE>   1

                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

                           AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

                         Dated as of December 18, 1998

                                       of

                              U.S. $1,500,000,000

                           FIVE-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

                            Dated as of May 28, 1997

                                     Among

                                 THE KROGER CO.

                                  as Borrower
                                  -----------

                                      and

                          THE LENDERS PARTIES THERETO

                                   as Lenders
                                   ----------

                                      and

                             CHASE SECURITIES INC.

                       as Lead Arranger and Book Manager
                       ---------------------------------

                                      and

                                 CITIBANK, N.A.

                                      and

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

                            as Administrative Agents
                            ------------------------

                                      and

                      FIRST CHICAGO CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.

                              as Syndication Agent
                              --------------------

                                      and

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                             as Documentation Agent
                             ----------------------

<PAGE>   2


                  AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT, dated as of December 18, 1998 (this
"AMENDMENT"), of the Five-Year Credit Agreement, dated as of May 28, 1997 (as
amended, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among THE KROGER CO., an Ohio corporation (the
"BORROWER"), the several banks and other financial institutions from time to
time parties to the Credit Agreement (the "LENDERS"), CHASE SECURITIES INC.
("CSI"), as Lead Arranger and Book Manager (in such capacity, the "LEAD ARRANGER
AND BOOK MANAGER"), CITIBANK, N.A. ("CITIBANK"), as an administrative agent (in
such capacity, an "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT") for the Lenders and the Issuing Banks
(as defined in the Credit Agreement) and paying agent for the Lenders and the
Issuing Banks (in such capacity, the "PAYING AGENT"), THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
("CHASE"), as an administrative agent (in such capacity, an "ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT"; the Administrative Agents and Paying Agent, collectively, the "AGENTS")
for the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, FIRST CHICAGO CAPITAL MARKETS, INC., as
syndication agent for the Lenders and Issuing Banks, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as documentation agent for the Lenders and the Issuing Banks.


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


                  WHEREAS, the Borrower has agreed, subject to certain
conditions, to acquire all of the common stock of Fred Meyer, Inc. ("FMI") in
exchange for newly issued shares of the Borrower pursuant to a merger of a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Borrower into FMI (the "ACQUISITION");

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested, and upon the
effectiveness of this Amendment and the consummation of the Acquisition, the
Required Lenders have agreed, that certain provisions of the Credit Agreement be
amended and that the Credit Agreement be restated upon the terms and conditions
set forth below to permit the consummation of the Acquisition;

                  WHEREAS, concurrent with the consummation of the Acquisition,
the Borrower shall cause FMI and the subsidiaries of FMI that are Material
Subsidiaries of the Borrower to guarantee the obligations of the Borrower under
the Credit Agreement, all as contemplated by the Credit Agreement;

                   WHEREAS, in connection with the Acquisition, the Borrower and
its Material Subsidiaries intend to guarantee FMI's obligations with respect to
its existing credit facilities; and

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower has further requested CSI to act as Lead
Arranger and Book Manager with respect to this Amendment;

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

                  SECTION 1. DEFINED TERMS. Terms defined in the Credit
Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit
Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, all Section and subsection references are
to the Credit Agreement.


<PAGE>   3

                                                                               2

                  SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 1.01. Section 1.01 of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

                  (a) by amending and restating the definition of "APPLICABLE
MARGIN" to read in its entirety as follows:

                           "APPLICABLE MARGIN" means, until the day which is six
                  months after the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date,
                  0.00% per annum, in the case of Base Rate Advances and 0.550%
                  per annum, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Advances, Standby
                  Letters of Credit and Documentary Letters of Credit and,
                  thereafter, a percentage per annum determined by reference to
                  the Borrower's Performance Level in effect on such date as set
                  forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==============================================================================================
Performance Level         Applicable Margin for         Applicable Margin for Eurodollar
                          Base Rate Advances            Advances, Standby Letters of Credit
                                                        and Documentary Letters of Credit
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                           <C>
         Level 1                     0.000%                            0.275%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 2                     0.000%                            0.375%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 3                     0.000%                            0.475%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 4                     0.000%                            0.550%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 5                     0.000%                            0.625%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 6                     0.000%                            0.700%
==============================================================================================
</TABLE>

                  (b) by amending and restating the definition of "FACILITY FEE
PERCENTAGE" to read in its entirety as follows:

                           "FACILITY FEE PERCENTAGE" means, until the day which
                  is six months after the Amendment and Restatement Effective
                  Date, 0.200% per annum and, thereafter, a percentage per annum
                  determined by reference to the Borrower's Performance Level in
                  effect on such date as set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===========================================================================
             Performance Level                  Facility Fee Percentage
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>
                  Level 1                               0.100%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Level 2                               0.125%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Level 3                               0.150%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Level 4                               0.200%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Level 5                               0.250%
===========================================================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   4
                                                                               3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===========================================================================
                  Performance Level              Facility Fee Percentage
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>
                  Level 6                        0.300%
===========================================================================
</TABLE>

                  (c) by amending and restating the definition of "PERFORMANCE 
LEVEL" to read in its entirety as follows:

                  "PERFORMANCE LEVEL" means, as of any date of determination,
                  the numerically lowest level set forth below as then in
                  effect, as determined in accordance with the following
                  provisions of this definition:

                  Level 1                   The Public Debt Rating by Moody's is
                                            A3 or better or the Public Debt
                                            Rating by S&P is A- OR better or the
                                            Applicable Percentage Ratio is
                                            5.25:1.00 or greater;

                  Level 2                   The Public Debt Rating by Moody's is
                                            Baa1 or the Public Debt Rating by
                                            S&P is BBB+ OR the Applicable
                                            Percentage Ratio is 4.75:1.00 or
                                            greater but less than 5.25:1.00;

                  Level 3                   The Public Debt Rating by Moody's is
                                            Baa2 or the Public Debt Rating by
                                            S&P is BBB OR the Applicable
                                            Percentage Ratio is 4.00:1.00 or
                                            greater but less than 4.75:1.00;

                  Level 4                   The Public Debt Rating by Moody's is
                                            Baa3 and the Public Debt Rating by
                                            S&P is BBB- OR the Applicable
                                            Percentage Ratio is less than
                                            4.00:1.00;

                  Level 5                   The Public Debt Rating by Moody's is
                                            Baa3 or the Public Debt Rating by
                                            S&P is BBB- OR the Applicable
                                            Percentage Ratio is less than
                                            4.00:1.00; and

                  Level 6                   The Public Debt Rating by Moody's is
                                            Ba1 or lower or the Public Debt
                                            Rating by S&P is BB+ or lower AND
                                            the Applicable Percentage Ratio is
                                            lower than 4.00:1.00;

                  PROVIDED (a) if any rating established or deemed to have been
                  established by S&P or Moody's shall be changed (other than as
                  a result of a change in the rating system of either S&P or
                  Moody's), such change shall be effective as of the date on
                  which such change is first announced publicly by the rating
                  agency making such change, (b) any change in the Performance
                  Level based on a change in the Applicable Percentage Ratio
                  shall be effective for all purposes on and after the date of
                  delivery to the Administrative Agents of a certificate of the
                  Borrower with respect to the financial statements to be
                  delivered, as applicable, pursuant to Section 5.01(h) for the
                  most recently ended Fiscal Quarter, (c) if the Public Debt
                  Ratings by Moody's and S&P and the Applicable Percentage Ratio
                  shall fall within different Levels, the Applicable Margin and
                  Facility Fee Percentage shall be determined based upon the
                  lower Level unless the Levels determined based upon the Public
                  Debt Ratings and Applicable 
<PAGE>   5
                                                                               4

                  Percentage Ratio are two or more Levels apart, in which case
                  the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee Percentage shall be
                  determined by reference to the Level next below the higher of
                  the two Levels (it being understood that Level 1 is the lowest
                  Level and Level 6 is the highest Level), (d) if the Applicable
                  Percentage Ratio shall fall within Level 4 and Level 5, the
                  Applicable Percentage Ratio shall be deemed to fall within
                  Level 4 and (e) notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of
                  clause (a), no reduction in the Performance Level shall be
                  effective if any Default shall have occurred and be
                  continuing. Any change in the Performance Level shall be
                  effective on the effective date of such change in the
                  applicable Performance Level and shall apply to all Eurodollar
                  Rate Advances made or continued on or after the commencement
                  of the period (and to Base Rate Advances that are outstanding
                  at any time during the period) commencing on the effective
                  date of such change in the applicable Performance Level and
                  ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of
                  the next such change in the applicable Performance Level.

                  (d) by amending and restating the definition of "PUBLIC DEBT 
RATING" to read in its entirety as follows.

                           "PUBLIC DEBT RATING" means, as of any date, the
                  rating that has been most recently announced by either S&P or
                  Moody's, as the case may be, for any class of non-credit
                  enhanced long-term senior unsecured debt issued by the
                  Borrower. For purposes of the foregoing, (a) if only one of
                  S&P and Moody's shall have in effect a Public Debt Rating, the
                  Applicable Margin and the Facility Fee Percentage shall be
                  determined by reference to the available rating; (b) if
                  neither S&P nor Moody's shall have in effect a Public Debt
                  Rating, the Applicable Margin and the Facility Fee Percentage
                  will be set in accordance with the Applicable Percentage
                  Ratio; (c) if the ratings established by S&P and Moody's shall
                  fall within different Levels, the Applicable Margin and the
                  Facility Fee Percentage shall be determined based upon the
                  higher rating unless one of the ratings is two or more Levels
                  lower than the other, in which case the Applicable Margin and
                  Facility Fee Percentage shall be determined based upon the
                  ratings applicable to the Level next above the lower of the
                  two Levels (it being understood that Level 1 is the lowest
                  Level and Level 6 is the highest Level); (d) if any rating
                  established by S&P or Moody's shall be changed, such change
                  shall be effective as of the date on which such change is
                  first announced publicly by the rating agency making such
                  change; and (e) if S&P or Moody's shall change the basis on
                  which ratings are established, or either such rating agency
                  shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt
                  obligations, the Borrower and the Lenders shall negotiate in
                  good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed
                  rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such
                  rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of such
                  amendment, the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee Percentage
                  shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently
                  in effect prior to such change or cessation.

                  (e) by inserting the following definitions in the proper 
alphabetical order:

                           "AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT" means the Amendment and
                  Restatement of this Agreement, dated as of December 18, 1998.
<PAGE>   6
                                                                               5

                           "AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT EFFECTIVE DATE" means the
                  Effective Date under the Amendment and Restatement.

                  SECTION 3. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 4.01. Section 4.01 of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the
following:

                           "(i) Any material reprogramming required to permit
                  the proper functioning (but only to the extent that such
                  proper functioning would otherwise be impaired by the
                  occurrence of the year 2000) in and following the year 2000 of
                  material computer systems and other material equipment
                  containing embedded microchips, in either case owned or
                  operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or used or
                  relied upon in the conduct of their business (including any
                  such systems and other equipment supplied by others or with
                  which the computer systems of the Borrower or any of its
                  Subsidiaries interface), and the testing of all such systems
                  and other equipment as so reprogrammed, could not reasonably
                  be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The costs to
                  the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that have not been incurred
                  as of the date hereof for such reprogramming and testing and
                  for the other reasonably foreseeable consequences to them of
                  any improper functioning of other computer systems and
                  equipment containing embedded microchips due to the occurrence
                  of the year 2000 could not reasonably be expected to result in
                  a Default or Event of Default or to have a Material Adverse
                  Effect."

                  SECTION 4. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 5.02(b). Section 5.02(b) of
the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the words "or into any other
Person (so long as the surviving corporation is a Subsidiary of the Borrower)"
after the phrase "into any other Subsidiary of the Borrower" appearing in such
Section.

                  SECTION 5. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 5.02(c). Section 5.02(c) of
the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following proviso at the
end thereof :

                  "; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Borrower may make or permit its
                  Subsidiaries to make any changes in accounting policies or
                  reporting practices in order to conform to any policies or
                  practices of Fred Meyer, Inc. and its Subsidiaries. The
                  parties acknowledge that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may
                  change their fiscal years to conform the fiscal years of the
                  Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including Fred Meyer, Inc. and
                  its Subsidiaries)."

                  SECTION 6. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 5.02(d). Section 5.02(d) of
the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Section in its entirety
and substituting the following in lieu thereof:

                  "SALES, ETC. OF ASSETS. Sell, lease, transfer or otherwise
         dispose of, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to sell, lease, transfer
         or otherwise dispose of, any assets, or grant any option or other right
         to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any assets, except (i)
         dispositions of assets in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) in
         a transaction authorized by subsection (b) of this Section, (iii)
         pursuant to sale-leaseback transactions for not less than fair market



<PAGE>   7
                                                                               6

         value, (iv) in a transaction with any Subsidiary that is, or as a
         result of such transaction becomes, a Material Subsidiary and (v) sales
         of assets for fair value, provided that the aggregate value of such
         assets sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of pursuant to
         clause (v) during the term of this Agreement shall not be greater than
         10% of the total assets from time to time before giving effect to the
         LIFO reserve of Kroger and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis."

                  SECTION 7. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 6.01. Section 6.01 of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting each reference to "$30,000,000"
in paragraphs (d), (f), (i), (j) and (k) and substituting in lieu thereof a
reference to "$40,000,000".

                  SECTION 8. RESTATEMENT OF CREDIT AGREEMENT. The Credit
Agreement is hereby restated in its entirety to read as set forth in Exhibit A
to this Amendment. The only amendments to the Credit Agreement, as restated, are
those reflected in this Amendment. The exhibits and schedules to the Credit
Agreement have not been amended hereby, and the amount of each Lender's
Commitment is as set forth in the Register.

                  SECTION 9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. After giving
effect to this Amendment, the Borrower hereby confirms, reaffirms and restates
in all material respects the representations and warranties set forth in Article
IV of the Credit Agreement as if made on and as of the date hereof except for
any representation or warranty made as of an earlier date, which representation
or warranty shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such
earlier date. Any reference to "this Agreement" in the representations and
warranties set forth in Article IV of the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to
include a reference to this Amendment.

                  SECTION 10. LEAD ARRANGER; BOOK MANAGER. CSI shall act as
Lead Arranger and Book Manager with respect to this Amendment. CSI shall be
treated as an "Agent" for the purposes of Article VII (other than Section 7.06)
of the Credit Agreement and shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 8.03(b)
to the same extent as if it were the Administrative Agent.

                  SECTION 11. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS. This Amendment shall
become effective as of the date (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") of consummation of the
Acquisition upon receipt by the Administrative Agents of (a) counterparts of
this Amendment, duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and the Required
Lenders and (b) an opinion of counsel to the Borrower as to the due
authorization and execution by the Borrower of this Amendment and to such other
matters, as is customary for similar transactions, as may be reasonably
requested by the Administrative Agents. Any increase in the Applicable Margin
and Facility Fee Percentage as a result of this Amendment shall be effective on
the Effective Date and, without limiting the foregoing, shall be applicable to
Eurodollar Rate Advances outstanding under the Credit Agreement as of the
Effective Date for the period from the Effective Date to but not including the
last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto.

                  SECTION 12. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. The Borrower agrees to pay
or reimburse the Agents for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Amendment, any other documents
prepared in connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby,
including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel.

<PAGE>   8
                                                                               7


                  SECTION 13. CONTINUING EFFECT OF CREDIT AGREEMENT;
TERMINATION OF AMENDMENT. Except as expressly amended herein, the Credit
Agreement shall continue to be, and shall remain, in full force and effect in
accordance with its terms. This Amendment shall terminate and be of no further
force and effect upon the termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
as of October 18, 1998, by and between the Borrower, Jobsite Holdings, Inc. and
FMI.

                  SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW; COUNTERPARTS. THIS AMENDMENT AND
THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
This Amendment may be executed by the parties hereto in any number of separate
counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute one and the same instrument. The execution and delivery of this
Amendment by any Lender on or prior to the Effective Date shall be binding upon
each of its transferees, successors and assigns and binding in respect of all of
its Commitments and Advances, including any acquired subsequent to its execution
and delivery hereof and prior to the effectiveness hereof.



<PAGE>   9

                                                                               8

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

                               THE KROGER CO.


                               By: /s/ Lawrence M. Turner
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

                               CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Issuing
                               Bank and Lender


                               By: /s/ Robert A. Snell
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: As Attorney in Fact

                               THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as
                               Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Lender


                               By: /s/ William P. Rindfuss
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President

                               CHASE SECURITIES INC., as Lead Arranger and
                               Book Manager


                               By: /s/ Ruth Stritehoff
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Managing Director

                               THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, as
                               Syndication Agent and Lender


                               By: /s/ Catherine A. Muszynski
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President

                               THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Documentation
                               Agent and Lender


                               By: /s/ Paula Began
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   10
                                                                               9

                               BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST &
                               SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as successor by merger
                               to Bank of America Illinois, as Lender


                               By: /s/ Jody A. Pritchard
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   11

                                                                              10



                               BANK OF MONTREAL, as Lender


                               By: /s/ Leon H. Sinclair
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Director


<PAGE>   12


                                                                              11


                               THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as Lender

                               By: /s/ F.C.H. Ashby
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Senior Manager Loan Operations


<PAGE>   13

                                                                              12



                               THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD.,
                               CHICAGO BRANCH, as Lender

                               By: /s/ Hajime Watanabe
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Deputy General Manager


<PAGE>   14

                                                                              13




                               BANK ONE, N.A., as Lender


                               By: /s/ Rebecca McCloskey
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: First Vice President


<PAGE>   15
                                                                              14





                               BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Lender

                               By: /s/ David J. Bell
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   16
                                                                              15




                               CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ, as Lender


                               By: /s/ David Bouhl, FVP
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Head of Corporate Banking Chicago


                               By: /s/ Dean Balice
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Senior Vice President
                                           Branch Manager


<PAGE>   17

                                                                              16




                               CIBC, INC., as Lender


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


<PAGE>   18

                                                                              17



                               COMERICA BANK, as Lender


                               By: /s/ Lee J. Santioni
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: First Vice President


<PAGE>   19

                                                                              18



                              COMPAGNIE FINANCIERE DE CIC ET DE 
                              L'UNION EUROPEENNE, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Eric Lonquet
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


                              By: /s/ Martha Skidmore
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President
<PAGE>   20

                                                                              19



                              CREDIT LYONNAIS, CHICAGO BRANCH, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Mary Ann Klemm
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   21


                                                                              20


                              THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, LTD., 
                              CHICAGO BRANCH, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   22

                                                                              21



                              FIFTH THIRD BANK, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Andrew Hauck
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   23


                                                                              22



                              FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK, 
                              as Lender

                              By: /s/ Jerry Watterworth
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Senior Vice President


<PAGE>   24

                                                                              23



                              FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Charles L. Jenkins
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President, Manager


<PAGE>   25
                                                                              24

                              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Mary J. Amatore
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President

<PAGE>   26
                                                                              25

                              THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED, CHICAGO 
                              BRANCH, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   27

                                                                              26


                              THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LIMITED,
                              CHICAGO BRANCH, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Walter Wolff
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Joint General Manager

<PAGE>   28

                                                                              27


                              KREDIETBANK, N.V., as Lender


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


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


<PAGE>   29

                                                                              28



                              THE LONG TERM CREDIT BANK OF JAPAN, 
                              LTD., CHICAGO BRANCH, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   30

                                                                              29




                              MELLON BANK, N.A., as Lender


                              By: /s/ Richard J. Schaich
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Assistant Vice President


<PAGE>   31

                                                                              30



                              MICHIGAN NATIONAL BANK, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   32


                                                                              31


                              MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF 
                              NEW YORK, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Robert Bottamedi
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   33

                                                                              32



                              THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   34

                                                                              33




                              PARIBAS, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Karen E. Coons
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


                              By: Ann B. McAloon
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   35


                                                                              34


                              PNC BANK, N.A., as Lender


                              By: /s/ C. J. Richardson
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Senior Vice President


<PAGE>   36


                                                                              35


                              THE SAKURA BANK, LIMITED, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   37


                                                                              36


                              THE SANWA BANK, LIMITED, CHICAGO 
                              BRANCH, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   38


                                                                              37


                              STAR BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                              as Lender


                              By: /s/ Derek S. Roudebush
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   39

                                                                              38



                              THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED, CHICAGO 
                              BRANCH, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   40

                                                                              39



                              THE TOKAI BANK, LIMITED-NEW YORK 
                              BRANCH, as Lender


                              By: /s/ M. Nakamura
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Joint General Manager


<PAGE>   41


                                                                              40


                              U.S. BANK, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Thomas W. Cherry
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   42


                                                                              41


                              WACHOVIA BANK, N.A., as Lender


                              By: /s/ Brad Watkins
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 10.2

                           AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

                         Dated as of December 18, 1998

                                       of

                               U.S. $500,000,000

                            364-DAY CREDIT AGREEMENT

                            Dated as of May 28, 1997

                                     Among

                                 THE KROGER CO.

                                  as Borrower
                                  -----------

                                      and

                          THE LENDERS PARTIES THERETO

                                   as Lenders
                                   ----------

                                      and

                              CHASE SECURITIES INC.

                       as Lead Arranger and Book Manager
                       ---------------------------------

                                      and

                                 CITIBANK, N.A.

                                      and

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

                            as Administrative Agents
                            ------------------------

                                      and

                      FIRST CHICAGO CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.

                              as Syndication Agent
                              --------------------

                                      and

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                             as Documentation Agent
                             ----------------------
<PAGE>   2

                  AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT, dated as of December 18, 1998 (this
"AMENDMENT"), of the 364-Day Credit Agreement, dated as of May 28, 1997 (as
amended, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among THE KROGER CO., an Ohio corporation (the
"BORROWER"), the several banks and other financial institutions from time to
time parties to the Credit Agreement (the "LENDERS"), CHASE SECURITIES INC.,
("CSI"), as Lead Arranger and Book Manager (in such capacity, the "LEAD ARRANGER
AND BOOK MANAGER"), CITIBANK, N.A. ("CITIBANK"), as an administrative agent (in
such capacity, an "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT") for the Lenders and the Issuing Banks
(as defined in the Credit Agreement) and paying agent for the Lenders and the
Issuing Banks (in such capacity, the "PAYING AGENT"), THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
("CHASE"), as an administrative agent (in such capacity, an "ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT"; the Administrative Agents and Paying Agent, collectively, the "AGENTS")
for the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, FIRST CHICAGO CAPITAL MARKETS, INC., as
syndication agent for the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and THE BANK OF NEW
YORK, as documentation agent for the Lenders and the Issuing Banks.


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


                  WHEREAS, the Borrower has agreed, subject to certain
conditions, to acquire all of the common stock of Fred Meyer, Inc. ("FMI") in
exchange for newly issued shares of the Borrower pursuant to a merger of a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Borrower into FMI (the "ACQUISITION");

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested and, upon the
effectiveness of this Amendment and the consummation of the Acquisition, the
Required Lenders have agreed, that certain provisions of the Credit Agreement be
amended and that the Credit Agreement be restated upon the terms and conditions
set forth below to permit the consummation of the Acquisition;

                  WHEREAS, concurrent with the consummation of the Acquisition,
the Borrower shall cause FMI and the subsidiaries of FMI that are Material
Subsidiaries of the Borrower to guarantee the obligations of the Borrower under
the Credit Agreement, all as contemplated by the Credit Agreement;

                   WHEREAS, in connection with the Acquisition, the Borrower and
its Material Subsidiaries intend to guarantee FMI's obligations with respect to
its existing credit facilities; and

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower has further requested CSI to act as Lead
Arranger and Book Manager with respect to this Amendment;

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

                  SECTION 1. DEFINED TERMS. Terms defined in the Credit
Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit
Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, all Section and subsection references are
to the Credit Agreement.
<PAGE>   3

                                                                               2

                  SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 1.01. Section 1.01 of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

                  (a) by amending and restating the definition of "APPLICABLE
MARGIN" to read in its entirety as follows:


                  "APPLICABLE MARGIN" means, until the day which is six months
                  after the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, the rate
                  per annum set forth opposite Level 4 in the relevant Table
                  below, and, thereafter, as of any date prior to the Term Loan
                  Conversion Date, a percentage per annum determined by
                  reference to the Borrower's Performance Level in effect on
                  such date as set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==============================================================================================
Performance Level         Applicable Margin for         Applicable Margin for
                          Base Rate Advances            Eurodollar Advances
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                           <C>
         Level 1                     0.000%                            0.305%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 2                     0.000%                            0.420%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 3                     0.000%                            0.525%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 4                     0.000%                            0.600%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 5                     0.000%                            0.675%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 6                     0.000%                            0.750%
==============================================================================================
</TABLE>


                  and, as of the date on or after the Term Loan Conversion Date,
                  a percentage per annum determined by reference to the
                  Borrower's Performance Level in effect on such date as set
                  forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==============================================================================================
Performance Level         Applicable Margin for         Applicable Margin for
                          Base Rate Advances            Eurodollar Advances
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                           <C>
         Level 1                     0.000%                            0.375%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 2                     0.000%                            0.500%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 3                     0.000%                            0.625%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 4                     0.000%                            0.750%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 5                     0.000%                            0.875%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Level 6                     0.000%                            1.000%
==============================================================================================
</TABLE>


                  (b) by amending and restating the definition of "FACILITY FEE
PERCENTAGE" to read in its entirety as follows:
<PAGE>   4

                                                                               3

                           "FACILITY FEE PERCENTAGE" means, until the day which
                  is six months after the Amendment and Restatement Effective
                  Date, 0.150% per annum and, thereafter, a percentage per annum
                  determined by reference to the Borrower's Performance Level in
                  effect on such date as set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===========================================================================
             Performance Level                  Facility Fee Percentage
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>
                  Level 1                               0.070%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Level 2                               0.080%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Level 3                               0.100%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Level 4                               0.150%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Level 5                               0.200%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Level 6                               0.250%
===========================================================================
</TABLE>

                  (c) by amending and restating the definition of "PERFORMANCE
LEVEL" to read in its entirety as follows:


                  "PERFORMANCE LEVEL" means, as of any date of determination,
                  the numerically lowest level set forth below as then in
                  effect, as determined in accordance with the following
                  provisions of this definition:

                  Level 1                   The Public Debt Rating by Moody's is
                                            A3 or better or the Public Debt
                                            Rating by S&P is A- OR better or the
                                            Applicable Percentage Ratio is
                                            5.25:1.00 or greater;

                  Level 2                   The Public Debt Rating by Moody's is
                                            Baa1 or the Public Debt Rating by
                                            S&P is BBB+ OR the Applicable
                                            Percentage Ratio is 4.75:1.00 or
                                            greater but less than 5.25:1.00;

                  Level 3                   The Public Debt Rating by Moody's is
                                            Baa2 or the Public Debt Rating by
                                            S&P is BBB OR the Applicable
                                            Percentage Ratio is 4.00:1.00 or
                                            greater but less than 4.75:1.00;

                  Level 4                   The Public Debt Rating by Moody's is
                                            Baa3 and the Public Debt Rating by
                                            S&P is BBB- OR the Applicable
                                            Percentage Ratio is less than
                                            4.00:1.00;

                  Level 5                   The Public Debt Rating by Moody's is
                                            Baa3 or the Public Debt Rating by
                                            S&P is BBB- OR the Applicable
                                            Percentage Ratio is less than
                                            4.00:1.00; and

                  Level 6                   The Public Debt Rating by Moody's is
                                            Ba1 or lower or the Public Debt
                                            Rating by S&P is BB+ or lower AND
                                            the Applicable Percentage Ratio is
                                            lower than 4.00:1.00;
<PAGE>   5
                                                                               4


                  PROVIDED (a) if any rating established or deemed to have been
                  established by S&P or Moody's shall be changed (other than as
                  a result of a change in the rating system of either S&P or
                  Moody's), such change shall be effective as of the date on
                  which such change is first announced publicly by the rating
                  agency making such change, (b) any change in the Performance
                  Level based on a change in the Applicable Percentage Ratio
                  shall be effective for all purposes on and after the date of
                  delivery to the Administrative Agents of a certificate of the
                  Borrower with respect to the financial statements to be
                  delivered, as applicable, pursuant to Section 5.01(h) for the
                  most recently ended Fiscal Quarter, (c) if the Public Debt
                  Ratings by Moody's and S&P and the Applicable Percentage Ratio
                  shall fall within different Levels, the Applicable Margin and
                  Facility Fee Percentage shall be determined based upon the
                  lower Level unless the Levels determined based upon the Public
                  Debt Ratings and Applicable Percentage Ratio are two or more
                  Levels apart, in which case the Applicable Margin and Facility
                  Fee Percentage shall be determined by reference to the Level
                  next below the higher of the two Levels (it being understood
                  that Level 1 is the lowest Level and Level 6 is the highest
                  Level), (d) if the Applicable Percentage Ratio shall fall
                  within Level 4 and Level 5, the Applicable Percentage Ratio
                  shall be deemed to fall within Level 4 and (e) notwithstanding
                  the foregoing provisions of clause (a), no reduction in the
                  Performance Level shall be effective if any Default shall have
                  occurred and be continuing. Any change in the Performance
                  Level shall be effective on the effective date of such change
                  in the applicable Performance Level and shall apply to all
                  Eurodollar Rate Advances made or continued on or after the
                  commencement of the period (and to Base Rate Advances that are
                  outstanding at any time during the period) commencing on the
                  effective date of such change in the applicable Performance
                  Level and ending on the date immediately preceding the
                  effective date of the next such change in the applicable
                  Performance Level.

                  (d) by amending and restating the definition of "PUBLIC DEBT
RATING" to read in its entirety as follows.

                           "PUBLIC DEBT RATING" means, as of any date, the
                  rating that has been most recently announced by either S&P or
                  Moody's, as the case may be, for any class of non-credit
                  enhanced long-term senior unsecured debt issued by the
                  Borrower. For purposes of the foregoing, (a) if only one of
                  S&P and Moody's shall have in effect a Public Debt Rating, the
                  Applicable Margin and the Facility Fee Percentage shall be
                  determined by reference to the available rating; (b) if
                  neither S&P nor Moody's shall have in effect a Public Debt
                  Rating, the Applicable Margin and the Facility Fee Percentage
                  will be set in accordance with the Applicable Percentage
                  Ratio; (c) if the ratings established by S&P and Moody's shall
                  fall within different Levels, the Applicable Margin and the
                  Facility Fee Percentage shall be determined based upon the
                  higher rating unless one of the ratings is two or more Levels
                  lower than the other, in which case the Applicable Margin and
                  Facility Fee Percentage shall be based upon the ratings
                  applicable to the Level next above the lower of the two Levels
                  (it being understood that Level 1 is the lowest Level and
                  Level 6 is the highest Level); (d) if any rating established
                  by S&P or Moody's shall be changed, such change shall be
                  effective as of the date on which such change is first
                  announced publicly by the rating 
<PAGE>   6

                                                                               5

                  agency making such change; and (e) if S&P or Moody's shall
                  change the basis on which ratings are established, or either
                  such rating agency shall cease to be in the business of rating
                  corporate debt obligations, the Borrower and the Lenders shall
                  negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect
                  such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings
                  from such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of such
                  amendment, the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee Percentage
                  shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently
                  in effect prior to such change or cessation.

                  (e) by inserting the following definitions in the proper
alphabetical order:

                           "AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT" means the Amendment and
                  Restatement of this Agreement, dated as of December 18, 1998.

                           "AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT EFFECTIVE DATE" means the
                  Effective Date under the Amendment and Restatement.

                  SECTION 3. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 4.01. Section 4.01 of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting to the end thereof the
following:

                           "(i) Any material reprogramming required to permit
                  the proper functioning (but only to the extent that such
                  proper functioning would otherwise be impaired by the
                  occurrence of the year 2000) in and following the year 2000 of
                  material computer systems and other material equipment
                  containing embedded microchips, in either case owned or
                  operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or used or
                  relied upon in the conduct of their business (including any
                  such systems and other equipment supplied by others or with
                  which the computer systems of the Borrower or any of its
                  Subsidiaries interface), and the testing of all such systems
                  and other equipment as so reprogrammed, could not reasonably
                  be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The costs to
                  the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that have not been incurred
                  as of the date hereof for such reprogramming and testing and
                  for the other reasonably foreseeable consequences to them of
                  any improper functioning of other computer systems and
                  equipment containing embedded microchips due to the occurrence
                  of the year 2000 could not reasonably be expected to result in
                  a Default or Event of Default or to have a Material Adverse
                  Effect."

                  SECTION 4. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 5.02(b). Section 5.02(b) of
the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the words "or into any other
Person (so long as the surviving corporation is a Subsidiary of the Borrower)"
after the phrase "into any other Subsidiary of the Borrower" appearing in such
Section.

                  SECTION 5. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 5.02(c). Section 5.02(c) of
the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following proviso at the
end thereof :
<PAGE>   7
                                                                               6


                  "; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Borrower may make or permit its
                  Subsidiaries to make any changes in accounting policies or
                  reporting practices in order to conform to any policies or
                  practices of Fred Meyer, Inc. and its Subsidiaries. The
                  parties acknowledge that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may
                  change their fiscal years to conform the fiscal years of the
                  Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including Fred Meyer, Inc. and
                  its Subsidiaries)."

                  SECTION 6. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 5.02(d). Section 5.02(d) of
the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Section in its entirety
and substituting the following in lieu thereof:

                  "SALES, ETC. OF ASSETS. Sell, lease, transfer or otherwise
         dispose of, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to sell, lease, transfer
         or otherwise dispose of, any assets, or grant any option or other right
         to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any assets, except (i)
         dispositions of assets in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) in
         a transaction authorized by subsection (b) of this Section, (iii)
         pursuant to sale-leaseback transactions for not less than fair market
         value, (iv) in a transaction with any Subsidiary that is, or as a
         result of such transaction becomes, a Material Subsidiary and (v) sales
         of assets for fair value, PROVIDED that the aggregate value of such
         assets sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of pursuant to
         clause (v) during the term of this Agreement shall not be greater than
         10% of the total assets from time to time before giving effect to the
         LIFO reserve of Kroger and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis."

                  SECTION 7. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 6.01. Section 6.01 of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting each reference to "$30,000,000"
in paragraphs (d), (f), (i), (j) and (k) and substituting in lieu thereof a
reference to "$40,000,000".

                  SECTION 8. RESTATEMENT OF CREDIT AGREEMENT. The Credit
Agreement is hereby restated in its entirety to read as set forth in Exhibit A
to this Amendment. The only amendments to the Credit Agreement, as restated, are
those reflected in this Amendment. The exhibits and schedules to the Credit
Agreement have not been amended hereby, and the amount of each Lender's
Commitment is as set forth in the Register.

                  SECTION 9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. After giving
effect to this Amendment, the Borrower hereby confirms, reaffirms and restates
in all material respects the representations and warranties set forth in Article
IV of the Credit Agreement as if made on and as of the date hereof except for
any representation or warranty made as of an earlier date, which representation
or warranty shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such
earlier date. Any reference to "this Agreement" in the representations and
warranties set forth in Article IV of the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to
include a reference to this Amendment.

                  SECTION 10. LEAD ARRANGER; BOOK MANAGER. CSI shall act as
Lead Arranger and Book Manager with respect to this Amendment. CSI shall be
treated as an "Agent" for the purposes of Article VII (other than Section 7.06)
of the Credit Agreement and shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 8.03(b)
to the same extent as if it were the Administrative Agent.

<PAGE>   8

                                                                               7

                  SECTION 11. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS. This Amendment
shall become effective as of the date (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") of consummation of
the Acquisition upon receipt by the Administrative Agents of (a) counterparts of
this Amendment, duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and the Required
Lenders and (b) an opinion of counsel to the Borrower as to the due
authorization and execution by the Borrower of this Amendment and to such other
matters, as is customary for similar transactions, as may be reasonably
requested by the Administrative Agents. Any increase in the Applicable Margin
and Facility Fee Percentage as a result of this Amendment shall be effective on
the Effective Date and, without limiting the foregoing, shall be applicable to
Eurodollar Rate Advances outstanding under the Credit Agreement as of the
Effective Date for the period from the Effective Date to but not including the
last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto.

                  SECTION 12. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. The Borrower agrees to pay
or reimburse the Agents for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Amendment, any other documents
prepared in connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby,
including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel.

                  SECTION 13. CONTINUING EFFECT OF CREDIT AGREEMENT;
TERMINATION OF AMENDMENT. Except as expressly amended herein, the Credit
Agreement shall continue to be, and shall remain, in full force and effect in
accordance with its terms. This Amendment shall terminate and be of no further
force and effect upon the termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
as of October 18, 1998, by and between the Borrower, Jobsite Holdings, Inc. and
FMI.

                  SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW; COUNTERPARTS. THIS AMENDMENT AND
THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
This Amendment may be executed by the parties hereto in any number of separate
counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute one and the same instrument. The execution and delivery of this
Amendment by any Lender on or prior to the Effective Date shall be binding upon
each of its transferees, successors and assigns and binding in respect of all of
its Commitments and Advances, including any acquired subsequent to its execution
and delivery hereof and prior to the effectiveness hereof.



<PAGE>   9

                                                                               8

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

                               THE KROGER CO.


                               By: /s/ Lawrence M. Turner
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

                               CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Issuing
                               Bank and Lender


                               By: /s/ Robert A. Snell
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: As Attorney in Fact

                               THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as
                               Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Lender


                               By: /s/ William P. Rindfuss
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President

                               CHASE SECURITIES INC., as Lead Arranger and
                               Book Manager


                               By: /s/ Ruth Stritehoff
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Managing Director

                               THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, as
                               Syndication Agent and Lender


                               By: /s/ Catherine A. Muszynski
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President

                               THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Documentation
                               Agent and Lender


                               By: /s/ Paula Began
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   10
                                                                               9

                               BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST &
                               SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as successor by merger
                               to Bank of America Illinois, as Lender


                               By: /s/ Jody A. Pritchard
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   11

                                                                              10



                               BANK OF MONTREAL, as Lender


                               By: /s/ Leon H. Sinclair
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Director


<PAGE>   12


                                                                              11


                               THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as Lender

                               By: /s/ F.C.H. Ashby
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Senior Manager Loan Operations


<PAGE>   13

                                                                              12



                               THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD.,
                               CHICAGO BRANCH, as Lender

                               By: /s/ Hajime Watanabe
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Deputy General Manager


<PAGE>   14

                                                                              13




                               BANK ONE, N.A., as Lender


                               By: /s/ Rebecca McCloskey
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: First Vice President


<PAGE>   15
                                                                              14





                               BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Lender

                               By: /s/ David J. Bell
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   16
                                                                              15




                               CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ, as Lender


                               By: /s/ David Bouhl, FVP
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Head of Corporate Banking Chicago


                               By: /s/ Dean Balice
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Senior Vice President
                                           Branch Manager


<PAGE>   17

                                                                              16




                               CIBC, INC., as Lender


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


<PAGE>   18

                                                                              17



                               COMERICA BANK, as Lender


                               By: /s/ Lee J. Santioni
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: First Vice President


<PAGE>   19

                                                                              18



                              COMPAGNIE FINANCIERE DE CIC ET DE 
                              L'UNION EUROPEENNE, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Eric Lonquet
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


                              By: /s/ Martha Skidmore
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President
<PAGE>   20

                                                                              19



                              CREDIT LYONNAIS, CHICAGO BRANCH, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Mary Ann Klemm
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   21


                                                                              20


                              THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, LTD., 
                              CHICAGO BRANCH, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   22

                                                                              21



                              FIFTH THIRD BANK, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Andrew Hauck
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   23


                                                                              22



                              FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK, 
                              as Lender

                              By: /s/ Jerry Watterworth
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Senior Vice President


<PAGE>   24

                                                                              23



                              FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Charles L. Jenkins
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President, Manager


<PAGE>   25
                                                                              24

                              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Mary J. Amatore
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President

<PAGE>   26
                                                                              25

                              THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED, CHICAGO 
                              BRANCH, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   27

                                                                              26


                              THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LIMITED,
                              CHICAGO BRANCH, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Walter Wolff
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Joint General Manager

<PAGE>   28

                                                                              27


                              KREDIETBANK, N.V., as Lender


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


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


<PAGE>   29

                                                                              28



                              THE LONG TERM CREDIT BANK OF JAPAN, 
                              LTD., CHICAGO BRANCH, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   30

                                                                              29




                              MELLON BANK, N.A., as Lender


                              By: /s/ Richard J. Schaich
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Assistant Vice President


<PAGE>   31

                                                                              30



                              MICHIGAN NATIONAL BANK, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   32


                                                                              31


                              MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF 
                              NEW YORK, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Robert Bottamedi
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   33

                                                                              32



                              THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   34

                                                                              33




                              PARIBAS, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Karen E. Coons
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


                              By: Ann B. McAloon
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   35


                                                                              34


                              PNC BANK, N.A., as Lender


                              By: /s/ C. J. Richardson
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Senior Vice President


<PAGE>   36


                                                                              35


                              THE SAKURA BANK, LIMITED, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   37


                                                                              36


                              THE SANWA BANK, LIMITED, CHICAGO 
                              BRANCH, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   38


                                                                              37


                              STAR BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                              as Lender


                              By: /s/ Derek S. Roudebush
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   39

                                                                              38



                              THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED, CHICAGO 
                              BRANCH, as Lender


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


<PAGE>   40

                                                                              39



                              THE TOKAI BANK, LIMITED-NEW YORK 
                              BRANCH, as Lender


                              By: /s/ M. Nakamura
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Joint General Manager


<PAGE>   41


                                                                              40


                              U.S. BANK, as Lender


                              By: /s/ Thomas W. Cherry
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   42


                                                                              41


                              WACHOVIA BANK, N.A., as Lender


                              By: /s/ Brad Watkins
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President




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